The margins for small to mid-size trucking operations are often much tighter than larger fleets. They can’t weather major fluctuations in expenses as well as their bigger counterparts, which means small to mid-size fleets need to reign in and control costs as much as possible. Small to mid-size trucking companies can use the following tactics to save money and support the health of their operation:

  1. Eliminate outdated technology. Relying on dated computers isn’t just irritating, it can also cost fleets money. The time wasted could be spent on more important tasks, and antiquated technology is more prone to cyberattacks. Another example of aging technology is the fax machine. Fax machines have several limitations and numerous associated expenses such as toner, an extra phone line, etc. Upgrading from a fax machine to cloud technology can help improve efficiency and cut down on expenses.
  2. Reduce paperwork. Using mobile technology instead of printed documents can help cut down on operation costs (i.e. paper and ink for printing). Mobile apps can also help fleets receive payments faster. For example, submitting load paperwork via an app is instantaneous and expedites processing.
  3. Invest in a quality ELD. While there were a number of opinions surrounding the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, the ruling is now in full force. While fleets with grandfathered in automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) have until December 16, 2019 to upgrade to a compliant ELD, waiting until the last minute can result in fleet confusion and costly violations of the ELD mandate.
  4. Create a culture of safety. Accidents happen to fleets of all sizes, but a significant accident can torpedo a small fleet’s reputation and income. Accidents can also increase insurance premiums. Educating and training drivers on a regular basis can help reduce accident rates and the associated costs.

If your fleet is struggling with safety violations or accidents, DriverCheck can help. Our How’s My Driving? Program can help identify unsafe driving habits as well as provide safety training to eliminate unwanted driver behaviors behind the wheel. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your fleet.