Geotab Is helping Australian fleets win the truck driver retention battle with telematics

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Australia’s heavy transport and logistics sector is under mounting pressure, and not just from rising freight demands. A deepening driver shortage is straining fleet operations nationwide, with an estimated 28,000 trucking positions left unfilled last year and almost half of operators reporting severe difficulty securing skilled drivers. As the workforce ages and too few young drivers enter the industry, retention has become just as critical as recruitment.

In response, forward-thinking fleets are turning to technology to reshape the driving experience.

Modern drivers expect more than competitive pay; they want safety, support and efficient tools that simplify the realities of life on the road. This is where telematics-enabled fleet management plays a transformative role.

Picture an in-cab environment where route plans, Electronic Work Diary (EWD) functions, pre-trip inspections and compliance data are delivered through a single, intuitive interface. Real-time alerts update drivers on hazardous weather, heavy traffic and road risks. Video telematics powered by AI and predictive safety analytics across fleets enable constructive coaching, while automated compliance tracking helps meet chain-of-responsibility obligations.

For drivers, this means fewer frustrations, clearer expectations and safer, more confident journeys. For operators, it’s a path to stronger engagement and reduced turnover, which will prove essential as Australia’s freight task is projected to grow by around 77% by 2050.

A connected ecosystem like Geotab’s brings multiple technologies together to support drivers holistically. Core components include:

Automated Electronic Work Diary
An NHVR-certified EWD simplifies compliance, reduces paperwork and cuts manual errors.

Inspire world-class driving and reduce risk
Geotab^® Vitality helps fleets prevent collisions, improve driver performance, and boost retention with personalised coaching and driver engagement.

Workflow and operational efficiencies
Integrated dispatch tools, messaging, routing and data-sharing streamline communication and reduce the administrative burden on drivers.

An open, customisable platform
Geotab’s connected ecosystem and partner network allow fleets to tailor technology to suit their operational model and support individual driver needs.

1. Enhanced safety and well-being
Real-time alerts, proactive hazard detection and video telematics help prevent incidents, reinforcing that the fleet is committed to driver safety.

2. Reduced compliance pressure
Digital workflows and automated EWD functions ease the load of recordkeeping, allowing drivers to focus on safe, efficient driving.

3. Greater uptime and earning potential
Predictive maintenance tools and fuel optimisation reduce breakdowns and idle time, supporting consistent work and reliable earnings.

4. Tailored training and coaching
Telematics data provides clear insights into performance. Drivers receive targeted coaching that supports continuous improvement and builds job satisfaction.

5. Transparent rewards and performance incentives
Geotab Vitality combines Geotab’s detailed benchmarking with Vitality’s research-backed behavioural science to create tangible improvements in driver habits. Drivers receive personalised driving goals and able to track their safe driving progress. Achieving weekly goals unlocks meaningful rewards and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

The impact of telematics on driver retention is already visible across fleets using Geotab.

ECS Project Logistics, a specialist in transporting oversized loads through remote region of Australia, uses Geotab’s telematics solutions to bolster safety, reinforce compliance and support drivers operating in demanding environments. ECS now operates a fleet of 70 prime movers and around 220 trailers across branches in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Roma. With fatigue contributing to 8% of heavy vehicle crashes but a third of related fatalities, Geotab’s GPS and compliance tools help ECS monitor driver hours, optimise routes and protect cargo that can cost clients up to $10,000 for every hour it’s delayed.

In the United States, Northern Logistics achieved a 28% improvement in driver performance through scorecards that incentivised safe driving.

Plastic Express saw a 13% reduction in severe alerts after simplifying daily compliance and operational workflows.

These outcomes highlight what many Australian fleets are beginning to see: telematics creates meaningful improvements that drivers feel day-to-day, turning retention goals into measurable results.

As the heavy transport and logistics industry evolves, fleets that prioritise their drivers through the right technology will be best positioned for long-term success. By improving safety, reducing compliance stress and simplifying workflows, Geotab’s fleet management solutions help fleets build a working environment where drivers genuinely want to stay.

Explore how Geotab can support your heavy transport and logistics fleet and strengthen driver retention through smarter, data-driven operations.