Findings from a recent survey of more than 150 U.S. truck drivers reveal an interesting pattern in technology adoption across the freight logistics industry. On the one hand, the majority of drivers feel moderately satisfied with the tools their employers provide. On the other, they still find them to lack essential features.
Drivers appreciate the safety improvements, reduced paperwork, and real-time updates mobile trucking apps bring. However, many express a need for faster, more reliable, and up-to-date technology—for tools that are up to the challenges of work on the road. With 87% of drivers preferring an employer who invests in new technology, a reliable mobile app is well worth the investment.
Key Features Drivers Want
Drivers have a clear vision for an ideal mobile app, one that emphasizes features that enhance convenience and safety on the road. Their top requests include:
- Recommendations for fuel stops, rest areas and truck scales
- Live updates on weather and road conditions
- Automatic time-tracking for breaks and drop-off points
- Navigation built specifically for trucks
- Integrated communication for connecting with headquarters, customers and fellow drivers
- Safety and maintenance features such as training modules, vehicle inspection logs and emergency support
Additionally, drivers highly value seamless scanning of essential paperwork, such as Bills of Lading (BOLs), which play a critical role in shipment tracking and compliance. Reliable document scanning minimizes manual data entry, which not only saves drivers valuable time on the road, but also prevents costly mistakes and delays.
Challenges and Concerns
Contrary to this vision, frustrations with outdated devices and frequent technical issues persist. Drivers report slow, malfunctioning devices that struggle in areas with poor network connectivity, impacting their workflow and causing delays. For drivers who rely on mobile apps daily—as 75% of the survey respondents do—any technical glitch means a disruption of their work. Many are avoidable, such as the entire app freezing or loading slowly as a result of connectivity problems when most features can be run offline.
Since drivers spend substantial time using mobile apps, privacy is another major concern for them. Companies can address this by providing dedicated work devices and incentivizing technology adoption, making drivers feel more comfortable with their digital tools.
The Way Forward
For trucking companies looking to stay competitive, the truckers’ responses highlight the importance of investing in reliable and up-to-date tech solutions that deliver consistently—even in offline settings. Robust tools with the right mix of features improve job satisfaction and thus driver retention.
