should i pay my driver BEFORE/AFTER FUEL COST

In most states it is the law that you have workers comp insurance on an employee. Like I say it is in most states.

 

I paid my drivers between 25 to 30 % of the gross (not including F/S) . I would start them out at 25 %. Each state is different in regards to W/C laws. I usually paid W/C through the carriers the trucks were leased to, as this was generally cheaper.

 

Well, I am a newbie and really can't give you a good answer, however, I would like to share some thoughts. I had been running with an O/O. Then, these last few weeks I ran with a driver who drove for an O/O.

Now, I am sure thi is not true of all drivers, but, I think it is something Owners of a truck should consider.

This guy did not take care of the truck... Inside, outside, or under the hood! No pre-trips, post trips, never checked the oil once in the month I was out with him..He also gave no thought to fuel milage/cost... He would keep the truck running 24/7... The longest time I remember it running was when we loaded twine inside and had to turn off the truck, then we never turned it off until 6 days later when we were loading sand, again, inside. There was no need to run the truck all night, some nights it was like 40 to50 degree out. Also, he did not also plan his route most effectively, on one trip he made a 98 mile wrong turn... why should he get paid for those miles???

I just don't think a driver like him should get paid the same as a driver, like the kind want to be, who takes care of the truck, runs effeciently and tries to run in a manner to make the most profit.

I know I am a newbie, but I also know that could of made more profit on our runs through better fuel milage, better truck care and maintenance, we could of trimmed time and miles off each run...

I think all of those things should be taken into consideration when paying a driver, there should be a way to reward drivers who can run more effeciently and with less wear and tear on the equiptment.

one last example, we had to chain to go over Donners pass, well, he was frustrated and struggling to get the last chain on, so he just said "screw it" and took off... well the chain started falling off and ote trucks and cars were pointing it out... the chain had slipped so much that he had to pull over to fix it... how did he take care of it.... he just cut the chain off with his bolt cutters and tossed it... This is just one of the ways I saw him waste money... of course, not his money...

Maybe, there is a way that you can give a bonus to a driver based on profits, like at the end of the year, so a driver that doesn't waste your money gets rewarded for that, and a thoughtless and careless driver like him has to pay.

 

Lavender, He's a prime example of what is wrong with this industry. He's (in my opinion) a worthless P.O.S. that does not deserve a job!
You'll do fine because you give a ####.

 

I believe Indiana is a workman's comp state, at least they used to be. I'm pretty sure you will be required to have W/C unless the company you are leased to carry's it. I started out working on percentage and never minded doing it. The company I drove for is out of business due to the health of the owner but here's how it worked. 25% of gross to start. After 90 days 26% of gross, after one year 27% and each six months 1% to maximum of 30%. Paid 1% safety bonus and 1% for no log violations,no late deliveries,all paper work turned in on time, etc. At the end of the year you got a check the Monday after Thanksgiving for Christmas. One cool deal! Not many drivers left and some who did were back in less than 3 months. Back to the original question: Gross is how much the truck made before the deductions. As expressed above $3000.00 gross is $900.00 to the driver. Oh one other thing I started with that company in 1978. They went out in 1986. Those were the good days.

 

You are supposed to do all that? lol

One thing to keep in mind a "Driver will make or break you" It is a gamble but like my wife always tells me when I am complaining about something "Thats Truckin"