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Everyone comes to a point in their career — trucking or otherwise — where it’s time to move on. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as walking away from your desk (or truck) and never thinking about that job again.
When it’s time to say goodbye to the trucking company you’re driving for — whether to retire or move on to another company — you can’t just say goodbye. There are a few essential steps you need to take first.
You might be wondering why we’d possibly write an article about quitting…after all, we want to retain our drivers! While that’s true, we know drivers will eventually retire or their needs will change and we might no longer be a good fit.
We want you to know what to expect during the resignation process so there aren’t any surprises that could hurt you in the long run. And, we know you might be quitting your current company to drive for ATS; we want to make sure you can have a seamless transition.
In this article, you’ll learn about the proper protocol for quitting your company trucking job and what happens to your benefits.
How to Quit…Without Burning Any Bridges
Sure, you could quit your job randomly one day without notice, but it’s best practice to do a few things first, like give ample notice.
Give a Two Weeks’ Notice
You’ve probably heard of office employees giving a two weeks notice, but it’s also recommended that truck drivers give a two weeks notice as well.
It isn’t uncommon for drivers to be worried about giving notice, thinking some sort of punishment will be doled out by the company. You should never feel like you can’t turn in a notice; if you do, you’re with the wrong company. Companies shouldn’t punish you for quitting. Consider this when you select another company to work with.
Giving at least a two-week notice gives you plenty of time to get home, unload your stuff and get ready to go to another orientation (if that’s what you plan to do).
Talk to Your Dispatcher
You should give your two weeks' notice to your dispatcher/driver manager. Every carrier has different expectations, but it’s common practice to talk to your dispatcher and then send a virtual message so it’s in writing. Your carrier may or may not have you turn in a written notice.
Most experienced company drivers (at least one year in the industry) don’t sign a contract. However, if you’re a brand-new driver and you’ve gone through schooling with the carrier, you may be required to work with them for a contracted period. In that case, you may have a contract. You may have signed a non-compete as well. If either of these situations is the case for you, talk to your dispatcher to find out what your options are.
Drop Equipment Off at an Authorized Location
You’ll have to go to an authorized location (oftentimes headquarters) to drop off your truck and any company equipment you were using. For instance, carriers sometimes give drivers assigned items to use. Failure to turn these items in could result in a charge.
You may or may not be required to go through an inspection process with someone at the company, but if you have the option, you should be present for it. This can be anywhere from a 10-second to a 10-minute process. Be sure you go through the list of items you need to turn in.
Additionally, if you damage your truck you could be billed for it. Company drivers aren’t responsible for paying for the maintenance on their trucks like lease drivers are, but if company drivers intentionally damage the truck, it’s a different story.
If it appears you willfully and maliciously damaged the truck and you refuse to pay for it, the company could escalate the situation. They may send the bill to collections, take you to small claims court or file criminal charges.
Some drivers decide to go back to the company they worked for previously and they may not be allowed back or they may be told they can only go back if they’re put on a payment plan to pay for the equipment they didn’t give back or damaged.
It’s also important to note, you shouldn’t abandon your truck — whether it’s in the shop somewhere getting fixed or you leave it in an abandoned parking lot in the middle of nowhere. A truck abandonment consists of leaving your truck in an unauthorized location. When you tell your dispatcher you’re quitting, they’ll discuss with you an authorized location you can bring it to.
It isn’t uncommon for a driver to become upset and quit on the spot because their truck is in the shop for a lengthy amount of time. This is a big mistake, as it may count as a truck abandonment. It’s best to wait it out.
If you don’t bring your truck to an authorized location, you’ll get a truck abandonment on your driver report and it may affect your financial standing. You might not receive your final check and you can be charged for the truck’s recovery.
Failure to pay the recovery costs gives the company the right to report it as a debt to the financial bureau. This shows up as a debt on your credit report and can make it difficult to qualify for loans in the future.
Give Yourself Time to Get Home
When you transition from one trucking job to another, you’ll most likely have some time when you aren’t earning a paycheck. It could be because you’re waiting for your next trucking job’s orientation class to start.
It can be tempting to try to avoid this period by quitting one job on the weekend and starting a new job on Monday. However, if you try to drop off your truck on Sunday and go to orientation at your new company on Monday, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Give yourself ample time to get home, organize yourself and then travel to orientation. Trying to rush the process more often than not ends up in disaster. Maybe you don’t get home on time or your rental car breaks down and then you’re late for orientation. If you show up late to orientation, you may have to change your start date entirely and wait another week (or more). You’ll be losing money for a few weeks.
It’s best to plan for this period where you aren’t earning any pay by saving extra money before you quit.
What Happens to My Benefits When I Quit?
You might be wondering what happens to your benefits when you leave your company driving position. Is there anything you should do before leaving?
For starters, you might be wondering when you get your final paycheck. Most states have laws about when companies are required to pay employees after they quit. Sometimes it’s during the employee’s final week or day. In some states, it’s within a week after their last day. Either way, you can expect to have your final paycheck fairly quickly.
As far as unused vacation time or paid time off, how or if it’s paid out will depend on the trucking company. You may not receive the money at all for unused time. If you do, chances are it’ll be paid out along with your final paycheck.
The human resources (HR) department will ensure your benefits end after your last day. The day your benefits stop depends on company policy. In some cases, your benefits may end on your last day with the company. On the contrary, they could last through the duration of the month you quit.
When it comes to continuing your current benefits, you may be eligible for COBRA. This allows you to temporarily extend your benefits as you transition from one job to the next or until you secure other benefits.
If you have a retirement account, like a 401K with the company you work with, you can either reach out to the HR department for next steps or you can wait for your retirement account provider to send out information. You won’t lose your money, but you may elect to withdraw it (and face tax penalties) or roll it over into a different established retirement account.
When tax time rolls around, you’ll need your W-2 forms to report your income. Make sure, before you leave, the company has your updated contact information so they can get those forms to you.
Are You Making These Truck Driver Mistakes?
It’s never a good idea to burn bridges, especially when it comes to your career. Putting in a notice, talking to your dispatcher, returning your equipment and giving yourself time to get home will ensure a smooth transition to your next company.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure you quit your trucking company in good standing. If you want to go back to that company one day in the future, you’ll more likely than not be welcomed back.
As a driver, quitting on bad terms may be just one of the mistakes you’re making without realizing it. Eight primary disqualifications prevent drivers from getting hired by top-paying companies.
