Why Truck Drivers Say More Money Is Better Than Longer Hours

In the ever-evolving landscape of the transportation industry, truck drivers occupy a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless movement of goods across vast distances. As demand for freight services continues to surge, so too does the conversation around compensation and working conditions. While longer hours on the road have often been viewed as a necessary sacrifice for higher earnings, many truck drivers are asserting a different perspective: that increased pay is far more valuable than extended work hours.

This sentiment reflects a broader shift in the industry, where quality of life, job satisfaction, and mental well-being are increasingly prioritized over sheer productivity. As drivers navigate a complex array of challenges—including mounting pressure to meet tight delivery schedules, the demands of being away from home, and the physical toll of long-haul driving—the desire for fair compensation that respects their time and expertise is becoming more pronounced.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this growing sentiment among truck drivers, examining the implications for the industry as a whole, and shedding light on why a focus on fair pay may lead to a more sustainable and satisfied workforce in the long run.

FMCSA HOS Proposal Sparks Debate: Safety vs. Driver Compensation

New Hours-of-Service Pilot Programs Face Resistance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently facing significant opposition from the trucking community regarding its recent proposal to modify hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. Critics, primarily comprised of drivers and owner-operators, argue that these changes will not only fail to improve safety but will further diminish driver earnings in an already tight market.

As the industry grapples with these regulatory shifts, stakeholders are encouraged to engage in broader discussions. Earlier this month, the FMCSA introduced two pilot initiatives specifically designed to address driver fatigue, though the reception has been mixed. These proposals include extending the daily driving window by up to three hours, effectively allowing for a maximum driving period of 17 hours, and introducing additional rest period options to satisfy the 10-hour off-duty requirement. 

While the agency frames this as flexibility, many behind the wheel view the extension of the "driving window" as a gateway to longer workdays without proportional pay increases.

Drivers Call the 17-Hour Window "Dangerous and Exploitative"

Derek Bowen, a commercial driver, strongly criticized the suggested pause in driving hours as “dangerous and exploitative” in his formal feedback on the initiative. He expressed deep frustration over the industry's historical tendency to attribute various operational challenges to drivers while companies benefit from their uncompensated labor. Bowen remarked that after 18 years on the road, he has seen drivers unjustly blamed for systemic issues like late deliveries, detention time, and a chronic lack of parking, noting that corporate inefficiencies often come directly at the driver’s expense.

Bowen further contended that extending the driving window could lead to a significant increase in unpaid work during extended pauses, thereby heightening the risk of accidents due to fatigue and frustration. He stated that drivers often wait for hours at docks without compensation, with companies choosing inefficient practices because drivers currently absorb those costs.

He argued that the solution is straightforward: implement a policy for immediate pay after 30 minutes of detention with no exceptions, rather than complicating the HOS rules. Emphasizing safety, Bowen noted that the existing 14-hour rule is critical to ensuring he returns home safely to his family, and he believes the proposed pause provision would only create longer workdays without addressing the core economic issues.

He insisted that companies must compensate drivers for all time spent on duty, rather than creating loopholes that extend the workday. This sentiment mirrors a growing "driver pay first" movement often seen in Reddit threads and industry forums, where the consensus is that flexibility without pay protection is merely exploitation.

The Conflict Between Fair Wages and Regulatory Jurisdiction

Johnny Hendrickson, another respondent to the proposal, posed a compelling question that resonates with many in the workforce: “Instead of extending our hours, why not ensure we receive the fair compensation we deserve while working fewer hours?” Hendrickson highlighted that many truck drivers are living paycheck to paycheck due to inadequate wages, pointing out the illogic of warehouse workers earning similar wages to those operating large vehicles on the highway.

One commenter supported this view, noting that while companies often advertise detention pay—typically starting after two hours of waiting—many drivers do not receive it in practice, asserting that this should be a federally mandated requirement. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), which generally supports flexible work rules, also recognizes the critical issue of undercompensated drivers in this equation.

OOIDA President Todd Spencer stated in a recent interview that if drivers were compensated for their time, they wouldn’t face delays of 20 to 40 hours each week. He argued that financial incentives would force companies to find efficient ways to reduce wait times, enabling drivers to maintain delivery schedules and ultimately work fewer hours while being more productive.

In contrast, lobbying groups representing brokers and large trucking firms have previously advised the FMCSA to refrain from addressing driver compensation and detention time. Organizations like the Transportation Intermediary Association (TIA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) argue that such matters fall outside the agency’s jurisdiction.

TIA President Chris Burroughs asserted that the FMCSA should focus on its primary mission of ensuring safety rather than dictating commercial practices, while the ATA has noted that numerous studies have failed to establish a statistically significant correlation between detention time and crash risk.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for HOS Regulations

The debate over the new FMCSA pilot programs highlights a fundamental disconnect between regulatory bodies, corporate interests, and the drivers who keep the supply chain moving. While the FMCSA aims to solve fatigue through flexibility, drivers argue that the root cause of fatigue is the economic pressure to work longer hours to compensate for unpaid detention time.

Until the industry bridges the gap between "safety regulations" and "fair compensation," proposals to extend the driving window will likely continue to meet fierce resistance from the workforce. As these pilot programs roll out, the data collected will determine whether a 17-hour window truly offers flexibility or if it merely formalizes the unpaid delays drivers have fought against for decades.

Drivers and stakeholders must continue to submit feedback and participate in industry events to ensure their voices shape the final regulations. The outcome of this proposal will likely set the precedent for how driver time—and driver pay—is valued for the next generation of trucking.

Stay Compliant Amidst Regulatory Changes with Labworks USA

The ongoing debate over Hours-of-Service modifications and driver compensation highlights just how complex and volatile the regulatory landscape can be for modern truck drivers. To ensure you aren't caught off guard by new FMCSA proposals, actionable insights, or shifting logistics trends, it is crucial to stay connected with a source that understands the intersection of federal policy and daily operations.

While the industry grapples with HOS rules and detention pay, maintaining your fundamental driving eligibility through strict adherence to safety standards remains paramount. If you are seeking reliable support regarding drug and alcohol testing, Labworks USA offers a stress-free solution to keep you on the road.

Our DOT Consortium team is dedicated to ensuring you remain fully compliant with random DOT testing and FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, allowing you to focus on driving safely and protecting your bottom line while we handle the regulatory details.