Truck driving is a tough job. When you’re behind the wheel, you have to be alert and aware at all times to keep our roads safe. You also have to deal with long hours away from home, as well as unpredictable weather conditions and traffic delays on the road. Despite these challenges, truck drivers still manage to deliver their cargo safely and on time—which keeps our economy going! That’s why it’s so important for carriers to take some time and effort to thank them during Truck Driver Appreciation Week (Sept 11-17th). Below are 5 simple ways you can say “thanks” for everything they do. 

1. Host a thank you party (and invite everyone!).

Your drivers already spend long hours on the road away from their families. So instead of doing something company-wide, host a party and extend the invite to employees and their families. A buffet-style dinner is a great laid-back way to get everyone together. You could also provide entertainment, or host a raffle with the chance to win gift cards and prizes. Be sure to make it fun and memorable for your employees and their loved ones.

2. Surprise them with a thank you gift.

You don’t have to have a large budget to give a thoughtful gift to your drivers. This could range from something small, like a gift card for food while they on the road – to necessities for their truck, like seat cushions, headsets, or GPS systems. These little gifts can go a long way to show you care, while also letting them know you understand the challenges they face while on the road. On an even tighter budget? There is something really special about an old-fashioned thank you note. Taking the time out of your day to write a personalized thank you to your drivers can be just as nice as a physical gift.

3. Recognize a driver with a blog or social media post.

Public recognition is a powerful motivator. There are a couple of ways you could thank your drivers. You could write a company blog post featuring drivers and what they’re best at, like completing all their routes on time, or covering a milestone number of safe miles traveled. You could also thank them on social media by creating a special shout-out post for a new driver each day of the week – or a collective post that thanks all your drivers and gives them props for their hard work. No matter which route you take, it feels good to be recognized in a public way.

4. Invest in their health.

Truck drivers face a lot of health issues due to the nature of their job. Driving long hours makes them more sedentary and they have limited access to healthy food while on the road. Additionally, the job can be isolating which can lead to mental health challenges. A unique way to say thank you to your drivers this year is to invest back in their physical and mental health. Knowing they’re on-the-go a lot, a great place to start is with on-demand resources. For their mental health, offer free sessions with therapists on TalkSpace or Better Help. Then for their physical health, offer free subscriptions to on-demand fitness classes through streaming platforms. When you take the time to care for holistic health, that will have a positive affect on your entire fleet.

5. Gift a quality experience.

Another great way to say thank you is to surprise your drivers with something they can do with their family or friends. One great idea is a gift card to a local restaurant so they can take their family out to eat when they’re home. Alternatively, you could give them tickets to the movie theater, or even a local sporting event. These types of gifts show them that you care about their quality time with family when they’re home from being on the road. Not only does this strengthen your relationship with your drivers, it strengthens the relationship with their families as well. 

Truck drivers work hard every day and deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Whether you decide to throw a party, surprise them with a gift, or get the community involved – just remember to keep it fun and show you care. We hope this article has inspired you to take the time to thank them for all their hard work and sacrifices this Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Happy celebrating!