The replacement cycle touches several teams
Each replacement needs sourcing, screening, induction, equipment, access and extra supervision. The cost is spread across recruitment and operations, so it is easy to underestimate.
Experienced staff also spend time helping new starters instead of preventing the next problem.
Customers see the variation
New drivers need time to learn the route and service standard. If people leave faster than that knowledge forms, late decisions and inconsistent handoffs become part of the customer experience.
Lower labour cost can be wiped out by rework, service recovery and lost trust.
Measure the full cost
A useful view includes recruitment hours, training, supervisor load, vehicle downtime, delivery failures and customer contacts. Looking at those costs together makes retention a service decision as well as a people decision.