Drivers work schedule - which one really pays off? The answer is not obvious

Every professional driver knows that the work schedule is a key aspect of everyday functioning. In addition to having an impact on the earnings, it also affects the driver’s health, family life and overall work satisfaction. Drivers’ preferences vary opinions, which is why we decided to ask them: which work schedule is the best? The results of our survey involving 273 respondents show that the answer is not straightforward.

The survey included questions concerning:
1. Preferred work schedule
2. Factors that determining the choice of a particular work schedule
3. The pros and cons of different work schedules.

The most popular work schedules

The 2/2 schedule turned out to be the most popular schedule and was chosen by as many as 108 respondents. The next most popular option is 2/1 (60 respondents), followed by 3/1 (13 respondents), 4/2 (12 respondents) and 3/2 (11 respondents).
Other schedule options included 4/1, 6/2, 8/2 and 4/2.



The survey indicates that most drivers prefer three work schedules:

✅ 2/2 schedule (2 weeks of work, 2 weeks off) – chosen by 108 respondents

While it was the most popular schedule system, it is not free from disadvantages, but more on that in a moment. The 2/2 schedule is particularly favoured by drivers with families who value the possibility of returning home regularly. It provides an ideal balance between work and private life. During two weeks off, drivers can fully regenerate, take care of their health, spend time with their loved ones and take their time (!) catching up with things that had accumulated while they were aways. In addition, this schedule reduces the risk of burnout, which is crucial from the perspective of road safety.

However, this schedule has its drawbacks. The main one are lower earnings: shorter working hours per month mean lower pay compared to other work schedules. Additionally, not every company offers this option, and if they do, it is often only available on selected routes. After a two-week break, some drivers may have difficulty returning to their work routine, which can be frustrating.

✅ The 2/1 schedule (2 weeks of work, 1 week off): selected by 13 respondents

The 2/1 schedule is a solution that is considered to a perfect tradeoff between earnings and time spent with the family. Compared to the 2/2 schedule, it tends to be associated with higher earnings, as more days of work per month result in higher wages. Despite shorter breaks, drivers appreciate more frequent returns home. A constant work rhythm has its advantages - a week of rest is usually sufficient to regenerate. But sometimes, after two weeks of intensive driving, one (sometimes incomplete) week off may not be enough to recharge the batteries. Drivers note that in practice this system can be demanding on family life.

✅ The 3/1 schedule (3 weeks on, 1 week off): selected by 12 respondents

This main advantage of this schedule are higher earnings: the more time spent on the road, the higher the pay, which is the most important point in favour of this solution for many drivers. Some prefer longer trips because they are less stressed about returning quickly and planning their rest. But this also comes at a price - for drivers with families, long separations can be difficult, and a week off after three weeks of work is often not enough to fully regenerate. Also, many drivers are aware of the risk of burnout.

Drivers comments

To illustrate these general results, we provide the most frequently repeated opinions, as well as those reported by individual drivers, as well as important issues related to structural problems in the transport industry.

Most frequently repeated answers:

◾ ''More often at home for longer'' - many drivers emphasized that regular and longer stays at home enable them to rest and spend time with their families.
◾ ''The right work-life balance'' - drivers pointed out that particular schedules (e.g. 2/1) give them a chance to rest and function normally off the road.
◾ ''Less fatigue''
◾ ''Better quality of life''

Answers that appeared only once:

◾ ''Driving only at night - fewer traffic jams and less stress on the route''
◾ ''Only short routes because I don't want to sleep in the cabin''
◾ ''I don't have a family, so I prefer longer routes and higher earnings''
◾ ''The longer I'm on the road, the better, because I don't like sitting at home''
◾ ''Flexible hours, no rigid schedule''

Drivers problems

◾ Lack of suitable parking spaces: the lack of safe and well-equipped parking lots is a big problem, especially for drivers on international routes.
◾ Pressure to break the rules: despite increasingly stringent regulations, drivers still feel the pressure to exceed working time standards.
◾ The impact of work on private life: long trips and an irregular lifestyle often lead to family problems and even divorce.

So which schedule is the best?

There is no ideal work schedule – it all depends on your priorities. The 2/2 schedule is preferred for its optimum work-life balance – drivers emphasize that the even split between time spent at work and free time results in better professional efficiency and stronger family ties. The 2/1 schedule, while offering less time to regenerate, is associated with higher wages, which makes it an attractive choice for those who want to earn more without sacrificing their leisure time too much. For many drivers, however, the most valuable and desirable solution is the possibility of returning home every day, which guarantees stability.

As already noted, each of the most popular schedules has its drawbacks. Less balanced schedules, such as 3/1 or 4/1, despite higher wages, mean long-term separation from the damily, fatigue and mental strain. The possibility of daily returns, while ensuring stability, is associated with lower wages compared to what drivers can earn on international routes. Additionally, some drivers indicate that the 2/2 schedule - despite its undeniable advantages - may be less attractive financially compared to the 2/1 model.

The survey clearly shows that drivers are no longer satisfied only with high wages and that mental comfort and time to rest are also important. Employers who understand this can better tailor their work conditions to their needs. The results of the study provide valuable inisghts for transport companies and for drivers, who want to choose the schedule that best works for them.

More job offers than applicants - the job market in 2024

In 2024, the job market for drivers was full of opportunities, but also challenges. Our website section dedicated to employment opportunities job etransport.pl , featured 3,026 ads from drivers looking for work, while employers posted as many as 7,380 offers for drivers. In other words, the demand for drivers continued to exceeds the number of available applicants. In addition, we posted 8,609 ads for positions of dispatchers, freight forwarders or carriers, which shows that the transport industry is developing in various directions. 292 of all offers were sponsored ads (ads for drivers and offers of cooperation for carriers).

All these numbers reflect an continuing demand for drivers and the dynamically changing market that tries to respond to various needs. A flexible approach to organizing working time not only improves drivers’ quality of life, but can also bring benefits to transport companies by helping them maintain the loyalty and satisfaction of their employees.