Convincing Truck Drivers to Use Per Diem: 4 Simple Tips That Work
Do your truck drivers push back when you bring up per diem pay?
Are they unsure about how it works — or why it matters to them?
This article will show you five simple and effective ways to help drivers see the real value of per diem pay — and why it puts more money in their pockets.
At Superior Trucking Payroll Service, we specialize in payroll solutions made just for trucking companies. We understand the rules around per diem, and we know how to explain it in a way that makes sense to your team.
In this article, you’ll learn how per diem helps drivers keep more of their earnings, why the 2017 tax law changed the game, and how offering per diem can even help you hire and keep good drivers. Let’s break it down.
Tip #1: Show Drivers How Per Diem Increases Take-Home Pay
Many drivers don’t understand how taxes eat into their paycheck. When you explain that per diem reduces their taxable income, it starts to click.
Example:
If a driver earns $1,200 in a week and $300 of that is paid as per diem, they are only taxed on $900 instead of the full $1,200. That’s less tax withheld and more money in their pocket every pay period.
What to do:
Break it down in simple numbers during orientation or one-on-one. Show a side-by-side paycheck example with and without per diem.
Tip #2: Explain the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017
Before 2018, drivers could deduct their travel expenses on their personal tax returns. But the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed that.
What Changed:
Why It Matters:
The only way company drivers can now benefit from per diem is if their company provides it through payroll.
What to do:
Tell drivers, “This is money you used to get back at tax time. Now, the only way to get it is through per diem on your paycheck.”
Tip #3: Focus on the Tax Savings, Not Just the Dollars
Truck drivers care about take-home pay — but they also want to know they’re not given too much money to the IRS.
When you show that per diem is legal, IRS-approved, and helps them avoid overpaying taxes, it becomes a no-brainer.
Key Point:
Per diem doesn’t raise their gross pay, but it raises their net pay (the money they actually keep).
What to do:
Emphasize that this is a smart tax move — not a trick or a pay cut.
Tip #4: Use Real Examples and Pay Stub Comparisons
Numbers speak louder than words. If a driver can see how much more they take home with per diem, they’re much more likely to trust it.
Example Scenario:
What to do:
Show them sample pay stubs (real or mock) to help the concept feel real and relatable.
Final Thoughts: Why Per Diem Matters More Than Ever
Convincing drivers to use per diem comes down to clear communication and simple math.
When you take the time to explain:
…you turn confusion into confidence.
At Superior Trucking Payroll Service, we help fleets of all sizes manage per diem the right way — with full compliance and clear reporting. If you’re ready to set up or improve your per diem program, we’re here to help.
Ready to simplify per diem for your drivers?
Reach out to our team to learn how we can help you implement a driver-friendly per diem plan that keeps everyone happy — and keeps more money in their wallets.
Written by Melisa Bush
With over 15 years of experience in the trucking industry, Melisa is well-versed in the complexities of trucking payroll and adept at navigating special circumstances. Before joining Superior Trucking Payroll Service, Melisa worked at a trucking company, where she managed driver miles and expenses for a fleet of 50 trucks. This hands-on experience gives her unique insight into the challenges our clients face when preparing their payroll data.
Melisa’s top priority is customer service. She strives to treat each client as an individual with genuine needs, rather than just another number in the system. Her goal is to alleviate the burdens of our clients and make their daily operations smoother.