Driver shortage issues have diminished as capacity has fluctuated. However, the fundamentals behind the driver shortage have not disappeared, and it remains a top industry concern. The right equipment and technology can appeal to drivers and give fleets a competitive advantage when building and retaining their pool of drivers.
According to American Trucking Associations (ATAs), the driver shortage could drop to 64,000 drivers in 2023, which is nearly a 20% decrease from 2022. However, the relief is not expected to last long. The ATA estimates that the industry needs nearly 1.2 million drivers over the next decade to replace those leaving trucking to avoid the driver shortage expanding to more than 160,000 by 2031.
Fleets are using several strategies to attract and retain drivers.