Driver Shortage: A Growing Crisis and How to Fix It

Every product you order online, every item you pick off a store shelf, almost certainly got there by truck. Behind that truck is a driver. But in 2025, the world is facing a serious problem—there simply aren’t enough drivers. This shortage is becoming one of the biggest threats to the logistics industry, and by extension, to the way we all live and work.

And it’s not just a local issue. Across 36 major economies, the world is short by nearly 3.6 million drivers.

How Big Is the Problem?

In the U.S., the shortage has already crossed 82,000 drivers by mid-2025, with experts warning that the number could rise as older drivers retire faster than young people are joining the industry. Globally, things look just as worrying—around 70% of trucking companies say they can’t find enough drivers to fill essential roles.

India is no exception. Here, challenges like low pay, long hours, strict rules, and the general stigma attached to truck driving are keeping young workers away. With senior drivers aging out, the gap is only widening.

Why Is This Happening?

The driver shortage isn’t caused by one issue—it’s the result of several challenges coming together:

• An Aging Workforce: In many countries, drivers under 25 make up less than 7% of the workforce, and the number is falling.
• Tough Working Conditions: Long hours, modest pay, harassment on the roads, and poor rest facilities make the job unattractive. In India, the lack of health and social security benefits makes it even harder.
• Regulations That Limit Entry: Getting the right license and meeting age requirements often takes time and money, discouraging newcomers.
• Poor Public Image: Driving trucks is often seen as low-status work with little scope for growth.
• Retention Issues: In some regions, drivers are leaving the job faster than they’re being replaced because of stress and poor pay.
• Lack of Diversity: With trucking still dominated by men, the industry misses out on talent from women and other underrepresented groups.

What This Means for Everyone

The shortage isn’t just a problem for logistics companies—it directly affects our everyday lives:

• Delays in Deliveries: Fewer drivers mean goods take longer to reach stores, and shelves stay empty.
• Higher Costs: Businesses compete for fewer drivers, which raises wages and recruitment costs—expenses that trickle down to consumers.
• Economic Strain: Trucks move more than 70% of freight by weight in the U.S., so shortages can disrupt industries from food and farming to manufacturing and retail.

How Do We Fix It?

The crisis can be solved—but it will take coordinated action between governments, businesses, and communities. Some solutions include:

• Better Pay and Benefits: Fair wages, overtime pay, and standardised benefits can attract and retain drivers.
• Improved Work Conditions: Safe parking, clean rest stops, and better roadside facilities can make the job more bearable.
• Respect and Recognition: Treating drivers as the essential workers they are and offering career advancement can shift perceptions.
• Opening More Doors: Easier licensing processes, lower age requirements, and programs designed for women and veterans can bring in new talent.
• Training and Education: Offering proper training, skill upgrades, and even wellness support helps drivers feel valued and confident.
• Technology Support: Route optimization, telematics, and even AI-based autonomous systems can ease the workload and support efficiency.
• Government–Industry Partnerships: Policies, incentives, and training collaborations will be key to solving the issue long-term.

The Road Ahead

The driver shortage is serious, but it’s not unsolvable. With the right investment in people, technology, and working conditions, the industry can turn this around. At the end of the day, every delivery and every supply chain relies on one thing—the people behind the wheel.

Now the question is: will we act quickly enough to keep the world moving?