‘Critical’ Labor Shortage Fuelled by Lack of Qualified Drivers
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New report finds 45% of U.S. freight businesses say a lack of qualified applicants is the biggest challenge in maintaining a steady driver workforce
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63% say driver recruitment & retention has stagnated or worsened in the past year
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38% of respondents say workforce limitations are ‘critical’ or of ‘high urgency’
Tech.co’s 2025 Logistics Report has revealed that almost half (45%) of U.S. freight businesses say a lack of qualified applicants is the biggest challenge in maintaining a steady driver workforce.
The report also highlights a major labor shortage among U.S. freight businesses, with 38% of respondents describing workforce issues as ‘critical’ or of ‘high urgency’.
‘Critical’ U.S. driver shortage is getting worse
Tech.co’s findings suggest that for the majority of surveyed freight businesses, this major labor issue hasn’t improved over the past year.
63% of U.S. freight businesses say driver recruitment & retention has stagnated or worsened in the past year. Only 11% report any significant improvement, highlighting just how entrenched the issue is.
Unqualified applicants hinder a steady driver workforce
Biggest challenges in U.S. truck driver recruitment:
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Lack of qualified applicants (45%)
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Competition from other employers (34%)
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High turnover (31%)
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Aging workforce (25%)
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Cost of recruitment (22%)
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Poor work-life balance (20%)
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Not enough work (15%)
Business owners feel staff strain more than managers
When it comes to the urgency of driver shortages, there is a clear perception gap between those running freight companies and those managing business functions.
14% of freight business owners view workforce issues as critical, compared to just 6% of managers.
Business owners are also five times more likely than managers to say the recruitment situation has “gotten significantly worse”. This disconnect could point to a misalignment in how different teams perceive labor challenges, and may influence how quickly companies act on structural dilemmas.
Tech to tackle driver shortage
In the face of a critical driver shortage, 63% of U.S. freight businesses are using some form of tech to reduce reliance on drivers.
Top 5 tech used to address workforce challenges (by highest satisfaction rating)
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Digital freight matching: 89%
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Routing optimization software: 87%
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Warehouse robotics: 86%
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Fuel/energy reduction technology: 85%
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Driver monitoring & coaching platforms: 84%
Tech.co’s Editor, Jack Turner, comments:
“As the recruitment crisis continues in logistics, tech is on-hand to help ease the burden. While it’s getting harder and harder to find qualified drivers, tools such as freight matching and route optimization software, among others, can ensure that companies can continue to operate as efficiently as possible.”
Editor of The Inside Lane trucking newsletter, Bianca Prieto, adds:
“Business leaders see the labor shortage for what it is: critical. Tech can’t replace drivers, but it can buy time, improve efficiency and keep freight moving while the industry works to rebuild the workforce.”
Please see the full Tech.co Logistics report here: https://tech.co/article/
Notes to Editors:
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Tech.co surveyed 521 professionals in the U.S. transport and shipping sector. Data was collected in May 2025.
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Tech.co is a leading authority for providing business tech and logistic news, reviews and expert buying advice, based on impartial research and analysis.
