Truck Driver Shortage: Good News for Job Seekers in 2023

It may seem like we were talking about a truck driver shortage just last year, but unfortunately for the supply chain, there’s still a shortage of truck drivers – about 80,000 drivers are needed. The good news is the continued shortage means companies are increasing their hiring efforts.

If you think truck driving is the right career for you, contact Coastal Truck Driving School today. Our admissions counselors will guide you through the application process and get you started on your new career in as few as four weeks.

The Industry Reacts to Truck Driver Shortages

A truck driver shortage means that companies, now more than ever, will place emphasis on hiring and retaining employees. This comes as a hard-learned lesson after the shortage in previous years.

In 2020 and 2021, many drivers retired or left the industry due to low pay and poor benefits, forcing companies to react. Companies decided they needed to greatly improve their recruiting and retention plans, and as a result, over 90% of carriers increased their pay in 2021. But simply increasing pay and offering more benefits didn’t fix the issue.

While increasing the pay was a step in the right direction, the 80,000-driver shortfall is still looming, and carriers are left still trying to solve the shortage. To improve their recruiting pool, companies have started to focus on hiring more women and fixing the issues that may have kept them from joining the trucking workforce in the past. By offering equal pay, paid training, and adopting more inclusive practices, the carrier companies are hoping more women will join the industry and help turn things around.

[Related: How To Become A Truck Driver]

Is Trucking Still a Good Career?

In the face of a massive truck driver shortage, people interested in the career may be asking, “is truck driving even a good career anymore?”

The answer depends on what you seek in a career. The starting pay for truck drivers is considered great, with the average company starting new drivers at around $48,000 a year. In addition to good starting pay, many companies will pay for or reimburse for the training needed.

Another benefit of a career in trucking is the job security offered. Drivers are always in demand, especially in the midst of a truck driver shortage. This may be appealing to job seekers who place job security as a high priority.

A downside that often pops up when considering truck driving as a career is the isolation of being an over-the-road trucker. While the perception is that truckers spend a lot of time in isolation on the road, that’s only true for certain routes and job roles.

It is true that over-the-road drivers will often need to drive from one side of the country to the other. However, some carriers have started emphasizing cutting down road time by dividing those long-haul routes into smaller regional routes. One driver will finish one leg of the route and transfer the cargo to the next driver to be delivered to its final destination.

So, in short, truck driving can be a fantastic career for those who prefer to work alone and want a career they can grow into. If you’re thinking about starting out in trucking, don’t hesitate to contact Coastal. Our experienced instructors will have you road ready in as few as four weeks.

[Related: Is Truck Driving A Good Career?]

Training & Truck Driving Shortage

With a less populated pool to recruit from, trucking company recruiters are leaning more on training programs and driving schools to fill their vacancies. As a premier truck driver training school, the graduates at Coastal are highly sought after by recruiters.

Carrier companies know our graduates are ready to join the workforce. Our fantastic reputation with trucking companies and our Job Placement program means that our graduates never struggle to find the best trucking job they can.

With campuses in Louisiana and Mississippi, Coastal is ready to help train more drivers and combat the trucker shortage of 2023. To start your career, call 1-800-486-3639 today and begin the application process.