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Global truck driver shortage to double by 2028

[ November 20, 2023   //   ]

The global truck driver shortage could double in five years with over 3 million truck driver positions – 7% of the total – currently unfilled in 36 countries, according to the latest report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU). It added that only 12% of drivers are below 25, and just 6% are women.

It warns that with the already huge gap between young and old drivers will get much worse over the next five years without significant action.

However, two exceptions were Europe and the US, where shortages eased slightly in 2023 due to softer transport demand as a result of inflation and tighter monetary policy limiting consumption and investment.

The “school-to-wheel” gap is a key challenge facing the industry. The minimum driving age for international freight transport is still between 21 and 26 in some countries.

High training, licence and insurance costs also make it expensive to become a driver.

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