What is a truck driver shortage?
When there are more vacancies or jobs being created than there are workers who are qualified or interested in being employed in the role, the occupation is considered as being in shortage. Note that for some roles, qualifications are required to be employed, so even if a worker applies for the job, they cannot be hired. For other roles, qualifications can be obtained on the job or in a short time, but people do not wish to work in the position. Both scenarios can affect whether an occupation is experiencing a worker shortage.
The truck driver shortage is a little more complicated. Trucks range in size and a particular licence is required to operate certain vehicles. The heavier the truck’s weight, the more advanced driver’s licence is required. So, while there may be many quality and experienced truck drivers who are willing to do the work, they may not hold the right type of licence to operate the required type of truck, creating shortages. It takes at least three years for a worker with a regular car driver’s licence to work their way up the licensing ranks to gain the highest heavy vehicle licence, so doing so is not a quick feat.
There are five heavy vehicle licences that qualify drivers to operate a truck:
- LR (Light Rigid) licence: enables holders to operate a truck with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4,500 kg
- MR (Medium Rigid) licence: enables holders to operate a truck with two axles and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 8,000 kg
- HR (Heavy Rigid) licence: enables holders to operate a truck with three or more axles and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 8,000 kg
- HC (Heavy Combination) licence: enables holders to drive a combination of vehicles, such as a prime mover and a semi-trailer
- MC (Multi Combination) licence: enables holders to drive a prime mover and multiple trailers, such as road trains.
A truck driver with an MC licence can operate the same vehicle as a driver with an LR licence, but the LR licence holder must first obtain an HR licence, for example, before they can obtain an MC licence. This can make it tricky to identify the type of licence that is most in shortage at any given time, as a higher-licensed driver may choose to work with smaller trucks.
Jobs and Skills Australia reports annually on all occupation shortages via its Occupation Shortage List, which outlines if worker shortages exist in each state or territory and at a national level. In 2021, it reported no shortage of truck drivers across Australia, with the Northern Territory the only region to experience a shortage. In 2022 and 2023, however, the truck driver shortage was recorded nationally in all states and territories. In 2024, the shortage eased in Victoria but remained across all other states and nationally.
As the data shows, shortages can fluctuate yearly and from region to region. Meanwhile, an occupation does not have to be officially recorded on the government list for employers to experience recruitment difficulty. Employers may find a shortage of candidates in their sub-region, such as their suburban area, which is not experienced in other parts of their state. This can add to the complexity of their search for recruits.
Why are truck drivers in shortage?
Worker shortages are caused by many factors, and many of these are not unique to the trucking industry alone. For example, the ageing population is leading to more workers retiring than the number entering the industry.
However, Australia’s driver licensing system requires drivers to gain experience in smaller trucks over a set period before they obtain a licence to drive a larger truck. This affects the speed at which new drivers can be trained to replace those retiring or leaving the industry.
How to recruit truck drivers during a shortage?
There are three key ways that employers can increase their chances of securing the best truck drivers despite the shortage.
Become an employer of choice
By making your business an attractive place to work, you can increase the chances that truck drivers will want to work for you and will apply for your role.
There are several ways to do this. Some employers offer higher-than-average salaries to lure the best workers to their business but paying more is not the only thing that can be attractive to candidates. Offering working conditions that truck drivers may find appealing can also make your business an employer of choice. This may include meal benefits, choosing shifts or extra leave entitlements.
Also, consider the type of work environment you can provide. For example, using a leadership style that supports employees and reduces their stress can make the work day more enjoyable for truck drivers and encourage them to work for you. Therefore, ensure employee deadlines are manageable, any unavoidable delays are understood and express appreciation for a job well done.
Think outside the square
Consider if there are alternative candidates to the usual contenders who may be just as qualified and experienced to be employed as a truck driver.
For example, under Australia’s licensing system, a bus driver may hold the same type of driver’s licence as a truck driver. Therefore, a bus driver with experience and a license to operate large vehicles may be able to transition into truck driving.
Beware of holding an unconscious bias or recruiting for stereotypes. With many modern truck engines becoming computerised and operating with automatic transmission systems, the role’s physical demands have decreased. While the number of women employed as truck drivers is still low compared to men, the cohort is increasing. Therefore, employers who consider all applicants rather than those they may traditionally see as being qualified candidates will expand their recruitment pool.
Recruit from within
Upskilling your current employees can make recruitment easier for your organisation. While not a short-term strategy, it can benefit your business in the long run if the truck driver shortage continues.
Consider offering employees with a lower licence level the opportunity to train for a higher licence and be promoted to driving larger vehicles. Then, you can hire a driver with a lower licence level to backfill their role, providing a continuous recruitment cycle. If you decide to pay for their training, it can also help make you an employer of choice in your industry.
Without truck drivers, your business may not be able to operate, so the truck driver shortage may have significant ramifications on your business’ success. However, taking the time to plan, proactively recruit and consider all options can put your business ahead of the rest and secure the best candidates first.
Read more: How to build a robust candidate pool
