OTTAWA, Ont. – Commercial drivers aren’t in short supply but qualified commercial drivers are, concludes a report released by the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council this spring.

Profile of Driver Shortage, Driver Turnover and Future Demand found that supply currently exceeds demand – the number of drivers obtaining a Class 1/A or Class 3/D licence across Canada is estimated at 40,000 per year, compared to the estimated average demand of 37,300 drivers.

But the report also stipulates that while the numbers calculated nationally may show excess in supply, there could be shortfalls on a regional and/or occasional basis, in line with the rise and fall of industry growth.

The report is the first of two parts, the second intended to analyze data, such as driver turnover and retention strategies, collected in the first part, says CTHRC executive director Linda Gauthier.

The report on driver shortage, turnover and demand was released on the heels of another CTRHC report, which collected information on licensing requirements across the country.

Both reports are available on line at www.cthrc.com