US fleets acknowledge driver shortage a problem, report finds

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A shortage of drivers is already weighing on the minds of many US fleet managers, according to the findings of the Q2 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report.

The report surveyed 52 fleets operating 77,000 power units and 132,000 trailers in the US and was conducted by research firm CKCVR.

More than 70% of fleets surveyed indicated the driver shortage is either impacting their fleet now or may in the future. Forty-two per cent said they are currently having trouble keeping seats filled and must limit the number of new units they can add to their fleet.

Another 32% who claim to be unaffected now, still believe the shortage of drivers could impact their fleet in the future, the survey found.

The Fleet Sentiment Buynig Index fell to a reading of 90.5, yet still points toward continued strong demand for medium- and heavy-duty power units and trailers, CKCVR reports.

For more info, visit www.ckcvr.com/fleetsentiment.

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  • What a crock!
    There is NO driver shortage, doubt there ever has been a driver shortage and I highly doubt there ever will be a driver shortage. What there is a shortage of is good paying truck driving jobs and employers that treat their staff with the respect they deserve. If they don’t deserve respect then why would you keep them on the payroll? The alleged driver shortage is a myth purpotrated by the big fleets (ATA/CTA members). Their alleged driver shortage is actually driver churn/turn over. They have 100% driver (or more) turnover on an ongoing basis and can’t push applicants through orientation fast enough to keep their trucks full. If they would fix their revolving door (treat and pay people better)their churn would stop and they’d have a driver for every truck in the fleet.

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