Young drivers wanted, older drivers needed: the industry’s biggest dilemma

The road transportation industry remains at a crossroads in its efforts to recruit young drivers, but the workforce keeps aging and seeking retirement.

The road transportation industry remains at a crossroads in its efforts to recruit young drivers. However, a report published earlier this year by the American Transportation Research Institute highlighted that the average age of truck drivers has increased from 42 in 1995 to 47 last year, with rising retirements and a shortage of new, young drivers.

Adding to the situation, Commercial Carrier Journal’s report “What Drivers Want in 2025,” a survey conducted with drivers and owner-operators, revealed that the actual average age of truckers is much higher. On average, today’s truck drivers are 59.5 years old, with only 2% of respondents aged 34 or younger.

Young workforce or dignified retirement?

In 2022, the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was implemented to address the driver shortage and attract drivers under 21 into the industry. The program concluded on November 7, 2025, and only 211 carriers applied to participate this year, of which just 62 were approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Thus, the issue persists. The workforce in the road transportation industry continues to age, shifting between fleets but never leaving the sector entirely. According to CCJ survey data, 71% of respondents have been part of the trucking industry for more than 20 years, which helps explain the rising average age of truck drivers.

The problem does not lie strictly in age, but in what age implies: retirement. An older driver is closer to leaving the workforce, creating vacancies and contributing to the current driver shortage. According to CCJ Digital, 52% of respondents said that saving for retirement is their primary motivation for continuing to drive. In contrast, a younger driver does not yet have this concern, which makes it easier for them to leave the industry.

However, retirement is not yet on the horizon for all truckers nearing retirement age. Nearly 70% of respondents said they are saving for retirement, yet 67% stated they have not saved enough to stop working.

This raises another issue: ensuring a dignified retirement for drivers. While the transportation industry seeks to attract younger workers, it must also look after those who are already part of the sector.

Satisfaction levels among current drivers

Despite the current situation, many truckers report being quite satisfied with what their job offers them. According to a CCJ survey, 28% of participants said they continue working because they enjoy it, not just to save for retirement. Additionally, 44% rated their company’s culture an 8 or higher, and 14% gave it a perfect 10, reflecting a high level of satisfaction among drivers in the sector.

So, is age really the problem? The industry aims to reduce the average age of truck drivers to avoid a surge of simultaneous retirements and to build a younger workforce that will remain in the job for more than 20 years, as current retiring drivers have done. However, for the drivers themselves, age is not an issue: many continue working happily and look forward to retiring one day, though without much urgency.