Just when it seemed like Britain’s lorry driver shortage was under control, the industry is facing yet another setback.
The fear of empty supermarket shelves, fuel shortages, and delivery delays is creeping back—reminiscent of the chaos seen during the early months of the Covid pandemic.
Back then, the country was left scrambling as a severe shortfall of drivers led to barren store aisles and logistical nightmares.
While immediate solutions helped stabilize the situation, new data suggests that the industry is once again in decline.
A Temporary Fix That Didn’t Last
After the pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities in the transport sector, companies rushed to recruit more drivers.
Higher wages, retention bonuses, and other incentives helped bring new workers into the fold.
In fact, from 2020 to 2023, the median hourly pay for full-time HGV drivers saw a 27% jump, reaching £14.99.
Job vacancies in the sector also saw a sharp decline, dropping from 43% in 2021 to 18% by 2023.
For a moment, it seemed like the worst was behind us.
However, this progress was short-lived, and the number of drivers has now dipped again—falling to around 266,000, which is over 20,000 fewer than pre-pandemic levels.
The Aging Workforce Problem
One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is its aging workforce.
According to training provider HGVT, 55% of truck drivers are between the ages of 50 and 65, while fewer than 2% are under 25.
With so many drivers nearing retirement and not enough young workers stepping in, the shortage is only going to worsen in the coming years.
Unless more efforts are made to attract fresh talent, the industry will find itself in an even deeper crisis.
The Shrinking Wage Advantage
Another major deterrent for new recruits is the shrinking pay gap between HGV drivers and minimum wage workers.
Over the past decade, both Tory and Labour governments have steadily increased the minimum wage, reducing the financial appeal of becoming a lorry driver.
In 2011, lorry drivers earned about 62% more than minimum wage workers.
Today, that difference has shrunk to just 38%.
Unite union’s Adrian Jones highlights that many drivers now question whether the long hours and tough conditions are worth it when they could earn nearly as much in a less demanding job.
Long Hours and Tough Conditions
Beyond wages, the demanding nature of the job is another reason why fewer people are pursuing careers in trucking.
Long, unpredictable shifts make it difficult for drivers to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Chris Kirk, a representative from Maritime Transport’s Felixstowe depot, pointed out at a recruitment event in Suffolk that many new drivers struggle with being away from home for extended periods.
He explained that many newcomers want predictable schedules so they can plan their personal lives, but the industry often fails to provide that flexibility.
The Impact of New Technologies
Adding to driver frustrations, surveillance technologies such as in-cab cameras designed to monitor signs of fatigue have made some feel like they are constantly being watched.
While these measures are meant to enhance safety, they have also led to growing dissatisfaction among drivers.
Many feel that such monitoring adds unnecessary pressure, pushing them away from the profession instead of improving conditions.
What’s Next?
The UK’s trucking industry is at a crossroads.
Without meaningful changes to wages, working conditions, and recruitment strategies, the driver shortage will only deepen.
The industry needs to find ways to attract younger workers, offer better job security, and improve work-life balance if it hopes to prevent another crisis.
If these issues remain unaddressed, Britain could soon face another wave of supply chain disruptions—with consequences for businesses and consumers alike.