L abor shortages have been an ongoing issue for the trucking industry, which caused the Biden administration to introduce the Trucking Action Plan in 2021(Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor).
The trucking industry is a major economic driver supporting multiple sectors, but lately it is facing challenges due to a lack of freight to haul and labor constraints.
The Missouri Department of Transportation estimates that over 985 million tons of goods pass through Missouri annually, with a net worth of $1.1 trillion. About 87% of these goods are moved by trucks.
“If we’re doing our job right, you don’t notice us,” Tom Crawford, president and CEO of the Missouri Trucking Association, said. “The shelves are full, and life is good.”
Crawford said that the economy has a direct impact on the trucking industry due to its integral role in the supply chain.
“Our industry is a reflection of the economy,” Crawford said. “A few years ago, the economy was running and gunning — everybody was spending like it was. So we got a lot of demand for goods.”
Consumer spending across the United States surged between 2021 and 2022, rising about 9%, and then about 5.9% from 2022 to 2023, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, inflation remains elevated as the consumer price index rose approximately 3% on an annual basis since September 2024.
“You’re buying less than you did in 2022,” Crawford said. “You’re probably spending the same amount of money, but you’re not buying as much.”
Crawford explains that these economic changes are usually reflected back in the trucking industry’s demand for freight hauling. When there is an increase in consumer spending, there may be the challenge of finding more drivers to haul goods. While when the economy is facing a downturn, there might be a challenge of finding freight loads to haul.
One area where Crawford said this is often apparent is in the construction industry.
“When you see construction starting, with the ground being worked and foundations being set, you are also seeing a spike in freight demand,” Crawford said. “All of the raw materials, like concrete, gravel, and lumber, have to be delivered by truck. So changes in construction activity directly drive the volume of loads the trucking industry handles, especially in segments like flatbed trucking.”
Labor challenges
There have been nationwide concerns from trucking organizations about the shortages of truck drivers. Representatives from the American Trucking Association, the largest trucking organization in the U.S., testified before Congress in July to address the issue of a driver shortage, among other challenges.
Labor shortages have been an ongoing issue for the trucking industry, which caused the Biden administration to introduce the Trucking Action Plan in 2021.
One of the Trucking Action Plan’s main goals was to reduce barriers for individuals seeking commercial driver’s licenses. As part of this effort, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provided over $30 million in funding to help states expedite the commercial driver’s licensing process.
The CDL process involves first obtaining a learner’s permit by passing a knowledge test and meeting age and medical requirements. Drivers then complete training and pass a skills test, which includes vehicle inspection, basic maneuvers and on-road driving.
The current Trump administration has sought to reverse the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce barriers for the CDL licensing process. To do so, it has made the English Language Proficiency aspect of the test an out-of-service violation.
“It’s really all about safety, because, you know, if you think about it, if someone cannot understand what a road sign means, then that could be a real issue,” said Sicily Waters, director of communications for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “And that’s really why I think everybody has really galvanized and supported this issue. The actions that this administration has taken are rooted in safety, and that’s not a partisan issue.”
Reporting from Missourinet indicates that 484 commercial drivers have been cited and pulled from driving on Missouri roads as of Oct. 21 because they are not fluent in English, according to information from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Crawford acknowledged that many drivers in Missouri’s trucking industry speak English as a second language. However, he stressed that it is the responsibility of employers to verify English proficiency during the hiring process.
“I know several members who have drivers for whom English isn’t their first language, but they are conversant,” Crawford said. “That’s what the law requires, and that’s a safe driver.”
This story originally appeared in Missouri Business Alert, a digital newsroom covering businessand the economy in Missouri.