The UK HGV Driver Shortage: Causes, Impacts & Solutions.

The UK’s logistics system is facing a persistent HGV shortage, with Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers at the heart of the crisis. This vital workforce has been shrinking for years, and despite some recovery since the peak in 2021, the shortage remains a major concern for supply chains, businesses, and the wider economy.

How Severe Is the UK HGV Driver Shortage?

The shortage of qualified HGV drivers has been one of the most pressing issues in the UK logistics sector.

Peak crisis in 2021: Over 100,000 HGV drivers were missing from the workforce (Trans.INFO, Financial Times).
Ongoing challenge: The Road Haulage Association (RHA) says the industry needs 40,000 new drivers annually for five years; a total of 200,000 new drivers, just to sustain operations.
Recent improvements: In late 2024, 36,000 new drivers joined the industry, with 30,000 of them from the UK (logistics.org.uk).

While these figures show some progress, the underlying structural issues mean the shortage is far from over.

What’s Driving the HGV Shortage?

Ageing Workforce & Lack of Young Recruits

The average UK HGV driver is 51 years old.
Over 55% of drivers are between 50 and 65, with many nearing retirement.
Fewer than 2% of drivers are under 25, pointing to a serious lack of young entrants.

This demographic gap is creating a ticking time bomb for the sector.

Training Bottlenecks, Brexit & COVID-19

COVID-19 impact: Annual HGV test passes plummeted from around 41,700 to just 16,000 during the pandemic (ONS).
Brexit fallout: Thousands of EU drivers left the UK, dramatically shrinking the available labour pool.

Low Wages & Poor Working Conditions

Although wages spiked in 2021, the premium has since eroded. In 2011, drivers earned 62% above minimum wage by 2024, which fell to just 38% (Financial Times).
Long hours, overnight stays, lack of quality roadside facilities, and constant monitoring technology have made the job unattractive to many.

The Impacts of the HGV Driver Shortage

The shortage of HGV drivers has ripple effects across multiple industries:

Supply chain disruptions: In 2021, supermarkets struggled with empty shelves, highlighting system fragility.
Fuel supply issues: Driver shortages frequently threaten fuel deliveries, particularly during peak demand.
Rising costs for small businesses: Just-in-time supply models are under pressure, with SMEs facing delays, higher logistics costs, and uncertainty.

What’s Being Done to Solve the HGV Driver Shortage?

Government Initiatives

Expanded Skills Bootcamps and apprenticeship programs to attract new talent.
Increased HGV testing capacity to reduce training bottlenecks.
Campaigns to encourage former drivers back into the workforce.

Industry-Led Campaigns

Generation Logistics is targeting younger workers with education and outreach campaigns.
Logistics UK reports some employment gains, though challenges remain.

Calls for Structural Reform

Experts argue that better pay, fairer working conditions, and industry-wide standards are essential to long-term sustainability. While this could mean higher logistics costs, it’s seen as the only viable path to attracting and retaining drivers.

Looking Ahead

The UK HGV driver shortage is not just a temporary crisis; it’s a deep-rooted structural challenge. Driven by an ageing workforce, training disruptions, Brexit, and unattractive working conditions, the issue continues to threaten supply chains and business resilience.

Recent gains in recruitment are encouraging, but the long-term future of the sector depends on:

Investing in training and recruitment
Improving pay and working conditions
Raising the profile of logistics as a career

Unless these challenges are addressed holistically, the UK risks repeating the supply chain crises of the past.