What Trucking Trends Should We Expect in 2022
Breaking down the top trends drivers and the industry will see this year!
With the new year in full swing, it’s important to see what topics and trends will be expected for the trucking industry, as well as the logistics and supply chain industries alike. Along with the expected topics of driver shortage and pay increases, there are some new ones to consider. For example, the new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Mandate is going into effect, and the White House has a new plan to strengthen the workforce.
Trucking Trend #1: Driver Shortage Means Bigger Payouts
In 2021, driver shortage numbers hit an all-time high of 80,000 drivers. This, paired with the growth of appreciation from Americans across the country, has carriers raising their entry pay rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported record-breaking numbers, with the highest 10 percent of professional drivers earning more than $69,480 in 2020. Along with this, trucking companies introduced sign-on bonuses, with one company offering as much as $20,000. Despite these efforts, shortage numbers are expected to climb, with it surpassing 160,000 by 2030.
Trucking Trend #2: ELDT Mandate
Entry-Level Driver Training, or ELDT, are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) policies to regulate the baseline for entry-level driver training requirements. These rules apply to individuals who are:
- Obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time.
- Upgrading an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
- Getting a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
FMCSA has been working to enforce these regulations since 1985. They will officially be enacted on February 7, 2022. For more information about this trend, check out APEX’s ELDT page.
Trucking Trend #3: Strengthening the American Trucking Workforce
On December 16th, President Joe Biden released his action plan to “address the expansion of trucking”. This trend is expected to assist the economic recovery, as well as create a strong foundation for the incoming generation of professional drivers. They announced to immediately:
- reduce barriers for drivers wanting their CDLs
- begin a 90-day challenge to expand Registered Apprenticeships
- grow recruitment efforts for veterans.
Added efforts for the following 90 days include, but are not limited to:
- launching tasks forces dedicated to women in trucking and truck leasing arrangements
- including the trucking industry in the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot
- launching a pilot for drivers ages 18-21.
Trucking Industry Trends and APEX CDL Institute
These trucking trends all point to one thing: now is the best time to begin a new career as a professional driver. Luckily, APEX CDL Institute can help get your Class A CDL career into gear in as little as four weeks! We also offer services to help our students succeed to their highest potential, including Tuition Assistance, Veteran Benefits, and Job Placement. Lastly, we conveniently list our enrollment requirements so you can see if you qualify for our training program.
