A Road Haulage Association (RHA) report, released in February, presents a stark outlook for the UK’s logistics sector. According to the report, the UK must recruit 40,000 new HGV drivers each year for the next five years to meet growing demand, amounting to a staggering 200,000 drivers by 2030. To meet this target, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will need to conduct an average of 73,000 HGV driving tests annually, a significant logistical undertaking in itself.
This forecast comes amid mounting pressures on supply chains and increased demand from large-scale national infrastructure and housebuilding projects. The data paints a clear picture: the HGV driver shortage is not only a short-term disruption but a long-term structural challenge. Unless addressed through coordinated, multi-stakeholder solutions, the shortage could severely impact the UK economy.
Addressing the Youth Recruitment Crisis
The RHA report reinforces concerns around the ageing HGV workforce, with just 2.2% of drivers currently under the age of 24. This demographic imbalance presents a long-term risk to the sector’s sustainability.
Georgina Hicks, CEO of The LGV Training Company, comments on the RHA’s findings and the need for urgent solutions to retain young HGV drivers:
“The report from the Road Haulage Association highlights the structural challenges facing the logistics sector, particularly the urgent need to recruit and retain younger drivers. With only 2.2% of HGV drivers under the age of 24, we risk losing a generation of talent in a sector vital to the UK’s economy.
The findings also highlight the challenge employers face with high insurance costs for young and newly qualified drivers. This can make it harder for businesses to take on fresh talent, even when there’s clear potential. A government-backed scheme for drivers under 25, offering reduced premiums through subsidies or guarantees, would help remove this hurdle and create more opportunities for younger drivers to establish long-term, rewarding careers in the industry.”
Hicks also underlined the vital support The LGV Training Company offers to new drivers, helping them overcome the early barriers of entry into the profession:
“At The LGV Training Company, supporting newly qualified drivers is at the heart of what we do. We connect them with agencies and employers who recognise the value of investing in the next generation of talent. We also provide practical support, from CV advice to help with job finding, to make their transition into the industry as smooth as possible.”
Industry-Wide Collaboration Needed
The RHA report calls attention to a sector-wide need for collaboration between government, training providers, insurers, and logistics employers. Hicks emphasises The LGV Training Company’s role in advocating for systemic change:
“We recognise that the industry needs change, and that’s why we’re actively campaigning for this initiative to insure the next generation of HGV drivers. As part of our commitment, we’re gathering data from our trainees to show the real impact of insurance costs and are working with industry bodies to push this issue to policymakers. By driving these conversations, we aim to create a more accessible and supportive environment for the drivers of the future.
But solving the insurance issue isn’t enough on its own.”
A Broader Approach to Driver Retention
Retaining talent is just as important as recruiting it. The RHA’s report cites poor driver facilities as a major contributor to attrition across the sector. Hicks reinforces the need for infrastructure investment to improve working conditions:
“The Government also needs to look at improving rest facilities, which play a big part in driver retention. Secure parking, clean washrooms, and better food options at rest stops would make a real difference to the working lives of drivers. A national investment fund to upgrade these facilities would be a step in the right direction.”
Modernising the Perception of the Profession
Finally, Hicks advocates for a national campaign to reframe the public perception of HGV driving as a stable, skilled, and essential profession:
“We believe it’s time to modernise how people view HGV driving. A national campaign that showcases the stability, career progression, and essential role of drivers would help attract a younger, more diverse workforce.
The logistics sector offers incredible opportunities, but it needs practical changes to unlock its full potential. At The LGV Training Company, we’re not just focused on training the next generation of drivers – we’re pushing for the changes needed to make this a career people are proud to stick with. With major housebuilding and infrastructure projects depending on logistics, the time for action is now.”
Looking Ahead
The RHA’s report lays bare a challenge that cannot be ignored. Bridging the driver shortage will require not only increasing test capacity and improving access to training but also creating the financial, cultural, and physical conditions that make the logistics industry an attractive long-term career path. As training providers like The LGV Training Company continue to lead the way in advocacy and support, industry-wide collaboration will be key to delivering sustainable solutions.
