How DreamTec’s in-cab system can play a part in attracting and retaining the best talent.
“Where have all the truck drivers gone?”
According to research by the world transport organisation (IRU) there were more than three million unfilled driver positions to be filled globally as of 2023, a number predicted to rise to seven million by 2028.
How did we get here? Problems began in the UK with Brexit, when a large pool of local drivers returned to continental Europe, but on a global scale it was the 2020 pandemic that ground freight to a halt and put the brakes on new driver testing. If the public was unaware of the crisis, fuel supply shortages and subsequent panic buying on UK forecourts in September 2021 brought matters firmly into the spotlight.
Top driving talent is retiring
The roots go deeper, however, and if the global fuel distribution sector finds itself with a driver shortage, it’s largely because of an ageing talent pool that’s leaving the profession faster than the pipeline can replenish it.
The average age of an HGV driver worldwide is 44, and 30% of drivers plan to retire by 2026. With young drivers not able to qualify until the age of 21, and an additional ADR license required to haul hazardous loads like fuel and LPG, there’s a barrier for young talent where there should be a welcome mat.
At a time when employers need to compete for talent, they’re wrestling with a range of challenges:
- Rising fuel costs mean firms have less money to invest in recruitment and training
- Negative public perception around the diversity of trucking (and driver security) puts off women and minorities. Statistics support this. IRU figures show that only 12% of drivers globally are under 25 (and it’s as low as 2.6% in Germany) while just 6% are women.
- Visa policy changes, for example, with South African drivers, have reduced the number of qualified drivers with reciprocal licenses from the Irish workforce.
- New EU Smart Tacho 2 regulations now require companies to install next-generation tachograph technology capable of updating their driver work time monitoring and enabling remote monitoring by the authorities. It’s an extra hurdle that might promise benefits to the industry as a whole, but which represents a cost for individual businesses.
- Retention issues. Average turnover rates are as high as 90% among long-haul truckers at the big US trucking companies. Many drivers cite pay-by-the-mile structures as a source of discontent, since time stuck at the loading dock leaves them out of pocket.
Surprisingly, this is one hiring impasse where salaries are not directly to blame. In fact, average driver salaries are typically higher than the base cost of living level, particularly for LPG and fuel tanker drivers, who are traditionally among the better paid and most highly skilled drivers in the sector.
The real reasons for driver discontent
The biggest gripes cited by 91% of discontented drivers in a recent IRU Survey were lack of rest areas and poor treatment at delivery sites.
In relation to the latter, drivers refer regularly to a lack of respect at delivery sites, with some major companies specifying a narrow time slot for their delivery, then turning drivers away if they arrive outside that window.
Whereas drivers should be valued for the vital contribution they make in keeping the economy fueled and stocked, the experience for many is of feeling victimised as a burden and annoyance for the depots they serve.
Recent Changes in the EU
With Poland, Germany and other traditional trucking powerhouses all sounding the alarm bell, the EU deserves credit for responding with measures to lower the age to obtain Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to 18, as well as enabling better recognition and exchange of driving license from third-countries.
In response to concerns about driver safety, there are also directives in the works to develop a higher standard of designated parking areas and prohibit weekend rest in driver cabins.
At the same time, mandatory ESG reporting as part of EU Green Deal goals will place a further burden on fuel distribution operators. The first reports are due in 2026.
How DreamTec can enhance driver satisfaction
No single software solution can resolve all the issues behind the driver shortage, but DreamTec’s numerous driver-friendly features can improve the onboarding, safety, and day-to-day experience of drivers on the road.
It starts with intuitive in-cab meter tracking and onboard stock management software. These nourish driver retention by taking much of the drudgery and repetition out of deliveries, freeing up drivers to spend more time on the road with a system they can trust.
Big button tech instead of paper-based frustration
Younger drivers are digital natives—they expect clean, modern interfaces, not clipboards and calculators. DreamTec’s in-cab system, featuring touchscreen-friendly controls and a user-focused layout, replaces paper-based processes with smart, simple technology. For employers, this is a valuable recruitment edge: an operation that feels professional, modern, and innovative from day one.
But it’s not just for the tech-savvy. Drivers of all ages benefit from a system that reduces manual inputs, errors, and admin fatigue. With essential delivery data—such as account IDs, payment terms, order volumes and pricing—flowing directly from the ERP to the cab, the focus returns to what drivers do best: safe and timely deliveries instead of thumbing through a wad of paperwork to find the right information.
Streamlined technology also shortens the learning curve. With fewer manual steps to master, new hires can get up to speed quickly with DreamTec’s software, which is key in a sector where training delays cost time and money. Digital tools also minimise costly onboarding errors and reduce dependency on supervisors, making the early weeks less stressful and more empowering.
This matters. New drivers who feel supported and competent are more likely to build on their skills, rather than leaving due to confusion or frustration.
Customers are happier too
Communication at each drop is likely to be more positive when customers are informed, accommodated and heard. The negative reaction that so many drivers complain of stems from customers who are frustrated at fuel deliveries out of synch with their business schedule, or delivery prices and volumes that don’t tally with their expectations. Unfortunately, drivers bear the brunt of their anger. But with DreamTec’s real-time vehicle and stock tracking, HQ can keep each depot informed, and customers can get the answers they need. Costs are calculated according to volume delivered, not ordered, so transaction data is always accurate.
If delays occur, or there are any access restrictions, drivers can instantly send a message to their customers to make them aware. Drivers can also communicate seamlessly with HQ on such delays or issues, including sending photos of damaged pumps or blocked access routes.
Better route sequencing
Delays and bottlenecks are another of the key frustrations that drivers endure, with knock-on costs for the business too. With smart delivery sequencing and the ability to reschedule drops while on the go, each truck spends more time on the road, meaning drivers aren’t idling on the roadside waiting for their allocated slot. When data is on the move, tankers are too.
That can be an even more alluring retention factor during the grim winter delivery season when conditions are harsh and delays more likely. Businesses can assign their best-performing drivers to their busiest routes, taking the strain off less experienced younger drivers, who can learn the ropes without losing their love for the lifestyle in the process.
Even when the weather is balmy, as it might be in the US or for Southern European routes, better delivery sequencing technology shows that employers take their drivers’ work-life balance seriously. The faster drivers can finish their route, the more punctually they can return to their families.
Seamless compliance
Even for the seasoned driver, roadside checks are stressful, but when a driver has all certification, licenses and stock/tachograph data to hand, or the ability to link easily to documentation stored on the office ERP, the truck can be back on its way with minimal delays. The required data flows freely, the risk of seizure is eliminated, and the driver can proceed to their next planned drop.
Occupational health and safety
DreamTec provides real-time stock and meter tracking, so any discrepancies between pump readings and tickets are quickly flagged. And if there is an anomaly, two-way messaging allows faster resolution and more transparent accountability. Overall, it makes for less stressful working conditions for drivers already coping with the pressure of trucking a hazardous load.
In regions where driver safety is a genuine concern, real-time stock and location tracking are non-negotiable features. Should a truck stray from its geofenced area, or the time limit for an unplanned stop exceed a certain threshold, alarm bells will go off back at HQ and emergency services can be summoned.
We have just recently updated our Dynamic Risk Assessment features, to provide an additional layer of security for drivers and deliveries.
Conclusion
Given the time it takes to obtain all the necessary certifications as an LPG tanker driver, and the fact that a wave of qualified drivers are poised to retire from the sector in the next few years, fuel and energy distribution companies should treat new talent acquisition with added urgency.
By maximising the value and efficiency of every drop, DreamTec can enable businesses to meet rising customer demands and tighter margins, spearheaded by motivated drivers who are easier to attract and retain.