Morgan Adams	- Download MP3-
Larry Daniel	- Download MP3-

Truck driver training programs in the region are brimming with students despite a 2005 study’s predictions of a major shortfall of drivers in the next six years.

“We haven’t seen a drop in enrollment, but we are seeing some slow up in the number of people being hired,” said Al Hutchison, Northwestern Technical College’s vice president for economic development programs.

“There’s no question in our minds, from all the projections we’re hearing, that the demand for commercial truck drivers will continue, not only for the near term but for the long term,” Mr. Hutchison said.

Don Hunt, Chattanooga State Technical Community College’s director of the commercial driver license (CDL) program, said enrollment is steady with the 30 students in his current class.

“I don’t see a shortage of drivers. As a matter of fact, we have 10 major trucking firms that are going to be on our main campus for our job fair,” Mr. Hunt said about the plentiful number of drivers his course produces.

The 2005 study, published by the American Trucking Association and still used in industry analysis, projects the driver shortage will reach 111,000 by 2014 because of retiring baby boomers and fewer replacement drivers.

Attorney Morgan Adams, a trucking injury specialist, said the loss of experienced drivers, growing demand for drivers and varied training requirements could make the roads more dangerous for the motoring public.

“The scariest thing about a driver shortage is that the trucking companies have to make a choice between not accepting (the contract) to move a load or hiring an unqualified driver to move that load,” Mr. Adams said. “If they hire an unqualified driver, the chances of injuries are substantially higher.

“The safest companies have ongoing training that they require drivers to attend,” he said. “Those companies tend to be involved in far fewer and less frequent collisions, and less severe collisions.”

But American Trucking Association officials say the shortage doesn’t translate to more danger.

“The driver shortage will not in any way result in less-safe drivers on the road,” association spokeswoman Tiffany Wlazlowski said.

Training requirements for a commercial drivers license don’t change just because there are fewer drivers to fill demand, she said.

“All motor carriers are interested in hiring safe, qualified, professional drivers,” Ms. Wlazlowski said.

And while the study predicts a shortfall, the current economic slowdown could ease the shortage in the short term, she said.

To get a commercial license, drivers must be skilled with the type of vehicle they’ll be driving, Ms. Wlazlowski said. They must have a good driving record, pass a screening for drugs and alcohol and satisfy health requirements, she said.

Ms. Wlazlowski said the truck driver shortage arises from driver demographics.

“Historically, the primary demographic group of truck drivers has been white males aged 35 to 54,” she said. “By 2014, that demographic group is expected to decline by over 3 million persons. Like most industries, we’re facing a sharp increase in the number of baby boomers who will retire.”

Trucking companies are recruiting drivers by advertising nationally and offering tuition financing for training, Ms. Wlazlowski said. Companies also join industry alliances to attract more people to the job, she said.

Larry Daniel, president of America’s Independent Truckers’ Association Inc., said the shortage will limit the supply of good drivers but federal licensing regulations provide some balance.

“If the pool of applicants doesn’t have enough good, qualified people out there, you’re going to use up the entire pool,” Mr. Daniel said. “You’re going to get some that aren’t as qualified, that aren’t the caliber of driver of the first few you hired.”

But, “With all the requirements to get a CDL ... you weed out a lot of the most undesirable people,” he said.

Boyd Emery, who at 60 is learning to drive a truck in Chattanooga State’s program, said he’s not worried about being able to get a job or unsafe roads.

“They’ve had truck drivers and trucking for many years,” Mr. Emery said. “Things have to get there. It has to get there by truck.”

The training program has well-qualified instructors and produces good drivers, said Mr. Boyd.

“It’s all about safety when you get out there,” he said.