Majority of freight companies rely on third-party carriers amid driver shortage

Tech.co’s 2025 Logistics Report has revealed that among U.S. freight companies impacted by driver shortages, 67% rely on third-party carriers at least occasionally.

Only 8% of freight companies affected by driver shortages say they operate entirely in-house, suggesting a clear majority are relying on outside help due to the current labor crisis.

‘Critical’ U.S. driver shortage is getting worse

Tech.co’s findings suggest that for the majority of surveyed freight businesses, this major labor issue hasn’t improved over the past year.

63% of U.S. freight businesses say driver recruitment & retention has stagnated or worsened in the past year. Only 11% report any significant improvement, highlighting just how entrenched the issue is.

Driver shortage impacts ability to meet freight demand

The survey of 521 professionals in the U.S. transport and shipping sector highlights that the majority (69%) of respondents say driver shortages have impacted their ability to meet freight demand.

This inability to meet freight demand could cause a major block in business operations within the logistic sector.

Customer satisfaction affected by workforce crisis

Driver shortages are directly affecting service delivery, and customers are feeling the strain.

Just over half (51%) of transport and shipping professionals say driver constraints have occasionally or frequently impacted their ability to meet customer expectations.

Only 13% of respondents say their customer expectation has not been affected.

Top concerns about driver shortage among U.S. freight companies:

1. Service disruptions or delivery failures: 24%

2. Increased labor costs: 23%

3. Missed growth opportunities: 18%

4. Supply chain inflexibility: 14%

5. Brand or customer reputation damage: 9%

6. Safety or compliance risks: 7%

Among U.S. freight businesses impacted by driver shortages, service disruptions and delivery failures were the top concern.

The data shows that once impacted, concern escalates across multiple freight business fronts, suggesting that the driver shortage is a pressure multiplier.

In an industry built on motion, a shortage of workers could risk bringing operations to a halt. And with no clear resolution in sight, the urgency to rethink how goods are moved - and by whom - has never been greater.

Tech.co’s Editor, Jack Turner, comments:

“In logistics today, it's third parties that are propping up the industry, as our research has shown. With driver shortages affecting 69% of companies' ability to meet demand, this reliance shows a real weak spot, leaving many firms potentially vulnerable.”