The U.S. trucking industry has been grappling with a truck driver shortage for years, and the recent federal decision to halt visas for commercial truck drivers has exacerbated the challenge. According to the American Trucking Associations, the gap could reach more than 80,000 drivers nationwide by 2030. Without new international workers entering the field, the urgency to train and retain U.S. drivers has never been higher.
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Why the Visa Pause Matters
In August, the U.S. State Department announced an immediate halt to issuing new worker visas for commercial truck drivers. These visas previously allowed qualified drivers from other countries to legally work and operate in the U.S. trucking industry, supplementing a domestic workforce that has struggled to meet freight demand. The freeze was positioned as a temporary policy decision, but its ripple effects are already being felt. With international recruitment unavailable, companies can no longer rely on foreign drivers to fill shortages, making the domestic labor pipeline the only path forward.
Arizona in Focus
The consequences of the visa pause will be especially pronounced in Arizona, one of the fastest-growing logistics hubs in the nation. Phoenix sits at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 40, which connect freight to California, Texas, and beyond. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, more than 400 million tons of freight move through the state each year, with trucking accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total. Population growth has only heightened demand. The Phoenix metro added more than 85,000 new residents in 2023, fueling the need for housing, construction materials, food distribution, and retail shipments. When there are not enough drivers to move goods through these corridors, the impact is immediate. Businesses and consumers experience slower deliveries, higher costs, and reduced access to essential products.
An Aging Workforce
Compounding the shortage is the reality of an aging driver population. The average age of a U.S. truck driver is 46 years old, several years higher than the national workforce average. As experienced drivers retire, the industry faces the dual challenge of replacing them while also scaling up to meet growing freight demand. Without a strong pipeline of younger drivers entering the profession, the labor gap is projected to widen even faster in the coming decade.
Training the Next Generation
With visas on hold, the solution lies in preparing the next wave of American drivers. Passing a CDL exam is only the start. Truck drivers today must be equipped to handle advanced rigs, master safety protocols, and adapt to increasingly congested highways.
At MG Truck Driving School, training is designed to reflect the realities drivers will face once they enter the workforce. In addition to preparing students for the CDL exam, instruction covers defensive driving in high-traffic areas, thorough pre-trip inspections, and the use of modern safety systems. The program emphasizes practical, behind-the-wheel experience and mentorship from instructors with industry backgrounds. MG Truck Driving School is also the only program in Arizona equipped with a driving simulator, which allows students to practice real-world scenarios before they ever get behind the wheel of a truck. The goal is to ensure graduates leave with the skills and confidence needed to operate safely and effectively on the road.
Downstream effects you can expect
In the short term, capacity tightness typically shows up as longer tender lead times and higher spot volatility. Construction, food distribution, and retail replenishment are particularly sensitive in fast-growing metros. Even modest imbalances can ripple: a few percentage points of lost capacity can lead to route reshuffles, tighter delivery windows, and more reroutes around driver availability. For small businesses that rely on frequent, less-than-truckload moves or time-sensitive inbound materials, consistency matters as much as price.
Long-Term Solutions
The driver shortage will not be solved by one policy change. It requires building sustainable systems that prepare and retain talent. Schools will play a central role. Expanding access to affordable CDL programs, creating scholarship pathways, and strengthening partnerships with workforce agencies are all critical steps. Employers can support this effort by offering hiring incentives for recent graduates and providing structured on-the-job training.
Retention also remains key. Fair pay, consistent home time, and clear career pathways keep new drivers in the industry long term. The first step, however, is ensuring they complete quality training programs that set them up for success on day one.
Looking Ahead
The visa freeze should be treated as a wake-up call. Truck driving is essential, skilled work that keeps the U.S. economy moving. By investing in domestic talent, through better training, better support, and better retention, we can turn this moment of crisis into an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient trucking industry for the future.
Author: Namit Mangat is co-owner of MG Truck Driving School. MG Truck Driving School, based in Glendale, Arizona, provides Commercial Driver License (CDL) training that combines classroom learning with extensive behind-the-wheel experience. It is the only program in Arizona with a professional driving simulator, giving students hands-on practice in real-world scenarios before entering the industry. The school is part of The Mangat Group, which has grown from its trucking roots into a multifaceted enterprise spanning sports, education, franchising, land development, and film production.
