Heavy goods vehicle drivers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2021, by age

Between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 275,000 lorry drivers employed in the UK. At some 122,000 employees, the plurality of heavy goods vehicle drivers in the United Kingdom (UK) was aged between 50 and 64.

Employees wanted

Some 45 percent of heavy goods vehicle drivers in the UK will reach retirement age in the next five to 10 years, meaning that the current dearth of drivers could be far from over. In addition to the age structure, several 10,000 drivers from European countries outside the UK left Britain in the wake of the Brexit referendum. Consequently, there is a strong demand for younger drivers.

Driver shortage leaves shelves empty and pumps dry

Fuel pumps in Britain remained dry in the summer of 2021 due to a shortage of lorry drivers. Motorists were queuing up in front of petrol stations. As a result, the price of fuel spiked in the summer of 2021.