Driver Shortages Got You Stuck? 5 Steps How to Secure Reliable Carriers and Avoid Delays (Easy Guide for Shippers)

The trucking industry is facing a serious problem right now. We're short over 80,000 qualified drivers, and that number keeps growing. If you're a shipper, you're probably feeling the squeeze: higher rates, delayed deliveries, and carriers who can't take your freight when you need them to.

Here's the thing: this shortage isn't going away anytime soon. The industry needs over 1.2 million new drivers in the next decade just to keep up with demand. But don't panic. While you can't fix the driver shortage yourself, you can definitely position your company to secure reliable carriers and avoid the worst delays.

Let's dive into five practical steps that actually work.

Step 1: Get Your Forecasting Game Together

Most shippers are terrible at forecasting. They call carriers at the last minute, expect trucks to appear out of thin air, and wonder why they can't get capacity when they need it.

Stop doing that.

The best thing you can do right now is improve how you forecast and communicate your shipping needs. Give your carriers at least three weeks' notice about your upcoming shipments. This isn't just being polite: it's smart business. When carriers can plan ahead, they can allocate their limited drivers more efficiently, and guess what? You become their preferred customer.

Set up regular communication with your carrier partners. Don't just tell them about next week's loads: share your projected volumes for the next month or two. This visibility helps them make better decisions about driver schedules and equipment, and it makes you look like a professional shipper who has their act together.

Here's what good forecasting looks like:

• Weekly volume projections sent every Friday

• Monthly outlook shared at the beginning of each month

• Immediate notification when plans change

• Clear pickup and delivery windows

When you do this consistently, carriers start to trust you. Trust leads to better service and priority access to trucks when capacity gets tight.

Step 2: Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Too many shippers rely on one or two big carriers and call it a day. That's a recipe for disaster when driver shortages hit those carriers hard.

You need to diversify your carrier network: and we're not just talking about having backup options. Build real relationships with different types of carriers:

Large National Carriers: They have the most trucks and can handle your big volumes, but they're also the most likely to bump you for bigger customers when capacity tightens.

Regional Carriers: These are your secret weapon. Regional carriers often have better driver retention because their drivers get home more often. They know their territories inside and out, and they're usually more flexible than the big guys.

Local Carriers: Perfect for last-mile deliveries and short-haul freight. They're nimble, often family-owned, and can provide personalized service that big carriers can't match.

Don't just add carriers to your approved list and forget about them. Give each carrier regular freight so they know you're serious about the relationship. Even if it's just a few loads per month, consistent business builds loyalty.

Step 3: Partner with a Logistics Expert

Here's where things get interesting. Instead of trying to manage all these carrier relationships yourself, consider working with a fourth-party logistics (4PL) provider or freight broker who specializes in this stuff.

A good logistics partner has relationships with hundreds or thousands of carriers that you could never access on your own. When your regular carriers are maxed out, they can tap into their network and find capacity you didn't even know existed.

But here's the key: don't just hire any broker. Look for partners who:

• Have strong relationships with regional and local carriers

• Use technology to provide real-time visibility

• Understand your industry and shipping patterns

• Can provide market intelligence and advice

The right logistics partner becomes an extension of your team. They're not just finding trucks: they're helping you navigate market conditions, anticipate capacity crunches, and develop strategies that keep your freight moving even when things get crazy.

Step 4: Embrace Technology (It's Not as Scary as You Think)

If you're still managing shipments with phone calls and paper tracking, you're making life harder for everyone: including the carriers you want to keep happy.

Modern transportation management systems and tracking tools provide the visibility that both you and your carriers need to operate efficiently. When drivers know exactly where to go, when to be there, and what paperwork they need, everything runs smoother.

Real-time tracking eliminates the "Where's my truck?" phone calls that waste everyone's time. Instead of calling the driver (who's trying to focus on driving safely), you can see exactly where your shipment is and when it'll arrive.

Look for technology solutions that offer:

• Real-time GPS tracking

• Automated status updates

• Digital document management

• Mobile apps for drivers

• Integration with your existing systems

This isn't just about having cool technology: it's about making your company easier to work with. When carriers can manage your freight efficiently, they're more likely to prioritize your loads over shippers who are still stuck in the stone age.

Step 5: Become the Shipper Everyone Wants to Work With

This is the big one. In a market where drivers and carriers have choices, you want to be the shipper they choose to work with.

What makes a shipper attractive? It's simpler than you might think:

Respect driver time: Have your freight ready when they arrive. If there's going to be a delay, communicate it as soon as you know. Nothing frustrates drivers more than sitting around waiting for freight that isn't ready.

Efficient operations: Quick loading and unloading, clear directions to your facility, easy check-in processes. Every minute you save a driver is a minute they can spend making money somewhere else.

Consistent lanes: If possible, offer regular routes that drivers can count on. A driver who knows they'll get a backhaul from your facility is much more likely to prioritize your freight.

Fair treatment: This should go without saying, but treat drivers professionally. They're not just steering wheels: they're skilled professionals who keep your business running.

Consider implementing drop-and-hook operations where drivers can drop off a loaded trailer and pick up an empty one without waiting. This simple change can dramatically improve your reputation among carriers.

Pay attention to your facilities too. Clean restrooms, safe parking areas, and maybe even a driver lounge with WiFi can set you apart from competitors who treat drivers like second-class citizens.

The Bottom Line

The driver shortage isn't going away, but that doesn't mean your freight has to sit on the dock. Shippers who take proactive steps now will maintain reliable service while their competitors scramble for trucks.

The five steps we've covered aren't revolutionary: they're just good business practices that many companies ignore until it's too late. Better forecasting, diversified carrier networks, logistics partnerships, modern technology, and carrier-friendly operations aren't costs: they're investments in keeping your supply chain running smoothly.

Start with one or two of these strategies and build from there. Even small improvements in how you work with carriers can have a big impact on your service levels and costs.

Remember: in a tight capacity market, being an average shipper means getting average (or below-average) service. The shippers who invest in these relationships and processes are the ones who'll thrive, even when everyone else is struggling to find trucks.

The choice is yours. You can wait and hope things get better, or you can take control and position your company to succeed regardless of market conditions. Which sounds like a better plan to you?