Truck Driver Shortage 2026: TX Experts Explain Why Owner-Operator Vetting Is Key
Key Takeaways The trucking industry's capacity problem looks less like a headcount shortfall and more like a shortage of properly trained, reliable drivers ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello now frames the issue around accidents and failed drug and alcohol testing rather than a pure numbers gap The Department of Transportation announced the emergency removal of 110 CDL training schools from the national Training Provider Registry, including 13 physical locations in Texas, after these schools were linked to completion certificates issued to more than 5,000 drivers who later failed basic English Language Proficiency exams during roadside inspections More than 28,000 non-domiciled CDL holders have had their licenses revoked nationwide, with roughly 6,000 of those revocations in Texas - a reminder that a valid-looking license does not always mean a qualified driver Shippers who understand what separates vetted carrier capacity from the rest can avoid costly surprises on the road The truc...