Two-thirds of carriers are starting to experience a driver shortage, according to Transport Capital Partners Business Expectation Survey for the second quarter.
The demand for drivers reflects the increase in truck freight, TCP said.

"With volumes increasing and expectations rising, the old challenge of driver recruiting has resurfaced," said Richard Mikes, TCP partner.

"Carriers are ramping up recruiting efforts, but smaller carriers are having less trouble finding drivers," said Lana Batts, managing partner for TCP.

TCP uses the quarterly survey to collect the insights and opinions of executives nationwide in order to report on the current state of the industry and future expectations.

The survey also found that carriers have become less dependent on brokers, with almost 80 percent indicating they've used brokers less in the last quarter.

"The trend away from broker use is very evident over the last year when in May 09 about two-thirds were using more brokers and today three quarters are using fewer brokers," said Mikes.

"In particular the supply demand dynamics have rapidly shifted to the truckers' favor after the depressed years with current rates rising and expectations for better months ahead," said Batts and Mikes.