Kansas City, MO – Tanker truck drivers needed to deliver fuel to gas stations are currently in short supply, and it could lead to delays of delivery nationwide.
The National Tank Truck Carriers Association attributes the shortage of available drivers to the COVID-19 pandemic, as low demand for fuel during the stay-at-home orders resulted in drivers being laid off, retiring or seeking a career change.
This has resulted in 20% to 25% fewer drivers, according to CNN Business.
"We've been dealing with a driver shortage for a while, but the pandemic took that issue and metastasized it," executive vice president of the NTTC, Ryan Streblow said in a statement. "It certainly has grown exponentially."
A special certification and a commercial driver's license are required to drive a tanker truck, as well as several weeks of training.
Operators are planning to raise pay in order to incentivize drivers to fill the vacant positions.