Third generational farmer in McGregor Kevin Huffman produces and delivers many goods like dairy, wheat and corn but getting those goods out is challenging on Huffman farms.
He said, “it’s difficult because I may have to get in the truck or we may have to pull people from other areas of the farm to get that feed that we’ve promised to deliver.”
He’s a farmer who wants to deliver to his customers but he’s down two truckers.
There is even a sign on his farm facing the road that reads “Need CDL Drivers .”
“We just can’t saw ‘Oh we’re going to take off a couple of weeks and relax’ — you just don’t do that” he said.
“Our problem is probably the lack of CDL drivers. The lack of experience and the lack of probably commitment.”
After talking with Kevin and Marvin Cross with Central Texas CDL Truck Driving School in Waco, several factors continue to play into a lack of CDL drivers:
- Finding people that want and can afford to be a driver as it can cost upwards of 6-8k up front to get your CDLs.
- Also 6 months or longer to go through the process to get your CDLs
- Bigger companies providing better insurance for newer drivers and paying drivers more money