Transportation is an industry constantly in search of an elusive youth movement.
The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which was established by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and began in 2022, officially concludes on Nov. 7, 2025. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the program through the first half of 2025 has only had 211 motor carriers apply to participate, with just 62 of those approved by FMCSA. Additionally, only 80 drivers applied to participate, with 42 of those completing both probationary periods. The final deadline for all apprentice driver applications was August 31, 2025.
[Related: Drivers report falling pay, shrinking miles and pay disputes]
CCJ's 2025 What Drivers Want report, a survey of company drivers and leased owner-operators conducted in partnership with Netradyne, found the average age to be much higher: 59.5 years among survey respondents. Just 2% were 34 years old and younger.
Years in service reflects an aging workforce of Baby Boomers who may move from fleet to fleet but rarely leave the business entirely. Nearly three-quarters of all respondents (71%) have been in trucking for more than 20 years.
No rush (or money) to retire
Just more than half (52%) said saving for retirement was their motivation to keep driving (54% of company drivers and 49% leased owner-operators). However, retirement isn't on the horizon for the group that is just more than 5 years away from qualifying for Medicare.
"[Living] paycheck to paycheck," noted Texas-based company driver Brad Morgan. "Nothing left over to save."
Nearly 70% of What Drivers Want respondents said they were saving for retirement, but 67% said they have not yet saved enough to stop working.
"I’m an owner-operator in today’s economy," said Wisconsin-based Keith Frederickson, who's been on the road for more than three decades. "With all costs increasing, what savings? I'm just trying to stay afloat."
Just 10% of company drivers cited company-sponsored health insurance from their carrier among the reasons to remain in the labor force.
High job satisfaction
Needing money was the top reason cited by drivers on why they don't plan to retire (36%), but liking their job (28%) was a close second.
Indeed, job satisfaction among drivers is relatively high, according to our survey. A whopping 44% of drivers scored their company culture an 8 or higher (on a scale of 1-10), and 14% scored it a 10. Leased drivers' average score was slightly higher than company drivers: 7 versus 6.6.
"I wouldn't leave my current job," said Billy Gerard, a 66-year-old leased owner-operator out of Iowa. "I love my job and the people."
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Similarly, 38% of drivers ranked their satisfaction with the recognition they receive for their work at least an 8. Leased drivers skewed much higher here at 43%. Leased drivers' scores overall were higher here as well, with an average of 6.3 versus 5.7 among company drivers.
"I got a belt buckle and a dinner for 1 million miles and my boss acted like he was in a hurry," noted a driver respondent who asked to remain anonymous.
"Do the job with no issues, get paid and go home. No recognition needed," added leased driver Nic Bloodworth, who hauls out of Georgia.
