There remains a shortage of truck drivers in Russia despite rising wages
The founder of the Marshal Group of Companies, Mikhail Belousov, named the consequences of the shortage of drivers for long-distance freight transportation
Quick Look
- In Russia, there remains a shortage of truck drivers on long-distance routes, despite the increase in the number of resumes and salaries.
- This leads to equipment downtime, increased costs for carriers and increased costs of goods logistics.
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Why It Matters
In the first quarter of 2026, the number of driver resumes increased by 34 percent, but shortages on long-distance routes remain.
Despite rising wages and an increase in the number of job seekers in the transport industry, there remains a shortage of truck drivers in Russia. The consequences of the reduction in the number of drivers for long-distance freight transportation were mentioned to Lente.ru by the founder of the Marshal Group of Companies and co-founder of the cargo transportation exchange CargoTech, Mikhail Belousov.
According to hh.ru, in the first quarter of 2026, drivers posted or updated more than 159 thousand resumes - their number increased by 34 percent during the quarter. At the same time, market participants note that there remains a shortage of personnel on long-distance routes.
“The problem is not limited to the number of people with the required category of driver’s license. A truck driver must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time on the road, work with high responsibility for the vehicle and cargo, and adhere to a strict schedule. For many young professionals, this format of work turns out to be less attractive, especially when there is an opportunity to choose a profession with a comparable income, but without a long absence from home,” Belousov said.
A driver shortage means additional costs for carriers. If a car sits idle while waiting for an employee, the company incurs costs for maintaining the equipment, and delivery times may increase. The need to increase salaries, offer additional payments for flights, or attract drivers on less favorable terms for the company increases the cost of logistics, which, in turn, is one of the components of the price of many goods - from food and household appliances to furniture and building materials.
“The more difficult it is for a carrier to close a flight, the higher the cost of error and downtime. If there are not enough drivers, the business must compensate for the shortfall with money, working conditions or additional resources. Therefore, the personnel problem is gradually becoming an economic one: it can affect the cost of moving goods from the manufacturer to the buyer,” the expert added.
Open Questions
- What government support measures are being considered?
- By what percentage will prices for goods increase?
