CHARLOTTE — Empty shelves, delayed deliveries and businesses on hold. A shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers in the United States is driving demand to get new truckers certified and on the road fast.
Beginning next week, some states will temporarily change driver requirements -- from needing 160 hours to be certified to a performance-based model -- in an effort to meet the growing need.
“If you have a student that can show the necessary skills lower than 160-hour threshold, there’s no point to just say that clock hours are the way to go,” said Eric Wright, a member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association.
Currently, neither North Carolina or South Carolina are altering their standards, but that isn’t stopping some stakeholders from supporting the change.
>>> In the video at the top of this page, Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura spoke with experts and students on why they think a regulatory change in the Carolinas could curb the truck driver demand.
(WATCH BELOW: Supply shortages impacting Catawba County jail)
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