The National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) considered the U.S. government’s requirement that trucking operators be proficient in English to drive on U.S. roads to be a “non-tariff barrier ,” a situation that could affect trade with its northern neighbor.

In an interview, Leonardo Gómez , executive president of ANTP, stated that currently more than 95% of drivers do not have fluent English .

“Therefore, trade will be affected. If 80% of the goods going to the United States are transported by truck, then you can see the impact this could have,” he emphasized.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) , cross-border freight trade in North America reached $144.8 billion in March, an increase of  8.4% year-over-year and 35% year-over-year.

Of that figure, $77.3 billion corresponded to trade with Mexico , which grew 13% year-on-year.

He specified that during that month, trucking moved the vast majority of cargo, that is, 94.2 billion dollars , an increase of 9.5% compared to March 2024.

It is worth remembering that Donald Trump , President of the United States, issued an order last April requiring all trucking operators to demonstrate proficiency in English to drive on the country’s roads . After this, on May 20, Sean P. Duffy, Secretary of Transportation of the United States, signed a new guide for compliance with this measure.

Therefore, commercial trucking operators crossing the border must demonstrate proficiency in this language, otherwise they will face being “out-of-service” starting June 25.

“President Donald Trump and Secretary Duffy believe English proficiency is a common-sense, non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as they must be able to read and understand traffic signs; communicate with highway patrol officers, Border Patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight limit station personnel; and provide and receive feedback and instructions in English,” the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said in a statement .

In this regard, Leonardo Gómez said, “We believe that the issue of signage and the exchange of information should be sufficient for drivers to operate their own vehicles today. It would be worth pointing out what they’re doing wrong so that these types of rules can be applied.”

However, he announced that, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), they are analyzing the possibility of establishing a manual on drivers’ needs, so that they can be implemented first in the border area.

Safe paradores or “rest and service paradores”

Similarly, Gómez noted that, according to a study conducted by the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) , there is a shortage of 1,400 shelters in Mexico , of which 700 could be built. He also mentioned the need to improve some of the existing shelters.

“They’ve already been identified, invest. Now, we’re not asking the government to make that investment; it should be public-private through a joint venture,” he commented.

He explained that a tool for identifying the locations where this type of infrastructure is needed is the Bill of Lading . “This should help us see where the greatest influx of cargo and movement is occurring; that’s where you have to invest first.”

He warned that of the total number of inns currently in existence, only five or six meet all the requirements .

According to Mexican Official Standard NOM-087-SCT-2-2017, which establishes driving and break times for federal truck drivers, for every five hours of driving, they must take a 30-minute break; additionally, the maximum driving time in 24 hours may never exceed 14 hours, and eight hours of rest are required.

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El cargo The imposition of English on trucking companies is a “non-tariff barrier”: ANTP apareció primero en T21.

The data is part of the report Behind the Wheel: Distracted Driving in Brick-and-Mortar Operations , prepared by Samsara . The study surveyed 1,550commercial operators in seven countries, including 150 in Mexico, to fully understand why drivers become distracted, the consequences they face, and how to reverse this pattern.

In Mexico, 83% of drivers admitted to being distracted by their personal cell phone, and the most common activities are making calls (33%), checking social networks (29%), and sending or reading messages (28%).

The paradox is clear: 71% of drivers need to use mobile technology as part of their work, which turns the device into both a tool and a threat. Faced with this reality, drivers themselves propose solutions. The most cited are: 48% called for policies limiting personal cell phone use during the workday; 43% recommended prioritizing safety over speed; and 42% suggested improving communication systems to reduce calls on the road.

59% considered Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology, such as in-cabin alerts and automatic distraction detection, to be the best solution for preventing risks. And it’s not a blind bet: 89% of Mexican drivers said that watching videos of their own driving made them more aware of their mistakes.

When it comes to improving, drivers have clear preferences for the type of images that impact them most: 28% preferred to watch recordings of their own driving , 25% opted for examples of nearby incidents, 24% found mistakes made by other drivers helpful, and 23% chose personalized visual guidance.

In addition to the phone, there is another silent enemy behind the wheel: fatigue . Sixty-seven percent of drivers in Mexico have experienced drowsiness while driving, a risk factor that is often underestimated. This finding highlights the need for stricter policies regarding rest periods and the redesign of work shifts to prevent critical situations.

Beyond the technological equipment , workplace culture makes a difference. In Mexico, 87% of drivers would stay at companies that implement proactive measures against distraction, making safety a retention tool.

In fact, 95% of operators have already received some form of training or advice, and 70% preferred digital platforms as a training method. Furthermore, 79% found recognition and incentives more effective at avoiding distractions than penalties.

“By combining advanced technology with proactive recognition and guidance, organizations can significantly reduce distracted driving incidents and foster the development of safer, more responsible drivers in the long run. These tools provide invaluable information, enable targeted training, and foster a culture of safety that benefits both drivers and the community at large,” said Brendali López, Marketing Director for Samsara in Mexico, in a company press release.

The role of government is also important. Fifty percent of drivers supported increasing fines for distracted driving, while 48 percent believed public awareness campaigns were necessary. Others called for stricter rules on rest breaks (47%) or random inspections (45%). They also proposed incentives: lower insurance premiums, funding for safety technologies, or rewards for companies with effective prevention programs.

Although there is still room for improvement, 82% of Mexican drivers considered their companies’ current policies effective in reducing distractions.

This level of acceptance represents a solid foundation for scaling efforts, integrating new technologies, and fostering an organizational culture that views security not as a formality, but as an investment.

Taken as a whole, the Samsara report issues a warning, because behind every distracted driver lies a life, a family, and an entire industry that depend on that near miss from turning into something worse.

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El cargo Drivers on alert: 8 out of 10 almost crash due to distraction apareció primero en T21.

Like a television series with endless seasons, the story of the shortage of trucking operators in Mexico has developed over time, but its outcome remains uncertain.

The worrying thing is that this is not fiction, but the reality of the trucking industry , which is constantly growing, chapter after chapter, with increasingly intense dramas.

Vacancies are increasing and drivers are becoming fewer , and although efforts are being made to find solutions, the shortage persists, and with it, the consequences for the sector and the economy are becoming more serious.

In this real-life series, Mexico is the leading stage for the rise of this shortage , which leads to a deterioration in the country’s competitiveness.

Figures presented by  the International Road Transport Union (IRU) show that, instead of advancing, the sector is stagnating, and projections for 2028 warn that the shortage of operators could reach unprecedented global levels, with more than 106,000 vacancies .

The shocking chapters of this story focus on 2024, according to IRU. In that year, Mexico faced a crisis that cannot be ignored: more than 99,000 driver vacancies , equivalent to 15% of the available positions in the country. This figure is a significant increase compared to the 56,000 vacancies recorded in 2023, reflecting the growing driver shortage and underscoring the magnitude of the problem.

But this country is not the only one affected, however, its reality is particularly serious , ranking second with the greatest lack of operators, only below Europe .

As the global driver shortage crisis continues, the challenge of filling vacancies in key countries remains daunting. According to the IRU 2024 report , 78% of companies in Mexico are facing severe or very severe difficulties filling driver positions, a significant increase from 67% in 2023 .

This phenomenon is not unique to Mexico, as Argentina , Turkey , and Australia face similar challenges, with 57% of companies in Argentina , 61% in Turkey , and 43% in Australia reporting serious difficulties. Although the situation appears to be improving slightly in Europe and Uzbekistan , the projections remain discouraging, indicating that the shortage is a structural problem worldwide.

Women in trucking, a challenge

The representation of women in trucking remains extremely low worldwide, and Mexico is no exception. According to the IRU 2024 Report, women represent only 1.9% of truck drivers in Mexico. Meanwhile, the United States ranks as the country with the highest female participation, at 6.9%.

Female representation in this sector is urgently needed, as the lack of female participation limits recruitment options and adds pressure to a crisis that already faces serious difficulties in attracting new drivers.

Working conditions, a lack of safe infrastructure, and a negative image of the profession are some of the most cited reasons for this shortage. Long hours away from home, poor infrastructure for female drivers, and the treatment received at delivery points are additional barriers that hinder the integration of more women into the sector.

The IRU report highlights that, despite efforts by some countries and companies to improve the inclusion of women in the sector, the figure remains disproportionately low.

Causes of the shortage of operators in Mexico

The generational gap in the trucking sector remains one of the biggest challenges. In 2024, only 10.2% of drivers in Mexico are under 25 years old , while 31.6% are over 55 .

This generational mismatch is reflected globally, with Spain and Australia recording high percentages of older drivers (50% and 47%, respectively). According to IRU, 3.4 million truck drivers are expected to retire in the countries studied over the next five years , further exacerbating the driver shortage crisis.

Working conditions still lack attractive incentives for young people. Long wait times at charging stations, a lack of adequate infrastructure for drivers, and the physical and emotional demands of the job contribute to high staff turnover.

Meanwhile, 30% of operators are approaching retirement, creating a talent gap that is difficult to fill.

Amid this situation, Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the IRU, warned that “there is no magic bullet to resolve the crisis, but we must close the widening age gap and treat drivers with more respect and dignity. Young drivers are very satisfied: therefore, it’s not about retention, but about improving access to the driving profession and its attractiveness, especially for young people.”

Road insecurity also plays a key role in driving the driver shortage. In its 2022 report, the IRU highlighted that cargo theft and road violence are factors that discourage drivers and contribute to their abandonment of the profession.

The constant risk of falling victim to these acts is driving many operators to seek safer alternatives, leaving Mexico’s routes empty.

Regarding this issue, the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) warned that in March 2025, theft from heavy vehicles was the main target, with 146 incidents in that month alone.

As the sector faces these challenges, the IRU has proposed several key solutions. Improving working conditions, road safety, and the inclusion of women and youth in the sector are priority areas.

“The driver shortage isn’t just a concern for freight transport; it’s a global economic crisis affecting supply chains,” said Umberto de Pretto.

With projections unfolding as an unexpected plot twist , the operator shortage continues to worsen, but the future still holds potential for change. The next chapter in this story can bring solutions, provided action is taken swiftly and decisively. Ensuring the sector has a diverse , secure , and well-compensated workforce is essential , as this is the only way to ensure a positive ending to this story .

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El cargo Mexico, the protagonist of the growing shortage of operators in the trucking industry apareció primero en T21.

**MÉRIDA, YUC.** – The premise of Grupo GAL in its unit renewal strategy is clear: the focus is on the operator. However, placing drivers at the gravitational center of the business has also resulted in an unusual shift.

This logistics group, with significant influence in the Yucatán Peninsula, acquired a total of 50 Scania R 450 6×2 cab-over trucks, units that are hard to find in this region of the country.

Traditionally, this group had been a frequent customer of Freightliner. In fact, 85% of their current fleet, around 400 units for both primary and secondary distribution, is composed of the German brand.

Grupo GAL received its first 17 Scania units this Thursday and expects to deploy the rest by the end of the year.

Their executives are adamant in stating that the decision to bet on the Swedish brand was also based on the promise of its after-sales service. “With the circumstances that occurred a couple of years ago, we decided to diversify our fleet,” said Alejandro Vargas Canto, Chairman of the Board of Grupo GAL, during the symbolic handover ceremony.

The executive was referring to the exit of Volvo Trucks from the Mexican market in 2020, which left various transport companies, who preferred the brand, adrift.

“It is a nationally significant account, and we are very excited to work with you,” said David Hernández, National Sales and After-sales Manager of Scania Mexico, who also revealed that the manufacturer will invest around 10 million dollars to expand its after-sales service network, especially in the Mérida branch, where it plans to triple its service capacity.

The southeastern region of Mexico has yielded good results for Scania in recent years. According to Aidé Rincón, sales representative for the Southeast and Caribbean Division, this area represented between 13 and 14% of the manufacturer’s total sales in 2023, and saw a growth of around 300% compared to 2022.

Last year, Scania sold 2,520 trucks in the Mexican market, according to data from the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Heavy Vehicles of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

In the last two decades, Grupo GAL (ranked 60th in the Top 100 Autotransport, by Grupo T21) has specialized in providing logistics services focused on perishable consumer goods (such as live animals or processed food), including transportation, distribution, warehousing, and inventory management.

Their influence in the market extends beyond the Yucatán Peninsula to the Bajío region of Mexico. Armando Cantú, Director of Operations of Grupo GAL, stated that the new Scania units have created high expectations among their drivers, positively impacting talent retention. “This will help us with the issue of the shortage of operators,” he said.

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El cargo Group Gal adds 50 Scania Units to its Fleet; the cab over Makes Headway in the Southeast apareció primero en T21.