Commercial Driver Workforce Study

On May 24, 2024, Laws of Minnesota 2024, chapter 127, article 3, section 130 was signed into law, directing the Commissioners of Transportation and Public Safety to conduct a joint study to assess commercial driver shortages in the transportation and transit sectors, and propose recommendations to address the challenges posed by driver shortages and the attrition rate of commercial vehicle drivers in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) collaborated to convene a study group to respond to this legislative request. In conducting the study, MnDOT and DPS consulted with “stakeholders involved in the training, certification, licensing, development, and education of commercial drivers, including but not limited to representatives from trucking companies, freight and logistics companies, transit and bus operators, labor unions representing commercial motor vehicle drivers, public and private commercial driver's license testing providers and behind-the-wheel instructors.” The study also included input from the Departments of Labor and Industry, Commerce, and Employment and Economic Development, along with Metro Transit, the Center for Transportation at the University of Minnesota, and representatives from the State Colleges and Universities in Minnesota.

Throughout the course of the study, MnDOT and DPS sought to collect as much feedback from stakeholders and members of the public as possible. Tools including Mentimeter, GovDelivery, this Let's Talk Transportation study webpage, and a commercial driver survey were used for public engagement purposes.

In addition, seven study meetings were organized by an overarching topic, or topics, which were addressed by stakeholders and subject matter experts. Using the data and information gathered and discussed at the meetings, the study group was able to make eight recommendations that help put into perspective the importance of understanding the commercial driver workforce in our state.

Your participation in this study helped us understand commercial driver shortages and attrition rates in transportation and transit sectors and propose recommendations to address these challenges for commercial vehicle drivers in Minnesota. The final legislative study report can be found here.