BRENTWOOD, TENN., January 28, 2026 – Conversion Interactive Agency and People. Data. Analytics. (PDA), two leaders in driver recruitment and retention, have released their Q4 2025 Driver Recruiting & Retention Data Download Report, revealing a truck driver market moving into 2026 with intensifying competition for qualified drivers and a priority on outcomes delivered through AI technology.

Q4 closed with clear signs the available driver pool is tightening as multiple supply pressures stack up at once: policy changes impacting non domiciled CDL renewals (estimated impact 200,000 drivers), increased English Language Proficiency (ELP) enforcement, fewer CDL training pathways, an aging workforce requiring ongoing replacement hiring, improving freight volume, and a growing share of low quality “open to work” drivers. Compliance constraints also continue to remove drivers from availability, with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse showing 200,767 drivers in prohibited status as of 12/1/2025.

“The driver shortage isn’t just about volume. It’s about qualified supply under pressure,” said Brian Johnston, President of Conversion Interactive Agency. “As demand stabilizes and freight improves, the advantage goes to fleets that can move faster: speed to contact, speed to qualification, and speed to hire.”

At the same time, job discovery is rapidly shifting toward AI driven search, making GPTO (GPT Optimization) and structured, machine readable content a requirement for visibility. The report highlights that AI search traffic is up 527% year over year, and 40.7% of job seekers say they used AI in their job search, accelerating the move away from traditional click-based search behaviors.

“The new question isn’t ‘Are your jobs posted?’ It’s ‘Are your jobs discoverable?’” Johnston added. “AI tools are summarizing and recommending job postings to drivers, and if carriers aren’t optimized for this type of AI visibility, it will impact if their jobs are delivered to job seekers.”

While market pressures grow, the report also points to measurable performance gains from AI powered recruiting technology. Fleets using Lead Assist AI Agents are achieving 6X more full applications completed versus traditional recruiters, 27% lower cost-per-hire, and up to a 70% qualified driver to recruiter connect rate.

“AI is improving outcomes where recruiting breaks down most: speed, consistency, and follow up,” Johnston said. “That’s not just automation. That’s funnel efficiency, turning interest into action faster, while letting recruiters focus on the drivers who are qualified.”

On retention, PDA’s Q4 findings show equipment issues remained the top driver frustration at 32.1% of retention feedback, driven by tractor breakdowns, recurring maintenance, equipment assignment problems, trailer reliability, and ongoing onboard communication device failures.

“Equipment is a multiplier,” said Scott Dismuke, VP of Operations at PDA. “When equipment fails, miles, pay, and morale suffer at the same time. Late-year equipment problems didn’t just frustrate drivers. They directly limited productivity and earnings consistency.”

Compensation concerns held steady at 26.3%, but the report notes dissatisfaction was primarily tied to scheduling quality and miles consistency, with miles related issues representing 60.1% of compensation feedback.

“Drivers want predictable earnings,” Dismuke added. “In Q4, compensation dissatisfaction was often a consistency problem: fluctuating miles, inconsistent planning, and unreliable weekly outcomes.”

Voluntary exit data mirrored the same pattern. Among drivers who left in Q4 2025, compensation accounted for 30.5%, followed by equipment at 24.5% and operations at 22.7%. While “Pay Rate Not Competitive - Better Offer” ranked first, the broader drivers of turnover centered on miles inconsistency, planning breakdowns, equipment issues, and communication failures.

Heading into 2026, the report concludes fleets that win will combine faster, tech enabled recruiting with a retention foundation built on reliable equipment, proactive communication, and predictable earnings.

Access the full report here.

For more information about Conversion Interactive Agency, Visit www.conversionia.com.