There’s been an issue for decades where there’s not enough drivers. It’s mostly about pay but also the fact that the infrastructure has evolved in ways that truck drivers have to take on a larger share of the work at ports, rail ramps, depots, etc.

Drivers left because all that work was shoved on them without increasing their pay. Letting 18 year old kids drive trucks will put more drivers on the road but won’t fix the systemic issues in the industry.