UK Haulage in 2025: Key Facts Every Operator Needs to Know

The UK haulage industry in 2025 is navigating some genuinely tough terrain. Volumes are down, costs are up, drivers are harder to find than ever, and the road to net zero still feels a long way off for most operators. Whether you're running a single truck or managing a large mixed fleet, knowing where the industry stands — and what's changing — helps you make better decisions. Here's a straightforward look at the numbers and issues that matter most right now.

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The Market Is Softening — But Costs Aren't

Let's start with the headline figures. GB-registered HGVs lifted 1.53 billion tonnes of goods in 2025, a 3% drop from 2024. Total goods moved fell 4% to 162 billion tonne-kilometres, and overall vehicle distance slipped 2% to 19.0 billion kilometres. In plain terms: there's less freight moving around, and operators are covering fewer miles to shift it.

You might expect lower volumes to ease the pressure on margins. Unfortunately, that's not what's happening.

Operating costs (excluding fuel) rose by around 5.91% in 2025. Employment costs climbed by 6%, partly driven by higher National Insurance contributions. Insurance costs rose by roughly 7.9%, and maintenance costs are up around 8.1%. Diesel prices have been relatively stable, but that's about the only good news on the cost front.

The result? Pre-tax profit margins have shrunk to somewhere between 1.58% and 2.17%. That's an incredibly thin buffer. One unexpected repair bill, a lost contract, or a compliance fine can wipe out a month's profit in a single stroke.

Many operators are responding by delaying vehicle investments or pursuing mergers and acquisitions to spread costs across a bigger operation. If you're feeling the squeeze, you're not alone — it's an industry-wide reality right now.

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Empty Running Is Quietly Draining Your Profitability

Here's a figure worth sitting with: 31% of all HGV kilometres driven in 2025 — that's 5.9 billion kilometres — were driven with an empty load. That's roughly one in three journeys where a vehicle is burning fuel, racking up driver hours, and adding wear to your trucks without generating a penny of revenue.

Articulated vehicles continue to carry the bulk of the work, handling 63% of total tonnage with an average haul length of 134 km. Rigid vehicles average just 58 km per haul. Both vehicle types are affected by empty running, but it's particularly costly for artics where operating costs per kilometre are higher.

Tackling empty running isn't always straightforward — sometimes it's unavoidable depending on your sector and routes. But it's worth reviewing regularly as part of your wider operational planning. Intermodal transport (combining road with rail or sea) edged up slightly, accounting for 5% of all HGV journeys in 2025, and for some operators, this kind of flexibility can help reduce dead miles on certain lanes.

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The Driver Shortage Isn't Going Away

The driver shortage remains one of the most pressing challenges in UK haulage. By Q4 2025, 26% of HGV businesses reported active vacancies — up from 24% the year before. More worryingly, 23% of those firms reported missing deliveries because they simply didn't have enough drivers available.

The workforce is ageing fast. The average HGV driver in 2025 is 51 years old, and around 55% of drivers are over 50. Unless recruitment and retention improve significantly, this demographic problem is going to get worse before it gets better.

Despite the shortage, driver pay increases have slowed. The median hourly rate for HGV drivers sits at £16.25 in 2025 — roughly 18% below the national median for all employees. That gap makes it harder to attract younger workers into what is already a physically demanding job.

For transport managers, this makes driver retention critically important. One area often overlooked is how compliance processes affect driver experience. Cumbersome, paper-heavy walkaround check systems or inconsistent defect reporting can frustrate drivers who are already stretched. Keeping things simple and consistent — whether through a tool like TruckCheck or a well-structured paper process — shows drivers that the business values their time and takes safety seriously.

It's also worth noting that the DVSA Earned Recognition programme sets clear expectations around driver management and vehicle safety standards. Operators who maintain high audit scores under the DVSA HGV Operator Audit Standards are better positioned to attract and retain professional drivers who want to work for reputable operators.

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Compliance, Parking, and the Road to Net Zero

Freight Crime and the Parking Shortfall

The UK currently has a shortfall of approximately 11,000 secure HGV parking spaces. This isn't just a driver welfare issue — it's a direct contributor to freight crime, which has cost the economy over £1 billion since 2020. Drivers parking in unsecured locations out of necessity are exposed to cargo theft, vehicle interference, and personal safety risks.

Operators should be factoring secure overnight parking into route planning where possible. It also ties into your duty of care obligations as a fleet operator.

Net Zero: Still a Distant Horizon for Most

The sustainability picture is complex. 70% of HGV operators currently have no plans to introduce zero-emission vehicles. The most cited barriers are the high upfront purchase cost of electric or hydrogen trucks, and the lack of adequate charging and refuelling infrastructure — particularly outside major urban areas.

This doesn't mean ignoring the issue. Understanding where your fleet sits today, tracking fuel usage accurately, and reducing unnecessary mileage are all practical first steps that also strengthen your compliance record.

Keeping Compliance Tight in a Tight Market

When margins are this thin, a DVSA prohibition or an operator licence issue can be devastating. The DVSA Earned Recognition standards provide a clear framework for what good looks like — from walkaround checks and defect reporting through to maintenance scheduling and driver records. Staying on top of these isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting the business you've worked to build.

Using a system like TruckCheck to digitalise your daily vehicle checks and defect management makes it easier to demonstrate compliance at short notice — and keeps your records tidy if DVSA ever comes knocking.

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2025 is a year that rewards operators who stay organised, keep a close eye on costs, and take compliance seriously. The market will eventually pick back up — but the businesses best placed to benefit will be the ones who didn't let standards slip in the meantime.

Try TruckCheck free or get in touch to see how it works.