Truck driver shortage impacting the Permian Basin The President of the Texas Trucking Association says by the year 2030, we're on track to be in need of around 100,000 drivers across the country. Author: Rachel Ripp (News West9) Published: 6:33 PM CDT May 6, 2021 Updated: 6:33 PM CDT May 6, 2021 MIDLAND, Texas — The trucking industry has many ties to oil and gas in the Permian Basin, like most things. "When it went down, as well as COVID-19 hitting at the same time, people had to make ends meet," said Elizabeth Torres, office manager for Emmanuel's Trucking Resources. So drivers left to pursue other jobs. This isn't something new the industry hasn't seen before.