60% Feel No Wage Increase, Yet 60% 'Want to Continue as Drivers'. Hacobu Conducts '2026 Truck Driver Fact-Finding Survey'
In March, Hacobu conducted a survey of 1,516 truck drivers nationwide regarding conditions in 2026. Findings reveal that over 60% of drivers feel their wages haven't increased, and roughly 20% experienced an income drop due to reduced overtime from work-style reforms. Despite this, 60% wish to stay in the profession, underscoring the urgent need to improve wages and work environments.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 09:47 (95h 15m after Collected)
Hacobu Co., Ltd., which solves logistics issues with the power of data, conducted a "[2026] Truck Driver Fact-Finding Survey" targeting 1,516 truck drivers nationwide in March.
In this survey, over 60% of drivers answered that they "do not feel that wages have increased." As a result of working hour and overtime reductions due to work-style reforms, about 20% of drivers saw their actual income decrease, highlighting challenges regarding compensation. It is believed that structural factors across the entire industry, such as insufficient freight rate pass-throughs, are responsible.
On the other hand, over 60% of drivers want to continue their jobs. To secure stable human resources, an overhaul of the working environment, including wages, is required.
Click here to download this survey report >>
https://hacobu.jp/form/document-wp-fact-finding-survey-2026-mar/
Background of the Survey
In April 2024, an upper limit on drivers' overtime work began, and in April 2026, the Revised Logistics Efficiency Act was fully enforced.
While improvements across the entire supply chain—such as reducing wait times and ensuring fair trade—are required, voices from on-the-ground drivers still complain about long working hours, heavy cargo handling burdens, and anxieties over income. We conducted this survey to quantitatively visualize these realities and changes, hoping to assist in discussions aimed at realizing sustainable logistics.
Survey Result Topics
1) Over half feel wait times have improved. However, severe long waits still remain.
Q. How do you feel your wait times have changed over the past year?
The majority answered "Slightly shortened (42.5%)" or "Significantly shortened (12.8%)", revealing that initiatives to reduce wait times have led to a tangible sense of improvement.
Q. What is the most common wait time you experience at a single delivery destination?
Regarding wait times, the most common was "30 minutes to 1 hour (45.1%)", followed by "1 to 2 hours (23.0%)". Conversely, it also brought to light that serious waiting issues remain at some sites, with "2 to 3 hours (6.0%)" and "Over 3 hours (2.5%)" reported.
2) The core burden shifted from "Waiting" to "Overall reception structure": The biggest issue is "Difficulty finding a waiting spot (61.7%)"
Q. Please tell us what you find burdensome in your work. (Multiple answers allowed)
While wait times have been a hot topic for several years, the most burdensome aspect of work was "Difficulty finding a waiting spot (61.7%)". This was followed by "Pay does not match the labor (53.8%)" and "Ancillary work (loading/unloading, etc.) (41.1%)".
3) Perception of bound hours is mostly "Unchanged"
Q. How do you feel your bound hours have changed over the past year?
Over half answered "Unchanged (50.5%)", showing that the perception of bound hours remains largely flat. However, nearly 40% answered "Slightly shortened (36.9%)", indicating that the effects of work-style reform are beginning to be felt on the ground.
4) Mostly those who do not feel wages increased. Top reasons are "Decreased workload" and "Decreased overtime"
Q. How has your income changed over the past year?
A total of over 60% answered "Unchanged (44%)", "Slightly decreased (15.2%)", or "Decreased (6.5%)", making up a core demographic that feels no wage hike.
Q. For those who chose "Slightly decreased/Decreased" in the previous question: What is the main reason your income decreased?
The most common reason for decreased income was "Decrease in workload (number of deliveries/distance) (44.9%)", followed by "Decreased overtime/out-of-hours work (39%)".
While the 2026 spring wage offensive saw average wage hikes in the 5% range for the third consecutive year (*), continuing a societal trend, the logistics sector saw reduced overtime due to work-style reforms. This has created a situation where demographic segments that relied on overtime pay struggle to see "Wage hike = Increased take-home pay". As a result, the reality that drivers are being left behind by the wage increase wave was laid bare.
Furthermore, if costs increase due to rising fuel prices caused by the Middle East situation, the burden on operations will become even heavier. If price pass-throughs into freight rates do not progress under these circumstances, there is a risk that drivers' financial anxieties and the labor shortage will become even more severe.
* The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training "Wage hike rate exceeds 5% for third consecutive year / Rengo's 1st response tally for 2026 spring wage offensive"
In this survey, over 60% of drivers answered that they "do not feel that wages have increased." As a result of working hour and overtime reductions due to work-style reforms, about 20% of drivers saw their actual income decrease, highlighting challenges regarding compensation. It is believed that structural factors across the entire industry, such as insufficient freight rate pass-throughs, are responsible.
On the other hand, over 60% of drivers want to continue their jobs. To secure stable human resources, an overhaul of the working environment, including wages, is required.
Click here to download this survey report >>
https://hacobu.jp/form/document-wp-fact-finding-survey-2026-mar/
Background of the Survey
In April 2024, an upper limit on drivers' overtime work began, and in April 2026, the Revised Logistics Efficiency Act was fully enforced.
While improvements across the entire supply chain—such as reducing wait times and ensuring fair trade—are required, voices from on-the-ground drivers still complain about long working hours, heavy cargo handling burdens, and anxieties over income. We conducted this survey to quantitatively visualize these realities and changes, hoping to assist in discussions aimed at realizing sustainable logistics.
Survey Result Topics
1) Over half feel wait times have improved. However, severe long waits still remain.
Q. How do you feel your wait times have changed over the past year?
The majority answered "Slightly shortened (42.5%)" or "Significantly shortened (12.8%)", revealing that initiatives to reduce wait times have led to a tangible sense of improvement.
Q. What is the most common wait time you experience at a single delivery destination?
Regarding wait times, the most common was "30 minutes to 1 hour (45.1%)", followed by "1 to 2 hours (23.0%)". Conversely, it also brought to light that serious waiting issues remain at some sites, with "2 to 3 hours (6.0%)" and "Over 3 hours (2.5%)" reported.
2) The core burden shifted from "Waiting" to "Overall reception structure": The biggest issue is "Difficulty finding a waiting spot (61.7%)"
Q. Please tell us what you find burdensome in your work. (Multiple answers allowed)
While wait times have been a hot topic for several years, the most burdensome aspect of work was "Difficulty finding a waiting spot (61.7%)". This was followed by "Pay does not match the labor (53.8%)" and "Ancillary work (loading/unloading, etc.) (41.1%)".
3) Perception of bound hours is mostly "Unchanged"
Q. How do you feel your bound hours have changed over the past year?
Over half answered "Unchanged (50.5%)", showing that the perception of bound hours remains largely flat. However, nearly 40% answered "Slightly shortened (36.9%)", indicating that the effects of work-style reform are beginning to be felt on the ground.
4) Mostly those who do not feel wages increased. Top reasons are "Decreased workload" and "Decreased overtime"
Q. How has your income changed over the past year?
A total of over 60% answered "Unchanged (44%)", "Slightly decreased (15.2%)", or "Decreased (6.5%)", making up a core demographic that feels no wage hike.
Q. For those who chose "Slightly decreased/Decreased" in the previous question: What is the main reason your income decreased?
The most common reason for decreased income was "Decrease in workload (number of deliveries/distance) (44.9%)", followed by "Decreased overtime/out-of-hours work (39%)".
While the 2026 spring wage offensive saw average wage hikes in the 5% range for the third consecutive year (*), continuing a societal trend, the logistics sector saw reduced overtime due to work-style reforms. This has created a situation where demographic segments that relied on overtime pay struggle to see "Wage hike = Increased take-home pay". As a result, the reality that drivers are being left behind by the wage increase wave was laid bare.
Furthermore, if costs increase due to rising fuel prices caused by the Middle East situation, the burden on operations will become even heavier. If price pass-throughs into freight rates do not progress under these circumstances, there is a risk that drivers' financial anxieties and the labor shortage will become even more severe.
* The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training "Wage hike rate exceeds 5% for third consecutive year / Rengo's 1st response tally for 2026 spring wage offensive"