GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Public Agencies Face Snowplow Driver Shortage

The driver shortage is affecting public agencies' snowplowing efforts. The City of Hartford, Vermont, and the Montana Department of Transportation are combating this by hiring a number of temporary drivers.

January 21, 2022
Public Agencies Face Snowplow Driver Shortage

 

Photo via Pixabay

1 min to read



As winter weather continues to sweep across many parts of the U.S., public agencies are seeing a significant shortage in snowplow truck drivers.

In Hartford, Vermont, the city is down two snowplow drivers from its normal 10, leaving them to borrow workers from other town departments, according to NBC5. While the temporary, fill-in drivers have proven helpful this season, the city said it has been a challenge explaining the unfamiliar equipment to the drivers. In addition to that, the city said it is currently operating with one mechanic to handle all equipment and vehicle repairs.

Ad Loading...

Meanwhile, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is seeing a shortage of about 60 snowplow drivers this winter, according to the Montana Free Press.

MDT employs a total of 570 staff members, and to supplement that workforce, the state hires an additional 200 temporary plow truck drivers to work from about Thanksgiving to March. This year, however, the state was only able to hire about 140 temporary drivers. Walt Kerttula, an equipment bureau chief for the MDT, told the Montana Free Press that he attributes the lack of drivers this year to a nationwide labor shortage and the need for applicants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses. 

More Operations

MD patrol boat on water
Policeby Staff WriterMay 20, 2026

Maryland Natural Resources Police Adds 31-Foot Patrol Boat to Enforcement Fleet

A new addition to Maryland’s marine enforcement fleet is bringing expanded capabilities to Chesapeake Bay operations while honoring a legacy within the agency. The high-performance patrol vessel reflects how law enforcement fleets are adapting to growing demands on the water.

Read More →
a john deere 904x unit.
OperationsMay 20, 2026

John Deere Expands X-Tier Lineup with New 844 and 904 X-Tier Wheel Loaders

The new X-Tier machines bring together advanced electrified drivetrain technology, intelligent machine controls, and optional operator awareness features.

Read More →
A blueprint with tool graphics and text about technicians.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiMay 14, 2026

The Technician Pipeline: Finding, Keeping, and Promoting Techs Within the Operation.

At look at where to find good talent, what fleets are doing to incentivize those techs to stay within the fleet, and what promotion looks like for a technician within the public sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Samsara logo graphic promoting the company’s new AI-powered Public Sector Suite for infrastructure, waste management, and student transportation operations.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

Public Sector Leaders Partner with Samsara to Advance Real-World AI Innovation

Samsara introduced three AI-powered public sector solutions focused on road condition monitoring, waste service verification, and student ridership management for government agencies and school districts.

Read More →
Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

The Fleet Efficiency Gap: Where Budgets, Utilization & Risk Collide

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This whitepaper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
Cover image for the “5th Annual Market Pulse Report” by Element titled “Navigating fleet management in 2026: Data and insights shaping the future of fleet and mobility.” The design features an aerial view of a cable-stayed bridge with vehicles traveling on a highway beside a dense green forest. A teal graphic panel overlays the lower portion of the image, with the Element logo and tagline “Intelligence in motion” at the bottom.
SponsoredMay 6, 2026

Fleet Costs Are Rising: Here’s How Leaders Are Responding

Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A graph showing 2026 and 2025 April fleet sales.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiMay 5, 2026

April Sees More Significant Increase in Government Vehicle Sales

April marks the third month where this year's government vehicles sales were higher than those in 2025.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

How Public Fleets Earn Public Trust and Operate Under Scrutiny

Taxpayers judge public services by what they can see. Learn how state and local government fleets are using data and transparency to demonstrate reliability, strengthen accountability, and build public confidence in every mile driven.

Read More →
A Dispatch monthly roundup with collage of fleet images.
OperationsMay 1, 2026

EVs, New Roles in Fleets, Looking at Data, and More | The April Dispatch

April covered a lot of ground for government fleets, from Long Beach testing electric refuse trucks to new data on AI adoption, aging assets, and rising service costs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A cheat sheet thumbnail with images of a checklist and ev charger.
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Disaster Response, Power Planning, and First Responder Fleets | Weekly Cheat Sheet

On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.

Read More →