Is there a driver shortage? That depends on who you ask. If you ask a driver recruiter, they will say yes. They have trouble getting qualified drivers to fill the seats with current pay packages. If you ask a driver who is waiting for a load, they will tell you no. There is a shortage of loads.
What if you ask an Economist? There is a simple question. If you paid $1,000,000. per year could you get enough drivers? If you can, then there isn't an actual shortage. It comes down to Economics. The numbers say that there is no driver shortage.