The shortage of truck drivers in Europe is nothing new, but the situation worsens every year. Many professionals are retiring, and the low number of new drivers on the market is turning the job into an opportunity to earn well, but of course, by working very hard.
And with the shortage of professionals, job opportunities abound. From Portugal to the United Kingdom, from Spain to Germany: almost every country in Europe is finding it difficult to hire truck drivers. It’s no wonder that many companies are investing in international trade fairs to try to attract professionals to the continent.
Truck driver in Europe
Low wages, unattractive working hours, and a poor professional image: there is a shortage of workers in the sector. The European Union has already taken measures, but they are not yet sufficient. Photos of the shortages in the United Kingdom circulated around the world and recalled the first lockdown caused by COVID in March 2020. Supermarket shelves were empty, and some products were simply unavailable. The problem in this case: the subsequent delivery of the goods is no longer guaranteed.
It was a predictable situation that Brexit accelerated. However, anyone who thinks this reality is unique to the United Kingdom is mistaken, as the European Union is also facing shortages due to a lack of truck drivers.
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Many professionals have disappeared in recent years, and this could result in a supply collapse within the next two to five years. Representatives of the driver sector in Germany, for example, are not at all optimistic.
Is it worth being a truck driver in Europe?
It’s worth it! The salary is well above average, and to give you an idea, in Portugal an international truck driver can earn up to €3,000 per month. The amount will vary depending on the number of hours worked and the professional’s experience, but, in general terms, it is a value well above the national average, which has a minimum wage of €705.
However, it’s worth noting that the life of a truck driver in Europe is not easy. Of course, let’s be fair and say that However, it’s still a physically demanding job with difficulties such as good rest areas, robberies, and extremely strict laws regarding access to certain areas and cities.
Countries with a shortage of truck drivers
Specifically in Germany, there is currently a shortage of 60,000 to 80,000 truck drivers. In the United Kingdom, the number may be even higher, reaching (or exceeding) 100,000. And the difference in Germany increases by 15,000 professionals every year, as around 30,000 retire. But the number of young professionals entering the market is only 15,000. The situation is similar in other European countries, and the average European truck driver is over 50 years old, generally over 55.
The reasons are varied and well-known in the industry. Low wages, uncomfortable workplace, working hours incompatible with a full social life, the generally negative image of the driving profession: all this ensures that not only do many people leave their jobs, but also that young people don’t want to take it in the first place.
Not to mention the high training costs: if you take into account operational costs as well as driving school fees, a truck driver’s license in Europe can cost more than €10,000.
European Union Mobility Package
The European Union’s mobility package, approved in 2020, took the first steps towards improving working conditions for truck drivers in Europe. The most important points covered by the mobility package are:
- Truck drivers can no longer spend their weekly rest period, which must last at least 45 hours, in the vehicle. Instead, ideally they should stay at home on their days off – and, if that’s not possible, they should sleep in a hotel. The employer must pay the costs.
- The maximum driving time may be slightly exceeded to reach home in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams or heavy rain, before the start of the mandatory weekly rest period. Drivers must have the opportunity to return to their place of residence at least every three weeks.
With this, there is a possibility that the new regulation will put an end to nomadic drivers. However, it may take some time for this model to actually come into effect, and the bureaucratic obligations are also quite high for companies.
Women in the driving profession – Unsafe parking
Representatives of truck drivers believe that the European Union’s mobility package is far from sufficient to control the shortage of skilled workers. In fact, everything must be done to make the job easier for potential drivers, but it is necessary to work together with third countries. Europe alone will not be able to solve the problem.
One concrete measure is, for example, making trucks more self-sufficient. Currently, vehicle weights and lengths are stipulated in each European country, and this hinders and restricts freedom of movement across the continent.
Important measures must also be implemented to make the truck more attractive as a workplace, more comfortable and safe. This is also a way to make the job more interesting for women: the proportion of women in the driving profession is 2%.
Besides the poor compatibility between family life and work, there is another serious reason that keeps women away from truck drivers: fear. Many high-performing drivers say they won’t spend the night away from home without knowing where to park their truck.
Not to mention access to sanitary facilities and whether the parking is safe and well-lit. This is a point that the European Union has already addressed with its mobility package, albeit only in the most economical way: the EU Commission has a list of safe parking areas that are, for example, sufficiently lit, with gender-sensitive sanitary facilities. However, the general lack of parking spaces is far from being resolved.
Truck lengths and delays from Brussels
There has been no progress from Brussels on the issue of longer trucks. So-called long trucks can be up to 25.25 meters long. However, so far there has been no European approach. Long trucks are not even permitted in all federal states of Germany, for example. And where they are permitted, long trucks can only circulate on very specific routes because only some road networks are accessible to these giant trucks.
As a result, fewer drivers would be needed, since more people could be transported with the giant trucks. It will take some time for all of this to be implemented. This is because the political will to make giant trucks a standard part of road traffic is not particularly pronounced in Europe.
Truck driver: British government seeks solutions
A statement released by the UK government indicates that up to 50,000 additional heavy vehicle driving tests will be made available each year. The government’s measure aims to streamline the testing process and combat the shortage of truck drivers in the UK.
Driving tests for heavy vehicles will be revised in the UK, meaning drivers will only need to take 1 test to drive a rigid articulated truck, instead of 2 separate tests (with 3-week intervals). This will make around 20,000 heavy vehicle driving tests available each year and means drivers can get their license and enter the sector more quickly.
The tests will also be shorter by removing the ‘reversing exercise’ element – and for vehicles with trailers, the ‘uncoupling and recoupling’ exercise – and testing it separately by a third party. This part of the test is performed off-road in a maneuvering area and takes a significant amount of time. Testing these maneuvers separately will free up examiner time, meaning they can conduct another full test each day.
Car drivers will no longer need to take another test to tow a trailer or caravan, allowing around 30,000 more heavy vehicle driving tests to be carried out each year. This new legislation is changing previous European Union regulations that the UK is no longer required to follow.
Brexit and truck driver shortage: supply problems
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that truck drivers are helping to keep the country running and have been doing so throughout the pandemic. Driver shortages are a global problem, but the government is working to help industry leaders attract drivers and build a more resilient sector.
The shortage of drivers is a widespread problem affecting countries across Europe and also the United States, caused by a number of factors, including an aging workforce. Increasing the number of driver tests and the quantity made available will help industry leaders build a stronger sector in the UK that can attract drivers from other countries.
Truck driver in Europe: How to get hired
To be hired, a truck driver in Europe needs to meet certain requirements. It’s important to note that each European country, even within the European Union, has specific laws and requirements, so it’s best to pay attention to the following:
- Having a driver’s license (license) for the type of truck you will be driving in the country of interest;
- Passport;
- To be able to prove experience;
- Mastering a language other than the one spoken in the destination country.
Initially, a truck driver should look for companies that are hiring professionals and, after that, make contact and request the documentation required to practice the profession in the country where they are applying.
Truck driver in Europe: Main agencies
If you search for truck drivers in Europe on Google, you’ll notice that most job opportunities are advertised on job sites. Therefore, the best approach is to try contacting the company you’re interested in directly and check job availability in the destination country where you intend to work.
You can always search for jobs in Europe through LinkedIn, for example. Large companies often post ads on the professional social network, and you can find good opportunities to work as a truck driver in Europe there.
Documentation required to be a truck driver in Europe.
As mentioned before, each European country has specific regulations and requires different documents to be a truck driver. To help, let’s take Portugal as an example and what is required of a transport professional in that European country.
In Portugal, a truck driver needs to obtain a qualification to transport goods and passengers. This requires a driving license, a driver qualification card (CQM), and a driver aptitude certificate (CAM). To obtain the CAM, the driver must undergo mandatory initial training.
Passport
The passport is the immigrant’s primary document. Therefore, it will always be required when you travel internationally. However, after arriving in your destination country and having all the necessary documents to work as a truck driver, the passport becomes secondary, as the authorities will always first verify your driving authorizations in the country.
Driver’s License Validation
Here’s a very important point. All individuals who will reside in another country and intend to work as truck drivers in Europe need to change their National Driver’s License (CNH) to the document that authorizes them to drive in their destination country. Always pay attention to deadlines, as each country has different rules.
Visa and vaccinations
A work visa for Europe must be applied for while you are still in your country of origin, you must complete the entire visa process at the German consulate nearest to your residence, while still in your country of origin. Companies often assist professionals, precisely because of the difficulty in finding labor in the country where they are located.
An international vaccination certificate is required in many countries, and it must include proof of certain vaccines, such as tetanus and yellow fever. Therefore, it is suggested that you check which vaccines are required on official websites and request further information if the information is not readily available.
Proof of experience
Proving experience isn’t always easy. One tip is to show your work record, but also ask your former employers for letters of recommendation. In most European countries, a person’s word counts. What does that mean? It means that if you present letters of recommendation and contact information from people who worked with you (former employers, for example), companies understand this as proof of experience.
It’s also worth noting that many companies conduct driving tests and place newly hired drivers in more close proximity to their workplace. If you intend to be an international driver, be patient, as initially your work may be limited to the country where the hiring company is based.
Truck driver salaries in Europe
Salaries vary widely, however, an international truck driver in Europe starts earning between €1,000 and €1,500 minimum, and can reach €2,500, €3,000 or more, depending on the country, company and experience. The Jobted portal provides more information about Portugal, but you can search for other European countries as well.
Working hours of a truck driver in Europe
The weekly working hours for a truck driver in Europe cannot exceed 56 hours. A truck driver in Europe, employed by a company, cannot drive more than nine hours a day; however, the company can extend the daily driving time up to a maximum of 10 hours, but no more than twice a week.
The total accumulated driving time for each two-week period cannot exceed 90 hours. However, there are differences between freight and passenger drivers, and all information is available on a dedicated European Union portal for transport professionals.
Main cargo types transported by truck in Europe
Although rail transport is widely used in Europe, an international truck driver transports everything from automotive parts to tableware, from electronics to tires. However, it’s interesting to note that while most grains are transported by train, trucks carry a large portion of perishable goods in Europe.
Labor rights of truck drivers in Europe
In Europe, truck drivers have labor rights. The European Union’s portal dedicated to transport professionals specifies all obligations and rights. The use of a tachograph is mandatory, and the device records driving times, breaks, rest periods, vehicle speed, and distance traveled.
Not to mention that other jobs or tasks performed by the driver (for example, loading and unloading goods) are also recorded by the device. Therefore, the tachograph is an ally that helps protect the labor rights of truck drivers, and the company is required to keep the tachograph records for one year. The information can be provided in copies to the driver or to local authorities upon request.
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CV for a truck driver in Europe
Creating a resume to work as a truck driver in Europe isn’t always easy. That’s why we recommend using Europass. The Europass portal belongs to the European Union and was created to standardize resumes across the continent. Take advantage of the platform to create your truck driver resume for Europe for free, while adhering to the European standard.
