The shortage of professional truck drivers remains one of the main bottlenecks for road freight transport in Europe . According to the IRU's 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report , the number of vacancies has risen to 426.000 , up from 233.000 in 2023.
This figure reveals increasing pressure on a sector that is essential to the European economy and supply chain. The combination of rising demand, unattractive working conditions , and a lack of generational renewal threatens to jeopardize the operational sustainability of road transport.
Measures to reverse the trend
Faced with this situation, the European institutions are taking various measures to expand access to the profession:
- La minimum age to drive professional trucks will be unified to the 18 years in the Making, allowing training from the age of 17.
- It will be facilitated employment of third-country nationals, thus expanding access to skilled foreign labor.
However, these reforms must be accompanied by improvements in working conditions if the sector is to attract and retain talent. Currently, labor costs have risen significantly in countries like Greece, Bulgaria, and Hungary, further increasing operating expenses.
European initiatives to promote mobility
The IRU, in collaboration with international institutions, is working on initiatives such as:
- SDM4EU: connects countries with a surplus of drivers with those with a shortage.
- STEER2EU: It analyzes access routes to employment for non-EU drivers, including certification of qualifications and visas.
The IRU also collaborates with the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) to promote better working conditions and fair standards across the continent.
Towards a more attractive and professionalized sector
During his speech at ALACAT 2025 in Madrid, Lucas Lagier (IRU) highlighted the need to professionalize the sector through:
- Standardized and certified training at European level.
- Better opportunities for professional development.
- Active recruitment of young people and women to rejuvenate the collective.
Governments and operators have also launched programs to subsidize licenses and training , as well as to increase training capacity in specialized centers.
What to expect in 2025?
With a projected increase in transport demand by 2025, the situation could worsen if the profession is not made more attractive or the productivity of the logistics system is not improved.
In this context, key directives such as the EU Weights and Dimensions Directive are being reviewed , which will allow:
- Cross-border transit of longer and heavier vehicles.
- Recognition of additional weight in zero-emission trucks.
- Improvement in vehicle aerodynamics.
However, doubts remain about axle load limits , which could restrict the payload of electric or hydrogen trucks.
A necessary transformation
The sector needs profound structural change to address a shortage that is already impacting the efficiency of freight transport. Improving conditions, attracting talent, and modernizing regulations are essential steps to ensure the sector's future.
