{"id":4849,"date":"2026-09-16T13:28:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T13:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/?p=4849"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:33:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:33:41","slug":"truck-driver-shortage-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/truck-driver-shortage-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Truck Driver Shortage in Europe: 502,000 Drivers Missing \u2014 Who Will Keep Europe\u2019s Freight Moving?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4849\" class=\"elementor elementor-4849\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;ha_cmc_init_switcher&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e16690c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5e16690c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92a4849 elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-post-title happy-addon ha-post-title\" data-id=\"92a4849\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"ha-post-title elementor-size-default\">Truck Driver Shortage in Europe: 502,000 Drivers Missing \u2014 Who Will Keep Europe\u2019s Freight Moving?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a995d42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-jkit_post_date\" data-id=\"a995d42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"jkit_post_date.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"jeg-elementor-kit jkit-post-date jeg_module___6abacbcf5e583\" ><p class=\"post-date \">September 16, 2026<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b326c56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-post-featured-image happy-addon ha-post-featured-image\" data-id=\"b326c56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?fit=1280%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"truck driver shortage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79dc263 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"79dc263\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:&quot;post&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tContent:\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__79dc263\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__79dc263\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 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class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truck driver shortage in Europe has a number now. And the number is 502,000.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is how many truck driver positions are currently sitting empty across the continent \u2014 not globally, not across all transport modes, but specifically in European road freight. Roughly the population of a mid-sized European capital city. All of them qualified. All of them simply not there.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your load is ready. The warehouse is packed. The booking is confirmed. And then the call comes: no driver available. The truck is not coming. Try again tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If that has happened to you, it is not bad luck. It is the truck driver shortage in Europe making itself felt in your supply chain. And according to the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iru.org\/what-we-do\/being-trusted-voice-mobility-and-logistics\/people\/driver-shortage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IRU driver shortage survey<\/a>, it is going to keep making itself felt \u2014 because this is not a market blip. It is a structural crisis that has been building for decades and is accelerating.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is what is actually happening, why the problem is getting worse instead of better, and what it means for everyone who moves freight on European roads.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26a9c3d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"26a9c3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7175d6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7175d6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">502,000: The Number Behind Europe's Truck Driver Shortage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2996d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a2996d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start with the scale \u2014 because the number has been growing so fast that even people who follow this industry closely have not fully absorbed it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2876c32 ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"2876c32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ha-infobox-title\">502,000<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Truck driver positions unfilled across Europe (13% shortage rate) <br> <br>\nSource: IRU 2025 Driver Shortage Survey<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4c17d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4c17d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2023, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iru.org\/what-we-do\/being-trusted-voice-mobility-and-logistics\/people\/driver-shortage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IRU<\/a> recorded 233,000 unfilled driver positions across Europe. By 2024, that had grown to 426,000. Now \u2014 502,000. <strong>The truck driver shortage in Europe has more than doubled in two years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever was being done to close the gap has not been enough. And the trend line does not look like a problem correcting itself \u2014 it looks like a problem accelerating.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2702\" data-end=\"2802\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IRU projects that approximately <strong>660,500 European truck drivers will retire by 2030.<\/strong> On current trends, the shortage could reach 745,000 unfilled positions by 2028. That is not a forecast designed to frighten people. It is simple mathematics applied to demographics \u2014 and the demographics are unambiguous.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc65812 ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"bc65812\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\"The driver shortage is no longer closely linked to short-term economic cycles.\" \u2014 IRU, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5091ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5091ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That sentence matters more than it might appear. Previous driver shortage episodes in Europe did self-correct \u2014 when freight demand softened, the gap narrowed. This one has not. The shortage persisted even through periods of weaker freight demand, which tells you something important: this is not a market cycle problem. It is a structural one. And structural problems do not fix themselves.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38b2dda e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"38b2dda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90815b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"90815b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why the Truck Driver Shortage in Europe Keeps Getting Worse<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27d4cb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27d4cb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask most people why there is a driver shortage and you get vague answers: &#8216;nobody wants to drive trucks anymore&#8217; or &#8216;young people prefer desk jobs.&#8217; The reality is more specific \u2014 and more fixable, if the right people decide to actually fix it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-249e4ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"249e4ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The workforce is retiring faster than it is being replaced<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe5c5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fe5c5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The average European truck driver is 47 years old.<\/strong> Nearly a third of the entire workforce \u2014 31.6% \u2014 is already over 55. In Italy, that reaches 45%. In Spain, <strong>half of all truck drivers are within a decade of retirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the other end of the age spectrum, drivers under 25 make up just 6.5% of the European workforce. And according to the IRU&#8217;s 2024 report, that share fell by another 5.8% in a single year. The profession is getting older at both ends simultaneously: experienced drivers leaving faster than young ones arrive.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7919d6 ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"a7919d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ha-infobox-title\">31.6%<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>of European truck drivers are already over 55. In Spain: 50%.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ac04f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ac04f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what that actually means. In the country that processes some of the most important freight corridors in southern Europe, half the driver workforce is within striking distance of retirement \u2014 and less than 7% of replacements are already in the profession. That is not a shortage in the making. It is a shortage already happening, with a second wave right behind it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c00673 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c00673\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The licence costs thousands and takes months \u2014 before you earn a cent<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05654d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05654d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a concrete barrier that does not get enough attention: getting a professional heavy goods vehicle licence in the EU typically costs between<strong> \u20ac4,000 and \u20ac7,000 and takes several months.<\/strong> Medical certification. Theory tests. Practical training. The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). All of it upfront, before a single paid kilometre.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compare that to entering as a warehouse operative, a last-mile delivery driver, or a logistics coordinator \u2014 all of which require minimal qualification cost and can start paying within days of applying. For a 22-year-old weighing career options, the maths is not complicated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IRU has repeatedly called for subsidised training and lower age thresholds for professional licences. Implementation has been slow and inconsistent across member states. The barrier is real, it is documented, and it remains largely unaddressed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a73c091 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a73c091\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The job is hard \u2014 and the conditions have not kept pace with expectations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c44233 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c44233\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IRU&#8217;s Truck Driver Barometer surveyed 1,100 drivers across seven major European markets. The findings are striking: <strong>90% of European drivers cite the lack of equipped and secure resting areas as a key factor explaining the shortage.<\/strong> Not 40%. Not 60%. Ninety percent.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A further 85% cite poor treatment at delivery and collection sites. Weeks away from home. Irregular hours. Pressure to meet tight windows regardless of road conditions or legal driving time limits. These are the lived realities of the job \u2014 and they are the reason experienced drivers leave and young workers choose something else before they start.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26eb81f ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"26eb81f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ha-infobox-title\">What drivers actually say is driving them away<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>90% cite lack of safe, equipped parking and rest areas. 85% cite poor treatment at loading and delivery sites. 75% say the profession's poor public image is a factor. These are not abstract complaints \u2014 they are verified findings from the IRU's 2024 Truck Driver Barometer survey of 1,100 European drivers.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1729cf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1729cf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The profession is invisible to the next generation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1beba04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1beba04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over 75% of drivers surveyed by IRU say the poor image of the profession is a relevant factor in the shortage. Truck driving is almost never presented as a career in schools or universities. The role is associated \u2014 often unfairly \u2014 with isolation, limited prospects, and hard physical conditions. This perception problem starts before young people ever seriously consider the option, and it starts in education systems that have largely ignored logistics as a source of viable career pathways.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5c0a16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5c0a16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Half the potential workforce is barely being recruited<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e09a77e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e09a77e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Female employment in European truck driving remains critically low across every market. The IRU&#8217;s 2024 report is direct about this: the profession is effectively recruiting from roughly half the available labour pool and largely ignoring the other half. The changes most cited by women as barriers to entry \u2014 rest facilities, safety at overnight stops, physical infrastructure of the job \u2014 are the same changes that 90% of current drivers are already asking for. Addressing them serves both retention and recruitment simultaneously.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9c4684 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f9c4684\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web-2.png?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4866\" alt=\"truck-driver-shortage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web-2.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web-2.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web-2.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web-2.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99338c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"99338c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61662a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"61662a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What the Truck Driver Shortage Is Actually Costing European Freight<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78ab089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78ab089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The driver shortage is not an HR problem that stays inside HR departments. Its effects are measurable in rates, in rejected loads, in contracts that never get signed, and in supply chains that have quietly become less reliable than they were three years ago.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6efb822 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6efb822\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rates are rising \u2014 and the driver is a big reason why<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5966c7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5966c7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Driver costs are the single largest operating expense for European road freight operators after fuel. When experienced drivers become scarce, competition to hire and retain them pushes wages upward \u2014 and those wages end up in the rates that shippers pay.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2025 data is instructive. Spanish drivers on international operations saw wages rise 5.1% year-on-year. Italian operators agreed new contracts delivering increases of over \u20ac500 per month. In Greece, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Hungary, transport labour costs posted double-digit percentage increases \u2014 in a single year.<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iru.org\/news-resources\/newsroom\/european-road-freight-rates-q4-2025-contract-rates-spot-rates-steady\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IRU Q4 2025 European Road Freight Rates report<\/a>, contract rates climbed throughout 2025 with the driver shortage named as one of the primary cost pressures \u2014 even in periods when freight demand itself was soft. When demand picks up again, the driver shortage will limit how fast capacity can respond. That means rates rise faster than they otherwise would.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e49a91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e49a91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Two-thirds of operators are already turning away business<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9adce2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9adce2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is the number that most directly affects shippers: roughly <strong>two-thirds of European transport operators have rejected new contracts because they could not find enough drivers to fulfil them.<\/strong> Half of European trucking companies cannot expand their operations due to workforce constraints.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-232afc3 ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"232afc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"ha-infobox-title\">65%<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>of European transport operators say driver shortage is their main business concern.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26bc4cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26bc4cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is the capacity ceiling the industry is bumping against right now. When that ceiling is in place, shippers \u2014 particularly those relying on spot market access for urgent loads \u2014 encounter tighter availability and higher rates than the underlying demand level would otherwise produce. The capacity just is not there, and no amount of urgency creates drivers that do not exist.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84b12d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"84b12d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fleet investment is slowing down too<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c286a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c286a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a knock-on effect that rarely makes headlines: heavy goods vehicle registrations across Europe fell 6% in 2025 compared to 2024. Operators are reluctant to invest in trucks they cannot staff. The truck driver shortage is suppressing fleet renewal \u2014 which in turn limits the industry&#8217;s capacity ceiling even further, and delays the turnover to newer, lower-emission vehicles that EU climate targets require.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe74bcf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fe74bcf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7340737 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7340737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can This Problem Actually Be Fixed?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7668545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7668545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">The honest answer is: not quickly. But there are genuine efforts underway across three fronts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1b4723 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1b4723\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Making the job better for the people already doing it\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bdbcac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8bdbcac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Retention is as important as recruitment. An experienced driver who stays five extra years is worth more to the market than ten new recruits who leave after eighteen months. What drivers are asking for is not complicated: adequate rest facilities, secure parking, better treatment at loading sites. 90% of current drivers point at exactly these priorities. The information is there. The action has been slower.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>&#8220;It is also worth noting that how carriers are paid affects whether they stay in the profession \u2014 a driver working through a broker who takes 15\u201325% of every load earns less than one transacting directly. For more on how that margin affects carrier economics, <a href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/commission-free-freight-marketplace-benefits\/\">our breakdown of the commission free freight model<\/a> is worth reading.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-477459c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"477459c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bringing in drivers from outside the EU\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4765dbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4765dbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">The IRU&#8217;s SDM4EU initiative connects countries with surplus qualified drivers to EU member states facing shortages \u2014 Phase 2 launched in 2026. A parallel EU programme, STEER2EU, examined qualification recognition, visa frameworks, and employment standards. Genuine potential, but political appetite for third-country integration varies significantly across member states. A meaningful piece of the solution \u2014 not the whole solution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91cb5de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"91cb5de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Technology: helping drivers work smarter, not replacing them\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-945a8d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"945a8d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Autonomous trucks are frequently cited as the answer. The reality: current vehicles on European roads require a qualified driver present at all times. Fully driverless Level 4 operations remain in regulatory approval phases across member states. What is already deployed and helping: driver-assistance systems \u2014 fatigue detection, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise \u2014 and truck platooning delivering up to 10% fuel savings on compatible routes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13a93a6 ha-infobox-media-dir-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-ha-infobox happy-addon ha-infobox\" data-id=\"13a93a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"ha-infobox.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-body\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ha-infobox-title\">What automation actually means through 2030<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ha-infobox-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Technology extends the capacity of the workforce you have. It does not replace the need for one.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77f9677 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77f9677\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97dee4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97dee4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ: Europe's Truck Driver Shortage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e432308 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"e432308\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t            <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-e432308\" data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" data-accordion-id=\"e432308\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n            <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"how-many-truck-driver-positions-are-unfilled-in-europe\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2391\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">How many truck driver positions are unfilled in Europe?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2391\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-labelledby=\"how-many-truck-driver-positions-are-unfilled-in-europe\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iru.org\/what-we-do\/being-trusted-voice-mobility-and-logistics\/people\/driver-shortage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IRU&#8217;s 2025 driver shortage survey<\/a>, approximately 502,000 truck driver positions are currently unfilled across Europe \u2014 a 13% shortage rate. This has more than doubled in two years, up from 233,000 in 2023 and 426,000 in 2024.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"why-is-the-truck-driver-shortage-in-europe-so-severe\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2392\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Why is the truck driver shortage in Europe so severe?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2392\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-labelledby=\"why-is-the-truck-driver-shortage-in-europe-so-severe\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The shortage reflects several structural factors acting simultaneously: an ageing workforce retiring faster than young drivers enter the profession; high upfront licence costs (\u20ac4,000\u2013\u20ac7,000); working conditions that make the role increasingly unattractive compared to other logistics jobs; a poor public image in educational systems; and critically low female participation rates. None of these factors is easily reversed on a short timeline.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"which-european-countries-are-worst-affected\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2393\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Which European countries are worst affected?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2393\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-labelledby=\"which-european-countries-are-worst-affected\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Italy and Germany face the most critical demographic gaps \u2014 youth representation in their driver workforces stands at just 2.2% and 2.6% respectively, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iru.org\/intelligence\/road-transport-intelligence\/global-truck-driver-shortage-report-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IRU&#8217;s 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report<\/a>. Spain has the highest share of older drivers in Europe at 50% over 55. Poland and France are also significantly affected.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"how-many-european-truck-drivers-will-retire-by-2030\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2394\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">How many European truck drivers will retire by 2030?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2394\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-labelledby=\"how-many-european-truck-drivers-will-retire-by-2030\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IRU projects that approximately 660,500 European truck drivers will retire by 2030. With the under-25 driver share at just 6.5% and falling year-on-year, the pipeline of replacements is structurally insufficient to absorb this retirement wave without significant intervention.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"how-does-the-driver-shortage-affect-freight-rates\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2395\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">How does the driver shortage affect freight rates?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2395\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-labelledby=\"how-does-the-driver-shortage-affect-freight-rates\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Through two channels. First, wage inflation: competition for experienced drivers has pushed salaries up across Europe \u2014 Spanish international drivers saw 5.1% wage growth in 2025, and Italian operators agreed increases of over \u20ac500 per month. Second, constrained capacity: approximately two-thirds of European operators have rejected new contracts because they lacked drivers. Both effects flow directly into the freight rates that shippers pay.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"will-autonomous-trucks-solve-the-driver-shortage\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"6\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2396\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Will autonomous trucks solve the driver shortage?<\/span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 256 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224.3 273l-136 136c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.6-22.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l96.4-96.4-96.4-96.4c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L54.3 103c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l136 136c9.5 9.4 9.5 24.6.1 34z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2396\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" aria-labelledby=\"will-autonomous-trucks-solve-the-driver-shortage\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not in the near term. Current autonomous trucks on European roads require a qualified driver present and ready to take control. Level 4 fully driverless operations remain in pilot and regulatory approval phases. The more realistic scenario through 2030 is driver-assistance technology extending the productivity and safety of existing drivers \u2014 not replacing them.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad8c681 elementor-grid-eael-col-2 elementor-grid-tablet-eael-col-2 elementor-grid-mobile-eael-col-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-post-grid\" data-id=\"ad8c681\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;eael_post_grid_columns&quot;:&quot;eael-col-2&quot;,&quot;eael_post_grid_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;eael-col-2&quot;,&quot;eael_post_grid_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;eael-col-1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"eael-post-grid.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"eael-post-grid-ad8c681\" class=\"eael-post-grid-container\">\n            <div class=\"eael-post-grid eael-post-appender eael-post-appender-ad8c681 eael-post-grid-style-two\" data-layout-mode=\"masonry\"><article class=\"eael-grid-post  eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-4849 category-all-posts-en-carriers-freight-forwarders\" data-id=\"4849\">\n    <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n        <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-media\"><div class=\"eael-entry-overlay fade-in\"><i class=\"fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/truck-driver-shortage-in-europe\/\"><\/a><\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-thumbnail \">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4874\" alt=\"truck driver shortage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h3 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/truck-driver-shortage-in-europe\/\" title=\"Truck Driver Shortage in Europe: 502,000 Drivers Missing \u2014 Who Will Keep Europe\u2019s Freight Moving?\">Truck Driver Shortage in Europe: 502,000 Drivers Missing \u2014 Who Will Keep Europe\u2019s Freight Moving?<\/a><\/h3><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n                                <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>Truck Driver Shortage in Europe: 500,000 Drivers Missing \u2014 Who...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/truck-driver-shortage-in-europe\/\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n                            <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-header-after style-two\"><div class=\"eael-entry-meta\"><span class=\"eael-meta-posted-on\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\"><\/i><time datetime=\"September 16, 2026\">September 16, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/article><article class=\"eael-grid-post  eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-4827 category-all-posts-en-carriers-freight-forwarders\" data-id=\"4827\">\n    <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n        <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-media\"><div class=\"eael-entry-overlay fade-in\"><i class=\"fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/eu-de-minimis-2026-what-shippers-carriers-must-know\/\"><\/a><\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-thumbnail \">\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Featured-image-web.png?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4836\" alt=\"eu de minimis\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Featured-image-web.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hubbig.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Featured-image-web.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h3 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/eu-de-minimis-2026-what-shippers-carriers-must-know\/\" title=\"12 Million Parcels a Day Just Got More Expensive: EU De Minimis 2026\">12 Million Parcels a Day Just Got More Expensive: EU De Minimis 2026<\/a><\/h3><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n                                <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>12 Million Parcels a Day Just Got More Expensive: EU...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/hubbig.com\/en\/eu-de-minimis-2026-what-shippers-carriers-must-know\/\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n                            <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-header-after style-two\"><div class=\"eael-entry-meta\"><span class=\"eael-meta-posted-on\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\"><\/i><time datetime=\"August 11, 2026\">August 11, 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