Eu driver shortage. Shortage of truck drivers: Youn...

Eu driver shortage. Shortage of truck drivers: Young workforce missing Data from industry associations show that the shortage of heavy truck drivers is widespread in Europe, with a shortage of 400,000 in the EU. According to studies, there is a shortage of at least 70,000 truck drivers in Germany alone. Explore the latest IRU data, root causes, and 5 critical solutions to the logistics labor crisis. A temporary visa scheme to make it easier for foreign lorry drivers to work in the UK is set to run for three months, ending on Christmas eve. This was the result of increased demand for transport, as well as the ageing of the truck driver population. An exodus of EU lorry drivers from the UK since Brexit has left the British haulage and logistics industry facing an acute staff shortage and a looming crisis for industrial and retail deliveries The industry says there's a shortage of 100,000 drivers but why is that and what is the likely impact? Beat the HGV Driver Shortage in 2024: Causes, Impact, and Solutions. Eurostat 2022 (EU-27 + Norway, Labour force survey - 20220829_R13650_1_20220829_152812_ESTA57386_Q extracted on 30/08/2022) and national road transport association (United Kingdom). And that number continues to fall. The shortage figures from 2017 for Sweden, Denmark and Norway are 5,000, 2,500 and 3,000, respectively. They found that the average age of truck drivers in Europe is 47, with 33% over the age of 55 and only 5% under 25. According to the International Road Transport Union’s (IRU) annual driver shortage analysis, driver vacancies in Europe represent around 12% of all positions, and was broadly the same Commercial truck, bus and coach driver shortages continue to plague European mobility and supply chains. Lobby groups for the retail and transport industries have jointly written to Business Secretary This IRU Intelligence Briefing is the only global, annually updated analysis of the truck driver shortage. According to the International Road Transport Union’s (IRU) annual driver shortage analysis, driver vacancies in Europe represent around 12% of all positions, and was broadly the same last year, largely due to depressed economic activity. Driver shortage has long been one of the major challenges affecting the logistics sector: Germany alone already faced a shortage of around 70,000 truck drivers in 2023, and this number is set to rise. 6 million worldwide due largely to reduced transport demand, the situation in Truck driver shortage in Europe at crisis level – and is set to get worse Europe’s road freight industry continues to suffer from a crippling driver shortage crisis, with around half a million vacancies. There have been long lines of cars forming after some Find out about the 33 actions the UK government is taking to deal with the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK. Addressing the shortage of drivers – changes in EU law and company strategies The growing problem of driver shortage has already been noticed by the European Parliament, which on February 28, 2024, adopted a project that aims to change the driving license directive. By identifying barriers, mapping qualification gaps, and highlighting successful integration strategies, the study offers a practical blueprint for harmonized EU policies. In the UK, the extent of the problem was masked before Brexit by a supply of EU drivers who helped to fill vacancies. There is a chronic shortage of drivers, and it is affecting every sector of our economy. Nov 14, 2022 · A new IRU report shows that truck, bus and coach driver shortages in Europe are spiralling out of control, fuelled by increased transport demand and an ageing driver population. EU faces a truck driver crisis: aging workforce, few recruits. The European road transport sector is facing the most acute professional driver shortage in decades, a new report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has found. In 2015, 3. Find out about the 33 actions the UK government is taking to deal with the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK. The shortage of drivers has long been one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics industry. Jul 8, 2025 · The ongoing professional truck drivers shortage continues to be a critical bottleneck for the road transport industry across Europe. Behind these figures lies a complex mix of factors, from tightening visa rules and an ageing workforce The European Commission has published a comprehensive study conducted by IRU on the recruitment and integration of professional bus and truck drivers from third countries into the EU labour market. The average age of a truck driver is 47, and it is approaching 50 for a coach driver. Belarus: In 2019, it was estimated that there is a shortage of 4,500 drivers in Belarus. Guest commentary by Elien Bogaert (Alpega) on the truck driver shortage problem in Europe and how the industry should respond. All of this creates a domino effect, which makes the shortage of drivers even more salient than before. UK: The shortfall of truck drivers in 2020 is estimated at 60,000-76,000. This IRU Intelligence Briefing is the only global, annually updated analysis of the truck driver shortage. Nov 13, 2025 · Europe’s transport system is facing an unprecedented challenge: a shortage of professional drivers that is already disrupting supply chains across the continent. The current HGV driver shortage in the UK The UK road freight transport industry is currently receiving substantial media attention due to the shortage of HGV drivers, which is reported to be leading to difficulties in the movement of goods in many sectors and resulting in goods shortages in retail outlets, restaurants and other businesses. . The supply problems are blamed on the shortage of HGV drivers and the government is taking steps to tackle it: the driving hours have been extended and there is a talk about bringing the army drivers to help with The move by ministers follows a number of petrol stations shutting due to a lack of tanker drivers. This problem is not confined to the United Kingdom. We talk about the challenges facing delivery driver recruitment. Jan 2, 2026 · The European driver shortage is projected to triple by 2026. The growing… To address the shortage of truck drivers in Europe, companies can improve the working conditions of truck drivers, implement impact-oriented due diligence strategies, and ensure sustainable supply chains. The driver shortage in Europe threatens the future of transport. Photo credits @ Trans. Europe has an estimated 400,000 shortage of lorry drivers, according to research group Transport Intelligence, with the workforce stretched by the pandemic-induced boom in online shopping. Discover how to secure your future with HGV driving. Thousands of people who shop in the UK probably noticed shortages of products in British supermarkets. How transport companies are trying to retain drivers through better conditions, training and technology. IRU’s new 2022 European report on the issue is now available. In order to gauge the magnitude of this problem, IRU has conducted a study and several surveys with transport operators and drivers in 2018 and 2019. It is understood about 5,000 visas may be issued While the threat of driver shortage is nothing new, EU organizations and authorities need to re-evaluate the attitude towards a new possible solution, including hiring drivers from outside the EU. Finally, as our research demonstrates, there is a shortage of HGV drivers worldwide, including in EU countries such as Germany and France. Recruitment, retention & automation are key fixes. If nothing changes, this number could exceed 745,000 by 2028 — driven by retiring drivers, low interest in the profession among younger generations, and systemic inefficiencies. There are currently hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions across Europe. In July 2021, BP announced that a ‘handful’ of Geneva, 20 November 2023 – IRU’s 2023 driver shortage report has found that over three million truck driver jobs are unfilled, or 7% of total positions, in 36 countries studied. While the overall number of unfilled driver positions has remained steady at 3. Road transport is the backbone of the global economy and the driver shortage will not only affect transport The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted today its position on the EU Driving Licence Directive, constituting a considerable step forward in eliminating crucial barriers discouraging entry into the bus and truck driver profession. Ministers want to lift the limit on how many deliveries overseas lorry drivers can make in the UK. As of 2024, over 426,000 truck driver positions remain unfilled in the EU, and the number is expected to almost double by 2028. According to IRU, Poland is one of the most heavily impacted European countries and driver shortage in 2020 stands at around 37%. Ukraine: The deficit of drivers in Ukraine in 2019 ranged from 12,000 to 120,000 depending on the region. IRU’s new European truck driver shortage report has found that over half of operators are unable to expand their business due to the shortage of drivers. If this shortage isn’t addressed as a matter The shortage of professional truck drivers continues to be one of the main bottlenecks for road freight transport in Europe. The Driver Shortage Report Passenger – Europe 2023 outlines the current and forecasted shortage of drivers, including a brief view on the level of access and attractiveness of the profession for women, young people and third-country drivers. The facts behind the drivers shortage According to IRU, over 233,000 truck drivers are currently missing across the EU, Norway, and the UK. The Europe Truck Driver Shortage Report surveyed over 1,000 operators in the EU, UK and Norway, and found a short­fall of over 233,000 drivers. A new IRU report shows that truck, bus and coach driver shortages in Europe are spiralling out of control, fuelled by increased transport demand and an ageing driver population. Simply put, there are not enough young people becoming truck Explore solutions for tackling Europe's drivers shortage and the importance of effective driving tests in recruiting qualified drivers. 2 million people in Europe were employed as truck drivers; 300,000 less than in 20081. In addition to the content in this summary, the full version of the report includes sections on the: A shortage of drivers is prevent­ing more than half of European truck operators from expanding their business, according to a report from trade body the Inter­national Road Transport Union (IRU). The growing chasm between retiring and new drivers is set to triple the rate of unfilled truck driver positions, to over 60% by 2026, and increase by more than five-fold for bus and coach drivers, to almost 50% by 2026. The most recent data on drivers’ shortage According to the latest research published in 2022 by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), in Europe there is currently a shortage of 380,000 truck drivers, which accounts for about 10% of the total demand. Discussing the causes, solutions, and how the industry is working to recruit and retain drivers. IRU, together with two other major transport organisations, has called on EU lawmakers to back critical measures and ensure that EU public transport services remain sustainable and accessible amid a severe shortage of bus and coach drivers. A new IRU report shows that HGV, bus and coach driver shortages in Europe are spiralling out of control, fuelled by increased transport demand and an ageing driver population. 2 days ago · The comprehensive data and insights contained in the IRU study are intended to guide policymakers in creating long-term, sustainable solutions to the EU driver shortage. Behind these figures lies a complex mix of factors — Nov 13, 2025 · Europe’s transport system is facing an unprecedented challenge: a shortage of professional drivers that is already disrupting supply chains across the continent. A recent report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) highlighted the scale of the problem. In addition, a loophole in the UK’s badly-regulated labour market allowed The government is coming under further pressure to help alleviate the UK's lorry driver shortage. A shortage of HGV drivers has caused widespread disruption in the UK, with knock-on effects at the petrol pumps and the supermarket. If no effective action taken, the shortage could triple in 4 years' time, IRU's study warns. Covering 20 countries, it combines hard data, demographic trends, regulatory overviews, and direct driver sentiment to uncover the scale, causes and solutions to one of road transport’s most pressing challenges. Bus and truck drivers from third countries Executive summary In recent years, the EU has grappled with a pressing challenge within its road transport sector: a severe and escalating shortage of professional commercial truck and bus drivers driven by the aging of existing drivers and the lack of sufficient young ones. Poland: According to Ti estimates, the shortage in Poland in 2020 is around 124,000 drivers. iNFO The shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers is widespread across Europe, reaching 80,000 in Germany and 400,000 across the whole EU, according to industry associations. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has published its 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report, sounding the alarm over a growing demographic crisis that threatens road freight capacity and economic competitiveness across Europe. Discover the causes and possible solutions to this growing problem. Driver shortage up 41% In 2021, the number of truck driver vacancies in Europe increased by 41% compared to 2020, the study found. So shippers and freight forwarders from trade and industry need to act now. The study describes the impacts on the EU transport labour market in terms of number of jobs, job structure by age, workers’ skills, working conditions, shortage of workers and attractiveness of the occupations. Feb 9, 2026 · Truck driver shortages are worsening across Europe. The European Commission has published an IRU study on recruiting and integrating non-EU truck drivers, outlining barriers and practical solutions for EU road transport. The UK HGV driver shortage in 2025. With the huge gap between young and old drivers growing, it will get much worse over the next five years without significant action. According to research from IRU, the European road transport sector is facing a 13 point increase in driver shortage in 2020. The shortage of truck drivers is a challenge that has impacted Europe for many years now, yet it is still not solved. The delivery industry faces a crisis: a shortage of skilled courier drivers. lfbcvn, erkx, lwjsmg, lfde, 6gth, abins, tfm1vj, gxh0k, u7io, kojz8j,