By Maria Kalamatas | July 17, 2025

Brussels, July 17 — Europe’s trucking sector is entering peak summer with a critical shortage of licensed drivers, putting added pressure on road freight companies already strained by high fuel costs and tighter emissions regulations.

According to the latest report from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), released Thursday morning, the EU driver deficit has widened to over 600,000 positions — a 14% increase compared to July 2024. The hardest-hit countries include Germany, Poland, France, and Spain.

“We are turning away contracts because we don’t have the manpower to meet demand,” said Martine Groeneveld, director of a midsize Dutch transport company. “Even short-haul assignments are being delayed.”

Cross-Border Delays Multiply

Transporters are reporting increased dwell times at border checkpoints, especially along Eastern European corridors, where fewer drivers are available to handle time-sensitive loads. The Romania–Hungary and Germany–Czechia crossings have seen average transit times rise by 18% over the past 10 days, according to data from TruckScope.

Fleets are increasingly forced to reassign long-haul drivers to short-distance routes, further compounding scheduling issues.

“We’re cannibalizing capacity just to keep promises to key clients,” explained Janos Fekete, head of operations at a Hungarian freight firm.

Younger Workers Not Entering the Sector

The IRU report points to a persistent demographic imbalance: nearly one-third of current drivers in Western Europe are over 55, while fewer than 6% are under 25. Efforts to attract younger drivers — through apprenticeships and visa schemes — have failed to reverse the trend.

Some companies have begun offering 20–25% wage premiums and four-day work weeks to retain staff.

“The incentives are there, but the lifestyle remains unattractive for younger generations,” said Sophie Meyers, a researcher at the European Centre for Mobility.

Industry Calls for Policy Action

Road freight leaders are urging the European Commission to accelerate harmonization of licensing and training requirements across borders. Many also support the creation of a pan-EU fast-track permit for third-country drivers from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Meanwhile, shippers and retailers are being advised to review inventory buffers and delivery timelines to avoid disruptions.

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