# Driver Shortage Becomes European Capacity Risk **Category:** Operational Alerts | **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion | **Published:** 2026-09-10 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** Fahrermangel, Lkw-Fahrer, Strassentransport, Transportkapazität, Arbeitsmigration, IRU, Berufskraftfahrer, Fahrerqualifikation, Code 95, Lieferkette, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, LKW Transport, Digitalisierung > Shortage of truck drivers forces transport companies to reject orders. Regulated migration can provide relief – if training and working conditions are adequate. --- Driver shortage is no longer merely a staffing problem for Europe's road transport sector. According to the International Road Transport Union, or IRU, approximately 502,000 truck driver positions remained vacant in Europe in 2025. This corresponds to roughly 13 percent of the driver workforce. The consequences are already evident in day-to-day operations. Two-thirds of surveyed European transport companies reported having to decline new orders due to insufficient drivers. For shippers, this means that an available truck does not automatically guarantee that a driver will be available. The situation is likely to remain challenging. According to the IRU, the average age of European drivers is 48 years. Only five percent are 24 years old or younger. Simultaneously, approximately one-fifth of today's drivers are expected to retire within the next five years. Controlled labor migration can close part of this gap. However, it is not a quick solution following the principle of recruiting drivers, handing over the keys, and hitting the road. Driving licenses from third countries are not recognized uniformly everywhere. Additionally, there are work permits, language proficiency requirements, and mandated professional qualifications to consider. The so-called Code 95 certifies within the EU that a driver possesses the necessary basic qualifications and professional training. The EU is therefore testing regulated pathways between Egypt and Romania, as well as between Morocco and Italy. Drivers are to be selected prior to entry, receive professional and language training, and subsequently be matched with employers. The project has been running since June 2026 and remains a pilot—not yet a fully developed system across Europe. For such programs to succeed, fair wages, transparent employment contracts, and working conditions equal to those of EU drivers are essential. Controls against wage dumping, excessively long working hours, and opaque recruitment fees are equally important. Labor migration can therefore alleviate the driver shortage. However, it does not replace improved working conditions, secure parking facilities, and the training of more young people and women in Europe. --- For dispatchers, driver availability is increasingly becoming an independent planning factor. When issuing tenders, therefore, not only should a transporter's fleet be checked. What is decisive is whether sufficient qualified drivers are actually available for deployment. Shippers should secure capacities early for important routes and inquire how the freight carrier recruits its drivers. For drivers from third countries, valid work and residence permits, driver qualifications, and Code 95 are important. If recognition is lacking or if approval is delayed, the vehicle remains idle. This can result in substitute transports, higher freight rates, and delayed deliveries. Unfair working conditions at subcontractors can also become a risk for clients. In short: Regulated labor migration can bring additional drivers, but only with proper training, fair conditions, and complete documentation. --- The IRU estimates approximately 2.9 million vacant truck driver positions in the markets examined for 2025. According to the IRU, the global shortfall corresponds to approximately eleven percent of the driver workforce. In Europe, approximately 502,000 positions remained vacant in 2025. According to the IRU, the European gap corresponded to approximately 13 percent. Two-thirds of surveyed European operators rejected new orders due to driver shortages. The average age of European truck drivers is 48 years. Only five percent of drivers are at most 24 years old. Approximately 20 percent of current drivers could retire within five years. The EU project SDM4EU II tests mobility corridors Egypt–Romania and Morocco–Italy. The project runs from June 1, 2026 to November 30, 2028 and is not yet a general EU-wide system. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Liechtenstein](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/li) - [Lithuania](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lt) - [Belgium](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/be) - [Luxembourg](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lu) - [Slovenia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/si) - [Croatia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/hr) - [Ireland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ie) - [Romania](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ro) - [Germany](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/de) - [France](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/fr) - [Italy](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/it) - [Netherlands](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/nl) - [Spain](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/es) - [Austria](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/at) - [Poland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pl) - [Czechia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cz) - [Sweden](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/se) - [Denmark](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/dk) - [Norway](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/no) - [Portugal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pt) - [Hungary](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/hu) - [Bulgaria](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/bg) - [Slovakia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sk) - [Cyprus](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cy) - [Estonia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ee) - [Greece](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gr) - [Latvia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lv) - [Malta](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/mt) - [Iceland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/is) - [Finland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/fi) ### Glossary - [Truck driver](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/truck-driver) - [pass](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/pass) - [Key](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/key) - [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods) - [capacity risk](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/capacity-risk) - [Driver CPC (Code 95)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/driver-cpc-code-95) - [Driver shortage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/driver-shortage) - [Work permit](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/work-permit-2) - [Sub-carrier](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/sub-carrier) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/fahrermangel-wird-zum-europaeischen-kapazitaetsrisiko-20260909173501](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/fahrermangel-wird-zum-europaeischen-kapazitaetsrisiko-20260909173501)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/fahrermangel-wird-zum-europaeischen-kapazitaetsrisiko-20260909173501](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/fahrermangel-wird-zum-europaeischen-kapazitaetsrisiko-20260909173501)*