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Road Transport
FTL – Full Truck Load
One truck, one shipper, one destination – that's how full truck load works. Everything about costs, transit times, time windows, vehicle regulations, load securing and the challenges of European road transport.
What does LDM (loading metre) mean?
A loading metre (LDM) is a length measure for the loading space of a truck. The loading floor of a standard semi-trailer is 13.6 m long and 2.4 m wide. 1 LDM = 1 running metre of loading floor × 2.4 m width = 2.4 m². A Euro pallet (1.2 × 0.8 m) occupies 0.4 LDM, an industrial pallet (1.2 × 1.0 m) occupies 0.5 LDM. From approx. 6–8 LDM or 8–10 tonnes, a full truck load (FTL) is often cheaper than a partial load (LTL).
13.6 m load floor
Standard semi-trailer
33 Euro pallets
Standard truck capacity
up to 24,000 kg
Payload (40t GVW)
Calculator →
LDM CalculatorFTL vs. LTL: Decision Table
| Criterion | FTL | LTL |
|---|---|---|
| Load occupies truck | Fully (1 shipper) | Partially (multiple shippers) |
| Recommended from | approx. 6–8 loading metres or 8–10t | up to approx. 6 loading metres or under 8t |
| Transit time | Direct, no transshipment | Via transshipment hub (+1–3 days) |
| Damage risk | Low (no reloading) | Higher (multiple reloadings) |
| Time window / pre-notification | Direct coordination possible | Depends on hub network |
| Price/loading metre (guideline) | Cheaper at full load | Cheaper for small quantities |
FTL Transit Times Europe – Typical Routes
Guidelines in working days for a 40t semi-trailer. Actual transit times depend on driving bans, toll routes, border waiting times and driving time regulations.
| Route (From → To) | Transit (working days) |
|---|---|
| IT Milan → DE Hamburg | 2–3 |
| GB Manchester → FR Toulouse | 3–4 |
| DE Frankfurt → ES Barcelona | 2–3 |
| PL Warsaw → FR Paris | 2–3 |
| RO Bucharest → DE Munich | 3–4 |
| NL Rotterdam → IT Rome | 2–3 |
| DK Copenhagen → ES Madrid | 3–5 |
| CZ Prague → GB London | 2–3 |
* Guidelines 2026 incl. toll and ancillary costs. Get current prices via transport cost calculator.
Time Windows & Pre-notification
Many recipients – especially grocery retail, industry and logistics centres – assign fixed time slots for deliveries. Missing a time slot can trigger waiting costs, costs for re-delivery or contractual penalties.
Typical time windows
- ·Food retail: 06:00–08:00 in the morning
- ·Industry/production: just-in-time, tight 1–2h windows
- ·Logistics centres: pre-notification 24–48h in advance needed
Consequences of time overruns
- ·Waiting costs: CHF / € 30–80/hour depending on contract
- ·Missed window: new appointment often only next day
- ·Live tracking: inform sender and recipient in real time
Driver Shortage & Price Development
+8–15%
price increase p.a. (trend)
Energy, wages, regulations
The driver shortage is structural: stricter training requirements (licence class CE, initial qualification, refresher every 5 years), legal driving time regulations, increasing pressure from the Working Time Directive (WTD) and unattractive working conditions (lack of parking, nights in the truck) make it difficult to recruit new drivers. The result: rising freight prices and sometimes limited capacity, especially before public holidays and in Q4.
Truck Parking Problem in Europe
Europe lacks an estimated 100,000+ secure truck parking spaces. Particularly critical are German motorways (A2, A5, A7), French autoroutes and border crossings (e.g. Brenner, Gotthard south portal). Lack of parking forces drivers to take their rest at unsecured rest areas – with increased theft risk.
Security risks
Cargo theft at unsecured rest areas – especially electronics, food, pharmaceuticals
EU initiative "Safe Parking"
EU certification for secure truck parks (EN 13816 / TAPA TSR). Recommendation: pre-book certified parking
Hotspot bottlenecks
DE: A5 (Rhine), A7 (Hamburg–Kassel), A2 (East–West), FR: A9, A7, IT: A22 (Brenner), GB: M25, A2/Calais
Safety Regulations & Vehicle Condition
| Area | Regulation / minimum standard |
|---|---|
| Technical inspection | Every 12 months (trucks > 3.5t) |
| Tyres – minimum tread | 1.6 mm (regulation); recommendation: 3–4 mm for safety |
| Tachograph | Smart Tachograph 2 (DTCO 4.1) mandatory from 2023 for new registrations; regular calibration every 2 years |
| Brakes & lighting | Daily driver check (walkaround check) before departure; log recommended |
| Emission class / CO₂ | EURO VI standard since 2014; EURO VII introduction planned from 2027–2030; observe low-emission zones in cities |
Load Securing – Basic Principles
Insufficient load securing is one of the most common causes of accidents in truck transport. Drivers and loaders are jointly liable. The basis is VDI 2700, DIN EN 12195 and the CTU packing guidelines (UNECE/IMO/ILO).
1. Form-fit
Close gaps, push pallets to walls
2. Friction-fit
Anti-slip mats increase friction
3. Tie-down
Lashing straps from above increase friction
4. Direct lashing
Lashing straps directly attached to cargo
Common mistakes in load securing
Wrong lashing angle (< 30° to cargo inefficient) · Exceeding LC (lashing capacity) · Missing edge protectors · No anti-slip mats on smooth load floor · Load securing not documented (driver documentation duty)
FTL Booking Checklist
Shipment Information
- Exact dimensions (L × W × H) and weight
- Loading space data: LDM (loading metres), number and type of pallets
- Dangerous goods? ADR class and UN number
- Temperature requirements (chilled / frozen goods)?
- Load securing: anti-slip mats, lashing straps available?
Logistics & Documents
- Pickup address with time window, opening hours & contact
- Delivery address with unloading facility (dock/forklift) and time window
- Prepare CMR consignment note (4 copies)
- Border crossing: T1/T2 customs document (for non-EU)
- Pre-notification to recipient: 24–48h before delivery