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.