A transport order that could be confirmed on the same day a few years ago sometimes needs longer planning today. One of the main reasons is not a lack of trucks but a lack of drivers to drive them.
The scale of the problem
According to the IRU, Europe was short of around 502,000 truck drivers in 2025, or 13% of all positions, and the problem is structural: it persists even when demand for transport is weaker. An earlier IRU forecast from 2023 predicted 745,000 missing drivers by 2028. On top of that, around 660,000 drivers will retire by 2030.
Why there are not enough drivers
- the current workforce is aging and retiring,
- young people show little interest in the profession: according to the IRU, drivers under 25 make up just 5% of the total,
- getting qualified is expensive: in some EU countries, a C/CE license with initial qualification (CPC) costs more than EUR 5,000, while in Poland it is cheaper,
- the nature of the job: long periods away from home and insufficient parking infrastructure put some candidates off.
How this translates to the transport market
Fewer available drivers means fewer free vehicles at short notice, especially on certain routes and in peak periods. This directly affects how quickly an order can be confirmed and the level of freight rates, particularly for jobs that require a fast response.
The European Union has already adopted some measures: Directive 2025/2205 allows a category C license to be obtained from the age of 18 (with initial qualification) and makes it easier to recognize licenses exchanged from selected third countries. However, this is a process that will take years, not a fix for the coming months.
We write about other regulations that are changing transport costs in our articles Vans up to 3.5 t after July 1, 2026 – tachographs and driving time and ETS2 and the cost of road transport.
What this means for companies booking transport
- planning orders earlier increases the chance of a better rate and date,
- a long-term relationship with one carrier that has a stable team of drivers gives more certainty of delivery than chasing the lowest rate on the spot market,
- it is worth budgeting for a gradual increase in transport costs driven by growing competition for available drivers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the driver shortage affect only international transport?
It affects the whole market, but it is most visible in international transport, where the demands of the job (long routes, time away from home) discourage new candidates the most.
Will the situation improve in the next few years?
In the short term, the trend is the opposite: estimates point to a growing shortage until 2028. Regulatory changes (opening the market to drivers from third countries) may help, but the effects will take time to show.
How can a transport company deal with the shortage?
Companies that keep a permanent team of drivers are less likely to cancel or reschedule orders due to staff shortages. For the customer, this translates directly into confidence that deadlines will be met.
Ask us about availability for your shipment
If certainty of the delivery date matters more to you than just the lowest rate, let’s talk about a long-term partnership. We write more about what to look for when choosing a carrier for long-term cooperation in our article “How to choose a transport company“. Call +48 508 546 540 or email jasek@jasek-transport.pl.
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