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European road transport firms are racing towards a driver shortage crisis of 150,000 unfilled jobs, according to new research from Transport Intelligence.
In a report released this week, European Road Freight Transport 2018, the supply chain analyst shows that in just six countries – the UK, Germany, France, Denmark Sweden and Norway – the shortage of drivers adds up to 127,500.
The UK leads the way with a shortage of 52,000 drivers, but is closely followed by Germany at 45,000 vacancies – with predictions that this could increase by a staggering 28,000 each year.
The report says: “In Germany, the DSLV transport union reports that in the next 15 years, two-thirds of drivers will retire. Germany is facing a shortage of 45,000 truck drivers, with around 30,000 leaving the profession every year. This compares with only 2,000 people receiving truck-driving qualifications each year.”
France has a shortage of 20,000 drivers, while road freight associations in Sweden, Denmark and Norway report shortages of 5,000, 2,500 and 3,000, respectively.
This, of course, leaves out more than 20 countries in Europe where numbers have not been collected – although it is safe to assume that similar trends are likely across western countries, where driver numbers have been on the decline for the past two decades.
This gap in the labour market has been partly filled by an influx of East Europeans, but the report warns there is a limit as to how much this will ease the driver shortage.
One problem is the increasing appetite among global manufacturers to site production facilities in central and eastern Europe, which has provided an alternative source of jobs for many would-be drivers.
“As explained by some of the European LSP’s Ti interviewed, while multiple factors are behind driver shortages, the relocation of production to Eastern Europe has further exacerbated the problem, as nationals of these countries prefer to work in factories over being truck drivers,” the report says.
Meanwhile, Tim Philips, director of Duma Consulting and former chief executive of Freightex, wrote, in a commentary in the report, that simply bringing in drivers from East Europe has, in turn, created a similar gap in the markets they left.
“This is currently being partially filled by drivers from further afield, such as Ukraine. However this is not an inexhaustible supply and there are trucks parked up with no drivers,” he adds.
Comment on this article
Medi Mukooza
December 01, 2018 at 12:21 amI love the job and got a massive experience unfortunately the industry pays shit money I’m better off with Buses. Had to go back and drive buses lol xx.
However still looking for a fair paying job in hgv and I’m ready to get back to what I do best.
Daniel ball
December 01, 2018 at 12:23 amThe reason for this shortage is the government and MTO will not give a chance to older drivers who are willing to do the job because they think all peaple above a certain age should be retired, even when they are fisicly and mentall fit
Samwel
December 01, 2018 at 12:47 amEmployed truck drivers from my country Kenya,we are many but no jobs because standard gauge railway has taken over the transport sector
Gladstone E Edwards
December 01, 2018 at 1:24 amHow can I apply for truck driver jobs.
Chris
December 01, 2018 at 2:33 amI think this news is a joke. I got my truck licence in second week of October and since then I have been searching for ce truck license job, in Denmark, Sweden,Norway, Finland, Netherlands but got some kind of reasons like, you’re a new drive or we need 5 years experience and most companies don’t even reply, yet the statistics of truck drivers needed are high. I’m convinced this a made up stories.
Not impossible
December 02, 2018 at 10:49 amYou will find work as a new driver, you’ll get your best shot at work as a newbie within the supermarket trade. In the UK try Tesco,Asda etc.
But if your not in the UK then I’m afraid I can’t recommend certain companies but prepare to work for some rubbish truck companies as certain employers will try to take the piss and pay very low salary
Andy
December 30, 2018 at 10:05 pmHi Chris. Look up bds freight in UK. They hire inexperienced drivers, provide full training and looks after staff. May be money in start isn’t the highest one but you will be able to pick up the skills you need for future.
Best of Luck.
Mark
December 01, 2018 at 3:26 amThere is no driver shortage in the UK, there is a problem with driver retention because the wages have not moved with inflation since 1999, I earn £50 per week more than in 1999, which with inflation probably equates to around half what I earn’t back then, drivers are constantly moving to try and find better rates and better working conditions because we are still treated like scum everywhere we go, drivers are sick of it, surprise surprise.
Goosh
December 01, 2018 at 8:23 pmCouldn’t agree more. We’re treated like scum of the earth and paid appallingly, yet expected to give so much of our lives to this career. It’s never taken into account how much of your personal life and family time is lost to this job. For what? 25 to 30k a year? A fork lift driver can get that now and still get back to see his family in the evening
George
December 01, 2018 at 10:31 pmThanks for that, Mark….funny how they missed out the offensive exploitation and ball-busting long hours. If you want to live to retirement age then stack shelves instead…less money, more life…
phillip
December 02, 2018 at 10:50 amTotally agree with you.
Phil
December 01, 2018 at 3:56 amTry paying more and stop burying the industry under more and more cash grab BS qualifications like the driver CPC
Nick
December 01, 2018 at 6:16 amI’m willing to change my career and become an HGV driver but you are still wanting me to pay as much £2700 for my training. Wake up and get real. Bus companies give out free training and licences just for a training bond and commitment to two years with the company.
steve webster
December 03, 2018 at 5:27 pmDo not waste your money .We have had several truck drivers come over from Ireland to our area Blyth Canada the cost of living is lower wages still poor $23.00 To $25 .00 per hour Mechanic make $30.00 to $33.00 red seal Note other trades are paying better plumbers ( $33.00 to $36.00) gas Tecs ($35.00 To $40.00) cd. per hour. Wages in trucking too low all over the world 226 889 9299. The store make us wait # to 7 hours to unload 4 skids then expect us to leave with no hours. Walmart in Canada is been taken to court for forcing truck truck drivers to leave with no hours. Note i own 5 trucks and always pushing to get fair rates. Many large companies 50 trucks plus are complaining about empty trucks after truck drivers quit when local factories or construction pay more
Reidy
December 01, 2018 at 6:49 amI really love the truck driving world and would love to get in this work but no opportunity is hear for me in Jamaica
steve webster
December 03, 2018 at 5:29 pmWe hire from Jamaica 716 800 5814 or [email protected]
George
December 01, 2018 at 7:15 amWell, if they increase the wage and better working conditions, then it would be more attractive.
Brian
December 01, 2018 at 8:05 amThe reason for their being a shortage. Low wages unsociable hour’s lack of amenities for driver’s no matter where you are. Ariving at a destination to be told you’re not alowd to us the rest rooms (which is illegal by the way but nobody gives a sh*** it’s just a driver ) expected to work 15hrs a day and then sleep in tin can 5 nights a week. Then the added bonus of the police dvla and anybody else who wants to mess the day up.untrained transport management traffic clarks who’s only contact with an hgv is watching one going past the windows and to top it off there’s the driver cpc which is the biggest load and expensive load of rubbish ever nothing to do with the job you are expecting to do just sit a room for 8 hrs and learn nothing. This is from a driver of 45years on the road and you wonder why there is a shortage
Dolly
December 01, 2018 at 8:26 amLove to become a lorry driver but can’t afford to do so
Chris
December 01, 2018 at 8:31 amAre we really surprised at the driver shortage when you consider their wages, the overtime they have to do and the fact most recieve their normal pay rate for all the overtime they do. Average pay for 65 hour week £500 ! Thats 2 jobs really so very difficult to have a family with those hours and rates. Also those earning this wage are in their later years and have had the low rate of pay throughout their working life. No pensions for retirement though so you won’t loose them as expected at retirement as they will need to work till they die to continue to afford to live.
Danny
December 01, 2018 at 9:14 amThe shortage of drivers is the UK and EU fault… As a driver my self… The way to sort it is lower the price of the hgv Training its self and make the pay more appealing.. GET RID OF THE CPC TRAINING ITS POINTLESS… ask any driver they will say the same… The conditions of truck stops is shocking and the price to park over night is extremely high that drivers can’t afford…. So that needs sorting aswell…. And also if the operator licence was slightly cheaper and easier that would also encourage more people to be owner drivers wich in turn would help the situation…. Address these issues and there won’t be a shortage..
Peter Healey
December 01, 2018 at 9:19 amI am an experienced 7.5 ton driver working in the UK and trying to save enough money to take my class 2 license. If I wanted to study medieval art I could get a government grant, but because I want to qualify as a driver there is no help available! Shortage of drivers? Not surprised
James Waihenya Ndungu
December 01, 2018 at 9:26 amI need that job, am from Kenya.
Hrfin
December 01, 2018 at 9:31 amHas anyone thought that lack of drivers could be down to lack of pay.most companies say the pay is good for the areas we live in why mot try and pay descent pay for the job’s the driver do. It mite attract more drivers
Sebat
December 01, 2018 at 9:39 amİf thay pay proper wages to the HGV drıvers moore pupil will interest it!!!!!
John H
December 01, 2018 at 9:56 amThere is no appetite amongst the young to work 14-15 hrs a day to earn a decent living. I am a driver who has worked in the industry for 20 years and there is no way I would encourage my sons to take up a career in a industry that is so behind the times. Also somebody of a young age to enter into haulage have a uncertain future with driverless vehicles on the horizon.
Elon
December 02, 2018 at 2:17 amNailed it.
Claudiu
December 29, 2018 at 2:59 pmWell said John Right on target !
steve why
December 01, 2018 at 10:03 amwhy not upgrade coach drivers I have a coach and trailer license and that is as long as a artic
Simon
December 01, 2018 at 10:03 amWell maybe now tuck drivers here in the UK and around Europe will get better pay and conditions.
Murray Brady
December 01, 2018 at 10:11 amNo wonder the problem is at its worst in the UK who would take this up as a career the pressure put on the drivers to make schedules is ridiculous whilst trying to operate on daily basis on a road infrastructure that is not fit for purpose even trying to deliver through the night is nigh impossible know forever closing motorways you can’t travel from Scotland to most southern England ports in a 10 hour legal drive absolutely no decent rest facilities I don’t know what happened to the image off the lorry Driver in the UK but the public perception is that off some form off low life I can’t understand what the trade body’s rha fta take there members fees and do nothing to promote the vital service let the public know what bloody moutains have ro be moved to keep the24/7 cycle functioning you be struggling get young guys doing this know Friday Saturday nights any mishaps about hours dvsa will have a weeks wages off you you worder why there shortage wake up smell the coffee
Dwight McLean
December 01, 2018 at 10:37 amEveryone is talking about driver shortage the main reason is money shortage we need better pay when you pull 3000000.00 trailer and only makes 5000.00 they asking for it it’s getting worse in America because we making minimum wage am going to quit too because the pay not good is like we’re slave work with so little pay
Steve webster
December 03, 2018 at 5:35 pmMany companies in Canada and the U.S. have been caught paying less than they were supposed to . Trump has been looking for the corp. interests NOT the truck drivers. The A.T.A. and the C.T.A. in Canada have seen truck drivers cheated and ended up in the homeless shelters.
Andy
December 01, 2018 at 11:03 amIt it any wonder,company’s are quite happy to pay rubbish wages for a very responsible job and wonder why there is a shortage,they expect drivers to do 15 hour days,and be away from their families and deal with the multitude of driving hours,health and safety,and driving laws just to stay legal,gaining a licence and the associated training costs the individual thousands of pounds when they could earn the same money working in a shop with none of the responsibilities…pay the rates associated with a demanding career and you will get more drivers.. simples
Alan
December 01, 2018 at 11:10 amWe should be treated like humans .Not enough secure parking. We get ripped off for parking no decent facilities you can see why there’s a shortage it’s not rocket science
David Hughes
December 01, 2018 at 12:39 pmOver regulated , lack of appreciation from companies supervisers , bosses and the general public . The roads have become more difficult to use due to a variety of hinderances such as kerbing , metal posts , one way systems , no left and right turns , weight restrictions , night curfews , speed limiters , tachos , and general threats towards the drivers from everyone who for the most part havn’t a clue about life in general . I joined up as a heavy truck driver in 1973 and have driven Worldwide with the aim of enjoying a free lfe . The aspect of freedoms have progressively been eroded by governments , financial strategists and environmental lobbyists all of whom have sought to advance themselves by jumping on the backs of drivers . There will always be a driver shortfall because the occupation is no longer fashionable . Technology has taken over the mindset of people and practical hands on jobs of any description are considered as low class and suited to people of low intelligence . As such those people of low intelligence are incapable of making decisions for themselves and must be controlled and monitored constantly by tachographs and cameras . Transgressions are harshly dealt with by fines , confiscations and dismissals . Why would anyone want to bring the weight of the World down on themselves and drive around in a cage ?
Mark huish
December 01, 2018 at 1:03 pmMy daughter has passed her class 2 when she was 18 now she is 19 coming on 20 yet can’t get a class 2 driving job anywhere because no one wants young new drivers she lives in Clacton on sea and has applied for nearly every driving job going with in 70 mile radius so think these companies need to spend time training them and I know lots of drivers who are looking for full time jobs , so i don’t believe there is a shortage
Phil
December 02, 2018 at 11:00 amHi, please get your daughter to apply at Tesco.com/careers or search jobs at asda.
I know Aldi are recruiting class 2 drivers at Chelmsford. Tesco at Dagenham and Thurrock . Her best chance of employment is with the co-op in Thurrock via the agency called ADR. They pay around the £14.75 ph at the moment
Paul Paterson
December 01, 2018 at 3:25 pmThere is so much crap surrounding truck driving nowadays, that’s why no one wants to drive a truck, ridiculous tacho rules, pointless driver cpc, cost of parking, nowhere too park as there are not enough truckstop, cost of living in a truck, ignorant staff at rdc’ s, no facilities, over zealous vosa staff, the list is endless!!!
Dave nicholls
December 01, 2018 at 4:44 pmIt’s the same all over truck drivers and coach drivers I don’t care what any one said it’s been this way when they got this c.p.c to come in no one won’t it this why there no drivers out there now
Mahaboo bin Ali
December 01, 2018 at 4:57 pmDiesel mechanical oppretar com drive. 20 years experience in middle East Gulf conutrys
Coachy
December 01, 2018 at 5:39 pmWell if our government weren’t such money grabbers and gave LGV licences to professional PCV drivers rather then make them fork out thousands then maybe they would fill the gaps. I mean we can drive a 50 foot coach with human cargo yet can’t driver a 35 foot lorry with boxes rant over
David Balderstone
December 01, 2018 at 6:08 pmWages to low to many rules
Chris
December 01, 2018 at 9:27 pmIt might be time to start paying better wages
Nick
December 01, 2018 at 9:45 pmWho really cares about drivers the operators don’t, it’s crap pay being away from home we’re worth a lot more just a phone number and a backside on a seat ,or as maritime operator said to me a tool to do the job….so now I want out of it to hell with driving …
John Hacking
December 02, 2018 at 2:09 amMade redundant 2006. Despite trying could not get another job working for a company. Ended up on zero hours (agency) who gave me work if and when. Ended up with approximately 3 months work out of 12. I didn’t bother to renew licence last year because the industry has become a joke. You deserve everything you get. You’ve no loyalty and drivers stab each other in the back.
Lee Loxleigh
December 02, 2018 at 2:53 amI am a truck driver and have been for many years. Forget what the so called experts say. The reason I will be giving up my licence, and many other like me is the CPC and that it is a dead end job. Once you have a licence you can only work in the main for large established business. The cost of being self employed is shocking. I think that if you have been constantly driving for 15 years or more you shouldn’t have to do CPC, and operators license. Get back to how it used to be. Trucking is in the family, small family businesses, dad to son and daughter. If the government does not understand this, and get to grips, the economy will quickly grind to a standstill. You should only need to do a CPC if you wish to drive continental regardless of how many years you have been working as a driver lorry driver.
Charles Mccrea
December 02, 2018 at 8:29 amOver regulation like the useless cpc courses, over zealous inspectors, treated like filth at delivery and collection points, no facilities, pathetic wages…… The list goes on. Dump half the regulations pay better etc then some might think of going into the job
Thomas currie
December 02, 2018 at 8:36 amWho in there right mind would want to invest the money for ce license first rigid then artiic (rip off) then driver Cpc crap on top medical digi card only to be treated like scum by smarmy transport staff and no home life then there’s the agency’s feeding off your back with no holiday pay that’s worth a damm ask the drivers how to fill the jobs soon get there problem solved
adam kun
December 02, 2018 at 11:43 amCurrently I am working as a lorry driver through the agency .
The money is not great !
Always those companies have a shortage who doesn’t want to pay a FAIR Wage
Normally German companies they pay you right.
The small British businesses treat you like a servant and not as a professional.
When their core staff leaves them they happily pay for agencies to send agency drivers for a cost of two.
Some company’s currently employing drivers for £10 per hour. [A digger driver do £18 ]
When you call in agency driver probably cost the company £18-£20 per hour.
When small companies choose not to pay enough due to their profit hunger , and loosing bussiness I cant fell sorry for them!
Good luck !
George
December 02, 2018 at 12:30 pmHow can I apply this job
Agripa Kuimba
December 02, 2018 at 3:07 pmI am a Zimbabwean based in South Africa for green pasture. I am a Truck Driver and enjoy my job. Hard working and long hours is not a problem but rates and conditions worries Truck Drivers. If I get an opportunity to come there in Europe, I will be so grateful to showcase my driving talent and experience.
I have been in driving field particularly trucking for 18 years with clean driving sheet.
Brue
December 02, 2018 at 5:00 pmBeware “New Truckers” – Stay Away from trucking, WHY? If you suffer workplace injury, “Eveything Possible” is used to DENY workplace injury, treatment. I have driven over 30 years. It has literally turned into “sweatshop on wheels” – unrealistic delivery times – with -‘just in time delivery – Your wagon becomes ‘ warehouse on wheels ‘ while you sit waiting for free for a door to unload, then you are expected to “Hand-Bomb” the freight off pallets onto other “company sized” pallets for FREE ( or receiver refuses to sign BOL . Then there is the Ever-changing “Government Laws” I swear the MY EXPERIENCE. when you get stopped scales, police, etc. $ signs appear in their eyes, Good Luck, cause eventually something will be found to issue a ticket, which of course is equal to a week or two pay. How can a driver perform a safety inspection, when there is “No Way” to tell if the inside rim is cracked unless you take the fricken outside wheel off? Yet the driver is held accountable. ” Forced Dispatch?” If your sick, and don’t feel well enough to drive, YOU’RE THREATENED” with Job loss, if you refuse to go. I’VE even had my employer threaten to DAC me out. DAC is a company that keeps records of drivers service for employers, but even if you have PROOF of what transpired, DAC SERVICES will ruin your employment record and make it impossible to get a decent paying job. And this is just the beggining, of the horrible shit you have to put up with. I couls go on and on and on with the CRAP drivers must deal with. It just isn’t worth it, get a different career, “Get a government job” pension / health benefits etc. – After 30 yrs loving my job as a driver, I would never do it again.
Brue
December 02, 2018 at 5:12 pmI got a “logbook ticket” as the cop stated my logbook was “falsified” i was pulled in at the scale, the 1st thing checked was my drivers log. It showed me starting work @ 8am, because i run on home time, it appeared to the Scaler cop, i was 2 hours off. Where i live, we don’t change our time zone “EVER” but it was to difficult to explain to this rookie cop, who wouldn’t believe me. $1200 Logbook ticket issued. It was extremely difficult to appear in court 1/2 way across the country, @ specific time on specific date. If you become a driver, be prepared to deal with, MORONS, ans crappy drivers, not to mention the ones looking to scam insurance cause accidents.
Lowell Wallace
December 02, 2018 at 6:32 pmWhy not come to the Caribbean to an Island such as Jamaica and recruit truck drivers a lot of the truck drivers would welcome the opportunity. Jamaica we seh yeh maan!!!!!
Marcin
December 02, 2018 at 8:35 pmSolution is simple, rise truck drivers wages, my company pays £8.5ph which is just a bit higher then national minimum wage, and imo anything only rates at £15ph or more will encourage new drivers
Muhammed Naeem Shahid
December 03, 2018 at 8:13 amI am from Pakistan and having more then 9years experience of Driving with World Health Organisation Pakistan.
I am looking for Truk driver job any where in the world.
Email . [email protected]
Cell#.+92 3446524727
Dominic BALLARD
December 03, 2018 at 12:12 pmOne of the reasons for the driver shortage is all the expensive CPC requirements. I’m a semi retired driver and have to seriously weigh up whether it’s worth all the expense and hassle to renew mine next year.
Brue
December 03, 2018 at 5:26 pmThe whole problem with the trucking industry is extremely long hours for crappy pay. I made $6700 gross for the month. I Literally worked 30 days 15 hrs a day. (Government Legislation Allows 13 hrs driving, 2 hrs working) no reset required. Out of the $6700 I grossed that month, after taxes, I only cleared $3995. Then you have to deduct my road expenses, meals, phone, etc. ($800+) – You get tired of eating out of a cooler, it’s nice to have a sit down “HOT” meal, Then you must not forget, missing loved ones Birthdays / X-mas etc. When I began driving in 1980, I made more “Take home Pay” if you consider what the dollar was worth. I had to give up going stateside to the USA because the Canadian Dollar isn’t worth 70 cents against the US Dollar, try factoring the exchange rate into meals etc. Your basically working for $5 hr. Not only this but trucking regulations are terribly complicated. EX: If you load at a customer, and they don’t have a scale to axle weigh, the fines are “ASTRONOMICAL” . You can Kiss a months wages bye-bye, with one little mistake. I know drivers who refuse to cross any scales, they will drive 100’s of miles out of their way, because it’s very easy to get a “Driving Award” as the DOT deliberately looks for “ANYTHING” – FACT: I hauled “Swinging Beef” from Alberta Canada to Houston TX. when I got to the scale house in North Dakota, I expertly adjusted the “Swinging Beef” with small brake application; before i got on the scale ( The 364 pieces of beef swing on a rail ) they move up to 4′ forward, as you drive they space themselves out, making the load overweight on an axle ) So the scale master’s have rules “No Slamming you’re brakes on the scale” ) as this causes them to give false readings, for everyone else, until the scale is re-calibrated. When I was first weighed I was “LEGAL” but the scale required me to back-up and do the drive axles again, due to the very, very, very light brake application to stop the wheels on his axle platform, I became overweight. “Luckily I was able to talk my way out of the overweight ticket, “This Time” but it’s so easy to get a ticket now days, i won’t haul swinging beef anymore. – I’ve weighed my loads @ 3 different scales, in Edmonton AB. each scale gave a different weight? When I got down the road, to the government scale, I’m 1500 lbs overweight? Again I talked my way out of the ticket, but its ridiculous, to have to break apart a shrink wrapped pallet to move 20 bundles of roofing shingles, “Also it makes it “UNSAFE” –
Venance
December 03, 2018 at 5:49 pmHi there , how about considering hiring truck drivers from Africa like me who’s willing to relocate and serve the European nation ?
Nick
December 03, 2018 at 6:25 pmThe driver shortage is totally down to the haulage industry. You make new drivers pay for their licence, you pay low wages and won’t employ anyone with less than two years experience. Until you alter your attitudes you will always have a shortage. Don’t forget in the UK the bus industry is a dying industry. You have a ready made pool of experienced, professional high quality drivers ready to be poached. It’s up to you
Samwel koech
December 03, 2018 at 6:53 pmI second hiring drivers from Africa because they’re willing and ready to work in Europe,and again there is no longer promising truck drivers jobs in Africans countries especially Kenya.
I am a south african truck driver with dengerous goods licence
December 05, 2018 at 12:01 pmI am a South African with many years of exoerience of truck driving l hold a licence of dangerous goods how can l get this opportunity
Dennis Fawcett
December 05, 2018 at 12:08 pmHow right you are regarding CPC.when I did mine the instructor!!!! Didn’t even have a car licence but he’s teaching me to do a job I’ve had for 40 yes.
Bruce
December 05, 2018 at 4:38 pmI pity anyone who drives truck for a living in Canada, WHY? Because the system is stacked against the driver. Ex: pay by mile, but not paid all miles. Not paid to unload. Not paid for lumper fees. Not paid for over time, forced to work over logbook hrs. Told by company “Do it or you’re FIRED” – FALSE LIES TO GET YOU IN THE TRUCK, THEN EVERYTHING CHANGES, THE JOB DESCRIPTION WAS A BLATANT LIE.
steve
December 06, 2018 at 5:24 pmYou are so right .Many falsehoods about pay . Unpaid loading and unloading time you to take companies to court to get correct pay sometimes costing thousands of dollars in legal fees. The O.T.A. knows about these problems and instead protecting the truck drivers wants to bring in more cheap third world offshore truck drivers 2268899299
C burdon
December 05, 2018 at 5:50 pmThe shortage is now due to greedy short sighted companies.they were warned of this years ago but chose to look to Eastern Europe to recruit drivers on lower wages. They should have looked at wages and conditions then but chose to go down the route of greed now it’s coming back to bite them
Zorro
December 06, 2018 at 2:49 pmThe younger generation do not see this as a career why would they . They rather do a desk job with higher pay and get to go home end off day also there are hardly if any places to park in the UK unlike across the water were the have good parking areas plus most supermarket jobs pay the same why fork out over thousand pound for your license etc for the same cash. Lorry driver are a dieing breed RIP ……
Peter Healey
December 06, 2018 at 9:30 pmUK has plenty of potential drivers, what is needed is a way to finance training to allow individuals access driver training as a needed national skill.
Bruce
December 07, 2018 at 3:31 pmIn Canada, the driver shortage is going to get worse. Driving jobs are a “Dime a Dozen” – It used to be, Trucking companys would treat drivers like crap. There’s still some bad apples, they are always advertising for drivers because they screw drivers out of $ on their paychecks. In Canada when a trucking company wants to, they just refuse to pay, change their name on the truck door. Start fresh under a new name. “GOOD LUCK” getting your paycheck. Drivers hired paid by revenue. 25% of the load . So the trucking company uses “Phony Load Brokers” to devalue the load. $3000 = $750 to the driver. But $1500 pays $375; “25% of nothing is still nothing; or get paid by the mile, but it;s not actual miles driven, it’s “atlas miles” big difference. It can take years to find a reputable trucking company, and that can go “All to Hell” in a heartbeat. – I’ve had car-drivers deliberately try to cause an accident to get insurance. When Government “Allowed” Long Combination Semi’s / Trailers “IMPATIENT” drivers wanting to pass 85 feet long “Super-B-Trucks/Trailers” literally made the highway “Extremely Dangerous” – Nowadays Accidents like YORKTON bus crash / semi truck have ruined the trucking name even worse. AS A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER OVER 30 YEARS; I wouldn’t want any of my children in this industry. The Industry is just “DANGEROUS”
Steve Webster
December 10, 2018 at 4:22 pmBruce you are so right about trucking in Canada. Many trucking companies are under paying truck drivers. I seen two accidents caused by long combination (2 53 foot trailers plus tractor) trucks in construction zones . Other jobs are paying better money in Canada. We pay 25 to 30 percent of the actual gross load. The truck companies seldom get waiting time pay. Walmart towed truck off their property after spending 5 to 7 hours to unload at their warehouse.