The transport sector in the Czech Republic and across the European Union has been facing a significant issue in recent years—a shortage of professional drivers. This problem is expected to have an increasing impact on logistics, the economy, and end customers, who will need to prepare for higher transportation costs and more frequent delivery delays. In this article, we’ll look at the current situation, the main causes of the driver shortage, and most importantly, proposed solutions.
The shortage of drivers is an issue affecting the logistics market not only in the Czech Republic but across Europe. This situation has significant impacts on supply chains and the economy as a whole.
First, it's helpful to understand the current situation. According to available data from 2023, approximately 25,000 professional drivers are missing in the Czech Republic, with around 20,000 in freight transport. This shortage has deepened in recent years, due to an unfavorable combination of an aging driver population and a lack of young entrants to the profession.
At the European Union level, the situation is similar. According to a report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), more than 233,000 truck drivers were missing in 2023 across the EU, Norway, and the UK. This number is projected to rise to over 745,000 by 2028 unless significant measures are implemented.
The shortage of drivers has a direct impact on logistics operations. Without enough professional drivers, supply chains cannot function efficiently, deliveries are regularly delayed, and transportation costs can increase, affecting not only logistics companies but also end consumers.
If the situation continues to worsen, there may be problems with product availability and an overall slowdown of the economy. Transport companies are therefore currently forced to look for alternative solutions, such as employing foreign workers, although this is often complicated by administrative and legislative barriers.
To understand the current situation, it is important to analyze the key factors contributing to the shortage of professional drivers.
One of the main reasons logistics faces a driver shortage is an aging population. Young people's interest in this profession is declining, and older drivers are gradually retiring. Moreover, the driver profession has specific age limitations—while in other jobs people can continue working well past retirement age, for drivers this poses a safety risk.
The job of a professional driver is physically and mentally demanding. Long hours on the road, time away from family, and stress related to strict schedules make the job unattractive to many. Although wages in the sector are generally solid, they often do not reflect the job’s difficulty and demands, leading many potential candidates to choose careers with better working conditions.
At Hopi Logistics, we deeply value all our employees. We strive to provide not only a stable work environment but also quality support and benefits to ease their everyday work. Our goal is to create conditions that attract talented and satisfied workers—which is part of why we’ve been industry leaders for over 30 years.
The driver profession requires specific qualifications, which are not easy to obtain. The process is demanding in terms of both time and money, which can discourage many potential applicants who cannot afford the required investment.
In addition to a driver’s license, further certifications are needed, such as training for transporting hazardous materials. Some of these courses impose high requirements on candidates—understandably so, but this still presents a significant barrier for many.
The driver shortage in logistics has no easy fix. However, taking comprehensive steps to improve working conditions, reform education systems, and use technological innovations would be a step in the right direction.
One key step is to improve the work environment to motivate young people to enter the profession. This includes not only raising wages but also improving driver amenities, such as rest areas, more flexible scheduling, and mental health support.
A fundamental requirement is compliance with legislation governing work hours and rest periods. For instance, under EU regulation, drivers must take an uninterrupted break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving—a measure that significantly improves driver well-being, although many carriers still try to circumvent it.
Another key solution is to make it easier to obtain driver qualifications. This includes financial support for future drivers and streamlining the process of obtaining professional certification. Some European countries already run programs supporting young people entering the industry via internships or subsidized training.
In the Czech Republic, for example, there is discussion about introducing state support for young applicants for professional driving licenses. Some transport companies already offer scholarships or cover training costs in exchange for a commitment to work for the company for a certain time. Another possible step is lowering the minimum entry age, which some EU countries are considering.
Modern technologies already significantly influence logistics. Automation and digitalization allow for more efficient route planning and reduced administrative burdens, contributing to better working conditions.
There is also growing talk of autonomous vehicles as partial replacements for human drivers. While fully autonomous trucks are not a near-term reality, advanced driver assistance systems already help reduce drivers’ workloads.
Some European countries have already implemented measures that helped ease the driver shortage. For example, the UK introduced fast-track visas for foreign drivers in response to a major shortage post-Brexit. Germany addresses its labor shortages in certain professions (including drivers) by expanding retraining program offerings.
A good example of improving working conditions and attracting new drivers is the company Dachser, which actively invests in training and supports young drivers through internships and scholarships.
We at Hopi Logistics also focus on driver satisfaction. We offer competitive wages, and most importantly, invest in the training and development of our drivers.
The driver shortage is a complex issue facing logistics companies across Europe. There are many causes, from demographic shifts to work conditions and qualification demands. Solving this issue will require a mix of actions aimed at improving the work environment, easing entry into the profession, and using modern technologies—on both the legislative level and within transport and logistics companies.