According to estimates by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), there was a shortage of more than 400,000 truck drivers in Europe in 2023. And this situation is getting worse every year. Road transport and freight transport are therefore increasingly reaching their capacity limits. This trend has a direct impact on prices and thus on the final costs for customers.

Why is there a shortage of drivers?

There are several reasons for the shortage of professional drivers, and freight transport is therefore under increasing pressure: 

An aging population – the average age of drivers in the EU is over 45, and young people are not rushing into the industry.
Demanding work – long journeys, unpredictable schedules, and pressure to perform discourage new applicants.
Bureaucracy and licenses – obtaining licenses is time-consuming and expensive.
Competition from abroad – drivers from Slovakia often leave for better conditions in Germany or Austria.

How does the shortage of drivers affect transport prices?

When there are few drivers, market capacity declines and carriers have to compete for available labor. This has several consequences:

Higher driver wages – companies increase wages to retain employees.
Increase in fixed costs – higher wages are reflected in transport prices.
Limited flexibility – fewer vehicles and drivers mean that customers have to order transport further in advance.
More expensive international freight transport – exporters and importers are feeling the price increases the most, as the competition for drivers is even more intense at the international level.

The situation in Slovakia and the region

Even smaller carriers in Slovak regions are struggling with a shortage of people to meet demand, which is putting pressure on prices. Transporting goods is thus becoming an increasingly difficult and expensive service. Companies in industrial parks and logistics centers are forced to accept higher rates to ensure regular deliveries. 

A typical example is when local companies need regular deliveries of materials to Germany, but carriers have to turn down some orders or reschedule deliveries because they don’t have enough drivers. This results in higher costs for businesses and longer waiting times for transport.

Where is the future headed?

Experts agree that the shortage of drivers will not be a short-term problem. Companies are therefore looking for solutions in:

Automation and digitization – better route planning and optimization of journeys.

Increasing the attractiveness of the profession – improving working conditions and benefits.

Supporting young drivers – subsidies for obtaining driving licenses or retraining.

The shortage of drivers is a reality that affects the whole of Europe, including Slovakia. Transporting goods is becoming increasingly expensive, which is felt by every business and end customer. It is therefore important for companies in the region to find reliable partners who can ensure stable transport despite the problems. Road transport in Nové Mesto nad Váhom is no exception – local companies continue to suffer from a shortage of drivers and are actively looking for new ones to meet growing demand. 

At MZTRANS, we would also welcome reinforcements in the form of new drivers. If you want to know more, follow our website.