The road transport industry has been facing numerous challenges in recent years. A clear crisis has emerged due to a decline in production and a bearish trend in Europe, particularly in the German market. However, another significant issue affecting the industry is the shortage of drivers in the labor market. According to various reports, Poland currently lacks between 120,000 and 230,000 professional drivers, which substantially impacts the functioning of the entire TSL (Transport, Forwarding, Logistics) sector. Moreover, many market indicators suggest that this problem will only worsen over time.
Poland, alongside Germany and Spain, is one of the most affected countries due to the significant contribution of the transport sector to the GDP of these nations. Currently, road transport in Poland accounts for approximately 7% of GDP and employs 6.5% of the workforce, including over 700,000 professional drivers. These figures have been steadily increasing over the years, as evidenced by our previous articles on the labor market in the TSL industry. The problems in this sector are felt nationwide, which is why we have decided to take a closer look at the issue of driver shortages.
Causes of the Driver Shortage
The demographic factor is the most commonly cited reason for the driver shortage in road transport. A significant portion of the active workforce in this profession consists of individuals over the age of 55 who are nearing retirement. In 2024 alone, the number of drivers decreased by 12,000. The more optimistic estimates predict a loss of 150,000 drivers over the next five years, while the pessimistic outlook suggests that the shortage could increase to 500,000 vacancies.
The demographic factor would be considered entirely natural and expected if not for the general demographic crisis and the noticeable decline in interest in the profession among young people. When asked about their lack of interest, they cite difficult working conditions and long periods spent away from home as the primary reasons.
Although the average monthly salary in the transport and warehousing sector is 8,130 PLN gross (almost twice the minimum wage), many drivers believe that earnings do not compensate for the demanding working conditions, such as long hours on the road or the stress associated with the responsibility for the transported goods. It must be acknowledged that the work of a driver is extremely challenging.
Unfortunately, another reason for this problem is the lack of prestige associated with the profession, even though it deserves much more recognition. Drivers are a crucial component of the supply chain that keeps the global economy moving. However, they often face unfair stereotypes, which makes it difficult to attract new employees to the profession.
Finally, increasing legal requirements for entering and performing the duties of a professional driver further contribute to the issue. Industry regulations, particularly those imposed by the European Union, add an increasing amount of bureaucracy for drivers, reducing the time they have to focus on their primary task—transporting goods. Additionally, many of these formalities require extra fees, affecting the economic viability of the profession. Licenses, paperwork, additional vehicle equipment, and training—are additional barriers to entering the profession, and not every company provides comprehensive training as MAKO TSL does.
The main causes of the driver shortage include:
- Demographic factors;
- High level of responsibility;
- Long and irregular working hours and frequent travel;
- Disproportionate remuneration;
- Low attractiveness of the profession;
- Increasing legal and formal requirements.
The Impact of Driver Shortages on the Road Transport Industry
The most obvious consequences of the driver shortage are directly felt by everyone—delivery delays negatively impact the financial liquidity of commercial and transport companies. The value of overdue liabilities in the commercial sector amounts to €0,56 billion, with the TSL sector owing €28,5 million to commercial firms. This situation leads to rising transport costs, as transport companies are forced to offer higher salaries and additional benefits to attract and retain drivers.
In summary, the shortage of drivers prevents the fulfillment of all orders, limiting the growth potential of transport and logistics companies. Consequently, this can lead to a slowdown in investments in new technologies and innovations. On a broader scale, the weakening of the transport sector can result in decreased national competitiveness on the international stage and an overall economic slowdown.
The best example of how a driver shortage can lead to a large-scale crisis was seen in the United Kingdom in 2021 when a lack of drivers caused severe disruptions in fuel and goods deliveries.
Another major risk is the destabilization of the industry, particularly affecting smaller TSL companies that may struggle to quickly respond to increased employee turnover and rising wages due to financial and operational constraints. A large logistics partner like MAKO TSL guarantees a full range of services regardless of market conditions.
Conclusion
The shortage of drivers in the road transport industry is a complex problem that requires in-depth analysis. It is not just a theoretical issue—it has real consequences for the entire industry in Poland and across Europe. The effects are already being felt beyond the transport sector. Rising logistics costs will lead to higher product prices for end consumers, which in turn fuels inflation. The economy is an interconnected system, in which transport plays a crucial role.
