Driver shortage Plagues German Logistics Industry
December 8, 2025, 9:10 a.m.
Professional drivers are in short supply across Germany. Franz Weiß, managing director of BTK Befraten- und Transport Kontor (BTK) in Raubling, Bavaria, attributes this to demographic shifts and a declining interest in long-haul trucking among younger generations. BTK, which employs around 200 permanent drivers, hires two drivers each month but loses an average of 24 annually due to retirement, early retirement, or drivers leaving long-distance transport.
According to the federal Statistical Office, nearly 40% of professional freight transport drivers are 55 or older. A 2024 study by KOFA (Competence Center for Securing Skilled Workers) identified a shortage of approximately 4,500 qualified truck drivers between July 2023 and June 2024. This confirms Weiß’s assessment that “it is tough or impossible to attract good drivers.”
BTK attempts to attract drivers by offering wages slightly above competitors in the region and responding to preferences regarding pay and work schedules. Bonuses are available for drivers willing to take on less desirable routes. The average gross monthly salary for a BTK driver is 3,400 euros.
Despite receiving around 100 applications monthly, primarily through Facebook, BTK faces a low success rate. Approximately half of the applicants are not serious, failing to respond to contact attempts. Another 40 applicants use the applications to negotiate higher salaries with their current employers. This leaves only around ten serious candidates, leading to one to three concrete offers, and ultimately, typically two new hires.
This 2% success rate allows BTK to maintain a balanced workforce, but the company consistently operates with a deficit of four to five drivers. BTK is better positioned regarding logistics specialists like freight forwarders and dispatchers,as it trains them internally,hiring and retaining five trainees annually.
Leveraging Networks for Recruitment
Word-of-mouth referrals are a key recruitment strategy for BTK. Driver Bojan Totic, a ten-year employee originally from Croatia, has successfully referred 30 drivers to the company.These drivers typically work Monday-Friday tours, returning home on weekends. Additionally, a dispatcher’s contacts in eastern Slovakia have led to approximately 60 drivers joining BTK’s block model – working four weeks on, followed by two weeks at home, with BTK providing accommodation during their on-duty period.
Talke, a logistics company based in Hürth near Cologne, has also experienced success with personal recommendations. Christopher Eich, Manager People & Values, notes that recommendations are a consistent and valuable part of their hiring process.