Driver Shortage

You are right, driving in Europe is a privilege. I am german and in Germany you have to go to the driving School and do a minimum of 12 Hours theory (12x45min) after that you can go and have your theory test, and a minimum of 12 hours of driving lessons. When i remember correctly these includes at least 2 hours of night driving and 4 hours of Autobahn. That is just the minimum, how many driving lessons you need at the end is up to the driving instructor. he/she will decide when you are ready to go and have your driving test. not sure how much it cost at present but i guess you have to pay at least 2500 Euro if not more to obtain a B-License (Car) in Germany. For (CE) which is Truck you are looking at around 8000+ Euro.

 

Not true for the state I originally got my CDL in.

 

Germany excluded, they have a great licensing system but driving in England, France and Italy … omg it was worst than Chicago and la combined.

 

Here's a good one, I was recently informed why a mega company decided to pass on my application. Bear in mind, I've driven for them 5 times in the past, no accidents, tickets or service failures.
"You have too much unemployment to be employable"
If that doesn't sound like a clown world answer, I really don't know what is. I'm living abroad and only drive for 4 or so months at a time and then take 6 months or more off, covid has complicated travel, so I've been out of the truck for about a year and a half. Bear in mind that I have over 2,5 years of cumulative experience in the last 10 years, so yeah I do take my share of time off. It seems as though these megas are looking for loyalists to running on the rat wheel of life. My reply was, "I'll find another company that needs a driver, as yours obviously doesn't".

So I'm writing off the real big megas at this time, it took a while to get that mindset, but now I have it. With your cameras, fueling restrictions, short trips and low pay.

 

The amazing part about all this is the drivers still have the power if only they could unite together and do something about it, then companies and governments would not be able to hold the power over them, bottom line is if the transport industry stops the US stops yet despite this very important factor drivers pretty much are treated like dirt or disposable paper cups.

 

I've been treated pretty well as a trucker, both by my employer and the customers.
The same can not be said for many of the more 'normal' jobs I have had.

I must live in a bubble out here, because I do not experience what most of you seem to.

 

The newly arrived, possibly future citizens.

Who are "refugees" from something or other.