European trucking vs US trucking

There are a lot of things that are different and there are a lot of things in common.

In Europe you need to be able to speak more languages and be tolerant to different cultures. Which doesn t mean they are always tolerant to you (sending hello`s to polish cops ). Very strict working time regulation.


In north america everything seems to be more standardized which makes things easier. Wider roads, faster freight movement. And even then you need to work more hours per day.

But the main thing in common ? In both continents you live in your dog shed (a lot bigger shed in north america, but still a shed) and you miss your family and hometime.

That is a short summary what my head could think of.

 

Yea but from picture's and video's I've seen it look's like you guy's over there do some dumber #### than we ever have and I mean some really stupid ####. Some US driver's have done some strange thing's but I have to say you guy's take the cake.

 

How are the truck stops in Europe????

 

From my experience, in Italy they are too small forget about finding a spot after 7pm unless willing to do some creative parking and it's easy to be blocked by other trucks while sleeping. food is expensive, we usually leave the higway at certain exit and go to restaurant near by with a parking lot, but also there it gets overcrowded and gotta do some creative parkings.Thinghs are getting better, many truck stops are getting bigger but still we have way too many trucks around.
This is a brand new truck stop in northern italy, and finally it's big enough and it has afew restaurants,movie thetater,mechanics,truck wash,laundry and even a gym.


In germany and France situation is slightly better but still too small and ovecrowded, poland and bulgaria there were only a few restaurants on the road where it was possible to park.
Uk last time i was there it was not possible to stop at the truck stop for more than a couple of hours and we had also to pay.

 

UK truckstops are very hit and miss. The little independents are usually good but have very limited parking. The motorway service areas are very very expensive.

There are a new breed of truckstops that have appeared over the last few years that are security concious but I have stopped in one so can't really comment.

Most truck stops charge for overnight parking the motorways charge in the region of £15-£20 but usually they include a meal voucher for £10. Most dont allow you more than a two hour stop free of charge.

The conditions and facilities vary wildly. But they all seem to fill up very very early

 

i have experience in the Uk as well as Canada/US, i find the biggest difference being that in the UK trucks are just these big lumps of metal slowly poodeling down the highway slowing all the 4 wheelers down, In North America the trucker is shown a little more appreciation, just my opinion...

 

In Europe, socialism/communism drains every last penny you make in one tax or another....the harder you work, the less you take home...Whereas I found in the US,the harder you work, the more you take home.....most of the time anyway!

 

btw you are comparing trucking on both continents, what is needed to become a truck driver in USA? I mean on everything, medical certificates, examinations, etc.

 

That's why Europe may loose its economy