Truck driving jobs in Germany for foreigners & English speakers

Truck driving jobs in Germany offer lucrative opportunities, particularly due to a significant shortage of qualified professional truck drivers. This shortage has led many foreigners to relocate and fill these positions. In this guide, we will explore the benefits and opportunities available for foreigners and english speakers in the German truck driving industry.

Quick Facts

High demand: Major companies like Shell Deutschland Oil, DHL, and Metro Group are actively seeking truck drivers.
Qualifications needed: Essential qualifications include a driver’s card, an EU/EEA driving license, and a work and residence permit.
Average salary: 4.033 €
Minimum salary: 2.971 €

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LKW-Fahrer für den Werksverkehr (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer für den Nahverkehr (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer für den Nahverkehr (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer für Kühltransporte (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer für den Fernverkehr (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer in Festanstellung (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

LKW-Fahrer in Festanstellung (Vreden, NRW) - Hiring now (m/w/d)

Basis (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

Mit Unterstützung

Truck Driver

Vozač kamiona za lokalni prijevoz (Vreden, NRW) - Prijavi se sada (m/ž/d)

osnovno (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

s podrškom

Truck Driver

Vozač kamiona za lokalni prijevoz (Vreden, NRW) - Prijavi se sada (m/ž/d)

osnovno (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

s podrškom

Truck Driver

Vozač kamiona za rashladni prijevoz u Njemačkoj (Vreden, NRW) - Prijavi se sada (m/ž/d)

osnovno (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

s podrškom

Truck Driver

Vozač kamiona za dugolinijski prijevoz u Njemačkoj (Vreden, NRW) - Prijavi se sada (m/ž/d)

osnovno (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

s podrškom

Truck Driver

Vozač kamiona za lokalni prijevoz (Vreden, NRW) - Prijavi se sada (m/ž/d)

osnovno (A2)

Vreden

Warehouse

Accommodation

Required Visa

Accommodation

Required Visa

s podrškom

Truck Driver

Top truck driving jobs in Germany

Truck driving jobs in Germany for English Speakers

Long-Haul Truck Driver
- Transport goods over long distances, often across countries, requiring extensive road time.
Local Delivery Driver
- Handle short-distance deliveries within cities or regions, ensuring timely and efficient service.
Tanker Truck Driver
- Specialize in transporting liquids and gases, such as fuel, requiring ADR certification.
Refrigerated Truck Driver
- Transport perishable goods, maintaining proper temperature controls throughout the journey.
Hazardous Materials Truck Driver
- Carry dangerous goods, such as chemicals or explosives, necessitating special safety training and ADR certification.
Construction Material Transporter
- Deliver materials to construction sites, often involving heavy and oversized loads.
Automotive Parts Delivery Driver
- Transport automotive parts and equipment to manufacturing plants and service centers.
Bulk Goods Transport Driver
- Move large quantities of raw materials, like grains or minerals, typically in open or enclosed trailers.
Furniture Delivery Driver
- Deliver and sometimes assemble furniture for residential and commercial customers.
Waste Management Truck Driver
- Collect and transport waste and recyclables, ensuring environmental compliance and safety.
Courier Truck Driver
- Deliver packages and documents quickly and efficiently, often within urban areas.
Chemical Transport Driver
- Specialize in moving chemicals safely, requiring comprehensive knowledge of handling hazardous substances.
Pharmaceuticals Delivery Driver
- Ensure the safe and timely delivery of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to healthcare facilities.
Intermodal Truck Driver
- Transport containers between ports, rail yards, and distribution centers, integrating different modes of transportation.
Logging Truck Driver
- Transport logs from forests to mills, requiring knowledge of handling heavy and uneven loads.

At hello jobs, we ensure that we keep you well-informed and updated about the truck driving jobs in Germany for foreigners. We currently have a few openings in the warehousing department that you can look at and decide whether it is the right fit for you.

Expand your knowledge about truck driving jobs in Germany for foreigners and English speakers

The logistics industry plays a vital role in any country's development, which is why truck driver jobs in Germany are in such high demand. All industries need qualified truck drivers who ensure they perform their duties diligently.

This goes for European countries, especially Germany. As a company that connects job seekers to employers in Germany, we will walk you through the available truck driver jobs in Germany, the qualifications you need, the application process, and the expected truck driver salary in Germany.

Are truck driving jobs in demand in Germany?

Germany is currently facing a truck driver shortage situation where the residents are less interested in occupying the many truck driver jobs germany. The negative effect on the truck driving industry has caused a ripple effect on other sectors, including construction and fast-moving consumer goods. Some of the reasons there has been a low uptake of these jobs include;

Drivers are forced to be away from their families for long periods.

The work environment is very demanding, thus making it a high-pressure job.

Lack of proper infrastructure leads to limited parking spaces and extensive traffic jams.

The profession ranks as a low-paying job and thus does not enjoy a good reputation.

The high costs of obtaining the necessary training and certification.

Due to these reasons, truck driving jobs in Germany for foreigners are at an all-time high!

Studies have shown that more than three-quarters of the truck driving workforce is made up of people over 45 years old.

This means that in a few years, this industry will face even more strain as drivers start to retire. This has driven the country to source for foreign drivers to fill the gap, even if they only speak English.

If you are interested in truck driving jobs in Germany for foreigners, you can look forward to perks such as job security, better truck driver salary in Germany and a chance to enhance your skills further.

How much do truck driving workers earn in Germany?

Truck driving jobs in Germany have become increasingly attractive to foreigners, largely due to competitive salaries and compensation packages. The salary for truck drivers in Germany is influenced by several factors, including experience level, certifications, work location, and specific job requirements.

Average Salaries:

Monthly Salary: The average monthly salary for truck drivers in Germany ranges between 2.300 € and 3.500 €.
Annual Salary: The estimated annual pay ranges from 12.240 € to 23.400 €.
Lowest and Highest Monthly Salary: The lowest average monthly salary is 506 €, while the highest can be 1.950 €.

Salary by Experience:

Experience significantly impacts a truck driver’s salary in Germany. Below is a breakdown of average earnings based on years of experience:

Years of Experience	Annual Salary
10+	35.400 EUR
6-10	35.100 EUR
3-6	34.200 EUR
0-3	33.600 EUR

Source: https://www.kununu.com/de/gehalt/lkw-fahrer-in-44931

Other Influencing Factors:

Hiring Company: Salaries can vary significantly depending on the hiring company. For example, some companies offer monthly salaries as high as 7.000 €.
Education Level: Education also affects salaries, with annual earnings for truck drivers with different education levels being:
- High School Level: 8.960 €
- Diploma: 13.540 €
- Bachelor’s Degree: 20.000 €
Work Location: The city where a truck driver works can impact their salary, with some cities offering average annual salaries as high as 17.260 €.

Regardless of education level or experience, truck driving salaries in Germany are attractive, making this profession appealing for both locals and foreigners.

To work as a truck driver in Germany as a foreigner, you need a combination of hard skills and soft skills. These qualifications can also impact your salary bracket. Here's a breakdown of what is required:

Hard Skills (Professional and legal qualifications)

Driving license:
- A valid EU or EEA driving license for classes C, C1, C1E, CE, D1E, D1, or DE.
Professional driver qualification:
- Professional Driver Qualification Card (C95).
Documentation:
- High-quality, biometric passport pictures.
- Up-to-date travel document such as a passport.
- Accurately filled out visa application form in English or German.
Accelerated licensing:
- Accelerated EU or EEA driving license for candidates with or without initial professional driver qualification.
Employment proof:
- A signed employment contract or job offer if you have an EU/EEA driver's license with or without initial professional driver qualification.
ADR certification:
- Required if transporting any of the nine classes of dangerous goods, such as fuel.

Soft Skills

Health:
- the driver should be physically fit.
Interpersonal Skills:
- Good interpersonal skills to interact effectively with customers and colleagues.
Language Proficiency:
- Proficiency in English, German, or both to facilitate communication.

Having these qualifications ensures you are competent and prepared for the job. It also helps in smoother interactions and better job performance in the German truck driving industry.

Employment contract / collective agreement specifically for truck driving workers

A professional truck driver's employment contract should thoroughly detail the aspects that impact the employee's life and working conditions. The Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) enforces rules and regulations, imposing penalties for non-compliance. Here are the key elements that a typical truck driving work contract should include:

Employment start date and probation period:
- Clearly state the start date of employment and the duration of the probation period.
Working hours:
- Regular driving hours should not exceed 9 hours per day, with an additional hour allowed twice a week.
- The standard working week is 56 hours, with a maximum of 90 hours over two weeks.
Rest periods:
- Drivers must rest for at least 11 consecutive hours daily, which can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times a week.
- After 4.5 hours of driving, drivers should take a 45-minute break, which can be split into shorter breaks.
- Weekly rest periods should be 45 consecutive hours.
Wages and compensation:
- The minimum wage as of January 2024 is 41 € per hour, enforced by the Federal Customs Administration.
- Overtime hours, including allowed hours and compensation, should be specified.
Sick leave and health insurance:
- Procedures for reporting and approving sick leave, along with health insurance benefits provided by the employer.
Dispute resolution:
- Official channels for resolving disputes between the employer and the driver.
Termination and severance pay:
- Statutory conditions for termination of employment and details on severance pay.

Employers can ensure legal compliance by using fleet management solutions to track driving and rest times. They should also schedule required training sessions to keep drivers updated on compliance regulations, preventing unintentional violations. Failure to adhere to the employment contract can result in fines and legal action, including imprisonment.

Maintaining detailed and compliant employment contracts helps protect both employers and employees, ensuring a fair and safe working environment for truck drivers in Germany.

Employees who do not follow the legal driving and resting stipulations may be fined 100 € and employers 500 € if they know and don't stop the violations.

How to apply for truck driving jobs on hello jobs

What if you find an easier way to get in touch with companies who provide convenient jobs for you and your experience as a truck driver? The easiest way for you to find a convenient truck driver job is to apply at hello jobs. Here you get together with possible prospective employers.

Use the following steps which bring you closer to your favorite job by using this convenient appointment/application procedure:

Step 1 - Send application: Applying is straightforward, with a user-friendly interface on our website. You can select the job that interests you, click the "Apply" button on the job listing to start your application process.
Step 2 - Introduction call: Schedule an introduction call, where we discuss your preferences and ensure that the job aligns with your career goals.
Step 3 - Interview process: Successful candidates receive support for the interview process, including interview preparation and guidance on insurance and tax matters.
Step 4 - Job placement: Once interviews are successful, you receive recommendations for housing search and connections to our community.

The first contact usually occurs within five days of submitting your application, with the duration from initial contact to job placement typically ranging between 2 to 6 weeks.

Our team at hello jobs will be happy to navigate your job search with ease and confidence, setting the stage for a successful journey into the German job market.

Summary

Truck driving jobs in Germany present lucrative opportunities, especially due to a significant shortage of qualified professional drivers. This demand has encouraged many foreigners to relocate and fill these positions.

Germany provides ample truck driving opportunities, starting at 2.971 € and up to 4.033 € monthly salary. This attractive compensation, coupled with the country's strong economy and infrastructure, makes truck driving in Germany a promising career choice. Moreover, the demand for drivers is so high that many companies are eager to hire international talent to fill the gaps.

Navigating the German job market can seem daunting, but hello jobs is here to simplify the process. Our dedicated team is committed to assisting you throughout your job search journey. From identifying the right job opportunities to guiding you through the application process and ensuring you receive a suitable employment offer, we provide comprehensive support every step of the way.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and explore truck driving jobs in Germany, contact us today. Let us help you find the perfect position and embark on a rewarding new chapter in Germany. With our assistance, you'll be well on your way to a fulfilling career and a fresh start in an exciting new environment.