1. Introduction

The international job market for professional truck drivers has been changing significantly for years. In 2026, this trend will become even more noticeable for many logistics companies worldwide: the volume of goods transported continues to grow, while qualified drivers are scarce in almost every region. This global truck driver shortage affects not only Europe but also major transport markets like the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the Gulf countries.

From a European perspective, an increasing number of companies are considering employing drivers from non-EU/EFTA countries as an additional measure to supplement the local workforce and EU-trained drivers. However, this diversity of origins introduces a key challenge: there are no standardized global regulations for car or truck licenses (7.5–40 tons) or uniform vocational training standards for truck drivers of these weight classes.

Depending on the region, the following differ:

• Training content and curricula
• Practical examination requirements
• Technical vehicle standards
• Typical road conditions and operational requirements

For the EU – and Germany in particular – it is therefore crucial to reliably assess international qualifications. Evaluating non-EU licenses and driving experience is essential for integrating drivers into the European labor market.

2. Basics: How EU Countries Recognize Licenses

Recognition of foreign driver licenses in the EU is based on Directive 2006/126/EC, which sets minimum standards for licenses across EU member states. It stipulates that EU/EFTA licenses are generally recognized in all member states, though national regulations may impose additional requirements.

Each of the 27 EU member states implements the directive independently. This means differences can arise, especially regarding the conversion of third-country licenses into national EU licenses.

Key terms:

• Third country: Refers to countries outside the EU/EFTA.
• Conversion: The process of exchanging a foreign license for a national EU license, potentially with additional testing.
• Recognition vs. validity: Recognition means a license is accepted; validity indicates whether the license legally permits driving.

Understanding these principles is critical to integrate non-EU drivers into the European labor market. Diverse training standards, testing procedures, and national rules require careful evaluation before a driver is allowed to operate on European roads.

3. Global Licensing Standards (Car & Truck)

Licensing and driver training standards differ considerably worldwide.

Europe / EU

All member states implement Directive 2006/126/EC, which sets minimum requirements for theoretical and practical exams but does not regulate detailed driver training. For truck licenses (7.5–40 tons), professional content varies nationally, even though minimum EU standards exist.

Eastern Europe / Eurasia

EU countries like Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, or Bulgaria follow the directive but define their own exam specifics. Non-EU states like Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia have separate standards, sometimes less standardized than EU requirements.

Middle East

Countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, or Israel have diverse training and testing requirements; truck driver programs vary in length and technical content.

Asia (South, Southeast, Central)

Countries like India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, or Kazakhstan issue local licenses with highly variable training. EU-comparable standardized training is rare.

Africa

License issuance and truck training differ by country; some require detailed instruction, others allow relatively quick acquisition with minimal practical testing.

South America

Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru regulate licensing nationally. Practical and theoretical training requirements vary.

Differences in training, duration, theory, and practice: Car licenses focus on theory, while truck licenses include vocational content and technical training. Global standards are inconsistent, and even within the EU, training and testing requirements differ.

Wide range of truck driver safety and training levels: Training duration can range from dozens of hours to extensive programs. Authorities use national lists to assess which foreign licenses can be converted without additional testing, providing legal certainty. International agreements, such as the Vienna and Geneva Conventions, form the legal basis.

Conclusion

Directive 2006/126/EC defines minimum standards but does not mandate uniform training. Member states retain authority over training hours, content, and exam modalities, leading to differences between EU countries, especially regarding truck licenses.