Driver Shortages Are Going Global -But So Is the Opportunity
Sep 25, 2025
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A Resolve Recruitment Services insight into the growing international driver crisis - and how we're supporting UK talent to rise to the challenge.
At Resolve Recruitment Services, we work across sectors that are constantly adapting to global pressures, and nowhere is that more evident than in logistics and driving.
Each week, we take a wider look at what’s happening in the world of work and how it impacts our clients, candidates, and recruitment strategy here in the UK. And this week, the message is clear:
Driver shortages are no longer a local issue, they’re a global challenge.
Germany & Poland: A Sector on the Brink
Both Germany and Poland are now facing extreme and escalating driver shortages, with serious consequences for the entire European logistics chain.
Germany reports a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers, which could rise to 400,000 in the event of a crisis. The industry’s reliance on Eastern European drivers has backfired, as many return home, leaving local hauliers struggling.
Poland is reporting its worst driver crisis in 25 years, with an estimated shortfall of 150,000 drivers. Polish logistics companies are heavily reliant on non-EU workers, but visa delays, sometimes lasting months, are grinding recruitment to a halt.
At the same time, Ukrainian hauliers, exempt from certain permit requirements, have increased their EU trips from 200,000 to 1 million per year, undercutting Polish firms and triggering warnings of mass bankruptcies.
For recruitment agencies across Europe, this creates a ripple effect, a shrinking pool of qualified, experienced drivers with increasing competition and rising costs. It's no longer enough to "fill roles"; recruitment partners must offer strategy, compliance, and ongoing candidate support.
And in the UK? The Pressure is Mounting Too
Here in the UK, we’re facing our own set of serious challenges. The logistics and distribution sectors are under pressure like never before. For drivers, that means longer hours, tighter margins, and higher expectations. For agencies and employers, it means doing more to support the people who keep everything moving.
How Resolve Recruitment Services Is Supporting Drivers, Not Just Placing Them
At Resolve, we understand that recruitment is about more than jobs, it’s about people.
That’s why we go beyond placements with a focus on:
Fair, competitive pay rates, because hard work deserves to be rewarded
Training and upskilling opportunities, we don’t just recruit drivers, we help develop them
Ongoing candidate support, from onboarding to ongoing check-ins, we’re here throughout the journey
Flexible contracts, temp, temp-to-perm, and perm roles across the UK
Safety-first environments, ensuring drivers and warehouse staff are placed in compliant, well-managed workplaces
Whether you're a driver looking for a better opportunity or an employer looking for a workforce you can count on, Resolve is here to help. We’ve built our reputation by delivering more than CVs. We deliver commitment, care, and consistency.
Ready to Recruit, or Ready to Work?
And with our in-house training capabilities, we’re also helping new candidates build skills and confidence to succeed in a fast-moving job market.