IRU — 2026-08-13
Land transportation
For Erica Giraldo, AFTRI’s Legal and Public Affairs Officer, the solution to France’s chronic bus and truck driver shortage is twofold: better communicating the new and improved image of the profession to attract younger generations and the local workforce, and, in a second step, relying on foreign talent to fill the gaps.
Working hours, time away from home and the image of the profession form the trifecta that the industry should focus on first and foremost.
“There are a few reasons why the truck and bus driver profession has a challenging reputation. But we can change that,” Erica Giraldo told us. “Our sector needs to communicate better and show the reality of the job: the constraints alongside the benefits and opportunities.”
IRU member AFTRI wants to work more closely with driving schools, training bodies and social media channels. It is also working with professionals who can tell the story of the profession differently. Passionate drivers can help change perceptions.
“Communication is extremely important nowadays,” said Erica Giraldo. “Good communication from companies, public authorities, associations and passionate drivers can start to change the image of the profession.”
This is particularly important for young people. Many are looking for better work-life balance. They want good living conditions. They also want to understand what a profession can offer them.
Road transport is evolving, with many types of operations allowing drivers to return home more regularly. But this reality is still not well understood outside the sector.
“To make the profession more attractive to younger generations, we need to better showcase career paths, progression opportunities, and what the job is really like on the ground – something that is often misunderstood, but actually meaningful and full of value,” said Erica Giraldo.
At the same time, this attractiveness must be supported by very concrete improvements. Things like safe, comfortable rest areas and secure parking are absolutely essential. These are basic but crucial conditions to improve drivers’ daily lives and restore the profession’s image.
Beyond the EU
In addition to better communicating the new and more positive reality of the driver profession, AFTRI is currently working on a project linked to the international recruitment of qualified workers from third countries. The aim is to assess companies’ needs and the conditions required to facilitate the integration of new driver profiles.
In the survey carried out as part of the project, more than 90% of responding companies said they planned to recruit in the short or medium term. Needs include dangerous goods drivers, regional truck drivers, school and intercity drivers, and coach tourism drivers.
“If the local workforce continues to be insufficient and the situation worsens, it is important to start thinking about how to implement concrete and well-structured solutions. This requires the collaboration of all stakeholders,” said Erica Giraldo. “All of this can only work if public and private actors work closely together.”
Companies say they are open, or partially open, to hiring qualified workers from outside the EU. But several obstacles remain. Administrative complexity comes first. Legal uncertainty is another concern. Social and linguistic integration is also a major issue, alongside housing and the recognition of qualifications.
“Training is central. Companies want guarantees. They want foreign drivers to have the skills needed to work under French standards. But additional training can be long and costly,” said Erica Giraldo. Some companies are ready to support new arrivals. Many see mentoring as a useful way to support integration.
The solution is therefore twofold. France needs to make the profession more visible, understandable and attractive while, at the same time, facilitating access to the profession, including for qualified workers from third countries.
Without action, the situation could become more serious. With collective mobilisation, the trend can change.
“The solution will require a joint effort. Companies, public authorities, training bodies and associations all have a role to play,” concluded Erica Giraldo. “And we really need to act now, with a practical and committed mindset. The longer we wait, the harder the situation will be to fix.”