Newsroom

Border delays, permit digitalisation, and visa hurdles dominated discussions at BSEC-URTA’s General Assembly last week, as regional leaders tackled urgent threats to road transport and trade in the Black Sea region.

IRU welcomes today’s vote by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee endorsing the provisional Driving Licence Directive agreement reached during trilogue. This follows recent formal approval by the Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives, the first of the EU co-legislators to back the deal. The reform responds to long-standing industry calls to address driver shortages and promote the digitalisation of driving licences while upholding high road safety standards.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, has published its 2024 annual report, highlighting key achievements in advancing safe, efficient and sustainable road transport during a challenging year.

With driver shortages looming large, Türkiye’s trucking industry is hitting the brakes on gender imbalance.

IRU and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have urged European Commission leaders to support the road transport sector by urgently clarifying how EU rules on posted driver pay are applied by Member States.

Why aren’t more Brazilian women benefiting from the truck driving profession? IVECO is working to change this with Caminhos para Elas. More than half of the women who participated in the programme's first year have already secured employment.

As the EU grapples with an ageing workforce, IRU made the case for tapping third-country drivers to help ease growing shortages at the recent THAMM Plus event in Tunis, Tunisia.

IRU’s latest global truck driver shortage report is out. While unfilled positions in 2024 were similar to 2023 due to easing transport demand, alarming figures show a widening age chasm between young and older driver employment rates. But salaries and job satisfaction remain high.

Third-country drivers working in the European Union deserve full respect and support.

IRU welcomes the provisional agreement reached following trilogue negotiations between EU institutions on the revision of the EU Driving Licence Directive. The outcome reflects long-standing priorities of the road transport sector and supports efforts to ensure road safety and alleviate the growing shortage of professional drivers.

IRU outlined its road transport sector reform methodology, tools and results to transport professionals from across Africa this week in Benin.

A recent workshop explored the challenges and opportunities of a pilot driver mobility scheme between Egypt and Romania.

Behind every well-stocked shelf and timely delivery this Ramadan, there’s a truck driver pushing forward. In this guest article, Phillip Khoury, Managing Director of Dubai-based transport and logistics company ADSO, pays homage to the resilience and dedication of truck drivers.

From tourist hotspots to rural areas, everyone is feeling the strain of Spain’s bus and coach driver shortage. Action is needed to turn things around – solutions are already on the table.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s Union of Skills Communication and its clear recognition of labour shortages in the road transport sector. This crucial acknowledgment sets the stage for further action.

At 19, Charlene Kerkhof is proving that young professionals are ready to drive the future of road transport. Growing up in the Netherlands with a trucking family, she turned her passion into a career. Now, she’s mastering the road while calling for better opportunities to help more young drivers succeed.

Young professionals like Lucie and Timeo are part of a new generation of highly trained, safety-conscious truck drivers, ready to take on the challenges of a vital industry. But can they?

Get ahead in 2025: IRU’s intelligence webinars are helping road transport actors forecast trends, tackle challenges and plan smartly for the year ahead.

IRU has awarded the prestigious IRU Diploma of Honour to 1,847 outstanding bus, coach, taxi, and truck drivers from 23 countries worldwide in recognition of their remarkable driving and safety achievements.

At their annual meeting, IRU Academy Associate Training Institutes (ATIs) from around the world explored the critical role of harmonisation, innovation and transparency in fostering a skilled professional road transport workforce.

IRU, together with two other major transport organisations, has called on EU lawmakers to back critical measures and ensure that EU public transport services remain sustainable and accessible amid a severe shortage of bus and coach drivers.

At the 2024 PROLOG International Supply Chain Conference today, IRU’s President detailed the transformative changes ahead in road transport.

IRU and partners have called on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to revive the EU’s focus on the fundamental role of public transport.

IRU and FIA will run eco-driving awareness sessions for 5,000 public bus and taxi drivers in Baku ahead of COP29 to help reduce CO₂ emissions during the world’s biggest climate conference.

The European Commission has committed EUR 320 million to develop secure truck parking areas across the EU. IRU’s persistent advocacy has played a critical role in securing this landmark budget under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding.

Road transport leaders from across the EU and members of the new European Parliament came together last week for a dinner debate on the sector’s top priorities for this legislative term.

Industry leaders and Members of the European Parliament meet today to discuss and define the next steps for the EU commercial road transport sector.

Border delays raise the cost of international road transport by up to 50%, dampening trade potential. How do we fix this?

At the opening of Lithuania’s annual International Transport Innovation Forum, IRU stressed key measures to raise resilience, focusing on driver shortages, decarbonisation and digitalisation.

Eurasian border crossings are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with shifting and rising freight flows. What is the solution?

The European Parliament has backed the road transport industry in a key vote, initiating negotiations on driving licensing and greening reforms.

IRU and its Swiss member ASTAG were on the ground today at a truck parking near Geneva, spending a few hours with drivers to discuss their challenges – and, more importantly, recognise their critical work and dedication.

IRU takes note of the Court of the European Union's decision on the Mobility Package 1 challenges brought forward by Member States. The Court annulled the rule on the return of the vehicle, but it confirmed the validity of all other contested provisions.

The annual Swedish Bus and Coach Driver Championship has long been an opportunity to celebrate the professionalism and commitment of bus drivers. This year, the first prize for Sweden’s best bus driver went to a woman.

Emilie Høydal did not have a typical start to her career in transport. She first studied media and communications in high school. But after two years, she learned that it was not for her. So she dropped out and worked at a gas station for a while. She eventually decided to go back to high school to study technological and industrial production. This is where the magic happened.