EU driving licence: Parliament displays leadership in driver shortage fight
The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted today its position on the EU Driving Licence Directive, constituting a considerable step forward in eliminating crucial barriers discouraging entry into the bus and truck driver profession.
Mixed progress on EU driving licence and coach tourism driver rules
The Council’s general approach takes small steps towards addressing driver shortages with the revision of the driving licence rules, better news is expected from the European Parliament. During the same meeting, the Council reached a historic agreement on the recognition of specific driving and rest time rules for coach tourism drivers.
IRU and Iranian road transport sector rally behind road safety
IRU and Iran’s public and private road transport sector have held a hybrid conference on road safety, professional qualifications and the transport of dangerous goods.
Global truck driver shortage to double by 2028, says new IRU report
Geneva, 20 November 2023 – IRU’s 2023 driver shortage report has found that over three million truck driver jobs are unfilled, or 7% of total positions, in 36 countries studied. With the huge gap between young and old drivers growing, it will get much worse over the next five years without significant action.
EU road transport industry supports cross-party coach driver agreement
Ahead of Thursday’s vote in the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN), IRU urges MEPs to vote in support of the compromise amendments tabled by TRAN’s lead rapporteur on driving and rest time rules for coach drivers, making the much-needed distinction from rules set for truck drivers.
Mongolian president meets IRU for high-level talks on trade and transport
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and the President of Mongolia have held high-level talks on measures to further streamline trade and professionalise the country’s road transport industry.
Operators, drivers and parking groups call for urgent EU truck parking deal
The ongoing revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation is of critical importance to the EU’s road transport sector. An agreement between legislators is desperately needed, followed by commitment from Member States.
Skilled drivers are critical to overcoming key industry challenges
IRU Academy Associate Training Institutes from 20 countries have stressed the importance of strengthening professional qualification standards to help mitigate driver shortages during their recent e-meeting.
Upfront EU-wide criteria needed to maintain self-employment in Europe
Industry representatives warn that a lack of a pre-established EU-wide criteria on employment relationships in the Platform Workers Directive could be detrimental for small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed workers.
Fixing driver shortages: new global plan launched by employers and unions
IRU, the world road transport employers' organisation, representing more than 3.5 million road transport operators, and ITF, the International Transport Workers’ Federation, representing 18.5 million transport workers, have today launched a three-point plan to help fix driver shortages.
Weaponising biases: the women leading road transport into the future
In the fourth edition of this special series spotlighting some of the women leaders of our industry, we feature Theresa-Jasmin Meyering, Trainer and Bus & Coach Business Manager at Meyering Verkehrsbetriebe.
How Spain is tackling driver shortages
Spain is facing a shortage of drivers – and it’s likely to get worse if current trends continue. We asked Ramón Valdivia, Executive Vice President of IRU member ASTIC and IRU Presidential Executive member, what is being – and should be – done in response.
Never stop learning: the women leading road transport into the future
In the third edition of this special series spotlighting some of the women leaders of our industry, we feature Florence Berthelot, General Delegate of IRU member the Fédération Nationale des Transports Routiers (FNTR).
International Women’s Day spotlight: commercial road transport
Commercial road transport has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. Nevertheless, the percentage of women working in the sector is slowly but steadily changing. We look at some of them on this special day. The share of women truck drivers is less than 3% in most regions.
IRU welcomes EU vote to curb bogus employment practices by platforms
The European Parliament, meeting in plenary yesterday, has given the green light to its Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) to negotiate with the Council on new rules to reclassify platform employees. The Parliament has taken the right turn by limiting the Platform Workers Directive’s scope to purely digital platform players.
Parking innovator Freightsafe joins IRU
Freightsafe, a young company set on improving parking for trucks with a novel approach, has joined IRU as its newest member. Founded in 2017, Freightsafe installs and operates automated smart parking ports for trucks. The company is looking to change the way secure parking works by giving drivers and transport operators the power to procure secure parking where and when needed.
Global driver shortages: 2022 year in review
In 2022, IRU, backed with on-the-ground information from its members, continued to report and analyse global driver shortages: a chronic issue threatening the stability and continuity of mobility and supply chains. This article offers an overview of IRU’s efforts to analyse the situation, raise awareness and advance solutions.
Málaga CF: Ex-pro football player continues to serve his boyhood club
Angel Nava del Val, better known as Ángelo, used to play as a left-back for professional Spanish football team Málaga CF. Since his retirement, he’s managed to stay close to his boyhood team. With now a different role as Málaga CF’s official driver, Ángelo, 56, tells us his story.
IRU welcomes EU vote to curb platforms’ bogus employment practices
The European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) voted on new rules to reclassify platforms’ self-employed collaborators as digital platform employees. The Platform Workers Directive takes the right turn by limiting its scope to pure digital platform players.
‘Still fills me with joy’: driving the Cagliari football team
57-year-old Franco Pala is from Capoterra, a town in Sardinia, Italy. Six years ago, he was approached with a major career opportunity: to become the official coach driver of Italian football club Cagliari. With the World Cup underway and football fever running high, Franco Pala describes his last six years.
Magical: 35 years of driving professional football team ends in glory
Jose Angel Cueto Lopez drove Real Racing Club de Santander football players to their games every week for over 35 years. IRU member and Spanish operator ALSA, who Jose Lopez worked for, spoke with him soon after his retirement about his career as a professional driver. As the World Cup gets underway, here are some of his fondest memories.