Passenger transport, driver shortage and non-EU recruitment solutions: conclusions after the ZIUA Cargo 2026 Conference in Poiana Brașov

On 28–29 May 2026, TAKT Recruitment attended the ZIUA Cargo Conference dedicated to road passenger transport, organised in Poiana Brașov as part of the “Campaign for Civilised Transport 2026”. The event brought together transport operators, authorities, industry solution providers and specialists directly involved in the development of the passenger transport market in Romania.

For TAKT Recruitment, participation in this event had direct relevance. The topic presented by Av. Rozana Cozma, Legal Director of TAKT Recruitment, and Cosmin Șerban, General Director of TAKT Recruitment, was “Driver shortage. Non-EU solutions”, a subject that reflects one of the most important operational challenges for transport companies in Romania: the lack of available, qualified and properly integrated professional drivers.

Passenger transport is currently in a stage where pressure on human resources has become as important as investments in fleet, digitalisation, road safety and route optimisation. For transport operators, the availability of professional drivers directly influences service continuity, operational predictability and the quality of the passenger experience.

Driver shortage directly affects passenger transport

In passenger transport, the shortage of drivers represents a recruitment problem, as well as an issue of operational continuity, predictability and service quality. Local, regional, national and international transport companies need stable personnel capable of respecting working schedules, safety rules, conduct standards and the specific requirements of passenger transport.

In this sector, the driver is a professional vehicle operator, a representative of the company and a direct interface with passengers. The driver’s behaviour influences punctuality, safety, comfort and the overall perception of the service. For this reason, the recruitment of professional drivers for passenger transport must be treated as a specialised process, adapted to the specific characteristics of this field.

Companies operating in passenger transport need drivers with experience, discipline, availability for integration and the capacity to adapt to the rules applicable in Romania and the European Union. For this reason, the recruitment of non-EU drivers must be built as a complete process, from selection and documentation to integration and retention, in order to address the existing driver shortage effectively.

Non-EU recruitment solutions require an operational, legal and human approach

One of the main conclusions of the discussions held during the conference is that the recruitment of non-EU drivers must be analysed from an operational, legal and human perspective. The work permit, visa, residence permit and legal formalities are essential components, while the success of the project depends equally on proper selection, verification of experience, integration preparation and monitoring after arrival in Romania.

For a non-EU driver to become operational in a passenger transport company, the process must include professional assessment, documentary support, clear communication, alignment with the employer’s requirements and an accommodation stage with the company’s internal rules.

The difference between formal recruitment and functional recruitment becomes visible after the driver effectively starts work. For transport operators, the relevant question is how many of the recruited drivers can be properly integrated, retained within the company and transformed into a stable long-term resource.

Recruiting foreign drivers for passenger transport requires specialisation

Passenger transport has clear specificities. Operators have significant responsibilities towards passengers, authorities and their own internal standards. For this reason, the recruitment of foreign drivers for this sector must take into account driving experience, professional conduct, communication, discipline, work history and the capacity to adapt to strict rules.

In TAKT Recruitment’s practice, an effective recruitment project begins with a precise understanding of the client’s needs. Each company has its own operating model. Some companies need drivers for local or regional transport, others for national routes, international transport, tourism transport or regular passenger services. Each type of activity involves different requirements, both in terms of experience and integration.

For this reason, recruitment from outside the European Union must be calibrated according to the operator’s actual activity. Candidate selection, experience verification, file documentation and integration preparation must be aligned with the reality of the role and with the commercial objectives of the transport company.

Romania needs predictable workforce solutions in transport

In recent years, transport companies in Romania have increasingly included international recruitment in their human resources strategy. This trend is visible both in freight transport and in passenger transport. The reason is linked to the limited capacity of the local labour market to cover the need for professional drivers.

For operators, predictability is essential. A vacant position may lead to uncovered routes, additional pressure on the existing team, higher costs, difficulties in respecting schedules and a risk of lower service quality.

Non-EU recruitment can provide a real solution when it is planned correctly. The time required for candidate identification, documentation, legal procedures, arrival and integration must be anticipated. Companies that treat international recruitment as a strategic process have better chances of obtaining stable results.

What we discussed at the ZIUA Cargo 2026 Conference

During the ZIUA Cargo Conference in Poiana Brașov, TAKT Recruitment addressed the driver shortage from the perspective of non-EU solutions, with a focus on practical applicability for passenger transport.

The discussions focused on the importance of correct candidate selection, the legal stages of recruitment, the challenges related to the integration of foreign drivers and the way in which transport companies can build more predictable processes for attracting and retaining personnel.

Our participation in this event confirmed once again that the workforce issue is directly connected with the other major themes of the industry: road safety, digitalisation, economic efficiency, service quality and the stability of transport companies. All these directions depend on the existence of sufficient, well-selected and well-integrated human resources.

From recruitment to integration: the stages that influence project success

In international recruitment, the selection stage is important and integration is decisive. A suitable candidate on paper must become an operational employee within the company. This transition requires clear communication, administrative support, accommodation with internal rules, understanding of responsibilities and monitoring during the first stages of activity.

For passenger transport companies, integration has major importance because drivers quickly enter an activity with direct exposure to passengers. Cultural differences, procedural uncertainties and insufficient preparation can create difficulties in daily operations, while a well-organised integration stage reduces these risks.

TAKT Recruitment treats the recruitment of non-EU drivers as a complete process: from identifying the right profile to providing the support required for the employee to work efficiently in Romania.

Passenger transport needs professionalisation in human resources

The ZIUA Cargo 2026 Conference showed that passenger transport is going through a stage of transformation. Liberalisation, digitalisation, road safety, economic pressure and changes in passenger behaviour are placing pressure on operators. In this context, human resources are becoming a critical element.

Companies that stabilise their driver teams obtain an important competitive advantage. Vehicles, licences, contracts and technology must be supported by people who can ensure daily activity in conditions of safety, legality and continuity.

Recruiting non-EU professional drivers can be one of the viable solutions for this need when managed responsibly. For operators, choosing the right recruitment partner becomes a strategic decision with a direct impact on current activity and development capacity.

Conclusion: solutions for driver shortage must be built for the long term

TAKT Recruitment’s participation in the ZIUA Cargo 2026 Conference in Poiana Brașov confirmed that the shortage of professional drivers remains one of the central topics for passenger transport in Romania.

Non-EU recruitment solutions can contribute significantly to workforce stabilisation when they are integrated into a complete process of recruitment, legality, preparation and integration. Effective international recruitment requires careful selection, correct documentation, constant collaboration with the employer and a good understanding of the operational reality in transport.

For TAKT Recruitment, the objective remains the same: to provide transport companies with real, predictable solutions adapted to their operational needs, through the responsible recruitment of non-EU professional drivers.

In a market where service continuity increasingly depends on the availability of qualified personnel, the recruitment of foreign drivers is becoming part of the development strategy of many transport companies.

FAQ: driver shortage and non-EU recruitment in passenger transport

What solutions are available for the driver shortage in passenger transport?

One viable solution is the recruitment of non-EU professional drivers, supported by a complete process that includes candidate selection, professional verification, legal documentation and operational integration.

Why is specialised recruitment important in passenger transport?

Passenger transport involves direct responsibility towards passengers, strict safety rules and high standards of professional conduct. For this reason, driver selection must be adapted to the operational and regulatory requirements of this sector.

What role does TAKT Recruitment have in recruiting non-EU drivers?

TAKT Recruitment supports transport companies in the recruitment, documentation and integration of non-EU professional drivers, with a focus on predictability, compliance and the adaptation of candidates to operational requirements in Romania.

Why is integration important after recruiting foreign drivers?

Integration helps foreign drivers understand the company’s internal rules, operational expectations, passenger transport standards and legal responsibilities. A structured integration process supports retention and reduces operational risk.