Real, Sustainable Solutions to Romania’s Professional Driver Shortage

Over the past few years, road transport has become the backbone of European trade. Sitting at the crossroads of East–West and North–South corridors, Romania is emerging as a logistics hub—helped by a steady improvement in infrastructure and the relentless rise of e-commerce. For transport companies, that means more orders, newer fleets, and a constant pressure on the one resource nothing moves without: professional drivers.

During our recent appearance on TVR Info, we spoke candidly about the true scale of the driver shortage and the practical solutions we implement daily for our clients. You can watch the full segment here:

Context post: LinkedIn announcement

Why demand for drivers has surged

In the last 12 months, many of our clients reported a three- to four-fold increase in hiring needs. Several dynamics are converging:

• E-commerce is reshaping logistics: denser urban routes, tighter delivery windows, and a high stop frequency.
• International trade continues to expand, and Romania’s location and widening corridors toward Western markets amplify traffic.
• Road infrastructure keeps improving, enabling more ambitious operational plans.
• New technology-driven roles (telematics, planning, high-utilization operations) are multiplying opportunities across transport and logistics.

At the same time, companies are running up against a structural shortage of professional drivers—driven by a shrinking active population, migration of Romanian drivers to Western Europe, and retirements or exits from the profession. A common story we hear: brand-new trucks and signed contracts, but not enough people behind the wheel.

Why Asian drivers—and particularly Indian professionals

Our experience shows that Indian professional drivers are highly valued by Romanian carriers. Reasons are straightforward:

• A strong work ethic and discipline, especially in certain regions with deep transport traditions.
• A genuine professional pride in driving heavy vehicles in Europe—motivation that translates into attention to detail and consistent performance.
• Functional English skills that streamline communication with dispatch, adherence to instructions, and integration within local teams.

Through TAKT Recruitment’s process, clients meet experienced drivers (often 5+ years), many with international exposure across India and the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar). Their familiarity with modern vehicles and strict standards accelerates adaptation to European requirements.

What a correct end-to-end process looks like

From day one, we committed to an “end-to-end” model—selection, documentation, training, integration, retention—to deliver sustainable results, not just headcount on paper.

Selection & practical evaluation

We work with specialized test grounds and real trucks/coaches. Every candidate goes through filmed practical tests and scenario-based evaluations focusing on manoeuvres, traffic behavior, and safety. We assess not only driving skill, but also composure, communication, and respect for procedures.

Documentation & compliance

We coordinate the entire chain—work authorization → visa → residence permit, followed by driver’s licence recognition and professional certification aligned with EU regulations. It’s a complex pathway, but this is where our partnership matters most: clients keep operations running while we handle the paperwork.

Integration at the employer

The first months make the difference. We support communication with local teams, recommend practical enablers (for example, appointing a dispatcher of the same nationality for initial cohorts), and ensure clear onboarding around internal rules, routes, and driving/rest times. A short adaptation period is normal—managed correctly, results come fast.

Experience, compensation, and retention

Our portfolio predominantly features drivers with 5+ years of experience in demanding environments. In terms of earnings, realistic market ranges are €1,000 to €3,000 net/month, depending on route type (domestic vs. international), durations, operational complexity, and each client’s pay grid. Healthy compensation models combine base + performance bonuses (fuel efficiency, safety/no incidents, punctuality) and thoughtful retention programs: predictable routing, fair rest periods, timely feedback, and upskilling opportunities.

Our goal isn’t “cheaper”—it’s fair, predictable, and sustainable. Equitable integration builds stability; stability drives productivity and safety.

Where drivers are most often placed

The highest demand remains international transport (on Community routes) and container transport. We also see growing interest in e-commerce-linked operations—rapid deliveries, dense urban routing, and logistics roles with high stop frequency. Across these segments, predictability and well-calibrated route planning are decisive for retention.

Not a stopgap—an essential long-term piece of the puzzle

European demographics tell a long-term story: an aging workforce and declining birth rates. Interest in professional driving—demanding, mobile, and responsibility-heavy—is lower among younger generations. Sourcing talent from Asia is not a band-aid; it’s a strategic component of resilient logistics chains. With rigorous selection, proper training, and smart integration, foreign drivers don’t “fill holes”; they become part of the long-term solution—allowing Romanian companies to honour contracts, utilize fleets at capacity, and grow.

What TAKT Recruitment brings to the table

• Operational rigour – real-world testing, filmed evaluations, documented skills checks.
• Full compliance – we manage the entire administrative pathway and keep companies audit-ready.
• Integration & retention – routes, schedules, communication—aligned expectations so teams perform.
• Transparency – clear KPIs, regular reporting, rapid corrections where bottlenecks appear.

In practice, that means trucks leave on time, costs stay under control, and end-customers stay happy.

Beyond the “crisis”: an opportunity to build better

Our TVR Info appearance offered a simple message: solutions exist when you work methodically and put safety, compliance, and the human behind the wheel first. TAKT Recruitment remains a trusted partner for companies that want to scale without compromising operational integrity.