Shipping companies are struggling to find enough drivers to meet growing demand. Aging drivers, a shrinking pool of younger entrants, and a lack of job opportunities for the youngest workers are compounding a long warned industry challenge. As a result, some firms are already pausing certain operations rather than taking on work they cannot safely complete.
This situation was outlined this week by the Valencian Federation of Transport and Logistics Entrepreneurs FVET, which notes a staffing gap in the Community of Valencia that currently requires more than 2,000 professionals, with about 600 positions in the Alicante province alone. The group cites the latest data from the International Road Transport Union IRU, which estimates a national shortage of more than 20,000 truck drivers. The numbers reflect a broader pattern of difficulty across the country and align with the federation’s concerns about capacity and service levels.
In the last two years, the share of companies reporting trouble recruiting new drivers rose from 33 percent to 52 percent. FVET describes this as a more serious issue than the downturn in activity during the pandemic, the spike in fuel prices, or the broader economic uncertainty that has affected the sector. FVET’s president, Carlos Prades, noted that firms are forced to curtail operations when staffing falls short of demand.
A small visual reminder of the sector appears on the highways near Novelda, where a handful of trucks move through the area as part of daily logistics operations. The data from the General Directorate of Traffic shows a striking age pattern: only 0.3 percent of drivers with a C E license are under 25, while more than 64 percent are over 45. This aging trend means fewer new drivers are entering the profession, which affects specialized transport that requires extra training and often longer periods away from home, particularly for international routes. Many young people are not willing to make that kind of personal sacrifice for work in logistics.
Prades emphasizes the need to attract new generations to the sector and to bring opportunities closer to those seeking professional careers. The main barriers identified by employers include the high cost of education, estimated at around 3,500 euros, plus the challenge of obtaining a professional qualification, certification, and the driver’s license itself. This combination of factors creates a significant entry hurdle for aspiring drivers who might otherwise consider a career in road transport.
The federation also calls for policy changes to reduce friction for new entrants. They advocate extending the average duration of the technical driving program for Road Transport Vehicles to more educational centers and ensuring that trainees can graduate with a ready-to-work card so they can secure a contract immediately. FVET also urges state support to help cover training costs, similar to the programs already available in Castilla y León, Galicia, Cantabria, the Basque Country, and Madrid.
Another point of emphasis is the availability of training that leads directly to employment. The aim is to shorten the time between completing a course and signing a transport job, thereby lowering the barrier for prospective drivers who would otherwise leave the sector before starting. This approach would help reduce turnover and stabilize fleets that currently face chronic shortages across multiple segments of road transport.
In Valencia, the demand for labor in road transport remains high. The federation notes that the Community ranks third in Spain for goods moved by road, with an annual volume approaching 261 million tons. There are more than 10,800 Valencia-based companies in the sector and over 50,000 drivers holding valid licenses registered in the region. In Alicante, around 2,500 enterprises operate road transport services. The numbers illustrate the critical role of Valencia in national logistics networks and the ripple effects that workforce gaps can have on supply chains.
Industry leaders also point to the broader challenge of recruiting drivers from outside the region or country when local talent does not meet demand. The situation underscores the need for coordinated actions across education, training, and licensing to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified professionals who can meet regional and national freight needs.
Ultimately, the story in Valencia mirrors a national trend. A robust logistics sector requires a steady influx of capable drivers, and the current recruitment bottlenecks constrain growth and operational resilience. The federation continues to push for practical reforms and targeted investments that lower barriers to entry, expand access to training, and accelerate the path from classroom learning to full employment in road transport.