Among the many professions that are in demand and that can be done even with little knowledge of German is the profession of truck driver in Germany.
There is a strong demand for drivers in Germany, both in public and private companies, for local and international transport. Every year, about 45,000/50,000 drivers are needed to replace those who retire. In addition, it is a job that young Germans do not want to do. I am sure they can find good opportunities in this sector.
To work as a truck driver in Germany, you must have appropriate driving experience. Depending on the vehicles you wish to drive, you must have one or more of the following licenses: C, C1, C1E, CE, D1. D1E, DE, ADR (certificate of fitness for the carriage of dangerous goods by road), CQC (qualification card). Finally, your willingness to drive short or long distances, depending on the activity, is required.
To look for work in this sector you can:
- a) Use job search engines and enter the keywords “lorry driver.”
- b) Create a good LinkedIn profile and search for current job openings using keywords.
- c) Use the European mobility portal EURES
- d) Contact transport companies directly.
To find a job as a driver from abroad, you can manage if you know German, if you do not know the language, I am not saying it’s impossible, but it’s much more difficult. You have to come across an ad that transport companies in urgent need of truck drivers sometimes post to find drivers, offering them accommodation and German courses.
If you really have no possibility to learn German in your country, I advise you to go to Germany, and in the beginning you can easily find a job in the cleaning or hospitality industry, so you have the opportunity to learn German and then look for a job as a truck driver.
How long it takes to find a job as a truck driver depends on the type of license you have, the city you live in, and your level of German, but if you commit to learning the language after six months, you can usually find a job.
The salary of a truck driver in Germany starts at €2,000 / €2,500 net per month for a newcomer.
If you want all the information on how to work in Germany I suggest you read the Guide to working in Germany
