The signatories of the letter are the Federal Association of German Bus Companies (BDO), the Federal Association of Road Haulage Logistics and Waste Disposal (BGL), the Federal Association of German Waste Management, Water and Recycling Management (BDE), and the Federal Association of Forwarding and Logistics (DSLV).
The organisations warn that Germany’s HGV driver shortage already stands at 70,000, and that if urgent action is not taken, the number will only grow.
In order to alleviate the shortage, the signatories of the letter have called for numerous changes to be made to HGV training and licencing in Germany.
The organisations have proposed a so-called “2 in 1” model of driver training that would be less bureaucratic and costly, but still maintain existing quality levels.
The letter also includes the following list of changes, many of which are designed to facilitate and speed-up the recruitment of non-German speaking drivers:
- Elimination of language barriers in professional driver qualifications
- The possibility to acquire a driving license in more foreign languages
- Opening of the testing monopoly to equalize bottlenecks during test dates
- Unbureaucratic recognition of foreign driving licenses
- The abolition of a place of residence principle for ta driver’s license and professional driver qualification
- Digitisation of training and further education (e-learning) as well as administration
- The adjustment of the minimum age regulation for young professionals
- Reduction of the number of driving hours required for the class D bus driver’s license
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