31.08.2026 23:10
While more than 120,000 heavy-duty truck drivers are needed in Germany, the obstacles in front of foreign drivers are being removed one by one to close the gap in the sector. With the new regulation, the way has been paved for professional drivers to take the professional qualification exam in Turkish, while salaries in this field in Germany can reach up to 4,500 Euros in some positions.
Obstacles in front of foreign drivers are being reduced to close Germany's chronic truck driver shortage. With the new regulation, the way has been opened for professional truck and bus drivers to take the accelerated basic qualification exam in Turkish. Salaries in some positions in the sector can reach up to 4,500 euros gross.
Germany has implemented a new regulation that facilitates the entry of foreign drivers into the profession to close the major driver shortage in the transportation sector. With the regulation that came into force on August 18, the Turkish option will also be available in the accelerated basic qualification exam for professional truck and bus drivers.
TURKISH EXAM PERIOD HAS BEGUN
The accelerated basic qualification exam, which was previously conducted only in German, can now also be taken in Turkish, English, Albanian, Arabic, Croatian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian. The aim of the regulation is to reduce the language barrier in the vocational qualification process, especially for foreign drivers whose German is not sufficient.
However, there is an important detail: This change does not mean that the general driving license theory exam in Germany is in Turkish. The Turkish option applies to the accelerated basic qualification exam in the vocational qualification process for commercial truck and bus drivers.
140-HOUR TRAINING REQUIREMENT CONTINUES
The right to take the exam in Turkish does not eliminate the training requirement for candidates. Within the scope of accelerated basic qualification, 140 hours of training must be completed. 10 hours of this consists of practical training related to vehicle use, and the training process is conducted in German.
The regulation is particularly important for drivers who will carry out professional transportation with C, CE, and D class vehicles.
THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF 120,000 DRIVERS IN THE COUNTRY
The most important reason behind the new regulation is Germany's growing need for drivers.
Dirk Engelhardt, President of the German Federal Association of Road Transport, Logistics and Waste Management (BGL), announced in December 2025 that there is a need for over 120,000 truck drivers in the country. While approximately 30-35 thousand drivers retire each year, it is stated that only 15-20 thousand new drivers enter the profession.
This picture also reveals why Germany is turning to foreign drivers.
SALARIES CAN GO UP TO 4,500 EUROS
The incomes of truck drivers in Germany vary depending on the employer, route, experience, and working conditions. While general gross wages in the sector start at lower levels, some current job postings offer gross monthly salaries of 4,500 euros. One job posting offers commission and allowances in addition to the gross salary for CE class truck drivers.
A TURKISH LICENSE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
Although the new regulation provides significant convenience for drivers in Turkey, it is not possible to go to Germany with a Turkish license and work directly as a professional driver.
The license must be adapted to the conditions in Germany, the vocational qualification process must be completed, and work and visa requirements must be met.