Europe’s Driver Shortage & Loading Dock Risks

It’s 5 a.m. at a logistics park outside A queue of trucks snakes toward the docks. Some drivers are familiar faces; others are agency recruits covering last-minute gaps. Inside, warehouse teams are already under pressure. The target is clear: turn those trailers fast.

This is the daily reality across Europe’s logistics network and it’s only getting riskier. The shortage of heavy-goods drivers isn’t just a headache for transport planners; it’s a safety flashpoint at the loading dock, where the pace is fast, the risks are high, and even small mistakes can end in disaster.

The numbers behind the pressure

Europe is short of drivers… seriously short. According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the continent faces a gap of 426,000 truck drivers in 2025 — it’s about one in ten positions unfilled[i]. And that’s just the start. Nearly one in three European drivers is already over 55[ii], and retirements are accelerating. By 2029, more than 3.4 million drivers are expected to leave the profession[iii].

That churn carries consequences. Every time a new or temporary driver rolls onto your site, the risk goes up. They may not recognise your light signals. They may not know your restraint system. They may be in a rush, stressed, or fatigued from waiting hours at the last warehouse. The result? Unscheduled departures of the trailers, and a higher chance of near misses accidents.

Fatigue at the dock, not just on the road

When we talk about fatigue, we usually picture a driver nodding off on the motorway. But the danger shows up long before that. Parking without setting the brakes, forgetting a wheel restraint, misreading a dock light: these are classic fatigue mistakes.

The European Commission estimates that fatigue contributes to 15-20% of serious crashes on Europe’s roads[iv]. Factor in the long waits at many docks (in Spain, over 70% of carriers wait more than an hour just to load or unload)[v], and you’ve got a recipe for tired, distracted drivers pulling into your docks every day.

Why the dock is the weakest link

Loading docks are already among the most dangerous areas in logistics. Forklifts, trailers, pedestrians, and strict schedules all collide in a tight space. UK safety data shows that 43% of forklift incidents involve someone other than the driver, often pedestrians, co-workers, or visiting truckers[vi]. That’s not just bad luck; it’s a systems problem.

And when the pressure is on to move faster, the risks multiply. Skipping a safety step to claw back time feels like a small compromise… until that “time saved” turns into lost days, injured workers, and damaged trust.

What leaders can do differently

The good news? Loading dock risks can be reduced dramatically. But it takes more than another compliance checklist. What European warehouses need are smarter, clearer, and more human-centred safety practices that work under real-world pressure.

Here’s where to start:

Standardise your dock safety sequence.
Consistency is everything. Partner with a trusted dock safety provider, one that backs its solutions with proven reliability and the strongest warranty in the market. Look for simple, robust wheel-based vehicle restraint systems paired with indoor control panels and audiovisual communication tools. Universal signal lights (red and green) keep the process intuitive, so drivers can’t miss the message, whether it’s their first time on site or their hundredth.
Tackle fatigue head-on.
Congested yards and long waiting times don’t just delay freight; they create tired, distracted drivers who are more likely to make mistakes. Manage slots realistically, provide safe and comfortable waiting areas, and work with carriers to set clear dwell-time thresholds.
Build a culture, not just compliance.
Safety doesn’t end with equipment. Encourage your teams to report near misses, and act quickly on what you learn. Bring joint health and safety committees into the conversation before peak season begins, not after the first incident. When leadership takes safety culture seriously, everyone follows.

The road ahead

The driver shortage isn’t going away in the near future. With Europe’s ageing workforce, the influx of new and less experienced drivers will only increase. That’s why training must be clear and systematic, procedures applied consistently across every site, and safety signals, from equipment instructions to dock light sequences, made unmistakably visible to all.

Loading docks are the pressure valve of Europe’s supply chain. If you want to keep freight moving safely through the crunch years ahead, now is the time to re-think your dock practices. Standardisation, smart equipment, and strong partnerships with carriers aren’t optional extras.

Because in logistics, speed matters. But safety comes first. Always.

Looking to reduce risk at your loading docks? Contact us now and a safety expert will be happy to help.

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