How to start a career as a driver in Europe: my experience and tips

Looking for an international class driver job in Europe

In today's economy, finding employment as an international driver in Europe may seem like a daunting task, but with proper training and the right approach, this path is surmountable. My personal experience in this field began with my higher education at a pedagogical university in the Faculty of Economics. Then I spent ten years as a manager in one of the firms. The situation in Ukraine was becoming more and more tense and my need for change was growing, while the company where I worked was also facing difficulties. Rather than stand idly by waiting for the future closure of the company, I decided to make a radical change in my life.

Inspiration for change

After listening to my friends' advice about video blogs that talk about how to find a job abroad and how to organize your life in Europe, I realized that this was my chance. Although until that moment I had only driven passenger cars, I needed a license to operate heavy vehicles to start my new career. So, I enrolled in a driving school to acquire the necessary skills and license. The training process took me about a year.

Obtaining the necessary documents

I was able to obtain Ukrainian truck driving licenses, as well as a chip card for the tachograph, while I arranged the other documents after moving to Poland. When it was time to undergo training for the "Code 95" program, I realized that it was more of a formal procedure. There were many companies offering such courses, but I chose one of them located in Wrocław. This Polish organization was founded by Ukrainians and offered accommodation to its students.

First steps in Wrocław

At first, I felt a bit scared because I didn't know the Polish language. Although I could understand spoken language to some extent, I couldn't speak it myself, and the city of Wrocław was completely unfamiliar to me. However, upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised: at the hostel where I stayed, I accidentally met an acquaintance from my hometown who had also come to get his "code 95." This incredible coincidence helped me cope with my anxiety.

The learning and formality of the courses

The training in the courses turned out to be mostly formal, and the necessity of it wasn't obvious to me. Nevertheless, our instructors paid attention to important aspects, discussing various nuances of the profession. The duration of the course depended on the date of obtaining category C licenses: if you had them before 2009, the training would take only a week, but if later, it would take a whole month. I needed a category E license, as I previously had category BC, which allowed me to drive passenger cars and trucks over 3.5 tons, but without a trailer.

Job search

When it was time to look for a job, I decided to try my hand at it myself and started sending out emails, using Google Translate to translate the texts. My knowledge of English was enough to communicate with employers from Germany and France, but the Polish language became a serious barrier for me. To make the process easier, I created a brief resume in Polish, using simple sentences to avoid translation errors.

• In my resume, I briefly introduced myself.
• I specified my age.
• I have determined my location in Ukraine and listed my documents and work experience.
• Made no secret of the fact that I had no truck driving experience and needed an apprenticeship.

New career and its prospects

So, step by step, I entered the international driving career, which turned out to be a great decision for improving the quality of my life and professional activities in new conditions. I believe that with persistence and determination, one can achieve success in any field, including international freight transportation.

Job search abroad

While searching for job vacancies abroad, I came across numerous platforms and websites specifically created for this purpose. When I first started this process, I submitted nearly a hundred applications in just one day, carefully selecting the vacancies that matched my criteria and sending out my resumes. Of all the responses I received, about 40% were positive.

Consultations with current employees

For each response, I immediately asked about the possibility of communicating with the company's employees to get direct information from those who already work there. This was extremely important to me. Some companies didn't respond at all, while others didn't suit me for various reasons. As a result, I ended up in correspondence with about eight employers, with whom I began to interact more actively.

Contacts with Ukrainian drivers

Soon, one of the companies agreed to provide me with contacts of Ukrainian drivers working in their organization. I reached out to one of them, and he detailed the job and conditions, noting that everything would be great, and all I needed to do was come for an internship. At that time, the company was not very large – they had only 15 vehicles, which gave me confidence that they were indeed expecting me.

Job invitation

I had already received a job offer, but there was an error in one of the digits of my passport, so I asked for a corrected document. They sent me a new version of the invitation twice, which finally convinced me that they were really interested in my arrival. I began to feel more confident.

Arrival in the city

Upon arriving in the city where the company was located, I contacted its owner. He met me and took me to a hostel that offered free accommodation for drivers.

Information and misunderstandings

He elegantly revealed the information to the intermediaries, who, in turn, passed it on to their employees. However, when the workers arrive at the workplace, they find that all these assurances remain just on paper.

First of all, people express their dissatisfaction with incorrectly calculated deductions that they were not informed about in advance, as well as delays in salary payments. Sometimes, when a driver takes over a vehicle, they do not inspect its condition thoroughly enough, and upon returning to the base, they notice damage that could very well have been there before their arrival.

Nevertheless, it is the driver who is held responsible for this damage, and the corresponding amount is deducted from their income.

Fuel consumption problems

There are other reasons for which deductions from earnings may be made. One such reason is exceeding the established fuel consumption norm.

At first, no clear instructions are provided on this matter, and upon returning to the base, it turns out that the driver has exceeded the budget, which will result in lower financial compensation for them.

There is another scenario: the driver receives a minimal salary on their bank card, while the rest of the salary is paid in cash directly from the company. And when they arrive at work, it turns out that the salary for the previous month or even a month and a half has not been transferred. They promise to pay this money only after the driver returns from their vacation.

Job search and employer reviews

It is important to consider information about employers. When it comes to finding vacancies for drivers in Poland, I highly recommend doing it yourself and thoroughly researching the content of the advertisements.

• If the description looks too enticing, it's worth being cautious.— this may be a sign of the potential employer's incompetence.
• It is recommended to try to find contacts of the employees of this company and communicate with them to get more accurate information about job openings.
• It would be effective to take advantage of specialized groups on social media that are popular among drivers.

Reviews and features of work

It is also important to study reviews about the company — they are easily accessible online and can be found by searching for the company's name. Such reviews are often published on many different websites.

Another important aspect: if the company is large and has more than 50 vehicles at its disposal, this can lead to additional difficulties.

In small companies, where there are only two or three vehicles, the atmosphere is generally much simpler, whereas in larger organizations, additional rules emerge that drivers must follow.

This is especially noticeable in Lithuanian companies, where driving assessment systems are implemented, points are awarded for harsh braking, and strict fuel consumption standards are set.

Introduction

To conclude this story about my search for a job as an international driver in Europe, I would like to emphasize that this path turned out to be not only a way for me to change my profession, but also a kind of journey into a world of new opportunities. The preparation process took a year, and although it seemed long and difficult, it definitely paid off. I changed my approach to life, became more open to new challenges and, most importantly, stopped being afraid of change.

Year of preparation

After receiving the necessary documents and completing my training, I faced numerous challenges, ranging from the language barrier to finding a suitable company. However, thanks to my persistence and eagerness to learn, I was able to overcome all the obstacles in my way. Each new step opened doors for me into the world of international freight transportation, which had been completely unfamiliar to me before.

Work in Europe

Working in Europe has brought me not only financial stability but also the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues. Every day on the road is a new story, new countries, and cultures. I've realized that it's these moments that make our lives rich and interesting.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite the challenges that may arise, I see a greater resource for growth and self-improvement in this. With each kilometer I’ve traveled, I’ve expanded my horizons and gained invaluable experience. Now I’m ready to share it with others who may be on the brink of similar changes in their lives. The key is not to be afraid to take the first step and take action. Success doesn’t come easily; it must be earned.

Main findings

• Don't be afraid of change.
• Every experience is an opportunity for growth.
• Persistence leads to success.
• Peer support and socializing is an important aspect of adjustment.

Conclusion

My story is an example that even a career change can be an exciting adventure. I understand that each of us has our own path, but I hope that my experience will inspire and help those who are looking for a new job abroad, especially in the field of international transportation. Act decisively, and each of you will be able to find your place in this vast and thrilling world.