In 2025 the logistics industry in Ireland and the UK finds itself faced with a stubborn and structurally rooted shortage of HGV drivers. While immediate pressures may have eased since the worst of the 2021 crisis, the underlying trends now point toward potentially severe long-term consequences if they’re not addressed soon.
Businesses across Ireland and the UK are struggling to hire HGV Drivers and it’s affecting their day-to-day operation. Within the UK itself we’re unable to assist due to legislation, but we can help your business if you have a requirement for HGV drivers in Ireland.
The Current State of Play
Ireland
- There’s clear evidence of mounting strain in Ireland’s commercial transport sector. From April to June 2025, waiting lists for Category C (truck) tests increased by 42% and articulated truck test wait times rose by 39.6%. At the same time, scheduled tests plummeted, down 61.8% for trucks and 69% for articulated trucks.
- The broader structural gaps are echoed in surveys showing high stress among Irish commercial drivers. In April 2025, 73% of Irish drivers reported significant stress and 66% have considered quitting.
- These figures point to a growing mismatch between demand for tests and the capacity of the system to deliver them, leaving employers scrambling to fill vacancies.
- Beyond licensing delays, driver wellbeing is emerging as a critical factor.
- A Geotab survey in April 2025 found 73% of Irish commercial drivers reported significant stress and two-thirds (66%) had considered leaving the profession.
- Poor rest infrastructure, unpredictable scheduling and long hours are frequently cited as reasons for high stress and attrition.
As we mentioned in the intro, Ireland is an area where we can provide immediate support for HGV drivers, as we can source candidates with the same level of qualification necessary to get going on Irish roads and working within your business.
United Kingdom
- The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warns that the UK needs 40,000 new HGV drivers every year for the next five years, a total of 200,000 to meet growing demand and replace retiring workers.
- Projections from Transport Intelligence suggest that without meaningful intervention, the shortfall could balloon to 70,000–80,000 drivers by the end of 2025.
- Encouragingly, there were 36,000 more drivers employed in Q4 2024 than the year before but nearly half of current drivers (48.7%) are aged 50 or older. Plus, vacancies increased by 33%, even as HGV driving tests fell by over 20%.
- Despite improvements in wages (median pay rose by 27% between 2020–2022 to £14.99/hour), the premium over minimum wage has shrunk and tough hours with intrusive monitoring continue to drive workforce churn.
Due to recent UK Legislation, unfortunately we’re unable to assist with the acquisition of new driver talent, so the above problems are only likely to continue unless directly addressed by the UK Government.
A Broader European Perspective
This isn’t just a regional issue. Across Europe, shortages are deepening:
- In 2023, Europe faced a shortfall of 233,000 truck drivers and without action, this could surge to 745,000 by 2028.
- Globally, the IRU reports 3.6 million driver positions unfilled in 2024 within just 36 countries. In many places, up to 70% of firms cited difficulty recruiting drivers.
- An ageing workforce and a dwindling number of young entrants are at the heart of the problem with only about 5 – 6.5% of drivers under 25, while 30 – 31.6% are over 55.
Why This Matters – The Cost of Inaction
- Supply Chain Fragility: HGVs transport over 90% of domestic freight in Ireland. Even small delays can ripple through the economy, impacting inventory, deliveries and just-in-time systems.
- Economic Disruption: In 2021, shortages triggered supermarket shortages, fuel distribution delays and near‑crises nationwide. We risk re-experiencing these shocks if underlying issues remain unresolved.
- Service Constraints: In Ireland, blockages in testing and licensing are already stalling recruitment, increasing reliance on foreign drivers and limiting opportunities for local talent.
- Workforce Instability: High stress and poor conditions lead to churn and make retention a serious concern. With many considering quitting, turnover risks deepening the gap.
- Future Risks: If retirees aren’t replaced and young drivers remain uninterested, long-term instability is almost certain, threatening logistics resilience and economic growth.
HGVs are the backbone of domestic freight transport, moving goods across supply chains that span food distribution, retail, construction, and manufacturing. If driver shortages deepen, Ireland could face:
- Disrupted Deliveries – From supermarket shelves to construction sites, goods could take longer to reach their destination.
- Higher Consumer Prices – Shortages in logistics capacity tend to increase delivery costs, which eventually feed into retail prices.
- Over-Reliance on Overseas Drivers – While foreign recruitment plays a role in filling gaps, excessive dependency could expose the sector to visa policy changes and global labour competition.
- Missed Growth Opportunities – Logistics bottlenecks can slow down expanding sectors like e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food exports.
What Can Be Done beyond sourcing?
Aureol Global Connections is well positioned to make a subtle but strategic contribution right now. If you need HGV drivers in Ireland, we’re here to help as we have drivers ready to go.
However as a long term project, businesses should be focusing on:
- Support Retention & Appeal
Promote better working conditions, improved rest infrastructure, predictable scheduling, mental health support to make the profession sustainable.
- Engage Youth & Diversity
Back initiatives like “Generation Logistics” to boost pipeline awareness. Europe-wide, only around 5% of drivers are women, a vast untapped talent pool.
- Elevate the Profession’s Image
Advocate for industry wide standards on pay and conditions to enhance reputation, which in turn supports recruitment and retention.
- Support Training Infrastructure
In Ireland, assist in addressing licensing backlogs (lobbying for increased resource allocation or offering test prep support.)
- Enable Flexible and Funded Training
Echoing RHA recommendations, champion flexible training models and school-to-career pathways for younger entrants.
In Summary
The HGV driver shortage across the UK and Ireland is not merely a crisis, it’s a multi-year structural challenge with deep implications for supply chains, business continuity and economic stability. Without urgent and coordinated action from governments, industry and partners like Aureol, these pressures risk escalating into systemic breakdowns.
By focusing on retention, recruitment appeal, training and workplace quality, not just driver sourcing, Aureol Global Connections can help lay the foundation for a resilient logistics workforce, today and tomorrow. We can source drivers for your business – speak to our team today.
