Truck Drivers Get Mirror Relief, Taxis Gain Ground as Germany's Transport Sector Faces Driver Crisis

A pair of court rulings is changing the legal landscape for truck drivers and ride-hailing services, even as logistics firms scramble to fill seats with recruits from Asia. At the same time, proposed driving-school reforms are drawing sharp warnings over safety.

Driver Shortage Drives Overseas Recruitment

The demand for truck drivers continues to outstrip supply. In early June, job portals listed 57 open positions for the Hannover area alone, with 24 more in the Siegen region. Companies such as GS Logistik & Handel GmbH are actively seeking class-CE drivers for long-haul national and regional routes.

Some operators have turned to international hiring. Dudek Transporte, a haulage firm based in Flerke, is bringing four drivers from the Philippines to Germany. After completing a specialised training course run by a female instructor, they are due to start work for regional grocery discounter chains at the end of June.

No Permanent Mirror Duty for Stationary Trucks

While the industry wrestles with staffing, the Cologne Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht Köln) has clarified drivers’ obligations after stopping. In a decision with case number I-5 U 116/24, judges ruled that truck drivers are not required to constantly check their front and kerb-side mirrors after coming to a halt.

The court explained that those special mirrors are primarily designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists — not motorists who cut in illegally. The case involved a car driver who merged into stop-and-go traffic from a petrol station forecourt. Because he violated the duty of care under Section 10 of Germany’s road traffic regulations (StVO), he bears sole liability. The truck driver, the court held, has no obligation to use auxiliary mirrors to monitor vehicles that merge illegally.

BGH Strengthens Taxi Industry Against Uber

A landmark ruling on June 3, 2026 (case no. I ZR 123/25) from the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) has bolstered taxi operators’ position. The judges found that violations of the mandatory return rule for rental cars constitute unfair competition. The case was brought by a taxi cooperative against Uber X.

The BGH affirmed the constitutionality of the regulation under Section 49(4) sentence 3 of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG). Under this rule, rental cars must return to their registered base after each trip unless a new booking is already in hand. Because the dispute involved no cross-border element, the court saw no restriction of the freedom to provide services.

Tariff Deals and Perks as Retention Tools

To remain attractive employers, logistics companies are leaning on collective-bargaining agreements. One Berlin-based firm is advertising for class-C1 drivers on the basis of the INTEX tariff contract, offering a 37-hour week, holiday and Christmas bonuses, and company pension contributions.

New cost rules have been in effect since the start of the year. In North Rhine-Westphalia, employers can claim surcharge rates of around 58.98 percent on continued wage payments during sick leave.

Driving-School Reforms Draw Fire

Planned changes for 2027 are already generating controversy. Private practice drives with unlicensed instructors — amateurs rather than certified trainers — could be permitted. Driving-school associations warn of a drop in road safety without any meaningful reduction in costs for learners. According to ADAC surveys, the price of a driver’s licence currently ranges from €2,500 to €4,500, a sum that many young people find prohibitive.

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