Hungary’s road transport sector is facing a growing shortage of qualified drivers, with industry representatives warning that the gap is costing the state up to HUF 200 billion (EUR 555 million) annually. The country’s largest road transport association is now calling on the government to restore state-funded driver training and officially recognise the profession as a vocational qualification.

Driver shortage threatens Hungary’s transport sector

The National Federation of Private Entrepreneurs Road Hauliers Association (NiT Hungary) has warned that Hungary is currently missing between 8,000 and 10,000 qualified professional drivers, representing around 8–10% of the workforce employed in the sector.

The organisation raised the issue during a professional consultation held on 8 July with the newly established State Secretariat for Vocational Education and Adult Learning at the Ministry of Education and Children’s Affairs. The meeting was hosted by State Secretary Zsuzsanna Naderi, who invited representatives from various industries to discuss challenges facing vocational education and adult training.

NiT Hungary was the only organisation representing the road freight and passenger transport industry at the meeting.

Industry contributes 5.3% of Hungary’s GDP

NiT Hungary represents approximately 5,000 member companies operating in road freight transport and coach passenger services. According to the organisation, the wider logistics, freight forwarding and road transport sector contributes 5.3% of Hungary’s GDP, with road transport alone accounting for around 4% while employing nearly 120,000 people.

However, the association says the industry’s greatest competitiveness challenge is no longer demand but the lack of qualified drivers and an insufficient pipeline of new recruits.

Shortage costs state up to HUF 200 billion annually

NiT Hungary estimates that the current labour shortage results in HUF 150–200 billion in lost tax and social contribution revenues each year because thousands of positions remain vacant.

The association also highlighted that the problem extends well beyond Hungary.

According to figures from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Europe had approximately 444,000 unfilled lorry driver vacancies in 2025. While the EU average shortage stands at 12.1%, NiT Hungary says Hungary’s driver deficit exceeds 15%.

The ageing workforce is adding further pressure. The average professional driver in Hungary is 48 years old, while 42% of drivers are over the age of 50, raising concerns about future labour supply.

Association blames 2020 training reform

NiT Hungary argues that the current shortage stems largely from changes introduced in 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, professional lorry and bus driver training was recognised as an official vocational qualification and received state funding. However, following reforms to Hungary’s vocational qualification register in 2020, this support was withdrawn.

Today, aspiring professional drivers must finance their own training, with costs typically ranging between HUF 1 million and HUF 1.5 million (approximately EUR 2,770–4,160), creating a significant barrier for young entrants.

NiT Hungary proposes four-point reform package

During the consultation, the association presented a detailed proposal aimed at addressing the driver shortage. Its recommendations include:

  • officially recognising professional driving as a vocational qualification and adding it to Hungary’s vocational register;
  • reintegrating lorry and bus driver training, together with mandatory professional qualification courses, into the state-funded vocational and adult education system;
  • improving the prestige of the profession through formal recognition; and
  • establishing a dedicated working group on professional drivers, with NiT Hungary participating as an industry expert.

The organisation argues that investing in driver training would deliver a rapid return through higher employment, increased tax revenues and improved competitiveness for Hungary’s transport sector.

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Government to outline next steps in autumn

According to NiT Hungary, the meeting resulted in several concrete outcomes. The driver shortage and the association’s proposals were formally placed on the agenda during the first professional consultation organised by the newly established State Secretariat. NiT Hungary also proposed creating a dedicated working group to continue discussions and contribute industry expertise.

The State Secretariat said it would review all proposals submitted by participating organisations before presenting concrete measures, expected in September 2026. Following the meeting, NiT Hungary Executive Secretary Ferenc Lajkó welcomed the government’s willingness to engage with industry representatives, stressing that the organisation had arrived with practical, evidence-based proposals rather than broad policy ideas.

State Secretary Zsuzsanna Naderi said her work would focus on strengthening cooperation between sectors and developing regional solutions to vocational education challenges. NiT Hungary said it remains committed to working with the government to develop long-term solutions to Hungary’s driver shortage, arguing that ensuring a stable supply of professional drivers serves both the country’s businesses and the wider economy.

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