Validate your licence and qualifications before any application
The first question is not pay but whether your documents are valid. A driving licence and a professional qualification are recognised under rules that differ in each country, depending on where you live, your nationality and sometimes an agreement between states. An exchange or a top-up procedure may be required.
Contact the transport or licensing authority in the target country and get written confirmation of what is valid, what must be converted and how long it takes. Do not rely on a recruiter’s say-so: if the paperwork is missing on the day you start, you cannot work and the contract may fall through.
Describe your driving experience honestly
A convincing application states the vehicles you have driven, whether a rigid truck, a tractor unit with a semi-trailer or a specialised combination, along with the goods carried: dry products, temperature-controlled food, dangerous goods, oversize loads. Each type of load requires its own certifications.
Describe the tasks that go with driving as well: pre-trip vehicle checks, load securing, loading and unloading, handing documents to the consignee. Claim no certification you do not hold. A false statement is discovered at the first inspection and can make you and the employer liable.
- Vehicle category and years of driving
- Type of goods carried
- Certifications and attestations held
- Areas and kinds of routes driven
Regional, international or specialised: three ways of working
Regional haulage usually lets the driver get home every evening or every week, on repetitive routes. International haulage means nights away, border crossings, customs paperwork and language demands. Specialised haulage requires its own training and suitable equipment.
Each formula has its advantages and its tiredness. A driver who wants to be home often will avoid long rotations, while another with no ties may enjoy varied travel. Ask the employer exactly which type of job the offer is, and refuse vague wording such as “according to needs”.
A short example shows what is at stake. A driver attracted by an international offer discovers after signing that weeks abroad follow one another with no return to the depot. He could have found out by asking for a typical three-month schedule. That single written request clears up most ambiguities and shows how serious the company is.
Starting points, nights away and lodging on the road
Ask where the home depot is, where you pick up the vehicle and where you return it. This detail shapes your daily life: a depot far from any affordable housing forces costly travel before you even start driving.
For nights away, ask who pays for accommodation and meals, how you document the costs and how soon you are reimbursed. Find out as well about safe rest areas and sleeping conditions in the cab. A serious company plans this and does not leave it to your own initiative.
Driving and rest times: ask for the rules that apply
Rules governing driving and rest periods exist in most countries, with monitoring devices and penalties. They differ between regions and types of haulage. Do not rely on figures overheard in conversation: they may be out of date or unsuited to your situation.
Ask the employer how schedules are organised to comply with these rules, who manages the tachograph data and how any infringements are handled. For the exact texts, consult the competent authority of the country. An employer who dodges the question about rest exposes you to personal risk.
Handling, loading and responsibility for the goods
Depending on the company, the driver loads the truck personally, helps unload, or stays in the cab while others do it. Handling time affects tiredness and the length of the working day. Ask what is expected on each route, with what equipment and what support.
Clarify also who bears responsibility in the event of breakage, delay or loss. Who signs the delivery note, who fills in damage reports, who pays for any damage? An automatic deduction from pay after an incident must be clearly regulated by local law, which you can check with the labour authority.
Compare pay using written documents
Pay methods vary: fixed salary, mileage rates, bonuses, travel allowances. A global promise such as “a good monthly income” allows no comparison. Ask for a written simulation of a typical month, showing each component and the costs covered.
Check which costs fall on you: fuel, tolls, fines, clothing, training, insurance. Note also the terms for reimbursing expenses you advance. Then compare with the cost of living where the depot is based to estimate what you would actually keep. Only this patient reading protects you from offers that look too good.
Where to look and which warning signs to spot
The big logistics companies post vacancies on careers pages; XPO, DHL and CEVA Logistics are examples. Local haulage firms and specialist recruitment agencies complete the search. Each time, check that the job appears on the employer’s official website.
Be wary of adverts promising an immediate contract with no licence check, of recruiters asking for money for a file or a visa, and of offers where the employer is not clearly named. For residence and work conditions, rely on the immigration authority of the country concerned.
Frequently asked questions
Is my French HGV licence valid in another country?
It depends on the country, where you live and the agreements between states. Some countries recognise your licence, while others require an exchange or a top-up. Contact the transport or licensing authority of the target country and get written confirmation before accepting a job or leaving your current one.
What is the difference between a regional and an international job?
Regional work generally lets you return home regularly, on repetitive routes. International work involves nights away, borders and extra documents. Both need similar skills, but the way you organise your life differs greatly. Ask for a typical schedule before choosing.
Who pays for accommodation and meals when travelling?
It depends on the contract and local rules. Some companies pay allowances, others reimburse against receipts, and others leave these costs to the driver. Get the rule in writing, with the amount or the method of calculation and the reimbursement deadline, before you sign.
Can an employer refuse to give me my hours in writing?
A serious employer supplies a contract setting out working time, pay and travel conditions. A refusal or persistent vagueness should worry you. Consult the labour authority of the country to learn your rights, and do not start driving without a signed document.