Spain relies on Moroccan drivers to tackle truck driver shortage

Spain is grappling with a critical shortage of road transport drivers, prompting the country to increasingly turn to foreign workers, notably from Morocco, to address a shortfall that surpasses 30,000 truck drivers and approximately 4,700 bus drivers.

Morocco ranks among the key nations benefiting from an accelerated process for driving license equivalency, alongside Peru and Colombia, due to the urgent demand for labor in this sector. In 2025, Spanish authorities processed over 15,000 equivalency requests, reflecting a 12% rise from the previous year, according to the EFE.

This shortage is largely due to the aging driver population and a lack of interest among younger individuals, with those under 25 years old comprising a mere 5% of truck drivers and 2.7% of bus drivers.

To streamline the recruitment of drivers, Madrid introduced a fully digital procedure in May 2025 for the equivalency of foreign driving licenses, highlighting that these licenses enable work throughout various European Union countries.

Under an agreement with Morocco established in April 2024, Moroccan drivers can equate their «C» and «D» licenses by passing only the practical test, bypassing the theoretical exam, provided they meet other requirements, including obtaining a certificate of professional competence.

The Spanish government has also initiated financial support of up to 2,000 euros to facilitate entry into the profession, as part of a strategy aimed at training new drivers within a year.