Does the Ausbildung provide the necessary licences?

Yes, the C/CE heavy-vehicle licences and the code 95 qualification are included in the training.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes, the heavy-vehicle licence can be obtained from age 18 as part of the training.

Professional truck driver (Berufskraftfahrer)

A shortage occupation in Germany whose training directly includes the heavy-vehicle licences, a real shortcut into work.

All sectors

The profession

The professional driver operates trucks to transport goods, loads and secures cargo, plans routes and keeps to driving and rest times.

Salary

During the apprenticeship, about 1,150 €/month in the third year. On entry, a median of around 2,770 €/month, often 2,900 to 3,400 € with the C/CE licences; the median across all experience levels is around 3,048 €/month (range 2,614 to 3,614 €) (source: Entgeltatlas, Federal Employment Agency, 2026). This pay follows a sector agreement, above the statutory minimum wage (13.90 €/h in 2026).

Duration and path

The training lasts 3 years. The key point and major advantage: the Ausbildung includes obtaining the heavy-vehicle licences (C/CE) and the professional driver qualification (Grundqualifikation, code 95), which avoids the often lengthy conversion of a foreign licence.

Employers hiring

DHL Freight, DACHSER, DB Schenker, Kühne und Nagel, Hellmann, Rhenus.

Prospects

Prospects are very strong: the professional driver is an officially recognised shortage occupation (Engpassberuf) according to the Federal Employment Agency (source: Federal Employment Agency, 2024).

Career progression

You can move up to specialist driver (dangerous goods, tanker), trainer or dispatcher (Disponent).

Language level

The vocational school, the exam and the work all take place in German. B2 is the standard employers expect, and that is the level we aim for.

Recognition and access

For an Ausbildung, no diploma recognition is required: you train directly in Germany and the qualification is recognised throughout the country. You need an Ausbildung contract, the expected German level and, generally, a secondary school leaving certificate.

Visa

Entry is via the vocational training visa (Ausbildung). Once qualified, you switch to a skilled worker permit to work in Germany. We check your eligibility and prepare the application with you.

Your Karriere Fähre support

We train you in German up to the required level, find the company and the Ausbildung contract, prepare the visa application and support you until you are settled in.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Ausbildung provide the necessary licences?: Yes, the C/CE heavy-vehicle licences and the code 95 qualification are included in the training.
Is there an age requirement?: Yes, the heavy-vehicle licence can be obtained from age 18 as part of the training.

Indicative gross ranges from public German sources (Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, Gehalt.de, StepStone, IHK). In logistics and transport, pay follows the collective agreement and the sector minimum wage, and varies by region, employer and experience. Recognition, visa and driving-licence rules change: always check your case with the competent German authorities.