Employment and jobs

Working as a driver in Luxembourg

We'll explore what it takes to be a driver, including training and skills. We'll check out different driving jobs, the top ones in Luxembourg, and where to find them. We'll also look at driver pay and what paperwork foreign drivers need.

Table of content

Working as a driver falls under the expansive umbrella of transportation and logistics, where the primary role involves transporting people or goods from one location to another. The field is incredibly diverse, offering numerous professions within the transportation domain.

What drivers there are and what they do?

Among the most prevalent professions in transportation are those of goods drivers. This encompasses various roles, including truck drivers tasked with transporting goods within Luxembourg or abroad, heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, waste disposal truck drivers, mixer truck drivers, and even delivery drivers.

Professionals dedicated to passenger transportation also play a crucial role, including taxi drivers, bus drivers, tram drivers, train drivers, and ship captains.

Certain specialized roles, such as ambulance drivers or security transport personnel, necessitate specific training. This training may occur within the company or at a specialized school before employment.

It's noteworthy that the type of goods being transported generally dictates the level of training required for hiring an agent, driver, or carrier.

The role of a driver boasts both many aspects to consider

Autonomy is a significant perk, with drivers often operating alone in the cabin, allowing them to organize their work independently.

Travel opportunities abound as being on the road presents a chance to explore cities, diverse landscapes, and cultures.

Luxembourg drivers enjoy a high salary, and the profession often offers long-term employment with potential bonuses.

Drivers often contend with overtime, night shifts, and occasional weekend work.

Long-distance travel is a common requirement for heavy goods vehicle drivers, often taking them away from families.

Driving is inherently risky, despite the relatively low fatality rates among truck drivers.

The job demands constant attention, and the need for vigilance can be physically and mentally exhausting.

Training and skills necessary to work as a driver

Given the vast scope of driver professions, including those in specialized fields like train, tram, or ambulance driving, which often require specific training, this section will primarily focus on truck drivers for freight transportation and bus drivers for passenger transportation.

How to become a driver?

We will take a look at whar are the requirements for truck drivers and bus drivers in Luxembourg in terms of licences and training needed.

For truck drivers

For bus drivers

Freight drivers need specific skills such as knowing how to load and unload goods and understanding the cold chain for refrigerated trucks. Bus drivers, on the other hand, should be familiar with the city to help passengers with locations, stops, or routes, and have conflict management skills to prevent and handle disputes. It's important for bus drivers to stay calm in stressful situations to ensure both their own and their passengers' well-being.

Regardless of whether a driver operates a truck or a bus, various skills are crucial and are developed through training and experience. These include

Knowledge of current regulations for the transportation of people or goods.

Drivers need basic vehicle maintenance skills, preventive maintenance knowledge is crucial.

Proficiency in onboard electronic equipment.

Adherence to safety standards and effective time management skills

How to get a job as a driver in Luxembourg?

If you're eager to dive into the world of transportation and are wondering where to find driver jobs in Luxembourg, we've got you covered. Here we’ll explore the top job portals, discover leading companies in Luxembourg hiring in the transportation sector, and venture into the realm of independent work.

Within the expansive realm of transportation, there are various specialized roles for drivers, each with its unique responsibilities and requirements.

Available jobs for drivers in Luxembourg

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Driver

Their mission is to transport goods from one point to another. The duration of transportation can vary from a few hours to much longer periods, especially in international transportation. Sometimes, HGV drivers are also involved in loading and unloading operations. Their role extends beyond driving, encompassing the supervision of goods during transport.

Super Heavy Goods Vehicle (SPL) Driver

SPL drivers, also known as super heavy goods vehicle drivers, hold a special transport permit, enabling them to transport substantial loads, often weighing several tons. This profession is highly sought after in the field of road transportation.

Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers are responsible for transporting and delivering various parcels. Spending a significant portion of their day on the road, they aim to deliver to as many clients as possible within a specified time frame. Typically operating within a 100 km radius, they use light vehicles (under 3.5 tons) for their deliveries.

Car Carrier Driver

Car carrier drivers transport goods, particularly vehicles, by road, covering regional, national, and international routes. Operating vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons, they work on behalf of transport companies.

Refrigerated Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Driver

The role of a refrigerated HGV/SPL driver involves transporting goods under controlled temperatures. This type of transport can occur on both regional and national routes. The driver must be familiar with the operation of the refrigeration unit and temperature settings, considering possible compartmentalization in certain trailers.

Bus Driver

Bus drivers spend their entire day behind the wheel, following designated routes within the city they serve. Their primary goal is to transport passengers, specializing in various aspects such as public transportation, urban and regional lines, station shuttles, corporate shuttles, and school transportation.

Private Chauffeur

Private chauffeurs, also known as executive drivers or VTC drivers, undertake various roles such as chauffeur de direction or chauffeur de maître. While the specific function may vary, a private chauffeur is responsible for the transportation of individuals, corporate representatives, or tourists seeking comfortable and tailored travel experiences.

Taxi Driver

Taxi drivers navigate city streets to transport clients to their destinations. They must remain available day and night, accessible through phone calls or encounters at transportation hubs, airports, tourist sites, or busy urban locations.

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Which positions are most demanded in Luxembourg?

In Luxembourg, drivers are in high demand, with taxi and shuttle drivers being the most sought-after, followed closely by heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers and bus drivers.

Contrary to any perceived lack of allure in the driver's profession, it holds a particularly compelling aspect: the salary. The attractiveness of this field is evidenced by the increasing number of drivers in the transportation of people.

Mobility on the rise

In October 2022, the Minister of Mobility highlighted a three-year workforce evolution, revealing a rise from 3,069 drivers with D, D1, or B licenses in 2019 to 3,479 in 2021 among Luxembourgish bus companies.

The primary driver of this surge is the ever-growing need for personnel. In the realm of buses, the number has surged from 900 RGTR-registered buses a few years ago to over 1,900 in 2022, indicating a substantial expansion in routes covered by private companies on behalf of the state. Consequently, the demand for bus drivers continues to escalate.

Similarly, for truck drivers, the panorama remains parallel. The alluring compensation and appeal of the position haven't been met with a commensurate influx of new drivers, creating a shortage to meet the escalating demand.

To delve into the specifics, the Luxembourg Employment Agency (ADEM) has created an illustration depicting the 15 most demanded jobs in the transportation sector, emphasizing the critical need for skilled drivers in various capacities.

passenger transportation

7.5%

long-distance frieght driving

6.8%

on-road public transit driving

5.1%

warehousing and order delivery

Occupations most in demand by transport and logistics employers from 2015 to 2020, source: ADEM

Luxembourg establishments recruiting in the transportation field

Luxembourg offers a multitude of opportunities for drivers, with several prominent companies actively seeking skilled professionals in the transportation sector. Here are some key establishments where you can explore driver positions.

Emile Weber

A family-owned enterprise, Emile Weber stands among the largest passenger transport and tourism companies in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. With over 1800 employees, they are a constant advocate for recruiting drivers. Emile Weber operates extensively within Luxembourg City, covering various AVL (Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg) network lines and participating in the national RGTR (Régime Général des Transports Routiers) network.

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Interoute

Based in Foetz, Luxembourg, Interoute is a transport and logistics company specializing in parcel and pallet transport across Luxembourg and Europe, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.

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Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL)

As a well-established hotel brand, Novotel offers a modern hospitality experience globally. In Luxembourg, Novotel actively recruits kitchen staff, providing opportunities for culinary enthusiasts to showcase their skills in a comfortable and contemporary setting.

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Cobolux Production S.A.

A Luxembourgish SME in the food sector, Cobolux Production employs over 200 individuals across various domains. With activities in cutting, charcuterie and meat product manufacturing, packaging, logistics, sales, and administration, they frequently require drivers for the transportation of their goods.

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MAUFFREY Transports

Established in 1964, MAUFFREY Transports is a family-owned business and is now among the top 5 French road freight transporters, offering opportunities for drivers.

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Panelux-Fischer

Comprising Panelux S.A. and Fischer S.A., this family group, with a legacy of over a century, produces fresh bakery, pastry, and viennoiserie products for Luxembourg and the surrounding regions. They also create frozen products for the international market, regularly requiring skilled drivers for transportation.

Find driver jobs in Luxembourg

Job portals offering vacancies in Luxembourg

The optimal way to explore Luxembourg's job market is through online platforms, where numerous job portals host thousands of job listings. These platforms enable you to filter opportunities based on your preferred sector, location, educational background, or required work experience.

International job search

Among the international portals are eures.europa.eu (the European Union's portal), eurojobs.com, eurojobsites.com, experteer.com, indeed.com, page.com and LinkedIn.com.

Job platforms for Luxembourg

For local opportunities in Luxembourg, prominent portals include jobfinder.lu, jobs.lu, monster.lu, and moovijob.com. Each portal offers a unique set of opportunities, allowing you to tailor your job search to your preferences and career goals.

Interim work for drivers

Temporary or interim work in the transportation sector is quite prevalent in Luxembourg. Many drivers opt for interim positions due to the flexibility they offer. One of the key advantages is the ability to gain diverse experience by working with different companies, broadening one's skill set.

Additionally, temporary roles can sometimes lead to permanent positions if the employer is impressed with the individual's performance. However, drawbacks may include inconsistent work schedules and potential gaps between assignments. Despite these challenges, interim work in transportation remains a viable option for those seeking variety and adaptability in their professional endeavors.

Freelance driver?

Working as an independent contractor in the transportation sector presents varied possibilities. In certain areas, such as freight trucking or bus driving, freelancing is relatively uncommon due to the structured nature of these roles within established companies. The responsibility and logistics involved in freight transport and bus services make it challenging for freelancers to operate efficiently.

However, in sectors like taxi driving or chauffeuring, freelancing is more prevalent. The freedom to set one's schedule and potentially earn more per ride are attractive aspects. Yet, challenges include managing one's business independently, bearing the costs of vehicle maintenance, and navigating fluctuations in demand.

What else can you read on the topic of employment in Luxembourg?

You will find a variety of articles on the job search, career development and workplace culture in our dedicated section of the Blog. Check it out.

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Salaries of drivers in Luxembourg in 2024

As of April 2022, the Inspection du Travail et des Mines outlined a salary scale for mobile personnel, indicating a gross monthly remuneration of 3,458 euros for a bus driver with a D license in the first year. This increases to 3,571 euros in the 2nd and 3rd years, 3,685 euros in the 4th, 5th, and 6th years, reaching 3,912 euros with 10 years of experience and 4,196 euros from 25 years of experience.

In the 2023 salary scale for drivers with a C driving license, compensation starts at 3,085 euros in the first year and stabilizes for several years before reaching a maximum of 3,342 euros with 25 years of experience. However, sources like Paylab present a slightly different panorama, with salaries ranging from 2,663 to 4,959 euros.

3,458 to 4,196

euros are salaries for D liscense drivers in Luxembourg depending on the experience

3,085 to 4,959

euros are approximate wages for C licensed drivers in Luxembourg

What papers do you need as a foreigner?

For European nationals, the process of working in Luxembourg is relatively straightforward, given the freedom to live and work in any European country. However, if you are not a European national, navigating the paperwork becomes essential.

The requirements vary based on your circumstances, distinguishing between employed and self-employed roles. Additionally, familial situations, such as having a Luxembourgish or European partner, can impact the process.

Common documents and prerequisites typically include