How much does a driver earn?
Drivers transport people or goods – from vans and trucks to specialised vehicles. Gross pay depends on region, licence class, collective agreements, shift and tour model, and experience. As a guide, qualified drivers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,050–€3,650 gross per month; during professional driver apprenticeship around €950–€1,280 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, employer, region, licence class, type of tour and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A driver plans and drives tours, loads and secures freight or transports passengers, and keeps the vehicle and documents in order. Everyday work includes driving and rest times, navigation, customer contact and coordination with dispatch and recipients.
- Plan or take on tours, use navigation and meet loading and unloading deadlines.
- Secure loads, check freight papers and document handovers.
- Comply with driving and rest times, tachograph rules and traffic law.
- Check the vehicle (tech, tyres, roadworthiness) and report defects.
- Communicate with dispatch, warehouses and customers; night and shift work are common.
- Assist with loading when needed and operate special equipment (cooling, tail lift).
