Turkey launches university program to address truck driver shortage

To address the growing shortage of qualified truck drivers in Turkey and internationally, a specialized two-year university program has been established at Kütahya Dumlupınar University. The initiative, known as the Road Freight Vehicle Driving Program, follows collaborative efforts between logistics associations, academics, and government representatives that began in 2022.

The program's capacity was recently increased to 30 students by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and all available spots were filled during the preference process. Beyond basic vehicle operation, the curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive training in foreign languages, legislation, cargo security, and technical vehicle knowledge to ensure drivers are equipped for modern logistics demands.