Truck Driver Jobs in Germany and Croatia: Licences, Code 95 and Application Tips

For candidates searching for truck driver jobs Germany, the job title alone does not show whether a vacancy is a suitable match. Employers may require a C or CE licence, valid professional-driver qualification, tachograph experience and proof that the licence can be used in the country of employment.

Start by checking current jobs in Germany and reading every requirement in the individual advert. Before applying, compare the required licence category, routes, vehicle type, cargo, working schedule and accommodation conditions with your actual experience.

This guide explains how C and CE categories differ, what Code 95 means, how licence recognition works and what to include in a professional truck-driver application.

C or CE licence: what is the difference?

The correct licence category depends on the vehicle combination you will drive.

A category C licence generally covers heavy goods vehicles with a permitted maximum mass above 3.5 tonnes. It may be used with a trailer weighing no more than 750 kilograms.

A category CE licence allows a category C vehicle to be combined with a trailer or semi-trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms. This is the category commonly requested for articulated lorries and many international transport positions.

The EU’s official information on driving-licence categories and requirements also notes that lorry drivers are subject to periodic medical checks.

When reading an advert, look for the exact category rather than assuming that a C licence is sufficient. Many CE licence jobs Europe involve tractor-trailers, international routes or vehicle combinations that cannot be driven with category C alone.

A driving licence is not the same as Code 95

A C or CE licence confirms that you are authorised to drive the relevant vehicle category. It does not automatically prove that you have completed the professional qualification required for commercial transport work.

Professional lorry drivers covered by EU rules generally need a Certificate of Professional Competence, often identified as CPC or Code 95. The qualification is usually recorded through the harmonised code “95” on the driving licence or on a driver qualification card.

Under the official EU Driver CPC rules, professional drivers must complete the applicable initial qualification and periodic training. Periodic training normally consists of 35 hours every five years. Specific exemptions may apply, so the responsible national authority must assess an individual case.

Adverts described as Code 95 jobs normally expect the qualification to be valid when employment begins. Do not write only “Code 95” in your application. State:

• the country that issued the qualification
• the expiry date
• whether it appears on your licence or a separate driver qualification card
• the categories to which it applies

If your Code 95 has expired or was issued outside the EU, ask the employer and the competent authority whether additional training or documentation will be necessary.

Will Germany or Croatia recognise your driving licence?

Licences issued in the EU

A valid EU driving licence is generally recognised throughout the EU. Moving to another EU country does not usually mean that it must be exchanged immediately. An exchange can become mandatory in specific circumstances, including when a licence is lost, stolen or damaged.

If you voluntarily exchange a licence, the validity periods and medical-check rules of the new country will apply. You may hold only one EU driving licence at a time.

The European Commission explains the applicable conditions on its official page about EU driving-licence recognition and exchange.

A temporary or provisional document may not be accepted in another country. If your licence is being renewed or exchanged, confirm that you will receive a document that permits cross-border professional driving before travelling for work.

Licences issued outside the EU

Recognition and exchange of a non-EU licence are governed by the national rules of the destination country. A licence accepted in Germany is not automatically subject to identical conditions in Croatia.

Before accepting a position, ask the employer which authority will verify your documents. You should obtain written confirmation about:

• whether your licence is temporarily valid
• whether it must be exchanged
• whether theory or practical testing is required
• which translations or certificates must be submitted
• whether your professional qualification and Code 95 are accepted separately

Do not rely only on a recruiter’s verbal statement. Licence recognition, Code 95 and the right to work are separate legal questions.

Documents to prepare before applying

A complete application allows the employer to check your suitability more quickly. Prepare clear scans of the documents requested in the advert, but do not send unnecessary sensitive information to an unverified contact.

Your application folder may include:

• a CV with complete driving experience
• a valid passport or national identity card
• both sides of your driving licence
• proof of Code 95 or a driver qualification card
• a valid tachograph driver card
• employment certificates or references
• relevant medical-fitness documents, if requested
• an ADR certificate if you are applying to transport dangerous goods
• other specialised certificates required for the vehicle or cargo
• certified translations when the employer or authority requires them

Check the expiry date on every document. A qualification that expires shortly after the planned starting date may delay the application or require renewal before employment begins.

How to describe truck-driving experience in your CV

Writing “worked as a truck driver” is too general. Employers need to know whether your previous work matches their vehicles, routes and cargo.

For each position, include:

• employer, country and employment dates
• licence categories used
• vehicle and trailer types
• domestic, regional or international routes
• countries regularly covered
• types of cargo transported
• loading, unloading and load-securing responsibilities
• use of digital tachographs and transport documentation
• night, weekend or shift experience
• ADR work or temperature-controlled transport, if applicable

A useful experience description could read:

Operated tractor-trailer combinations on international routes through Germany, Austria and Croatia; transported palletised and temperature-controlled goods; completed vehicle inspections, load-securing checks and digital tachograph records.

Only include routes, equipment and responsibilities you can explain during an interview. Do not add estimated kilometres, accident-free records or specialised cargo experience unless the information is accurate and verifiable.

You can use the free EUJoby AI CV to organise your experience, but you should manually check every licence category, date and technical term before sending the document.

Tachographs, driving time and rest periods

Professional drivers must understand that driving time and total working time are not the same. Working time can also include loading, unloading, vehicle cleaning, maintenance, paperwork and periods when the driver must remain at the workplace.

For transport covered by the EU rules, the main limits generally include:

• a maximum of nine hours of driving per day, extendable to ten hours twice per week
• no more than 56 driving hours in one week
• no more than 90 driving hours across two consecutive weeks
• a break of at least 45 minutes after four and a half hours of driving
• a regular daily rest period of at least 11 hours, subject to the permitted alternatives and reductions
• a regular weekly rest period of at least 45 hours

A regular weekly rest period of 45 hours may not be taken inside the vehicle. The employer must organise work so that applicable return and rest requirements can be met.

Where a tachograph is required, the driver must correctly record driving, other work, availability, breaks and rest. The company is responsible for organising compliant schedules, but the driver also has personal responsibilities when operating and recording activities.

The official EU rules for professional road-transport drivers explain driving limits, breaks, rest periods, working time and tachograph obligations.

During an interview, ask how the company plans routes, monitors tachograph data and handles delays. Pressure to manipulate records or exceed legal limits is a serious warning sign.

Comparing truck-driver adverts in Germany and Croatia

Job adverts do not always present pay and working conditions in the same way. Compare complete employment packages rather than looking only at the largest number in an advert.

What to check in German adverts

When reviewing truck driver vacancies in Germany, establish whether the position involves local distribution, national long-distance transport or international routes. Check whether the base location is also the place where the vehicle is collected and returned.

Ask the employer to clarify:

• the gross base salary
• which supplements and allowances are paid separately
• the expected number of working days and nights away
• whether loading and unloading are part of the job
• whether a fixed vehicle is assigned
• the required level of German
• whether accommodation is offered and what is deducted for it
• whether travel to the workplace or depot is reimbursed

A net salary promise without an explanation is difficult to compare because the final amount depends on individual deductions and circumstances. Request the gross contractual salary and every additional payment in writing.

What to check in Croatian adverts

When searching for truck driver jobs Croatia, examine whether the work is domestic or international and how often the driver returns to the operating base. The location named in the advert may be the company’s office rather than the actual departure point.

Review current jobs in Croatia and confirm:

• the starting depot and normal routes
• whether the stated amount is gross or net
• how daily allowances and route-related payments are calculated
• whether accommodation is included, subsidised or deducted
• which vehicle and trailer types are used
• how many nights are normally spent away
• whether Croatian, English, German or another language is needed
• who pays for document translations, licence checks or required training

The same salary figure can represent very different conditions when working schedules, allowances, accommodation and time away from home are considered.

How to evaluate an employment offer

Before agreeing to relocate, obtain a written contract or binding offer that clearly identifies the employer. Read the full document and check that it states:

• your job title and workplace or operating base
• the planned starting date
• whether the contract is fixed-term or permanent
• the gross salary and payment schedule
• agreed supplements, allowances and bonuses
• normal working hours
• probation and notice conditions
• accommodation terms and deductions
• responsibility for travel, training and document costs

The contract should match what was discussed during the interview. If the employer promises a higher salary, free accommodation or a particular route verbally, ask for the condition to be confirmed in writing.

A job offer does not automatically validate your licence, create a valid Code 95 qualification or grant the right to work. Candidates who require immigration permission must complete the official national procedure before beginning employment.

Application process through EUJoby

A structured application can be completed in several steps:

1. Create your EUJoby profile with your correct contact details and current location.
2. Add C, CE and any other licence categories with their expiry dates.
3. Add Code 95, tachograph-card and ADR details where applicable.
4. Describe your routes, vehicles, cargo and verifiable responsibilities.
5. Upload or generate a clear CV in the language requested by the employer.
6. Apply only for positions whose essential requirements you meet.
7. Prepare for an online interview about availability, routes, documents and previous experience.
8. Review the written offer before accepting or travelling.
9. Complete any required licence, residence or work-authorisation procedure.
10. Carry the original documents requested for onboarding on your first working day.

Questions to ask during the interview

An interview is also your opportunity to assess the employer. Useful questions include:

• Which vehicle and trailer will I drive?
• Are the routes local, national or international?
• How many consecutive days will I normally be away?
• Who is responsible for loading and securing the cargo?
• How are driving time, other work and availability recorded?
• Where will I take daily and weekly rest?
• What is included in the gross salary?
• Which allowances are paid separately?
• Is accommodation provided, and what does it cost?
• Who checks the recognition of my licence and Code 95?
• Is additional training required before the first route?

A reputable employer should be able to answer these questions clearly and provide the agreed conditions in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply with a category C licence?

Yes, if the vacancy requires category C and the planned vehicle combination falls within that category. You should not apply for a CE position unless you hold the required CE entitlement or the employer explicitly offers a lawful training route.

Do all truck-driver jobs require Code 95?

Many commercial road-transport positions covered by EU professional-driver rules require a valid CPC qualification recorded through Code 95. There are legal exemptions, but they depend on the work being performed. Confirm your situation with the competent authority.

Is an EU driving licence valid in both Germany and Croatia?

A valid EU licence is generally recognised in both countries. Exchange or renewal may become necessary in specific situations. Professional-driver qualification and immigration status must still be checked separately.

Can I apply before my documents are translated?

You can begin searching, but the employer or authority may request certified translations before completing the hiring or recognition process. Keep the original documents and confirm which translation format is accepted before paying for the service.

Should I include every route in my CV?

List the countries and route types most relevant to the position. You do not need to document every individual journey. Focus on regular routes, vehicle combinations, cargo and responsibilities that demonstrate suitable experience.

Final checklist before applying

Before sending your application, confirm that:

• the required C or CE category is valid
• your Code 95 status and expiry date are correct
• your tachograph driver card is valid
• the CV contains accurate employment dates
• vehicle, trailer and cargo experience is specific
• route experience is described honestly
• requested certificates and references are attached
• document scans are readable
• the contract states gross pay and additional payments separately
• accommodation and possible deductions are explained
• licence recognition has been checked
• you understand the expected schedule and time away from home
• any required right-to-work procedure can be completed before starting

Conclusion: match the licence, documents and working conditions

Successful applications for truck driver jobs Germany depend on more than previous driving experience. The employer must be able to see that your licence category, Code 95, tachograph knowledge and route experience match the position.

When comparing German and Croatian opportunities, review the complete package: gross salary, allowances, working schedule, vehicle type, accommodation, routes and document requirements. Verify every important condition before relocating or handing over original documents.

Find your next driving position: Download EUJoby, complete your professional profile and apply for active truck-driver jobs in Germany and Croatia.