Truck drivers lose up to an hour or more hunting for parking, DEKRA survey finds
Many professional truck drivers spend 30 to 60 minutes or more searching for a safe parking spot, and many fear crime at rest stops, a DEKRA survey shows.
- 43%
- 24%
- 60%
- 22%
What Happened
The DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026, titled 'Working in Road Traffic', is based on a survey of about 100 professional truck drivers from different countries. More than half of the participants have more than ten years of trucking experience, which DEKRA accident researcher Luis Ancona says makes their assessments quite reliable. The results show that the daily search for parking, worries about security and poor rest-stop facilities are taking a heavy toll.
- 43% of respondents
- 24% of respondents
- More than half of drivers
The situation is especially difficult between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Germany is considered the country where finding a truck parking spot is hardest, not only because there are too few spaces but also because cars block the spaces intended for large vehicles. Drivers cannot simply ignore mandated rest periods, yet a long parking search can extend driving time. Nearly two-thirds of respondents have parked in dangerous locations such as ramps or shoulders on multiple occasions.
“Due to a lack of parking spaces, trucks are then parked on on- and off-ramps or in the shoulder – and thus become a hazard themselves.”
- 60% see the lack of video surveillance as the greatest risk, followed by poor lighting.
- One-third feel unsafe because of the absence of police or security services.
- About half deliberately avoid some rest areas due to break-ins, cargo theft, vandalism or physical assaults.
- Drivers reported six assaults on one person within three years, armed groups attacking truckers in France, and people repeatedly trying to jump onto moving trucks in the Benelux countries.
- Slashed fuel tanks and pried-open fuel caps are reportedly not uncommon in remote parking areas.
The rest facilities themselves are a source of frustration. Drivers mention a typical ammonia smell at rest stops, consider ten euros for a shower a rip-off, and object to parking fees of up to 25 euros per night. While parking is often free in Spain, German rest stops frequently tie fees to a minimum purchase requirement, which many find unfair. The survey respondents said they want fitness rooms, clean restroom facilities and more opportunities for relaxation.
About two-thirds of those surveyed use apps to help find parking spaces. On paying for a guaranteed spot, 22% would pay up to five euros, 20% reject any charges, and one-third decide based on location. Concluding the survey, Luis Ancona said professional drivers want a holistically improved work environment, and many respondents see a need for more social respect, better pay and a clear division of tasks between drivers and customers, especially when it comes to loading and unloading.
Previously from DEKRA
The survey is part of the same DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026 in which DEKRA warned that even a quick glance at a cell phone can cause a severe crash. DEKRA and BGL also said earlier that battery-electric trucks are already cost-competitive, but grid connections and charging capacity must catch up for mass adoption.
- DEKRA report: Even a quick glance at your cell phone can cause a severe crash
- DEKRA and BGL: zero-emission trucks are ready, but grid and charging must catch up
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of DEKRA's official releases.
Why this matters
The lack of truck parking is pushing drivers into dangerous places such as ramps and shoulders, creating new hazards for everyone on the road. The survey also shows how crime, dirty facilities and high fees pile pressure on truckers, who say they want more respect, better pay and clearer tasks. That affects professional drivers, their employers and other road users who share highways with heavy trucks.
Terms in This Story
- Rest period
- A legally required break that professional truck drivers must take from driving to avoid fatigue.
- Rest stop
- An area beside a highway where drivers can park and rest.
- Cargo theft
- The stealing of goods while they are being transported or stored.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.