How to Check the Legitimacy of Truck Driver Job Ads: Scam Signs, Contract, Deposit, Documents (2025 Guide)

How to Check the Legitimacy of Truck Driver Job Ads: Scam Signs, Contract, Deposit, Documents (2025 Guide)

Are you looking for a driver job in the EU but unsure how reliable the ad is? In this practical guide, you will find steps to help you identify a legitimate offer, what to check before sending personal data and signing a contract, and how to avoid scams and wasting time.

Who should read this guide

• Truck drivers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia seeking jobs in HR, SI, DE, AT, IT, and other EU countries.
• Beginners in international transport (C/CE) and those changing companies or countries of employment.
• Drivers who have previously had bad experiences with job ads and want a reliable verification process.

Key information at a glance

• Always request basic information about the employer: full company name, registered office, contact details, website, or at least a public footprint.
• The contract must be clear: job position, work system, per diems/salary, costs, overtime, rest periods, termination, guarantees.
• No upfront payments: legitimate employers do not ask drivers for a “deposit”.
• Check the documents: KOD95, driver card (tachograph), work permit/residence permit – who provides them and how.
• Communication: serious employers communicate professionally and provide written offers and deadlines.
• Reputation check: ask about the experiences of other drivers and check the consistency of information.
• To not send unprotected scans: mask your national ID number/document number if it is not necessary at the initial stage.

Step-by-step guide to checking job ads

Step 1 — Employer identity

• Request the full legal name of the company and the country registration.
• Request an email from the company's domain or at least a signed PDF offer with a stamp/company details.
• Compare the information in the job ad with what you receive in the PDF offer (contact, location, name, job description).

Step 2 — Job description and conditions

• Clearly stated: what is transported (curtainsider/refrigerated trailer/tipper/cisterna/autotransporter), routes, schedule, work system, weekends, dispatchers.
• Finances: whether it is a daily allowance or monthly salary, whether there are flat-rate allowances, overtime pay.
• Who covers the costs: travel to the company, training, test drive, initial accommodation.

Step 3 — Contract and clauses

• Request a written contract before arrival: job title, probation period, notice period, responsibilities, damage/liability.
• Check the payment guarantees and deadlines for payment, daily allowances/calculations, payment calculation method (per day, per kilometre, combined).
• Request in a language you understand contract (Serbian/English/Slovenian/Croatian) and translation of important points.

Step 4 — Documents and procedures

• KOD95: whether the employer helps/arranges it and under what conditions.
• Driver card (tachograph): whether it is valid and where it was issued; your renewal status.
• Work permit/residence permit (HR/SI): whether the company handles the complete procedure and how long it “typically” takes.

Step 5 — Red flags

• Requesting upfront payment (deposit, “job reservation”).
• Not providing the contract in advance or insisting that everything be agreed “verbally via messages”.
• Unrealistic figures without an explanation of the work system or route.
• Avoiding answers to simple questions (who covers accommodation, who handles the documents, how training works).

Comparison: legitimate advert vs. suspicious advert

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Sending full scans of personal documents to unknown contacts.
• Signing a contract without a translation of the key points.
• Accepting unrealistic promises without written guarantees.
• Overlooking costs (travel, training, initial accommodation).
• Ignoring the order: first the contract and terms, then travel.

FAQ: frequently asked questions

Is it normal for an employer to ask for a deposit?

No. Legitimate employers do not require a deposit from drivers. If they ask for an upfront payment, there is a high likelihood that the job ad is risky.

What if they offer me a contract only upon arrival?

Ask to review the contract before travelling. Serious employers send the offer/contract in advance so the driver has time to read it and ask questions.

To I need to have KOD95 and a driver card before applying?

It is desirable, but many companies help with KOD95 and provide a clear procedure for obtaining a driver card. Check who covers the costs and deadlines.

How can I protect my personal data when applying?

At the first stage, send basic details and experience. Full scans of documents should only be sent once the company has been verified and there is a contractual basis.

How can I check an employer’s reputation?

Ask for contacts of other drivers, check whether the information is consistent, and how quickly and professionally they answer questions.

Next steps (checklist)

1. Gather basic information about the company and request a written offer.
2. Review the contract: job description, payment, deadlines, termination, costs.
3. Clarify the paperwork: KOD95, driver card, work permit/residency.
4. Make a list of questions (weekends, breaks, overtime, flat-rate allowances).
5. Only then plan your arrival: appointment, contact person, address.

Filter jobs and apply without a CV

On Balkan Drive you choose a job listing, fill out a short form (first name, last name, where you have worked, experience), and we connect you with verified companies – without the hassle. Filter jobs by transport type

Note: terms and procedures change. The information in this guide is for informational purposes only – always check the current rules and documents with the relevant authorities and the company itself.