The perfect moment to shine a spotlight on those who work behind the scenes and take a moment to thank them. Day and night, drivers dedicate themselves to delivering all kinds of essentials to us —from supermarket food to clothing, building materials, and very soon, our Christmas packages.
So first and foremost: thank you!
This year marks the 4th edition of the National Day of the Trucker, and many companies are making an effort to celebrate their drivers. Last year, no fewer than 400 companies across Belgium organized initiatives to show their appreciation. This year, we wanted to do our part.
So, a few weeks ago, we headed to Oostkamp (near Bruges in Belgium) to speak with a Belgian truck driver, Lieven. He is 54 years old, has a partner and three daughters, and apart from an 8-year break working as a web designer, has been driving trucks since 1991 all across Europe. Today, he drives for Link-Up, a full-service logistics provider based near Bruges in Belgium, that specializes in fast, safe, and discreet transport of all kinds of shipments, from express deliveries to refrigerated or hazardous goods. Today, Lieven gives us a glimpse into the life of a truck driver—the highs, lows, and why, after all these years, it’s still his passion!
So, a special thank you goes out to Lieven. Not only for his hard work and dedication on our roads everyday, but for also taking the time to show us around his world and day-to-day life! Thank you and we hope you have a wonderful Day of the Trucker!
- How and when did you become a truck driver?
My grandfather was a man of the road too, driving a small truck carrying eggs after the war. It was more like a box on wheels—I’ve seen pictures, and it was amazing. My father, a carpenter, didn’t follow that path, but I’ve always had a good sense of direction. During my obligatory army service, I earned my truck driver’s license and was even promoted twice to transport tanks on my truck. Riding along in one was unforgettable—at 9 tonnes and 120 km/h, it shakes you to pieces!
After the army, I started driving for an animal feed company, covering northern France, Metz, and Luxembourg. Eventually, I craved more and began driving internationally across Europe. I love the freedom of being on the road, just me, myself, and I.
- Where has your truck taken you so far?
The farthest I’ve ever gone was Minsk, in Russia, shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain. People there had nothing. They were suddenly “free” but had no idea what to do with that freedom or how to handle it. There was a strange atmosphere—it isn’t my favourite place I’ve been to.
During that time, I also went to Poland quite often, where border queues could last up to two days. But if you were resourceful and approached the customs officers politely, you could cross much faster. It also helped that I spoke German well. Plus, they had a soft spot for Belgian chocolate and beer; I’d be through the border in 3-4 hours!
I also spent about four years driving in England which is where I learned English. I hadn’t ever learned it in school. I was lucky to have a few colleagues who were very good with the language and actually took the time to help correct me. Now, I speak English like an Englishman!
- How did you become a driver for Link-Up, and what do you like about the company?
I had to undergo back surgery, so I decided to retrain, learning Word, Excel, Photoshop, programming, and more -mostly through self-study. I spent eight years as a freelance web designer, which I really enjoyed, but the constant workload and chasing payments, including 12 legal disputes, made it incredibly tough. I began to miss trucking and the social connections it brought. Over time, the stress led to burnout, thought I didn’t realise it then.
Link-Up was one of my web design clients, and I started driving for them while working on their new website. It began as a way to get outdoors and socialize, driving a small truck twice a week. Before long, I was driving almost daily, so I offered to join full-time when a position opened up.
I love the family-like atmosphere at Link-Up. Everyone knows each other, and I’ve built strong relationships. Plus, the variety in the work keeps it interesting and enjoyable.
- Trucking is not always easy. What are some of the challenges you face and how do you deal with them?
Traffic is a constant challenge, but often, so is loading and unloading. Once, I had to deliver a 400kg stone bathtub in a narrow Paris street where I had to fold my mirrors just to fit. The warped street made unloading tricky, and I had no choice but to block the entire road! Experience and instinct for the truck’s size helped me handle it.
Problem-solving is also key. In Ireland, I broke down with a refrigerated truck and couldn’t loosen the wheels due to a special locking system. After roadside assistance didn’t show, I borrowed a steel pipe from nearby workers and managed to replace the tire myself, delivering the load on time. The workers left before I could return the pipe—it’s still with me today!
The hardest lesson came when I fell asleep at the wheel in England. I planned to stop but couldn’t because the nearest gas station was too far. I crashed into a mobile crane, destroying half my truck. I was lucky to walk away, and it taught me to always listen to my body and stop the moment I feel tired.
- What is the best view you have ever had while on the road?
There are so many amazing views, and they aren’t always far away. Even in Belgium, there are plenty of beautiful roads. But my favourite route is the Brenner Pass in Italy. Often, you have to turn your head to take in the views, which isn’t always possible when driving. But there, you’re right in the middle of it—and can see everything as you drive! It’s such a wonderful road to travel.
“There are so many amazing views. My favourite route is the Brenner Pass in Italy.”
I also still really enjoy Paris. If you take the Porte Maillot exit on the Périphérique and head towards the center, you drive straight towards the Arc de Triomphe with the Champs-Élysées behind it. And if you turn off onto the second street along that route, you end up at the Eiffel Tower. It’s magnificent!
Lastly, there’s a stunning road in the north of England. When I worked in England, I often drove to Edinburgh, and I would always take the eastern route via the A68. The stretch from Newcastle through Otterburn towards Edinburgh is fantastic. Especially the part where you cross the border at Carter Bar.
- What is your most memorable experience of being on the road?
I’ve had many memorable moments, but the most unforgettable was camping in Saint-Tropez for a week. I was delivering three yacht engines: two to Saint-Tropez and one to Sainte-Maxime.
The first delivery on Tuesday went smoothly, and the second was completed the next day in Sainte-Maxime. But the final engine, the largest, couldn’t be delivered because payment hadn’t been made. I was stuck.
I parked my truck at the customs office for security since the load and cash from the other deliveries were valuable. Finally, on Friday afternoon, the payment was cleared, and I delivered the last engine. By then, it was too late to return to Belgium, and with Sunday driving restrictions, I stayed until Sunday evening. I spent my downtime at the beach—getting badly sunburned on the first day! Despite that, it turned out to be a really fun experience.
- Who is your favorite companion when driving?
Sometimes my partner, Ammi, or my daughters join me on trips, and one time with my daughter was particularly memorable. While working in England, I often delivered goods for Sotheby’s in central London, near Piccadilly Circus. Driving a truck there was expensive (€25 just to enter), time-consuming, and difficult to navigate the narrow, busy streets. So, I found a better solution: using my bike with a small trailer for the deliveries.
- What is on your playlist when cruising the highway?
I love all kinds of music, from punk and metal to hard rock and jazz. My 25-hour playlist depends on my mood—on bad days, I lean toward calmer tunes. In heavy traffic, I avoid heavy metal to keep my cool. At night, I prefer silence with just enough heat to stay comfortable and alert, as music can make me drowsy after a while.
- What do you like to do when you’re not in your truck?
Music! It’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion! I play bass guitar, harmonica, and sing in two bands. My main band, the Belgian Quo Band, is a Status Quo tribute band focused on their 70s and 80s hits. I’ve been with them for 17 years, and we’ve had amazing experiences, including being officially recognized by Status Quo. Some of their members, like guitarist Richie Malone and drummer Leon Cave, have even played with us!
- How has technology, like GPS and route planning tools, changed your work over the years?
I’m a bit old school about navigation. I grew up using maps and atlases, and I still like to check the route beforehand, especially for new destinations. These days, I use Google Maps to plan—it’s great for spotting traffic and potential issues. But once I’m driving, the GPS goes off, and I rely on my solid geographical knowledge and experience, including plenty of back roads (laughs).
- How has Qargo influenced your day to day?
It’s a very easy tool for daily planning, helping you stay in control and coordinate with dispatch to ensure the routes run as smoothly as possible.
You can also instantly see what needs to be done. In the past, we used printed schedules, and changes meant messy cross-outs and notes. Later, schedules came via SMS, which was better, but Qargo makes it even easier to track deliveries, see the order, and check for updates
What message would you like to give to your fellow truck drivers on this National Day of the Trucker?
Above all, stay safe! Don’t blindly rely on your navigation—trust your own knowledge and experience too. Never let traffic rush you. Sometimes, you need to watch out for yourself and others, as not everyone recognizes the risks. It can be frustrating, but don’t let it get to you.
And keep having fun and enjoying the road, because it’s a truly wonderful profession!
