Welcome to the world of European trucking! Euro Truck Simulator 2 drops you behind the wheel of massive rigs, letting you build your own transport empire from scratch. While the game might seem overwhelming at first glance, mastering the basics opens up hundreds of hours of relaxing yet engaging gameplay. You'll start as a hired driver making small deliveries, but with the right approach, you'll soon own a fleet of custom trucks hauling cargo across Europe.
This guide covers everything new drivers need to survive their first weeks on the road and avoid costly rookie mistakes.
Table of Contents
- Your First Day Behind the Wheel
- Core Game Mechanics Every Driver Needs
- Money Management and Profitable Routes
- Building Your Trucking Empire
- Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Essential Mods and Customization
- Your Next Steps
Your First Day Behind the Wheel
Start by creating your driver profile and choosing your home base. Pick a city you recognize or find interesting, since you'll spend considerable time there. Berlin, Paris, and London offer plenty of job variety for beginners.
The tutorial teaches basic controls, but here's what it doesn't emphasize: use automatic transmission initially. Manual adds complexity you don't need while learning traffic rules and delivery mechanics. Switch to manual later when you're comfortable with the fundamentals.
Your first jobs should be short-distance deliveries under 200 miles. Look for "Fragile" or "High Value" cargo tags - these pay 20-30% more than standard loads but require gentler driving. A 150-mile fragile delivery often pays better than a 300-mile standard haul.
Check the complete overview for additional game features and mechanics you'll encounter as you progress.
Core Game Mechanics Every Driver Needs
Fuel management determines your profit margins. Trucks consume 25-35 liters per 100km depending on weight and driving style. Always fill up at the cheapest stations (usually in Eastern Europe), and plan refueling stops during long hauls.
Rest periods are mandatory every 11 hours of driving. Parking at truck stops costs €10-25 but provides full rest. Sleeping in your cab saves money but offers less comfort, affecting your next drive. Rest violations trigger hefty fines and damage your company reputation.
Damage affects everything from fuel consumption to delivery times. Minor scratches increase fuel usage by 5-10%. Major damage can double your consumption and reduce maximum speed. Repair costs range from €500 for scratches to €15,000+ for serious accidents.
Speed limits vary by country and cargo type. Germany's autobahns allow 90 km/h for trucks, while residential areas drop to 30 km/h. Speeding fines start at €200 and scale with severity. GPS navigation shows speed limits, but watch for temporary construction zones.
Money Management and Profitable Routes
Smart route selection makes the difference between profit and bankruptcy. The ETS2 best routes connect major industrial centers with consistent high-paying cargo. The Ruhr Valley to Milan corridor averages €1,200+ per delivery. Scandinavia to Eastern Europe routes pay exceptionally well due to distance bonuses.
ETS2 profitable jobs share common characteristics:
- ADR (hazmat) certification adds 15-25% to base pay
- Fragile cargo bonuses range from €300-800
- Long-distance multipliers kick in after 400+ miles
- Just-in-time deliveries offer 50%+ bonuses but strict time limits
Your Euro Truck Simulator money guide strategy should focus on skill development first. Eco-driving reduces fuel costs by 20-30%. Long Distance certification unlocks routes paying €3,000+ per trip. ADR certification opens chemical transport jobs with premium rates.
Early game financial priorities:
- Upgrade to a better truck (€100,000-150,000)
- Purchase your first garage (€180,000-400,000)
- Hire your first employee driver (generates passive income)
Building Your Trucking Empire
Transitioning from employee to owner requires careful planning. You need €180,000 minimum for the cheapest garage plus a decent truck. Don't rush this step - employee drivers earn steady money while you learn advanced mechanics.
Euro Truck business guide fundamentals start with smart garage placement. Cities like Berlin, Paris, and Prague offer excellent job variety and central European locations. Avoid remote locations initially since they limit cargo options.
Hiring drivers becomes profitable once you own 2-3 garages. Employee drivers generate €1,500-3,000 daily profit depending on their skills and truck quality. Invest in driver training immediately - it pays for itself within weeks.
Loan management requires discipline. The maximum €500,000 loan carries reasonable interest rates, but overextending kills cash flow. Use loans for garage expansion, not fancy truck customization.
For detailed business strategies and advanced mechanics, check our comprehensive walkthrough guide.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring traffic violations costs serious money. A single red light violation runs €400+. Accumulated violations trigger expensive mandatory rest periods and license suspensions. Drive like your real license depends on it.
Choosing style over substance when buying trucks wastes money. That €300,000 show truck performs identically to a €150,000 working truck for most purposes. Focus on reliability and fuel economy over appearance initially.
Accepting every job offer leads to inefficient routing. Sometimes declining a €800 short haul for a €2,200 long distance delivery makes more financial sense. Consider total time investment, not just immediate payout.
Neglecting truck maintenance multiplies costs exponentially. A €2,000 scheduled service prevents €15,000+ breakdown repairs. Service trucks every 10,000km or when the wrench icon appears.
Essential Mods and Customization
ETS2 truck mods transform the experience without breaking game balance. Popular sound packs like Kriechbaum's engine sounds add realistic audio. Graphics mods such as Realistic Graphics improve visual quality on older systems.
Map expansions deserve special attention. The official DLC packs add entire countries with unique cargo types and routes. Third-party map mods like ProMods completely overhaul Europe with enhanced detail and new locations.
Quality of life improvements include:
- GPS Voice Navigation for turn-by-turn directions
- Real Company Paint Jobs for authentic truck designs
- Realistic Fuel Consumption for added challenge
- Economy Mods that adjust pricing and job frequency
Avoid gameplay-breaking mods initially. Learn vanilla mechanics before adding complexity. Some mods disable achievements or cause save game issues.
Your Next Steps
Start with quick jobs to learn basic mechanics and earn your first €50,000. Focus on eco-driving and traffic rule compliance to build good habits. Once comfortable, attempt your first long-distance delivery to experience the full ETS2 gameplay loop.
Your immediate goals should include earning ADR certification (€25,000) and purchasing a reliable used truck around €100,000. The Volvo FH and Scania R-series offer excellent beginner-friendly performance and reasonable maintenance costs.
Begin planning your business expansion once you've completed 20-30 successful deliveries. Research garage locations and start saving for that crucial €180,000 investment. Remember - patience and smart driving pay better than rushing and risk-taking in Euro Truck Simulator 2.
Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and build your trucking empire one delivery at a time.