Hard Truck 2: King of the Road is the European version of Hard Truck 2. It was released in various European countries by JoWooD Entertainment on June 7, 2002.

Дальнобойщики 2 is the Russian version of Hard Truck 2. It was released on September 27, 2001.

Cheats:
(NOTE: Press "Pause Break" key and then enter cheats)
- slallcheats - All cheats
- sllottery - 50 000 € and one license
- slmap - Show hidden roads, containers and gas stations
- slroads - Open roads which are under construction
- slrepair - Free repair. Press "Backspace"
- slfillup - Unlimited gasoline
- slrecover - Free rescue. Press Ctrl<5>
- slturbine - Speed boost. Forward Ctrl<1>, Backward Ctrl<2>, Go upside Ctrl<3>, Go down Ctrl<4>

Places:
In each of the following cities, there's a cargo base that you can deliver to other city bases (Note: these cities are imitations of some U.S. cities):
● Southgate (at the beginning of the game)
● Westwood
● St. Helena
● SandyRanch
● Foothill
● Rivervalley
● Mercury
● North Harbor
● Eastwood
● Windcliff
● Greystone

Trucks and Cars:
ZIL 133540
ZIL 5423
KamAZ 6460
KamAZ 54115
Mack Vision
Scania R124LA
Mercedes-Benz Actros
Freightliner Century
DAF 95XF
Volvo FH12
Navistar International Eagle
Kenworth T2000
Peterbilt 379
Renault Magnum
MAZ Storm T2310
GAZ GAZelle 2217 Lux
GAZ GAZelle 33021
BMW M5
Offroad HL (Toyota Hilux)
Offroad PS (Nissan Patrol)
Fiat Marea
Fiat 131
Volga GAZ-3110
Bus
Toyota Avensis
Renault Megane
Cayman (Off-Roader Pick-up)
Toyota (reborn Pick-up)

A manual would have been nice. Without it, here's what I've figured out so far.
* Hit F1 for the key list.
* If you are stuck (out of gas, capsized, cops busted your tires, whatever), hit esc and choose 911. Gets you going again but costs money.
* Service stations sell upgrades. Availability varies.
* The in-game map is not complete. The one attached above might be.
* Being the first to deliver cargo lets you hire more drivers. I don't think there are any other benefits, nor a second price: if you are not hiring (low on money) or not going to win, just try to be on time.
* Hiring licenses are only valid for about 10 min. Timer shown next to the cargo timer.
* Hired drivers take jobs and deliver on their own. You can also change places with anyone instantaneously (you jump into their truck and they jump into yours).

It seems I cannot change places with anyone driving a semi, or anyone at all if I am driving a semi. Does anyone know how that works?

Winning on the race circuit also yields a hiring license. This may be easier for a semi driver than winning hauls against rigid trucks, which tend to be faster. A tractor unit is pretty good on the circuit.

Empty trailers can usually be found near warehouses, tank trailers near fuel depots. They are free to take. The strange looking model is for the Storm. The others fit any other tractor. I don't think there is a tank trailer for the Storm. There are also loaded trailers here and there, marked on the map. They can be delivered to their destinations (shown as you approach) for money. No hiring licenses are awarded for these hauls.

Thanks! F1 menu was what I was looking for!

I guess the king.chm file in the game directory is what ought to be the manual. It contains most of the information you wrote down :)
Also it describes the menus (f1-5) and some differences between arcade and simulation mode. Definitely worth a look.

What is the speed limit in this game when there aren't any traffic signs, seen your picture think it's 80km/h and also think you can sometimes escape the police without a fine right?

There's no speed limit if there are no signs that tell you otherwise. Yes, you can escape the police if you manage to cross the county border before crashing or being shot into pieces. BTW - speed limits are relevant only at the very beginning of the game - you can buy an anti-radar coating in the first or second garage and it's cheap as well (most of upgrades are way too cheap IMHO).

Ah good thanks for the info so that is why i once escaped police didn't realize there were country lines used like that or that there were country lines until i checked the pic above.