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HGV driver

Alternative titles for this job include LGV driver, tanker driver, lorry driver

HGV drivers transport and deliver products, including bulk materials and liquids, between suppliers and customers all over the country.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 52

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Meet Lisa

Lisa gained her HGV licence and now gets the chance to drive various vehicles in her role.

1 minute 30 second watch

View transcript

I'm Lisa Sisouvong. I'm a class two driver at CEVA Logistics.

I went to uni, studied psychology, only to find out that maybe I don't want to continue with it. I went to work in call centres, customer service, and then after about five years, I realised that I needed something more hands on.

I've always loved things with wheels. And one of those call centre jobs involved driving to work, a really mundane thing, but I realised, actually, this could be something that I'm actually really into. And then, I left the call centres, did some van work at the Royal Mail, and I also at the same time, I gained my HGV licence. And from then on, I've been working with the lorries every day, as a lorry driver.

At CEVA we can drive different vehicles depending on the needs of the customer. So one day I'm driving a little van, another day I'm driving a bigger vehicle. Obviously, all the knowledge about the road, being able to drive the vehicles, you need the licence.

Also I like being high up. We sit very high, it's a beautiful view in the lorries. And you also go to different places, which is amazing every day or depends on, on your routes. But I get to see a lot. It's also interesting at different stops you get to meet different people.

Safety is a big, big factor. So checking your vehicles, making sure everything is loaded properly, doesn't fall off.

I actually see more and more ladies on the road driving lorries, busses, vans. You get to see lots of different places and different people. And yes, it's just a lot of fun.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist training providers

Apprenticeship

You could do a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver C and E Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take around 1 year to complete and combines on-the-job learning and study with a training provider.

The armed forces also offer some HGV driving apprenticeship roles.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you're already working for a transport operator in a non-driving role, your employer might support you through training to get your HGV driving licence.

Other Routes

Course

You'll need to get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Lots of organisations offer this course. You can find training to become a HGV driver or search for training providers through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

You might find it useful to compare several providers before signing up to one.

The course will cover driving skills, basic mechanics and how to load items. At the end of your course you'll need to pass 4 parts of the CPC test which includes:

  • a driving theory test
  • online case studies
  • a test of your practical driving ability
  • a practical demonstration test

If you're going to work with hazardous goods, for example fuel oil, you'll also need an Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) Certificate.

Refresher course

If you're returning to work, you may need to do refresher training. Find out more about returning to be a HGV driver.

Skills Bootcamp

You might be able to apply for a place on a Skills Bootcamp for HGV driving.

Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses that last up to 16 weeks.

When you pass the course, you:

  • are guaranteed a job interview with an employer near where you live
  • can drive large vehicles
  • will have a category C or category CE driving licence

More Information

Career tips

You may be able to increase your income by working irregular shifts.

Companies often need more HGV drivers at peak times. You could look for seasonal jobs on retail and delivery company websites, or with driver recruitment agencies.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a qualified HGV driver from GOV.UK.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Generation Logistics also have details about careers in HGV driving.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of vehicle and public safety and security
  • concentration skills for staying focused while driving
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years of age
  • have a driving licence that includes HGV for lorries or PCV for buses
  • have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) known as a driver CPC

To stay qualified, every 5 years you'll need to take 35 hours of driver CPC training and renew your HGV driving licence.

If you're working with hazardous goods, like chemicals, you'll also need an Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) Certificate.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a HGV driver, you could:

  • plan deliveries and your routes
  • check your vehicle for problems and report any issues you find
  • help load and unload goods safely
  • connect hoses or pumps when working with materials like fuel
  • keep records of your deliveries and driving hours
  • monitor traffic reports regularly and change your route if needed
  • drive safely and follow road haulage regulations at all times

Working environment

Your working environment may be physically active and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • do extra training to get an Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) Certificate to carry hazardous loads like flammable liquids
  • specialise in transporting particular loads, like foodstuffs
  • train to become a HGV driving instructor or heavy vehicle mechanic
  • become a road transport manager
  • become self employed and work for different companies or set up your own haulage company

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

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Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a hgv driver?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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