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Tanker driver

Alternative titles for this job include

Tanker drivers transport bulk materials and liquids by road.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 52 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a tanker driver

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a private training provider

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a large goods vehicle driver.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

You can start off as a 'crew' person, accompanying a qualified driver, whilst you train to get your licences.

Other Routes

You can take private training to get your large goods vehicle (LGV) licence and the Certificate of Professional Competence, known as a Driver CPC.

You'll also need to complete ADR training to carry dangerous goods like chemicals. ADR is the shortened name for the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.

You can find LGV and ADR training providers through the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training. It's recommended that you compare several providers before signing up, to see what they offer and to make sure it fits your needs.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about lorry driving careers through The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

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
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • 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 between 1 and 2 years' experience of driving lorries
  • have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - this is known as the Driver CPC

If you're working with hazardous goods, for example fuel oil, you'll also need an ADR driver training certificate. ADR is the shortened name for the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you could:

  • check delivery schedules and note any special instructions
  • supervise or help to load the tanker
  • carry out safety checks before you set off
  • travel to the delivery site
  • clear an area to unload the tanker
  • connect hoses or pumps, or remove manhole covers to unload materials into fuel tanks or storage silos
  • update paperwork and make sure relevant staff sign for deliveries
  • keep accurate records of driving hours and activities using a tachograph system

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

You can often increase your salary through shift allowances and bonuses.

With experience, you could specialise in transporting particular loads or set up your own haulier business.

You could also move into transport and freight planning, driver instructor training, or distribution or haulage management.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

HGV Driver Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £18,500.00 Annually
  • Location: Blackwater, Camberley

RAF Driver - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £21,091.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known

Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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