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HGV driver
LGV driver, tanker driver, lorry driver
HGV drivers transport and deliver products including bulk materials and liquids between suppliers and customers.
Average salary (a year)
£25000
Starter
£42000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38.0 to 52.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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.
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Army apprenticeships|https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/apprenticeships-skills/
RAF apprenticeships|https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/apprenticeships
Work
If you're already working for a transport operator, your employer might support you to get your HGV driving licence.
You might also be able to accompany a qualified driver whilst you train to get your 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 might 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 opportunities 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
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of public safety and security
    Concentration skills
    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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
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.
Related Restrictions
be over 18 years of age
have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) known as a Driver CPC
have a driving licence that includes HGV for lorries or PCV for buses
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As an 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
You'll need to 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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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, become a road transport manager, become self employed and work for different companies or set up your own transport company
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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