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Tanker driver
Tanker drivers transport bulk materials and liquids by road.
Average salary (a year)
£19000
Starter
£36000
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; 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
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
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
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Knowledge of public safety and security
    Concentration skills
    The ability to organise your time and workload
    Knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
    Physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    Customer service skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
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.
Related Restrictions
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
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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