For some it’s a childhood dream to be behind the wheel of a big truck, for some it’s a career choice that is both personally and financially rewarding. Whatever your reasons for wanting to become an HGV driver, there are some things we think you should know about before you take the first steps.
Training, practice and dedication
Driving an HGV is a thrilling experience, but manoeuvring a 16-metre long vehicle is not for the faint-hearted, which is why there are lessons and tests that need to be undertaken before you are legally allowed to drive an HGV.
Firstly, you need to hold a full UK driving licence before you can apply for a provisional entitlement for a higher category vehicle to be put on your licence. You will also need to undertake a medical examination by a GP. Don’t worry. It’s not as gruelling as it sounds; essentially a GP needs to confirm that you have no physical conditions such as seizures or diabetes or psychological conditions that could potentially make you unsafe on the roads. Your GP will complete your D4 form, and you will submit this with your D2 form (the vocational provisional licence application form) to the DVLA for consideration.
Once you have your provisional licence, you can book your theory tests. There are two tests to take; a theory test comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test. On passing both of these tests, they are valid for two years.
Now you are ready to move on with the practical test. How many lessons you need and how long you will be training for will depend on your skill level and the training provider you choose. Our advice is to shop around but bear in mind, cheapest is not always best. Chose a training provider with a good pass rate track record, and who can take you through the entire process.
The king of HGV licences is the C+E, and it is quite common to see people who have only previously driven a car take this course. But be warned, you will have to pass the category C test before you can take the C+E, so be prepared to take two practical tests. Taking this route will mean you are entitled to drive any heavy goods vehicle, which will ultimately be more advantageous when it comes to finding employment.
Life on the road
This will vary from company to company, where you are driving to and what you are delivering. Many HGV drivers can spend days if not weeks away from home, but this is not always the case. Your Job becomes your lifestyle, living and sleeping in your cab between service stations, roadside cafes and rest stops. There is a real sense of community amongst drivers and a network of colleagues to look out for you and provide that long needed company craved at the end of a driving shift. The more hours and miles you drive, the more skilled a driver you will become. Being alert to driving conditions and the actions of those around you means you have a greater ability to predict behaviour and foresee situations that could arise. Your contribution to the UK economy is significant. Goods need transporting, and without our army of HGV drivers, commerce would grind to a halt.
With all careers there is going to be an element of taking the rough with the smooth, and driving an HGV for a living is going to be no different. But it can be a rewarding career. Financially, the average HGV Class 1 driver salary is approximately £32,000 a year, which is quite a lot more than the UK average wage. But we think the best part about being an HGV driver is that you get to fulfil those childhood dreams of playing with the biggest toys; there really is nothing like being in control of 40 tonnes of seriously big machinery!
