Salaries will vary depending on the type of work and the number of hours driven, but you can easily earn up to £32,000+ if you gain your licence and have the right mindset. If you want to be a part of the fleet that keeps the economy moving, then the HGV Category C licence is the place to start.
Requirements:
In order to gain your Category C / Class 2 licence, you’ll need to:
It can seem complicated starting out, with different licences and paperwork to send off for, complete and send back and some find the process and language confusing. Some HGV training providers will look after all of this for you, but with some schools you’ll have to work through each phase yourself. In short the process is as follows:
Select and register with a HGV Training company, fill your details in to the training pack
A simple medical test needs to be done, it will only take 5 minutes and can be done with your local GP
To help you prepare for your theory test there are a huge range of online learning materials and 1:1 support
Your HGV Training will be taken over 4 days and will provide you with all you need to pass your practical test
Category C licence
Drive rigid body vehicles up to 7500kg with trailer up to 750kg. The most common licence.
Average salary per year
Category C+E licence
Drive vehicles over 7500kg with trailers over 750kg. Higher earning potential.
Average salary per year
Category C1 licence
Cat C’s smaller cousin. Drive vehicles between 3500 – 7500kg with trailer up to 750kg.
Average salary per year
Category C1+E licence
Small, rigid body vehicle towing a trailer weighing more than 750kg.
Average salary per year
The most important thing when starting out, is to understand your options when choosing a training provider. This is an investment in your future so make sure you choose the right company for you.
There are providers out there who have less reputable backgrounds, so make sure you look into the company before signing up. Make sure the training provider is an established company in a good financial position. Companies House is a good place to check on a company’s background; just search for their company name and check on how recently it was set up, and what their history looks like.
Look at Google reviews for fair, unbiased reviews from people who have trained with them. And compare costs – making sure you understand exactly what is included.
Also check your provider is a member with the RHA and / or the FTA, both of whom are important industry bodies in haulage and logistics. This will ensure you have found a legitimate and accredited HGV training provider.
Costs vary by location and licence, but we have found cost is typically around £1,999 for an entry-level Category C licence. CPC is also dependent on location and school, but on average around £350.
If you don’t have the savings to fund this, beware of HGV Training providers offering credit as this can add thousands of pounds to the cost of training. It is sometimes worth considering your own financial position, a credit card can be a cheaper way to borrow the funds for training.
Some providers may be able to split the payments, making it more affordable for you to train.
If you are flexible on location and training, you can train in as little as 4 days. You will always have to wait for the DVLA to process your application and the test centre’s forms so the minimum to expect is around 3 weeks. At the moment, due to the impact of covid on the industry, these times may be affected.
Pass rates for the HGV test vary depending on time of year, location and attempt number. You can vastly increase your chances by choosing the right provider. Ask what the training school’s pass rate is.
Your test will usually last 90 minutes, and will include a number of manoeuvres, such as reversing into a loading bay, parallel parking or following signs without specific instructions – for example you will asked to drive to a locations using road signs and markings rather than prompts from the examiner. Your instructor will always take you through this on day 1 of training.
Some providers offer products which protect you if you are concerned or worried about not passing the first time, so it is worth considering a little extra outlay, if it gives you peace of mind when taking your test.
Don’t forget, before you get in the truck, you’ll need to get your medical, provisional and theory test. A good national provider should take care of these for you.
With so many HGV driver vacancies, job security is very high in HGV training.
Wages are also excellent when compared with other jobs, and there is a lot of freedom with the opportunity to pick and choose contracts, locations and what is involved in the job. Setting your own terms is another of the key benefits of becoming an HGV driver.
In addition, you can train to be an HGV driver in a matter of weeks, whereas other trade jobs can take years – a plumber, for instance takes 3 years training.
People often list being on the open road, listening to whatever music or radio they like and seeing different parts of the country as their favourite parts of the job.
