How to become an HGV driver
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To become an HGV driver, you need an HGV licence (Category C or C+E) and a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). You usually need to be over 18 and have a full car licence. You apply for a provisional HGV licence with a medical report from a doctor, then pass five tests.
Adults aged 19 or over with a car licence can train for an HGV licence free on a Skills Bootcamp. It takes up to 16 weeks and ends with a job interview. You can also train through an apprenticeship or your employer, or pay for HGV training yourself.
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Get your licence on a Skills Bootcamp
A Skills Bootcamp trains you for the HGV licence and the Driver CPC in up to 16 weeks. You finish with a job interview with an employer.
You need to be 19 or over and have a full car licence. Bootcamps are free, though if your employer puts you on one, it pays part of the cost.
Many are for people who live in a set area, and providers may have other criteria.
Get an apprenticeship
An LGV driver apprenticeship (LGV is another name for HGV) is a paid job with training. It's at Level 2, takes about 13 months, and leads to a Category C+E licence. Your HGV training costs you nothing.
To start one, you need to be 18 or over and not in full-time education. Employers usually ask for some GCSEs, including English and maths, or equivalent.
The armed forces also train HGV drivers through apprenticeships.
Train through your employer
If you work for a transport company in a non-driving role, such as in its warehouse, your employer might train you for your HGV licence.
A short transport and logistics course can help you get that first job.
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Check what you can get freeHGV licences and qualifications
| Qualification | Level | How you take it | What it gets you | On JobYay | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category C licence (class 2) | None | A provisional licence and D4 medical, then the tests in a rigid lorry. Train on a bootcamp or apprenticeship, through your employer or at a driving school. | Drive rigid lorries over 3,500kg, and tow a trailer up to 750kg. With the Driver CPC, you can drive them for a living. | 39 courses | £270 for the tests on a weekday, plus any charge for your medical. A bootcamp covers both. |
| Category C+E licence (class 1) | None | The tests in an articulated lorry, or just the off-road and on-road tests if you hold Category C. | Drive articulated lorries, and other lorries towing a trailer over 750kg. With the Driver CPC, you can take class 1 jobs. | 46 courses | £270 for the tests on a weekday, or £155 to upgrade from Category C. A bootcamp covers them. |
| LGV driver C+E apprenticeship | 2 | In a paid job, for about 13 months. Open to people aged 18 or over. | A Category C+E licence and your Driver CPC card, so you're qualified to drive lorries for a living. | 1 vacancy | Nothing for the training |
| Urban driver apprenticeship | 2 | In a paid job, for about 12 months. Open to people aged 18 or over with a full car licence. | A Category C or C1 licence and your Driver CPC, for rigid lorry deliveries in towns and cities. C1 covers smaller lorries up to 7,500kg. | 1 vacancy | Nothing for the training |
| Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles | 2 | A course in England with the Driver CPC tests built in. | You can start driving for a living before you've passed all the Driver CPC tests. | None | Check what you can get free |
| Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Working in Transport and Logistics Industries | 1 | A short course of 78 to 130 hours. | Skills for a first, non-driving job in transport, such as warehouse work. | 7 courses | Check what you can get free |
| ADR certificate | None | Training and tests for qualified HGV drivers, even if you've only just passed. It lasts 5 years, then you take a refresher. | An ADR card showing which dangerous goods, such as fuel, you can carry. | 6 courses | Check what you can get free |
| Periodic Driver CPC training | None | 35 hours of training every 5 years, once you're qualified. | Keeps your Driver CPC valid, so you can carry on driving for a living. | 1 course | Check what you can get free |
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Pass your licence and Driver CPC tests
Every way in ends with the same tests. First you apply for a provisional HGV licence, which is free. You need a medical from a doctor, who may charge for it.
Then you pass five tests: theory, case studies, off-road exercises, on-road driving and a practical demonstration. Together they give you your licence and your Driver CPC.
To stay qualified, you take 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years.
Add to your licence
Category C, often called class 2, covers lorries over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg. Category C+E, often called class 1, adds a trailer over 750kg, such as on an articulated lorry.
To carry dangerous goods, such as fuel, you also need an ADR certificate.
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With experience, you could specialise in loads such as food, train as an HGV driving instructor, or move into managing road transport.
Some drivers become self-employed or set up their own haulage company.
Questions people ask
What does HGV mean, and is LGV the same?
HGV stands for heavy goods vehicle, which means a lorry over 3,500kg. LGV stands for large goods vehicle and means the same thing. An HGV driver and an LGV driver do the same job, and job adverts use both names.
How much does an HGV licence cost?
The five tests cost £270 in total if you take the driving tests on a weekday. Applying for the provisional licence is free, but the doctor may charge for your medical.
Training costs extra unless it's covered, for example by a Skills Bootcamp, an apprenticeship or your employer.
Can you get an HGV licence for free?
Yes, on a Skills Bootcamp if you're 19 or over, have a full car licence and live where one runs. An apprenticeship is free too, and you're paid while you train. Adults who are unemployed or on a low wage may get a Level 2 HGV driving qualification free, Driver CPC tests included.
How long does it take to get an HGV licence?
A Skills Bootcamp takes up to 16 weeks. An apprenticeship takes about 13 months.
What is the difference between class 1 and class 2?
Class 2 is the everyday name for Category C: lorries over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg. Class 1 is Category C+E, which adds a trailer over 750kg, such as on an articulated lorry.
How do you apply for an HGV provisional licence?
You send form D2 to DVLA with a D4 medical report and your full car licence. Post Offices that offer DVLA services have both forms, and there's no fee to apply. Your provisional licence should arrive within 3 weeks.
Applying for Category C gives you a provisional C+E entitlement too. That means you can learn and take your tests in an articulated lorry without passing C first.
What is the HGV medical?
Before you apply for your provisional licence, a doctor fills in a medical report on form D4. Your GP or a private firm can do it, and they may charge.
What is in the HGV theory test?
The HGV theory test has two parts, multiple choice and hazard perception.
Multiple choice costs £26 and has 100 questions. You have 1 hour 55 minutes, and need 85 right to pass.
Hazard perception costs £11 and has 19 video clips. The pass mark is 67 out of 100.
How much do HGV drivers earn?
The National Careers Service gives £27,000 a year for starters, rising to £47,000 with experience. Typical hours are 38 to 52 a week, and you may work evenings, weekends and away from home.
See the HGV driver salary guide
Is there an age limit?
You usually need to be over 18 to drive an HGV. Skills Bootcamps are open to people aged 19 or over. You can start an HGV apprenticeship at any age from 18.
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