Large Goods Vehicle Driver

What is the work like?

Large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers, also known as HGV drivers, transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers. They work from depots, distribution centres and warehouses, and carry goods all over the UK and overseas.

As an LGV driver, you would drive commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, including rigid trucks, articulated lorries, tankers, transporters and trailer wagons.

Apart from driving, your duties would include:

planning delivery schedules and routes with transport managers
supervising or helping to load and unload goods
making sure loads are safely secured
following traffic reports and changing your route if necessary
completing delivery paperwork and log books.

You may also deal with routine maintenance, such as oil, tyre and brake checks before and after journeys.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

To become an LGV driver you must have a valid LGV licence. To get this, you need to:

be competent in English and maths (to take the LGV theory test)
be 18 or over (to hold an LGV licence)
have a good driving record
have good eyesight
pass a medical as part of the LGV test.

There are several ways to get your LGV licence. If you are already working for a transport operator, for example as a clerk, they might train you. If you are not employed by an operator, you could fund yourself through a driver training school before looking for work.

The LGV licence is divided into two categories:

Category C allows you to drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes
Category C+E allows you to drive articulated lorries and lorries towing a trailer.

Courses last from one to three weeks and cover driving skills, basic mechanics, and loading and securing loads. The test includes manoeuvring the vehicles in a confined space, 25 miles of road driving and a theory test based on the Highway Code and LGV regulations. Contact Skills for Logistics for a list of approved LGV training providers.

If you are aged between 18 and 21 and employed by a company registered with Skills for Logistics, you can apply for the Young Driver's Scheme (YDS). See the training section below for more details.

You could also move into LGV driving from related work (possibly with the same company), for example:

forklift truck operation
warehousing and distribution
construction plant operation
bus and coach driving.

See the related job profiles for more details.

Another way into this career could be through an Apprenticeship. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Driver CPC
From September 2009, a new EU Directive will come into force which states that LGV drivers will need a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as well as the LGV licence. This is known as the Driver CPC. See the Transport Office website for details of the Driver CPC training and test.

What further training and development can I do?

Young LGV Driver Training Scheme (YDS)
The Young LGV Driver Training Scheme is open to people aged between 18 and 21 and offers a fast-track route to a category C licence and the NVQ Transporting Goods by Road at level 2. Once you have held your category C licence for at least six months, you can apply for the category C+E training. For more details about the YDS, see the Skills for Logistics website.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR training)
If you are working on vehicles carrying dangerous goods, you are legally required to have an ADR (Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road) Certificate. The Certificate is valid for five years, after which you take refresher training to renew it. The initial ADR course is usually five days and the refresher training three days. Contact Skills for Logistics and the Road Haulage Association for more details about ADR training.

EPIC Driver Skills card
If you drive LGVs for the extractive and mineral processing industries, carrying aggregates, asphalt, ready mix concrete and mortar, you are now required to hold an EPIC Driver Skills Card. The card is proof of your safety awareness, on site and on the road. For more details, visit the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) website.

Further training
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) offers Occupational Driver Appraisals (ODAs), which review your driving ability and form part of a continual development programme. The Freight Transport Association and The Road Haulage Association offer training for the Operator’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for members' employees. With a CPC qualification, you could eventually move into transport management roles.

Where can I go for more information?

Road Haulage Association (RHA)

Roadway House
35 Monument Hill
Weybridge
KT13 8RN
Tel: 01932 841515

http://www.rhaonline.co.uk/courses/

Freight Transport Association (FTA)

Hermes House
St John's Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN4 9UZ
Tel: 0871 711 2222

http://www.fta.co.uk

Driving Standards Agency (DSA)

Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 936 6666

http://www.dsa.gov.uk

Skills for Logistics

14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 01908 313360

http://www.skillsforlogistics.org

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form

Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice

Related profiles...

Road Transport Manager

Delivery Van Driver

Construction Plant Mechanic

Construction Plant Operator

Forklift Truck Operator

Warehouse Manager

Car Fleet Manager

Road Haulage Load Planner

What salary and other benefits can I expect?

Starting salaries are around £13,000 to £14,000 a year.
Experienced LGV drivers can earn between £15,000 and £30,000.
Drivers of specialist fuel and chemical tankers can earn up to £35,000 a year.

Overtime can increase earnings and there is a tax-free allowance to pay for overnight expenses.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

What are the hours and working conditions?

You would normally work around 40 to 45 hours a week. Overtime may be available, however, there are strict laws about the amount of hours you can spend driving between rest breaks.

You could spend a lot of time away from home, including overnight stays where necessary.

Much of your time would be spent on the road, and you would drive day and night, in all weather conditions.

What skills and knowledge will I need?

an enjoyment of driving and excellent driving skills
the ability to work alone and concentrate for long periods
a polite manner with customers, when picking up or dropping off loads
a good understanding of safety, on the road and when loading and unloading
the ability to complete record sheets and paperwork accurately
a reasonable level of fitness to work with loads.

What opportunities are there?

Opportunities would be with freight distribution companies, major retail chains, supermarkets, raw materials suppliers and manufacturers. Jobs are advertised in the local press and Jobcentre Plus.

You could set up your own business after gaining experience with a haulier or distributor, operating your own vehicle and perhaps eventually building up a fleet. With further training, you may be able to move into distribution or haulage management, transport and logistics planning or a specialised area of driving.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)

Transport Office
Jobs in Transport
Transport Jobs Network

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