How to Become an HGV Driver: Training Costs and Salary Expectations

I’ve been working as an office administrator in a job that I haven’t had any real special interest in since leaving university and after reading recent reports I’m thinking about training as an HGV driver.

I like the idea of ​​not being stuck in an office, feeling like I’ve accomplished something every day, and the many stories I’ve read suggest that I can earn twice as much as I do now.

I have a valid general driving license and passed my test seven years ago.

What do I need to do to train as an HGV driver, how long does it take, how many hours, will I only work in the UK or travel abroad, and what kind of salary can I really expect?

I’m not quite sure I believe some of these reports claim that £70,000 a year is being offered to drivers.

Angelique Ruzika of This Is Money says: It’s easy to get attracted by the hefty bonuses and salaries being used to lure old and new drivers into the industry.

The industry has been crying out for more people playing the role of heavy goods driver for many years now, but it has now been made worse by a perfect storm of Brexit, the pandemic, poor working conditions and reduced working hours wages.

The industry, acknowledging its shortcomings, is trying to transform itself to make the roles friendlier and gain some flexibility to work with women and families.

But to woo people, increase in wages, cash incentives and inflation are now on the table.

A suitable career?

It’s safe to say that for many, it’s not considered a career because of the poor pay prospects, challenging hours, and the unhealthy nature of driving all day. But this is changing.

Between February and August, the average salary advertised for HGV drivers increased by 12.8 percent, according to job site Indeed.

It’s actually growing by just one percent compared to the average salary across all jobs and 7.6 percent in jobs in general.

The work is still tough, and it can be lonely on the streets.

In addition, getting the right training can be expensive, (see the Road Haulage Association’s response below).

But if you keep your ears to the ground there’s a good chance you can get a logistics or retail business to pay a fee in exchange for agreeing to work for a specific period of time.

government intervention

The government can also pick up the tab. This month it announced that a total of 4,000 people will soon be able to take advantage of training courses to become HGV drivers.

The Department of Education is investing up to £10 million to build a new skills bootcamp to train 3,000 people.

Gov.uk says that: ‘The free, short, intensive courses will train drivers to be road-ready and obtain Category C or Category C and E licences, helping to tackle the current HGV driver shortage.

‘An additional 1,000 people are expected to be trained through courses available locally and funded by the government’s adult education budget.’

HGV drivers were never paid well, but that is changing and there are reports that drivers are now making more money than some head office executives from the likes of Waitrose.

However, if you’re looking for a well-paying job where you can quickly rise up the ranks and perhaps even go through less training than to become an HGV driver, there are industries and companies out there. cry for workers including the hospitality sector, and those that employ factory and agricultural workers.

Martin Dean, principal account manager for the Road Haulage Association, responded:

To drive HGV, you will initially need a car license category B.

You can then take a Category C test to drive a rigid HGV over 3.5kg and you must pass a Category C+E test to drive a clear HGV.

Currently, you must pass all three categories of tests including a theory test to be allowed to drive a clear vehicle.

The law will change in January 2022 as soon as you have a Category B licence, and are 18 years of age or older and be able to take the C+E exam.

Every five years you’ll need a driver’s certificate of professional competency (DCPC) training with 35 hours of training to maintain your professional right to drive.

Training may take place in two six-week intensive courses. For those who wish to train for Category C or Category C+E, it is approximately £1,500.

more flexibility

There are as many job opportunities as there is a recognized shortage of HGV drivers – over 100,000.

Drivers are restricted to EU driver hour rules limiting driving to a maximum of 90 hours of driving time in a fortnight.

Lorry drivers also come under working time directive. This means that you are not allowed to work more than 48 hours during the reference period.

There are driving jobs suitable for everyone. The ‘trampers’ spend the night sleeping in their truck, but you can be a day driver where you only work during the day and return to base every shift.

As an industry we have to grow and become more resilient. Now various shifts are available which include regular Monday-Friday shifts. Otherwise you generally work four days off and four days off.

But you can work any five days out of a seven-day week. There are different start times as well as night shifts and weekend shifts.

salary expectations

Driver salary has increased significantly recently due to driver shortage. Salaries ranging from £35,000 to £50,000 are now exclusive to signing bonus payments as well as loyalty payments.

If you spend the night in a truck you will also receive a ‘night out’ allowance in the region of £26 per night. There are several ways in which drivers are paid hourly, day rate and salaried.

Andy Scott, president of REL Investment Management, which owns REL Transport, says: It costs between £3,000-£4,000 to be fully trained.

Job opportunities depend on what the driver is willing to do – day or night running or tramping that includes three to five nights a week or sometimes nights.

You can upgrade your license from CAT C to CAT CE and stay in business or even have office-based opportunities.

It is possible to start your own business and hire other drivers to work night shifts.

Alternatively, you can buy a truck and become a transport manager after doing your CPC course.

You can see up to 60 trucks on one license.

IR35 Issues

Scott says: With us you can expect to work between 40-60 hours, depending on the jobs. But on average, it is no more than 48 over a 17-week period.

Cat C drivers earn around £30,000, while Cat C+E can earn around £41,600. Some supermarkets are now offering up to £50,000.

All our drivers are paid, although we use agencies to cover flexible periods but IR35 regulations prohibit us from using drivers who work under a limited company. As contractors and we do not use owner operators.