How to become a truck driver in the UK

The UK heavy goods vehicle (HGV) (truck) industry has been subjected to several intense market forces in recent years, meaning the availability of HGV drivers has decreased gradually over time. But many haven’t got to know as to how to become a truck driver in UK the best way.

The most prominent factors in this decline are the ‘Brexit effect’ and existing drivers leaving the industry.  Brexit has resulted in many EU-based truck drivers to return home, or reconsider regular travel to the UK.  The industry has suffered from high labour turnover due to its predominantly older workforce retiring, and fewer young people entering the industry due to the perception of long hours, time away from home, sleeping on the roads, and low pay.  These challenges have created many issues in the UK, such as a petrol shortage caused by not enough HGVs to move fuel from refineries, and many other supply shortages which look set to continue into 2022.  

If you are looking to train or transfer into the HGV profession, you will not only find plenty of jobs, but a diverse and flexible industry which pays surprisingly well.  This article discusses how to become a truck driver in the UK.

Salary and benefits of a UK truck driver.

Because of the need to attract truck drivers into the industry, the average salary of these drivers has increased considerably in the last year or so.  Glassdoor specifies an average salary of £28,000 gross per year, but it’s becoming common now to hear of salaries much higher.  Supermarket chain Waitrose, for example, is offering a salary of up to £54,000 for trained HGV drivers. 

Other companies offer signing-on bonuses, and there are always pension plans and the benefit of flexible working schedules.  In many cases, truck drivers are paid hourly, meaning you are paid for what you work, but keep in mind that rest breaks are legally enforced in all driving jobs.

How to become a truck driver in the UK, and how much it will cost.

To become an HGV driver in the UK you first need to have permission to work in the UK and have a full car license (Category B) recognised by the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).  You also need to be at least 18 years old. 

If you meet these criteria, and you have never driven an HGV before, then you need to apply for a provisional HGV license, with a view to getting the Category C+E license, which is valid for the largest vehicles on UK roads (greater than 7.5 tonnes).  During this stage, you must pass a medical examination, conducted by a doctor in the UK, which ensures that you do not have any conditions which might affect your ability to drive a large vehicle.  You then take a theory test, which is a multiple-choice exam taken at a computer in a DVLA test centre.  This requires careful preparation and mock tests to attain a standard where you will pass.

Once you have completed these requirements, you must work towards a full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC), which comprises of four tests:

• Part one: Theory Test (as above).
• Part two: Case studies.
• Part three: Driving ability.
• Part four: Practical demonstration. Once qualified, you must take 35 hours of training every five years to stay qualified. 

The cost of HGV training and acquiring a license can be as high  as £4,000, but some providers state that it can be done for £1,500.  This is made up of training fees (you will need to engage a training provider to help you through the process) and the cost of the four DCPC tests.  Depending on your training provider, the process to become licensed and on the road can take up to ten weeks.

Top companies hiring truck drivers.

There are lots of good companies in the UK that are both reputable and offer a good salary at the top end of the scale.  Royal Mail, the UK’s postal service is rated very highly, as is XPO logistics, DHL, Eddie Stobart, Waitrose (as mentioned above), Veolia and the Co-Op. Spend some time searching for HGV jobs on Indeed and use Glassdoor to research the company and its employee reviews.

Other jobs in the truck driving industry.

The HGV industry is huge, and if you cannot or don’t want to get an HGV license, or you have been driving and simply fancy a change, then there are plenty of supporting occupations connected to this in-demand industry.  You can train as an instructor, but this will require working knowledge of UK HGV rules and an existing HGV license.  You could also work as a mechanic, a cleaner, or a warehouse operative.  Most HGV companies also have offices or hubs, and you could work in various support roles, such as HR, marketing, sales, finance, or IT.  Whatever your skills are, there will be something for you in the truck driving industry.