If you love the open road, then training to be an HGV driver could be the perfect career move. The government is already offering ways to complete HGV training faster, in light of a national shortage of qualified drivers.
Once you get your HGV licence, if you want to work for Chris Bennett, check our Job Vacancies page for more details of what we’re looking for and how to apply.
What is an HGV licence?
An HGV licence is, quite simply, a licence to drive a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) on UK roads. There is some confusion over the term ‘LGV licence’ because some people think LGV stands for ‘light goods vehicle’ while others think it stands for ‘large goods vehicle’.
But as there is no separate LGV licence to qualify for, you don’t need to worry about it – just focus on passing your HGV licence to become a lorry driver.
What’s the difference between HGV Class 1 and HGV Class 2?
An HGV Class 2 driver is qualified to drive a rigid vehicle that weighs over 3.5 tonnes and not more than 32 tonnes, also called an HGV C licence.
An HGV Class 1 driver is qualified to drive articulated lorries (sometimes called ‘artics’) with a maximum weight of 44 tonnes. This is also called an HGV C+E licence. The E stands for ‘Entitlement’ with respect to the extra permissions given under a Class 1 lorry licence.
Can you go straight to being a Class 1 lorry driver?
Since November 2021, in light of the critical shortage of qualified drivers in the UK, it is no longer necessary to pass an HGV Class 2 test before booking an HGV Class 1 test.
However, there are many important skills and experiences gained while studying for your HGV Class 2 licence, so many learners are still choosing to pass each stage in turn.
What requirements are there?
There are not many requirements to start studying to be a lorry driver. Some of the most basic needs include:
- You must be over 18
- You must have a driving licence
- You must pass a medical
Further medical tests must be passed every 5 years, to make sure you are safe to operate such a large vehicle, and do not pose any threat to other road users due to ill health.
What are the benefits of being an HGV driver?
Lorry driving isn’t for everyone, but it CAN be for anyone. If you’re a decent car driver, it’s very likely you’ll pass an HGV test, as well as picking up the other skills like sheeting and securing loads.
HGV driving is for all ages 18 and over, and for all genders, ethnicities and other demographics – you just need to pass your HGV licence, and away you go.
A love of the open road is beneficial, as well as a willingness to drive overnight, at weekends and to work overtime if needed, but the rewards are there to make it all very worthwhile.
Chris Bennett’s drivers
At Chris Bennett Heavy Haulage, we go beyond the basic HGV licence, to ensure all of our drivers have the specific haulage experience it takes to get goods to their destination quickly, reliably and safely, every time.
We are always on the lookout for experienced Class 1 HGV drivers with demonstrable skills in securing and sheeting loads to join our haulage team.
If that sounds like you, visit our Job Vacancies page and follow the instructions to contact us and express your interest in driving for us.