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Transport

HGV Driver

HGV drivers transport goods and materials between suppliers, businesses and customers. You need a full car licence to start, the right HGV licence category for the vehicle and, where driving is your main job, a Driver CPC. Not every driver needs C+E.

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Career fit

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Entry level
£27,000 (starter)
Mid-career (typical)
£27k – £47k
Senior / lead
£47,000 (experienced)
What you'll do

A day in the life

  • Check the vehicle before every journey
  • Load or supervise loading
  • Drive planned routes and keep to schedules
  • Follow driving-hours and safety rules
  • Complete delivery paperwork
The path

Your career roadmap

Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.

  1. 1

    Full car licence

    certification
    Usually several months; varies with experience

    Gain a full Category B car licence by passing the car theory and practical driving tests.

  2. 2

    Provisional HGV licence

    certification
    Usually a few weeks; medical checks can take longer

    Apply for provisional lorry entitlement, normally from age 18, and complete the required medical assessment.

  3. 3

    Driver CPC theory tests

    qualification
    Usually a few weeks of preparation

    Prepare for and pass the lorry multiple-choice, hazard perception and Driver CPC case studies tests for professional driving.

  4. 4

    HGV practical training

    experience
    Often 1–3 weeks intensively; longer part-time

    Practise driving a Category C rigid lorry, including manoeuvring, road positioning, vehicle checks and safe load handling.

  5. 5

    Driver CPC practical tests

    qualification
    Usually several test appointments; availability varies

    Pass the HGV off-road and on-road driving tests, plus the Driver CPC practical demonstration for professional driving.

  6. 6

    Category C HGV licence

    certification
    Usually a few weeks for documents

    Have Category C entitlement added to your licence and check your Driver Qualification Card following successful completion of the required tests.

  7. 7

    HGV Driver

    role
    Ongoing; initial experience often builds over 6–12 months

    Start paid HGV work transporting goods, completing vehicle checks and following drivers’ hours, tachograph and load safety rules.

  8. 8

    C+E / specialist / transport progression

    role
    Days or weeks for some courses; longer for management progression

    Develop towards articulated lorry driving, specialist loads, driver training or transport supervision through further qualifications and experience.

What you need

Skills you'll build

Qualifications
  • Category C licence
  • Driver CPC
  • LGV Driver apprenticeship — optional
Certifications
  • Category C / C+E licence
  • Driver CPC
  • Digital tachograph card