There are many good reasons to consider a career in HGV driving as you can earn up to £30,000 a year, benefit from flexible working hours, have good job security and there is a high demand for qualified HGV drivers at the moment.
To become an HGV driver by UK law you must first qualify for your licence, there are 2 main types of licence depending on which class of vehicle you intend to drive. These are: Category C Licence: Referring to rigid vehicles which are all in one units and are categorised as HGV Class 2 vehicles. Category C+E Licence: Referring to Articulated vehicles that are made up of a cab & trailer, these are categorised as HGV Class 1 vehicles.
There are many companies that are offering HGV driving training throughout the UK with some courses requiring only 5 days to complete. HGV training prices vary from company to company so it is always pays to compare first. Once you have obtained your HGV licence you are ready to start working as an HGV driver and normally there is no further, or very little, additional training required.
Obtaining a Licence
First you must apply for the appropriate Provisional Licence, which requires that you already have a full car driving licence and are at least 18 years of age. To apply for a provisional HGV driving licence you must complete two forms: the application form D2 and the medical report form D4 which is to be completed by a doctor and you must ensure that all relevant questions are completed. You need to be aware that doctors will charge you for completing the medical report. Both of these forms can be obtained from the DVLA’s online form ordering service (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514). Alternatively, you can often apply through your chosen HGV training company. Once the forms have been completed and sent to the DVLA you may have to wait up to 3 weeks for your provisional licence to arrive.
Once you have obtained your Provisional Licence the next step is to successfully complete a Theory Test that consists off a multiple choice and hazard perception test. There a various books and training aids that can help you prepare for this test. Upon passing your theory test you will be able to apply to take your practical test but first you will need to undertake HGV Driver Training.
The practical test takes an hour and a half to complete and you will be required to perform numerous manoeuvres and procedures without incurring any major faults as well as correctly answering the vehicle safety questions put to you. Upon passing the test you will be issued with a Category C Licence allowing you to legally operate a HGV Class 2 vehicle. Having obtained a Category C licence you will now be eligible to apply for a Category C+E test which will licence you to drive any HGV vehicle upon successful completion.
HGV Driver Training Companies
Choosing to train with an HGV Training company is a fast and cost effective way of learning to competently operate an HGV and pass the tests involved. These companies can offer a lot of support including helping you to complete the provisional licence application and medical forms, preparing for the theory test and passing the practical test. HGV Training companies normally offer flexible courses to best suit you and you can choose to take hourly lessons or do an intensive course. Which HGV Driver Training company you choose determines what is included in the course, the price and the length of time it takes to complete. Comparing is a great way to quickly find the ideal course for you today.
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