The effect of Covid-19 has resulted in a disproportional number of young being made redundant. The unemployment rate in 16-24 year old age group currently stands at 14.2% and is predicted to rise further.
However one sector where there is a massive shortage is the HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle)/LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) lorry drivers in the logistics sector. Some estimate that there is a shortage of lorry drivers of up to 76,000 in UK. This is an ideal time for young people to look into a career in HGV/LGV lorry driving. This sector is often overlooked but could provide a lucrative and rewarding career.
In this blog, we look at some of the requirements and how you go about becoming a lorry driver.
What are the requirements to becoming a lorry driver?
You need to be at least 18 years old and hold a full car driving licence. You need to be in a good medical health. There will be a medical examination prior to you becoming a lorry driver. As with all driving tests, you need to have good eyesight which could be with your spectacles.
Job Prospects
As mentioned, there is a huge shortage of HGV/LGV drivers in UK and hence your job prospects are very good once you are qualified. These days there is no such thing as job for life, but a career as a lorry driver could be as good as a job for life. There are plenty of opportunities to progress as well. You could start at entry level and work up to senior driver or transport team leader (supervisor), transport manager, or even become owner operator.
Job Environment
As a lorry driver you will work from depots, distribution centres, ports and warehouses, carrying goods all over the UK and possibly throughout Europe and hence a love of travelling would help. Your duties may include:
- Planning delivery schedules and routes
- Supervising and/or helping to load and unload goods
- Making sure loads are safely secured
- Following traffic reports and changing your route if necessary
- Completing delivery paperwork and log books
- You may also have to deal with basic maintenance, like oil, tyre and brake checks before and after journeys.
You will often be working on your own and will need to be self-motivated, have a lot of patience and be extremely safety oriented.
Working Hours
The HGV/LGV lorry driver job is generally not a 9-5 job. You might prefer to work weekends, work through nights or have a different working pattern (four days working three days off, for example). The hours you drive are strictly controlled for Health and Safety reasons. Nine hours is the daily driving limit but you can increase it to ten hours twice a week. After a period of no more than 4.5 hours of driving you must immediately take a break of at least 45 minutes. The driving period can be continuous, or made up of shorter periods totalling 4.5 hours.
You can agree flexible working hours with your employer.
Salary
A newly qualified HGV driver can expect to earn a salary of over £20,000 whilst those more experienced can earn about £35,000 – that’s without bonuses and other rewards.
Types of Lorry Driver Licence Available
The types of HGV/LGV lorry you can drive depend on which class of driving licence you hold. These are:
- Class 1/ Cat C+E – allows you to drive a vehicle with a detachable trailer (more commonly known as articulated lorry) over 7.5 tonnes.
- Class 2/Cat C – allows you to drive a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes that has a rigid base and fixed cab.
- Cat C1 – allows you drive a vehicle between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes
- Cat C1+E – allows you to drive a vehicle as in category C1 with the additional allowance to tow a trailer behind the vehicle too
- Cat D – allows you to drive a bus/coach or vehicle designed to carry passengers
Where can you get a HGV/LGV Lorry Licence?
We advise that you go to a reputable company specialising in training to get your licence. Avoid brokers and agents as they do not train you but pass you on to another company who does. It is often cheaper to go direct and cut out the middle man. Sometimes brokers/agents offer you deals which seem attractive but you always end up paying more. Our sister company, Wallace School of Transport specialises in HGV/LGV lorry driver training and has over 50 years of experience in this sector. Once qualified “Drivers On Demand” can help you get a job.
If you want to train and obtain a HGV/LGV lorry licence contact Wallace School of Transport on 0208 453 3440
.Contact Drivers on Demand – for all your Driver needs – contract, temporary or permanent positions – one call sorts it all
Drivers on Demand, 6 Steele Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 7AR
Click here to email us, Tel: 020 8453 3444, Fax: 020 8453 3445