Large Goods Vehicle Driver

Typical Salary

£18,500 To £35,000

Typical Hours

50 to 52 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Large Goods Vehicle Driver

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role
specialist training providers

College / University

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a large goods vehicle driver.

Army

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

If you're already working for a transport operator, for example as a clerk, your employer may be willing to put you through training to get your large goods vehicle licence.

Other Routes

You can find training providers in your region by searching online. You can also check providers through the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training. It lists providers of refresher training for qualified large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers but many of these also offer initial LGV training.

LGV courses last from 1 to 3 weeks and cover driving skills, basic mechanics, and loading and securing loads. The test includes vehicle safety questions, manoeuvres like reversing into a loading bay, 25 miles of road driving and a theory test based on the Highway Code and LGV regulations.

It's recommended that you compare several providers before signing up to see what they offer and to make sure it fits your needs.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
customer service skills
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to work well with others
the ability to operate and control equipment
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties you may:

plan delivery schedules and routes with transport managers
supervise or help to load and unload goods
make sure loads are safely secured
follow traffic reports and change your route if necessary
complete delivery paperwork and log books

Working Environment

You could work from a vehicle.

Your working environment may be cramped and you may spend nights away from home.

Career Path & Progression

You could take further training and gain an ADR (Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road) Certificate to drive hazardous goods like toxic chemicals by tanker.

With experience, you could train to become an LGV instructor, freight transport planner or move into management.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You'll find details about large goods vehicle licence applications on GOV.UK.

You can find out more about driver training and the licences you need from the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

have a driving licence that includes LGV for lorries, or PCV for buses, if you work with these vehicles
be over 18 years of age
have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - this is known as the Driver CPC

The LGV licence test is divided into two categories:

Category C1 allows you to drive rigid vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes
Category C allows you to drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes

You would then take a further test to allow you to drive vehicles with trailers (category C+E).