It usually takes around 6-7 weeks to learn to drive an HGV. This will cover everything from applying for your provisional to having your medical, studying the theory and learning all the practical skills you need to pass the four tests that are part of gaining a professional driver’s licence.

The cost varies depending on the licence that you are looking to acquire and where you do the training. We’ll be able to give you all the information you need about pricing when we know more about your needs.

The good news is, HGV training doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you opt for a fast-tracked training route. This will get you on the road quickly, for a competitive price.

The amount a HGV driver in the UK can earn varies depending on employer, but typically the starting salary for a newly qualified driver is anything up to £30k. If you have more experience, like multiple licence categories, then you could certainly earn up to £50k. Have a look at our driving careers page for more info.

If you’ve taken a standard passenger car driving test in the past, then you will already know the rules of the road and how to interact with other traffic.  Professional drivers are highly skilled, but if you’ve trained properly, with a good school, you should find your practical and theory tests fairly straightforward. Data from 2022-23 shows HGV pass rates averaging at 59.7%, which is much higher than for cars at 47.9%. All you need to be able to do is stay focused, remain calm, and be confidence in your knowledge and experience you’ve gained – you’ve got this. Success is just a test away!

Yes, you can. Traditionally you had to have a Cat. C licence (for rigid trucks) before you could take your Class 1 (Cat. C+E , or artic) test. Some people would choose to complete the training in stages starting with the Cat. C taken first, followed shortly by the C+E.

However, changes introduced by the Government in November 2021 now allow to go straight to your Cat. C+E test without first having to pass a separate Cat. C test.
You will still learn to drive both rigid and articulated trucks, but those elements relating to the Cat. C will be tested by your driving school rather than by a DVSA examiner.

It is still possible to choose to train and take just the Cat. C test if you do not want to drive articulated vehicles. And remember, you need Driver CPC for all licences of Category C1 (7.5t) and above.

Class 1 and Class 2 are two different categories of LGV vehicles. Class 1 refers to large trucks that weigh over 3,500kg, including those above 7.5 tonnes, like national and long-haul lorries. They generally have a tractor unit and trailer, in an articulated or drawbar configuration. These are the largest vehicles that you can drive in the logistics industry, weighing up to 44 tonnes. A Class 1 HGV licence is also called a Cat C+E licence.

Class 2 refers to smaller trucks that weigh over 3,500kg, but no heavier than 32 tonnes. This may include a trailer weighing up to 750kg. These vehicles are often referred to as ‘rigids’ and include fire engines, bin collection vehicles and large removal trucks. They are usually used for making local and domestic deliveries. A Class 2 HGV licence is also called a Cat. C licence.

LGV Class 1, also referred to as Cat C+E, refers to a category of large vehicles that weigh over 3,500kg, including those above 7.5 tonnes. It is the same as HGV Class 1. If you have your Class 1 licence, you can drive most national/international haulage vehicles, drawbar or artic vehicles, and tractors with a long trailer unit. It is an upgrade on the Class 2, or Category C licence.

To become a Class 1 HGV driver, you need to take a Class 1/Cat C+E training course.

The course is four days long and includes all the safety information and training that you will need to be able to obtain your Class 1 licence and drive goods vehicles weighing up to 44 tonnes.

In order to take the course, you need to already have a Cat. B (ordinary car) licence, or a Cat. C1 (7.5 tonnes) licence.

If you already have a Class 2 (Cat. C) licence, you can upgrade it to a Class 1 (Cat. C+E) licence.

Class 2 drivers can earn up to £40,000 per year. The types of vehicles you might drive with a Class 2 (Cat. C) licence include most haulage trucks, fire engines, bin collection vehicles and large removal trucks.

Find out how to get your Class 2 licence with Driver Hire today.

Yes. However, a speedier alternative might be to go private, where you’ll find it much easier to secure an appointment.

Failing your medical for HGV isn’t the end of the road for your licence acquisition plan. The doctor undertaking your medical will provide you with feedback on why you’ve failed and advice on how you can improve your health to meet the required standard.

Prior to reaching age 45 there’s no requirement to renew your medical. If you’re aged 45 or over you’ll need to renew your HGV medical every five years until you’re 65. After that, you’ll have to renew annually.

If you develop a medical condition in the future, you must report it to the DVLA. This may mean undergoing a new HGV medical examination in order to continue working as an HGV driver.

Yes, the test is the same and covers both licences.

Yes. Every time your licence is up for renewal, you will have to undergo a new medical examination.

Yes, in most cases you can transfer your driving skills. You will still need to meet the civilian legal and regulatory requirements to be able to drive professionally when you leave the services. There are a couple of routes you need to take depending on your current licences, certificates, and qualifications you already hold.

The following notes refer to the specific requirements for members of the Armed Forces. Different documents will be required for police, ambulance and fire service drivers, but the process and civilian requirements are the same.

1: Contact your unit’s transport office to get a copy of your FMT600 (military driving permit) and driving record.

2: You’ll also want to have your Service Leavers Form (JPA printout) to show your discharge date and military experience.

You can then apply for your civilian Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).

If you already have your Driver CPC or qualify through grandfather rights, you would need to complete Periodic training. If you have never had a civilian CPC before, you must complete your Initial CPC.

The Initial CPC is also referred to as “Modules 2&4”. Module 2 is a multiple choice 50-question theory test at a DVLA test centre. The pass mark for this test is 40 or more correct answers. You then complete Module 4 (sometimes recognised as ‘first parade’ in the military), where you have in person training in small groups and complete a daily check and answer questions from the trainer.

Once you have successfully passed both modules you are issued your Driver CPC card (DQC). You must then complete 5 days of periodic training every 5 years, starting from your card issue date.

You would need to convert your military, ambulance, fire or police licence if you didn’t already have your civilian licence for the vehicles you will be driving:

Category C – Rigid lorries over 7.5 tonnes

Category C+E – Articulated lorries

Category D – Buses and coaches

You will need to complete a medical exam and to apply for a provisional entitlement before booking your test.

You then complete module 4 (in military they do something similar called ‘first parade’). Module 4 focuses on vehicle safety.

To make sure that you are confident and ready for the test we will provide extensive training prior to the test. Training usually last around 3-4 hours.

The practical test lasts 30 minutes. During the test you are required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability. During the test itself, the examiner will walk around the stationary vehicle with you, asking you a series of questions. You will need to be able to talk freely and confidently about the vehicle and its features.

The fast track enables you to go from a car licence to C+E licence in the quickest amount of time possible. Each step is managed by us.

Each individual is different but the average can be anything from 8-16 weeks. The time is dependent on each drivers knowledge and skills. Every person is different, this time also includes time for the DVLA and DVSA updating the licence too.

Unfortunately not, there is no funding out there for these courses. They are all self-funded.

Currently there are more C+E rolls available. There is still a lot of Class 2 rolls but slighlty more C+E. We track this through Driver Hire UK as well as industry websites such as the RHA website: www.rha.uk.net

It does fluctuate week by week, but we always try to be within 65/75% first time pass rate. If you don’t pass first time don’t worry most then pass on their second attempt.

Don’t panic! You won’t need to re-sit the whole course, just a simple re-test and some additional training to go over the areas you need too is the usual plan. The process depends on you as an individual and our team will support you on the areas you need to re-sit next time to pass.