If you are looking for a change in your job role, a breath of fresh air, or even that initial first job to kickstart your career then the HGV driver industry is for you! Having an HGV license will allow you to go far in the driving industry, giving you the luxury of travelling around the country and even travelling abroad (although this may be very time-consuming!). Read on to find out more about the industry and how you can get an HGV license for yourself.
How Do You Become an HGV Driver?
To gain your HGV license and become an official driver you will need to have a full registered UK drivers license and be over 18 years old. With this, you will be able to undergo a practical and theory test to achieve your HGV license and become an official lorry driver. There are 3 points that are important to follow in this case, these would be;
- Be sure to first apply for a standard provisional drivers license which includes submitting a D4 medical form, a theory and practical driving exam are also mandatory to obtain a lorry drivers license.
- You will need to have a qualification named the Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence to legally drive an HGV lorry.
- There are also multiple different HGV license types so it is important to know the difference, these different licenses are due to the weight of the vehicle you are driving. These ranges can be anything between a Cat C1 which weighs from a range of 3500-7500kg + 750kg with a trailer as well as a Cat C+E which comes in at around 44 tonnes for combined transport.
What Skills and Characteristics are Necessary to Become an HGV Driver?
Achieving your HGV license isn’t the only thing you need to become an HGV driver, the most important asset comes from what you can offer as an employee and whether you have the required skill set to fulfil the wanted criteria, here is a list of skills that you need to have to become an HGV driver;
- Maintaining focus for long periods (this is vital when you are a driver)
- Being calm at the wheel and not impatient
- Completing important paperwork when finishing deliveries
- Having good communication skills
- Be Knowledgeable about road safety especially with an HGV
How Much Experience Do You Need?
Of course, a long experience as a driver can play a factor in being employed as an HGV driver, yet this is not the defining factor most of the time. The skills mentioned above will be the main focal point for companies, although some companies may only take drivers with at least 1 year of experience. It will tend to vary depending on the company.
What are the Working Hours Like?
After achieving your HGV license and becoming an official driver you should be prepared to work rather irregular hours. Because of this, there are EU regulations in place to ensure drivers aren’t overworked. The hours consist of;
- 9 hours working limit daily
- Drivers can drive 10 hours twice a week
- Drivers have a limit of 56 hours weekly and 90 hours per fortnight
Contact our Team of Recruitment Experts at Pure Staff
Looking for an agency that can help you find that job that you have always wanted? Get in touch with our team at Pure Staff to discuss your business’s recruitment requirements.
