What It’s Like to Work as an HGV Driver

HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers are crucial to keeping the economy running and, in the UK, they’re in higher demand than ever before. Despite this, HGV careers often don’t get the discussion they deserve with many never even considering the option.

So let’s talk about what a day in the life of an HGV driver looks like, how to become one, and why those who do often love their careers.

What It’s Like to be an HGV Driver

HGV driving isn’t for everybody but those who like it often love it.

The job is mostly about consistency and concentration. You spend long stretches of time on the road managing a vehicle that requires careful handling and attention at all times. Sometimes you’ll be going through busy urban areas but you’ll also spend lots of time on the motorway.

It might sound simple but whether or not you enjoy the job often comes down to one simple question: do you like driving?

If you do, and if you’re not the type to get tired from long stretches of concentration, then HGV driving comes with a lot of benefits. Modern trucks are very comfortable and there’s no rule to say you can’t spend your day listening to music, podcasts, or even books.

Your daily routine will usually start with some pre-drive checks, making sure everything is safe, loaded correctly and compliant with regulations. Once that’s done you can get underway. Some HGV drivers do multi-drop work while others work long-haul routes across the country or even into Europe.

Interactions are minimal but you’re not completely on your own. You’ll usually work with warehouse staff and clients. At the end of each day you’ll probably need to set a few hours to one side to catch up on your paperwork. That means logging your hours and updating your records.

When all’s said and done, it’s very independent work and the people who are best suited to it are often those who enjoy having lots of time to themself. 

HGV Licence Training

To become an HGV driver in the UK, you’ll need a dedicated HGV licence called a CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence). There are some exceptions to for drivers who passed their test before 1997 but as a general rule if you’re looking to start your HGV driving career in 2025, you’re going to need to get a dedicated licence.

Before you can get your CPC you’ll first need to be over the age of 18 and have a full car licence. Then you’ll need to take five tests demonstrating your professional competence. You may be able to skip some of these tests if you were a qualified HGV driver before the new system came into place in 2008.

Once you’ve got your CPC you’ll need to keep it updated by taking 35 hours of training once every five years. If you’re over 65, you’ll need to renew your licence every year.

How Much Do HGV Drivers Make?

Now here’s where we come to the tricky bit, and a sticking point for many. When starting out HGV drivers usually earn around £27,000 per year with experienced drivers earning closer to £49,000 according to the National Careers Service.

Put simply, it can be a high earning job but there’s no getting around the fact that the hours are long and for your first few years, you could be earning significantly more in other fields. While there are many advantages to being an HGV driver – in particular the independence you’ll get – it could take a while to be earning a really decent income.

But is £49,000 really the most you can make in this industry?

Long Terms Prospects For an HGV Career

Many assume that becoming an HGV driver is the natural end point of a career but it doesn’t have to be. Being an experienced HGV driver provides a great opportunity to start a career in logistics or even manage whole fleets. Driving HGVs provides a lot of knowledge and experience about logistics networks that many companies find useful.

Although there are plenty of drivers who are happy to stay on the road, for those looking to move into an office position, there are lots of options.