Monthly Archives: January 2024

If you’ve been considering a career switch lately, heading out on the open road as an HGV driver may have come across your radar – and with good reason.

HGV drivers enjoy independence in their role, excellent rates of pay, a good work-life balance, and the chance to travel all over the country (and potentially the world) among a host of other benefits.

But you may be wondering – what does an HGV driver do in their day-to-day? Is there anything involved in the job that’s not quite as obvious? And would it be the right job for me?

At HGV Training Network, we’re here to give you the low-down on what’s involved in the job of an HGV driver, so you have a better understanding before you take the leap and get your HGV driving licence – along with a professional driving qualification called the certificate of professional competence (CPC).

What is the average HGV driver’s salary?

There’s no such thing as an ‘average’ day when you’re an HGV driver – the road always presents new and exciting challenges. But there are certain things every driver ticks off their list as part of their daily routine. These include things like:

• Getting up early in the morning or sleeping in to work later in the evening – depending on their schedule.
• Arriving at the depot to clock in, inspect their vehicle and collect their goods before heading out for the day.
• Driving in busy towns, cities and motorways with fluctuating levels of traffic.
• Enjoying some peace and independence while they’re behind the wheel
• Making a single drop-off or multiple stops throughout the day, depending on the items in question.
• Returning to the depot to drop off their HGV after their shift, before returning home.

The benefits of a career as an HGV driver for women

While it may be a male-dominated industry (99% of HGV drivers are male), more and more women are being encouraged to step into HGV driver roles after completing their HGV driver training.

Just as the road presents plenty of benefits for men, those same benefits still apply to women who wish to drive for a living. Female HGV drivers can enjoy excellent wages, shift work that fits around their busy personal schedules, and a role that offers plenty of peace, privacy and adventure.

Plus, by becoming a female HGV driver, you’ll be helping to cause a seismic shift in the opportunities in HGV driving that are open to women, encouraging more women to join the ranks and change their working lives for the better.

What are the wages for HGV drivers?

HGV driver wages are one of the key reasons so many people have made the switch to HGV driving in recent years – not only is it a fulfilling job, but also a very lucrative one.

To put things into perspective, a beginner HGV driver can easily accrue a salary of over £25,000 per year, with the average HGV driver salary in the UK earning around an impressive £35,000.

But that’s just the average. Depending on where you live, you stand to earn considerably more than this. In and around London, for example, HGV driver wages are far greater, on average, than they are in the North of England.

However, more experienced drivers in the right part of the country, working for the right company, can earn in the region of £60,000!

Do HGV drivers get paid per trip or per hour?

This can differ from company to company. A tenured HGV driver working for the same company for several years may be paid purely on a salary basis – a set amount per month. However, many HGV drivers who switch between working for numerous companies can be paid on both a per-hour or per-trip basis, at the discretion of the company involved.

How does overtime work as an HGV driver?

If there is an overspill of work and companies need HGV drivers for longer than they anticipated, these companies can offer drivers overtime to meet demand. In this case, the drivers are usually paid on a per-hour basis and will receive the appropriate payment for the extra hours they have worked.

However, accepting overtime as an HGV driver is a decision that needs to be taken carefully. By law, drivers are only allowed to spend a certain amount of time behind the wheel per day and must take at least a 45-minute break after every 4.5 hours of driving. If a company tries to make an HGV driver exceed the time restrictions of these rules, they are putting themselves in a very morally and legally grey area.

Having said that, drivers who stick to the accepted periods and enjoy the right amount of rest are more than welcome to accept overtime on their originally-scheduled days off, as this can act as a handy boost to their pay packets.

Will HGV driver wages go up?

Given there is still a huge demand for HGV drivers across the country (more on that in a moment) and that HGV driver wages seem to have been steadily rising  – with the occasional dip – in recent years, there’s every reason to assume wages will continue to rise at a similar rate.

It all depends on three factors: 

• Overall wages rising in line with inflation
• The demand for drivers 
• The value of the jobs they’re expected to undertake

If more high-value clientele require experienced and reliable drivers, there’s no reason they wouldn’t compensate these drivers accordingly with increased wages. Time will tell.

Is there an HGV driver union?

Yes – much like other professions, it is important for HGV drivers to ensure they receive fair treatment from their employers on a host of different matters. Enrolling in a union is one way to help make this happen.

HGV drivers can join various worker’s unions to gain the support they seek, should an issue arise that cannot be solved alone. Some driver-specific unions deal exclusively with those in the driving profession.

What is the demand for HGV drivers?

In 2021, there was a national shortage of around 100,000 HGV drivers, creating a substantial problem in the industry and leaving many important driving jobs unfulfilled. This is, in part, due to older, more experienced drivers retiring with not enough young recruits learning the trade.

However, things have improved somewhat in recent months. In March 2023, the shortage had lessened from 100,000 to 60,000 thanks to government schemes, impressive HGV training courses and attractive wages, amongst other reasons – though there is still a long way to go. So if you’re interested in becoming an HGV driver, there are still plenty of opportunities out there for you.

Can you still take holidays as an HGV driver?

Taking holidays as an HGV driver will undoubtedly differ from company to company. But, overall, HGV drivers are just as entitled to paid holiday time as anyone in any other profession. 

Consider HGV Training Network for your first steps into HGV driving

If becoming an HGV/lorry driver, earning your HGV licence and driver certificate of professional competence sounds like the right career move for you, HGV Training Network is here to help. 

With 50 training centres across the UK, all manned by experienced and personable HGV training providers, we’re your number-one pick for HGV training in the UK.

Alternatively, we also offer other qualifications, if you’re looking to do something a little different – like becoming a bus driver, for instance. Get in touch with the HGV Training Network team today to find out more.

If you’re looking for a new profession and an HGV career is catching your eye, then you’re most likely interested in the potential earnings you can make.

Our experts, with many years in the industry, have produced a helpful guide explaining the ins and outs of everything you need to know about HGV driver earnings.

Keep reading to find out just how profitable the wonderful world of professional driving is!

What is the average HGV driver’s salary?

In the UK, HGV drivers can expect to earn an average salary of £30,000, which works out to around a handsome £15.47 per hour – but, this differs between regions and companies.

Not bad for a job that offers super-high job satisfaction and plenty of travel opportunities for you to enjoy, right?

What’s more, this figure doesn’t include potential benefits, such as health insurance, or bonuses from generous employers who always look to reward staff for high work performance.

Do HGV driver earnings rise in line with inflation?

As discussed, driver earnings vary depending on the employer, however, trans.info reports that some drivers working for major companies such as Heinz have experienced pay rises in recent months. 

Given the demand for drivers, employers are having to keep up with rising inflation to ensure their HGV operators can live comfortably and prevent strikes.

Other high-paying HGV driver locations

There are several other great paying HGV driver locations across Britain, including:

• The West Midlands
• Yorkshire
• The North East
• Scotland

How much can HGV drivers earn?

Ultimately, the amount an HGV driver can earn is subject to several factors like location and hours worked – it’s also important to remember that salaries aren’t standard across the board.

Firstly, as mentioned earlier, location plays a role in how much money you can expect to make per year. Like most jobs, London wages are often the highest, however, this is often concerning the high cost of living there compared to other parts of the UK.

Secondly, if you have a full-time job, you will typically receive more money than a part-time driver working fewer hours. 40-45 hours per is the standard for a full-time HGV driver position, so annual salaries are usually based on this.

Lastly, the type of HGV you drive will also determine how much you can earn, which we’ll explore more in the following section.

Which HGV drivers make the most money?

1. ADR vehicle drivers

At the top end of the scale and making the most money are ADR drivers – this type of HGV driver is responsible for transporting tankards across the UK that contain dangerous and toxic substances, such as fuel.

These driver jobs can earn beyond £45,000, depending on your experience, location and employer.

To become an ADR driver, you must earn an ADR Training Certificate to show you know how to handle the transportation and distribution of flammable and corrosive substances.

2. Class 1 HGV drivers (Category C+E)

A driver of an articulated vehicle weighing between 7.5 tonnes and 44 tonnes can earn a similar mouthwatering salary, sometimes beyond £40,000 for specialist long-haul roles.

These vehicles are the long HGVs you come across on the motorway that have long detachable trailers.

Those driving Class 1 HGV vehicles are usually employed by distribution companies, such as Royal Mail, or manufacturers and retailers as part of their supply and logistics chain.

3. Class 2 HGV drivers (Category C)

Perfect for new drivers entering the industry, those qualified to drive rigid HGVs can earn a sizeable wage up to £40,000 for a 45-hour driving week.

This type of lorry weighs over 7.5 tonnes, without exceeding 32 tonnes – jobs that involve driving category C vehicles include delivering goods from supplier to client, such as warehouses to stores or hospitals.

4. 7.5 Ton – (Category C1)

Also known as a final mile heavy goods vehicle, a category C1 truck is one weighing up to 7.5 tonnes – jobs that involve driving these smaller lorries can expect salaries up to a delightful £30,000.

As usual, when it comes to HGV driving, your wage will depend on the hours you work per week, your location and the company you work for.

As a Category C1 driver, you can apply for jobs including delivering food orders from supermarkets to customers, or furniture removals if you’d prefer.

Where pays the most for HGV training?

Certain regions across the UK pay more than others for HGV drivers and their skill sets – this may be due to HGV drivers being scarce in the area, and where there’s high demand, there are higher wages.
Or it can result from a greater need for lorry drivers in the region due to more industry or logistics chains in the area.

According to NimbleFins, the place that offers the highest HGV driver salaries is the East Midlands, which pays £30,496 on average – this figure takes into account the cost of living in the region too, otherwise, London would take the top spot at £31,110.

Do HGV drivers earn more in major cities?

Typically, HGV drivers in big cities have higher incomes than those in other parts of the nation, but this is usually to meet the high costs of city living.

But it’s regions with a better cost of living ratio (the greater the better) that enable you to bring more disposable income home, as you don’t pay as much for necessities and housing costs.

Such regions include the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East, as mentioned earlier.

What expenses are covered when working away?

Drivers who work long days away or overnight typically have their out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed by their employer if the costs meet a set allowance. 

Such costs include meal allowances and overnight stay fees.
According to GOV.UK, if you sleep in your sleeper cab, you can usually claim up to £26.20 per night. If you stay in a hotel, you can claim up to £34.90 per night – however, these totals also cover the cost of food.

Day shift vs night vs weekend

Night and weekend driving hours tend to pay more as they’re classed as unsociable hours – but this could vary between companies.

So, it’s best to check with your potential employer if pay will increase during these hours.

Start your rewarding driving career today with HGV Training Network

Are high wages and the chance to travel simply too good to resist? To enter the fulfilling industry of supply and logistics, you’ll need to embark on a professional HGV training course to become a fully qualified HGV driver.

Our seasoned instructors have helped hundreds of people earn their HGV licence and kickstart their HGV driving careers. Plus, with over 50 modern HGV driving training centres across the UK, you’re sure to find a facility near you!

To begin your professional driving journey or to simply speak to one of our friendly team, call us on 0800 254 5007 or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you.