Expert HGV Training Middlesborough

Unlike salaried positions like working in an office or a supermarket, there is unlikely to be a set, standard wage for every HGV driver across the country.

This is because HGV driver wages are based on a number of factors, including:

•       Your qualification level – can you also drive HIABs, for example?  
•       How many hours you work.
•       Your cargo – ADR HGV drivers, for example, are entitled to higher wages thanks to the increased danger of the cargo.
•       If you live in an area of high demand.

However, wages for newly qualified HGV drivers can start from £27,000 rising up to £55,000 and beyond with experience – giving even new drivers wages that far exceed minimum wage.

For more information on your earning potential as an HGV driver in Middlesborough, give us a call for a no-obligation conversation with our friendly team – as experts in the industry, we can help advise you and make sure you know what to expect.

All HGV trainees have to undergo a medical assessment before they get behind the wheel, to ensure that they are legally safe to control such large and heavy vehicles.

Trainees can often worry about this assessment, but as long as the DVLA consider you safe to drive, there is no reason you will fail your medical assessment and be denied the opportunity to drive professionally.

Taking medication for well-managed medical conditions is not a reason you might fail the assessment and instead can be a major positive, as it shows you are being responsible – both for yourself and other road users.

The doctors completing the medical assessment will consider your overall health, including your medical history and any medication you take as well as your vision and hearing, to ensure that you are sufficiently aware of your surroundings, can recognise road hazards in good time, and stop them from becoming road traffic accidents.

To book your HGV medical assessment and further training, you can tel:08002545007call us or fill in our contact form and our friendly advisors will get back to you to answer any questions and start your training journey as soon as you are ready.

Despite their increased length, height, and weight, HGV controls are generally very similar to that of a domestic car.

This means that the mechanics of driving will be much the same, but it will come with different considerations, particularly due to the size and weight of this vehicle.

However, just as you passed your Category B test with the help of knowledgeable instructors, our HGV driver training equips you with the skills and confidence needed to handle articulated vehicles that are considerably larger than a car.  

They will also help you learn HGV-specific skills related to loading and unloading!  

It’s important to bear in mind that if HGVs were vastly more difficult, your practical training would take much longer than 5 days to complete – so try not to overthink before you arrive at your local training centre.

For more information about HGV driving in practice, call us or email us today at contact@hgvtrainingnetwork.com. Our friendly advisors can answer any question you may have and start the process for you at your local training centre.

In England, the minimum age for undergoing HGV driver training and obtaining a Category C (rigid) licence is typically 18 years old. 

For a Category C+E (articulated) licence, the minimum age is usually 21 years old, according to government guidance.

As well as being 18 years of age or over, you must also:

•       Have a valid Cat B car driver’s licence and a provisional HGV licence – essentials that must be in place before starting your HGV training course.
•       Be medically fit to drive – which is assessed as you begin your training.

There are some exceptions to these rules, however, so be sure to reach out if you think they could apply to you. To discuss this, you can call us or fill in our contact form – our friendly advisors can answer any questions you may have, including requirements to start and help you with any application processes if need be.

Although many of our graduates continue to drive HGVs for decades to come, some later go on to explore alternative professional driving careers, including:

*Stars mark careers that require further training and certification and bring increased pay as a result.

While varied, all of these jobs come with fantastic salaries, high job satisfaction, and depending on the company you work for, can include a range of driver-specific benefits, like free meals and refreshments, in-store discounts, or vouchers.

To see how HGV driving could benefit new and existing drivers, reach out to our expert team today. You can email us at contact@hgvtrainingnetwork.com or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get you cruising as soon as we can.

Unfortunately, unless you progress to the Class 1 Cat C + E licence, what you can drive depends on the licence you study for and receive.

This is because each licence refers to the specific weight, rather than a vehicle type.

The licence options include:  

•       The 7.5 Ton Cat C1 licence

With this licence, you can drive delivery and removal vehicles, ambulances, and smaller horseboxes.

•       Class 2 Cat C licence

Cat C licensed professionals can drive fire engines, tractors with long trailers, refuse or recycling trucks, and anything on the Cat C1 vehicles.

•       Class 1 Cat C + E licence

Articulated or drawbar HGVs are most commonly driven by those with a Cat C + E licence, but they can also handle anything from the 7.5 Ton Cat C1 licence and the Class 2 Cat C licence too.

For help deciding which vehicle licence is best for you, explore our industry-focused blogs or call us – our advisors will gladly discuss your options and career plans to help you make a final decision.