Nowadays, there’s a high demand for Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers. Moreover, the situation is different owing to the ongoing pandemic and the problems with the working conditions. Many applicants are unable to become drivers as there’s a delay in the tests. With the economy opening up again, you can now pace ahead to join an organization as an HGV driver. Besides, individuals may not find it hard to get a job because companies are likely to appoint more drivers. So, let’s go through to know how much do HGV driver earn in the UK. But before that, let’s check out what you need to go through for becoming an HGV driver.
How to Become a Successful HGV driver?
To qualify for becoming an HGV driver, you should be more than 18 years old. If you already have a driving license and work outside the UK, you need to apply for a transfer.
Presently, there are many licenses available because several vehicles can bear different weights. But, if you’re sure about the license, it entirely depends on the overall weight the vehicle can carry. It also depends on whether you can drive the vehicle along with a trailer.
To help you get an appropriate license, here’s a list which you should go through.
Cat C1+E – If you are planning to get a Cat C1+E licence, then you will be able to drive vehicles that weigh anything between 3500 kg and 7500 kg. However, you can commute from one place to another with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg.
Cat C1 – With this type of license, you can drive vehicles weighing between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg. But, you’re can only go to another place along with or without a trailer.
Cat C – A Cat C allows you to drive vehicles that weigh more than 3500 kg and are capable of pulling a trailer that weighs up to 750 kg.
Cat C+E – After you get the Cat C+E license, you can drive a vehicle that weighs more than 3500 kg. But, you can attach a trailer to a vehicle only if it’s more than 750 kg.
Before you start driving, it’s essential to go through HGV training. It can enhance your profile and increase the chances of getting an offer from haulage companies. Every training program includes a medical test, a theory exam, and a practical exam. Eventually, every driver also has to appear for the Driver CPC test and take a refresher course for 35 hours.
A medical test involves interacting with the doctor and a brief examination of the body. For the theory test, you need to answer multiple-choice questions at a test center. Additionally, a practical exam will help to gauge how well you’re able to drive the vehicle. In the end, you have to get the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for driving the HGV legally in the UK.
How much are the HGV drivers paid in the UK?
If you would be driving an HGV for the first time, you can earn anything between £19,000 and £24,000. Later, the company may increase the salary depending on how skillfully you drive the vehicle. On average, an HGV driver can earn between £30,000 and £40,000. But, the earnings will depend on the organization for which the driver is working. The company will also offer a higher salary only when he appears confident to drive long distances.
It is not easy to get an HGV driver these days, so you can temporarily take up a driver’s job. In such a case, you will be paid as much as £10 for every hour. Once again, the hourly rate may differ depending on the goods in transit. It will also vary in case the vehicle is bigger than the usual ones.
Will the HGV Driver’s Wages Increase year Ahead?
News from BBC states that the driver’s wages have been relatively low for the past 20 to 30 years. But, as there’s a shortage of HGV drivers presently, companies are ready to hike wages. An HGV driver can undoubtedly expect an extra 20p per hour in the following months. However, an individual who regularly delivers milk to a self-service retail market says that the pay increase was “unsustainable”. Even as haulage companies strive to retain the HGV drivers, they are ready to work on tight margins. Moreover, companies consider paying the drivers’ wages only after considering the cost of using the vehicle.
Just recently, many logistics firms have been posting about driver’s jobs with an annual package of £50,000. But, when drivers can sustain the inflation in the market, it’s creditable. After a while, rail freight seemed to be a solution rather than moving ahead with HGV drivers. But, when it’s all about transporting goods across the country, UK still relies on HGV drivers.
Apart from everything else, the situation may be different even when drivers earn more than £300 every day. They may quit their current job as there’s a lot of driving involved in transporting valuable goods. They need to work for long hours, mainly while delivering goods far away from the prime location. With this in mind, they’re looking forward to taking up another job so that they can maintain a good work-life balance.
Bottom Line
On a concluding note, to boost your earning potential, you need to go through some extra training sessions. Apart from enabling you to drive heavier vehicles, additional training will increase your chances of getting a high Cat license. Further ahead, the company also considers your driving experience to decide how much it can pay you. With driving experience in your profile, logistics companies will consider you trustworthy to move around with valuable goods.
Also Read: How much do HGV Drivers Earn Per Hour?
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