How to become a heavy and large goods vehicle driver
Official title: Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers
Also called: Driver, Hgv driver, Lgv driver, Skip driver, Goods driver, Lorry driver, Rolly driver, Truck driver, Wagon driver, Owner-driver, Loader driver, Refuse driver
HGV and LGV drivers collect, transport and deliver goods in rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, articulated lorries and lorries pulling trailers.
Main tasks
- Checks tyres, brakes, lights, oil, water and fuel levels and general condition of the vehicle
- Drives vehicle from depot to loading/unloading point
- Agrees delivery schedule and route with transport management
- Assists with loading/unloading and ensures that load is evenly distributed and safely secured
- Drives vehicle to destination in accordance with schedule
- Maintains records of journey times, mileage and hours worked
- Undertakes minor repairs and notifies supervisor of any mechanical faults
How to become one
No formal academic entry qualifications are required. The HGV/LGV test incorporates a medical examination, theory test and assessed road driving. HGV/LGV drivers of vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and over require a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). The minimum age for HGV/LGV driving after obtaining the qualification is 18 years. NVQs/SVQs, other vocational courses and apprenticeships relevant to this occupation are available at various levels.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2). England. Typically 13 months. Skills England standard ST0257.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £39,905 a year The middle half earn £33,749 to £46,679.
- About 314,100 people work in this job now, and about 312,300 are projected by 2035. (-0.6%)
Related jobs
- Bus and coach drivers
- Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs
- Delivery drivers and couriers
- Driving instructors
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Questions people ask
How do I become a heavy and large goods vehicle driver?
No formal academic entry qualifications are required. The HGV/LGV test incorporates a medical examination, theory test and assessed road driving. HGV/LGV drivers of vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and over require a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). The minimum age for HGV/LGV driving after obtaining the qualification is 18 years. NVQs/SVQs, other vocational courses and apprenticeships relevant to this occupation are available at various levels.
How much does a heavy and large goods vehicle driver earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £39,905 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £33,749 to £46,679.
Is a heavy and large goods vehicle driver a growing career in the UK?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 314,100 people now and 312,300 later (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a heavy and large goods vehicle driver?
Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03