How do you go about becoming a lorry driver in the UK?
Asked by Charlotte M
My partner is interested in a career change and he quite likes the prospect of becoming a HGV/lorry driver (the working away doesn't bother either of us). He does not have a HGV license and doesn't know where to start when it comes to getting one or how much they cost? Also, are jobs easy to come across or is there not much demand for drivers? Any advice greatly appreciated thank you.

Best Answer:
Hello, (ANS) My sincere advise to you is NOT to go for an HGV license straight away but to start by just doing commercial van driving. This only requires a normal full UK license and no special training. This way you can see if you like driving for a living. NOTE OF CAUTION:- Commercial van driving & driving HGV's is NOTHING like driving a normal car. Its 100% a different ball game entirely. Negatives aspects: a) Lorry drivers experience the equivalent of jet lag i.e. fatigue caused by long distances and stress and dead lines. This can and does have a bad effect on a persons health b) your sat down for long periods again NOT good for body c) a poor diet and eating on the hoof which also has a bad effect. Positive aspects: a) once your in the cab & on the road you are largely your own pilot and can drive as you see fit (most use SatNav now), b) you might get to see nice parts of the country you have never visited before. I did trips to Scotland for example. **NOTE: right now European drivers of lorries & HGV's are saturating the Haulage industry and so competition for work is very stiff as far as I know. **An HGV course can cost you several thousand pounds to complete and then you must pass your HGV driving test. You will need to know all about Tacographs (digital now) and healthy & safety etc. **YES! there still seems to be a large demand for HGV no.1 & HGV no.3 drivers and the money can be quite good especially if you are prepared to do night shifts or anti social hours. i.e. multi drops. Kind Regards Ivan

learn to drive a hgv cost about £1000,cat2, plenty of work
Answered by george

Some companies will pay for people to take the tests needed but require that you pay them back if you leave the company within a certain amount of time, my hubby is a hgv driver for Asda and they do this (although this isnt how he learned), i would suggest that you maybe contact some job agencies as they may be able to let you know about companies hiring at the moment and if there are any courses available.
Answered by leambi