How To Achieve Your HGV Licence 

If you are looking to start your career in lorry driving, one of the first things you need is to gain your Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence. Without one of these you will be limited in the type of jobs you can undertake, as securing a HGV licence allows you to operate a vehicle weighing over 3,500kg. 

Haulage and logistics is one of the top industries in the UK for employment and there are plenty of jobs out there for the taking. With this in mind, let’s talk about how to get your HGV licence and set off on the right track of progressing your career.

Different Types of Licences 

First and foremost you should be aware of the different types of HGV licence you can get. These vary depending on the weight and size of the vehicle.

• Cat C1 – Vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes.
• Cat C – Rigid bodied vehicles between 7.5 and 32 tonnes. You can skip Cat C1 and progress straight to Cat C if you wish.
• Cat C+E – Drawbar and articulated vehicles. This is an upgrade from Cat C but requires no extra theory.

How Long Do The Courses Take?

Depending on where you go to take the course, the training usually lasts between 8 and 10 weeks, even though said training involves just 5 days of practical work.

A large bulk of the learning comes in the form of theory, which you will have to be tested on in a similar way to earning a regular driver’s licence. You will begin your practical training once you find out from the DVSA that you have passed your theory exam. You will be trained by an experienced instructor and will be able to practice in a HGV prior to your practical test, giving you the best chance of success.

Why You Should Get Your HGV Licence

You may still be unsure about whether a career as a heavy goods vehicle driver is for you, however there are so many benefits to taking on this job.

As previously mentioned, there are an abundance of employment opportunities once you achieve your HGV licence, and there is good job security once you find work. You will be lucky enough to be paid to travel and there is the potential to earn a high wage.

A big bonus for this line of work is that it does not require a bachelor’s degree. It is understandable that going through the university path isn’t for everyone, so as long as you pass the theory and practical tests, you should have all you need to explore a successful career as a lorry or truck driver.

NMT Heavy Haulage

Once you unlock your HGV licence, you will be fully prepared to transport heavy goods from suppliers to customers and clients all over the UK. 

Although our company is known for being one of the leading providers of cranes in the UK, our heavy haulage service is also second to none. If you would like to find out more about heavy haulage and the services we provide, you can head over to our Heavy Haulage page.

Contact Us

If you would like to find out more about the different services we provide or would like to inquire about any crane operator jobs we have available, feel free to fill out our online contact form or give us a call on 0800 026 6985.