Large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers. They work from depots, distribution centres and warehouses, and carry goods all over the UK and abroad.

LGV drivers work on commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, including rigid trucks, articulated lorries, tankers, transporters and trailer trucks.

As well as driving the vehicle, drivers also:

• plan delivery schedules and routes with transport managers
• oversee or take part in loading and unloading goods
• make sure loads are safely secured
• take scheduled rest breaks during journeys 
• complete delivery paperwork and log books. 

Drivers follow traffic reports during a journey and may have to alter delivery plans if there are problems on the road. Some drivers also deal with routine maintenance, such as oil, tyre and brake checks before and after journeys.

LGV drivers work for freight distribution companies, major retail chains, supermarkets, raw materials suppliers and manufacturers.

Hours and Environment

You work around 40 to 45 hours a week, although overtime is often available. Strict legislation governs the amount of hours you can spend driving without a rest break. You may spend a lot of time away from home, which can include overnight stays, especially if you are going overseas.

Much of your time is spent in the lorry cab and you drive in all weather conditions.

Skills and Interests

To be a LGV driver, you should:

• enjoy driving and have excellent driving skills
• be happy to work alone and be able to concentrate for long periods
• be polite to customers when picking up or dropping off loads
• have a good understanding of safety, both on the road and when loading and unloading
• be able to complete record sheets and paperwork accurately
• be physically fit in order to work with loads.

Entry

You do not need formal academic qualifications to be a LGV driver but you should be competent in English and maths. You must be 18 years or over to hold a LGV licence and your driving record should be good. You also need good eyesight and good colour vision. The LGV test includes a medical.

There are several ways to get the LGV licence outlined below.

Your company can train you, using their own training instructors or a group training association; or you can pay privately to train at a driving school.

If you are aged between 16 and 21 and employed by a company registered with Skills for Logistics, you can apply for the Young Driver's Scheme (YDS), which aims to help you obtain a LGV licence. Please see the Training section below for more details about the scheme.

You can also move into LGV driving from related work (possibly with the same company), such as:

• forklift operation
• warehousing and distribution
• construction plant operation
• bus and coach driving.

See the profiles for Forklift Truck Operator, Construction Plant Operator, Warehouse Worker and Bus/Coach Driver.

Apprenticeship schemes may offer another route into LGV driving. (see the Training section below).

Future requirements for new drivers
A new EU Directive comes into force in September 2009. It states that new LGV drivers will need to gain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as well as a licence, known as a Driver CPC. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) website has details on its website about the Driver CPC training and test.

Existing drivers will not have to pass the Driver CPC but all drivers will be required to take 35 hours of training in every five-year period.

For more details about the Driver CPC and existing licence requirements see the DSA website. For details about LGV careers, see the Careers in Logistics website below in Further Information.

Training

LGV licence
The LGV licence is divided into two categories: category C allows holders to drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes; category C+E allows the holder to drive articulated lorries and lorries towing a trailer.

Courses last from one to three weeks and cover driving skills, basic mechanics, and loading and securing loads. The test includes manoeuvring the vehicles in a confined space, 25 miles of road driving and a theory test based on the Highway Code and LGV regulations.

Young LGV Driver Training Scheme (YDS)
The Young LGV Driver Training Scheme is open to candidates between 16 and 21, and offers a fast-track route to a category C licence by the age of 18 and an NVQ/SVQ at level 2.

You begin with induction training, including health and safety, and the pre-driving units of NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Driving Goods Vehicles. 

After further driver training, you take the category C test. You have four driving assessments in the first six months after passing the test.

On completion of the final units of the NVQ/SVQ you will receive the YDS Completion Certificate. You can then apply for the category C+E training, which must be at least six months after you pass the category C.

For more details about the YDS, see the Skills for Logistics and Careers in Logistics websites in Further Information below.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR training)
LGV drivers who drive vehicles carrying dangerous goods are legally required to hold an ADR (Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road) certificate.

The certificate is valid for five years, after which you need to take refresher training to renew it. The initial course is usually five days and the refresher training three days.

Details of ADR, LGV and YDS training providers can be found by using the Trainer Finder on the Careers in Logistics website in Further Information below.

Further training
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) offers Occupational Driver Appraisals (ODAs) to review driving ability and form part a continual development programme.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) and The Road Haulage Association (RHA) offer training for the Operator’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to employees of their members, this qualification can lead on to management positions.

Apprenticeships
You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Opportunities

Good opportunities exist for LGV drivers all over the country, especially experienced drivers with category C+E licences. There is currently a shortage of LGV drivers and the industry is actively promoting driving as a career, particularly to young people, women and ethnic minorities. 

Many LGV drivers are self-employed. Drivers working for a haulier or distributor can into self-employment, operating their own vehicles, perhaps eventually building up a fleet.

With experience and further training, you may be able to move into distribution or haulage management, transport and logistics planning or a specialised area of driving.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries for newly licensed LGV Drivers are around £12,500 to £14,000 a year.
Experienced LGV drivers can earn between £14,000 and £30,000 a year.
Drivers of fuel and chemical tankers need special training and certification and can earn up to £35,000 a year.

Overtime can increase earnings and there is a tax-free allowance to pay for overnight expenses.

Further information

14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314 Roadway House
35 Monument Hill
Weybridge
KT13 8RN
Tel: 01932 841515 Hermes House
St John's Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN4 9UZ
Tel: 0871 711 2222 Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 901 2500