Large Goods Vehicle Driver

Job Description:

Large goods vehicle (LGV) and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) lorry drivers transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers.

Job Category:
Automotive & Aviation

What you will do:

You’ll drive commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, including articulated lorries, tankers, transporters and trailer wagons. You’ll work from depots, distribution centres and warehouses, carrying goods all over the UK and overseas.

Apart from driving, your duties may include:

  • planning delivery schedules and routes with transport managers
  • supervising or helping to load and unload goods
  • making sure loads are safely secured
  • following traffic reports and changing your route if necessary
  • completing delivery paperwork and log books

You may also deal with basic maintenance, like oil, tyre and brake checks before and after journeys.

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of vehicle and public safety and security
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • excellent driving skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

  • concentration skills for staying focused while driving
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to organise your time and workload (organisational skills)
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (adaptability skills)
  • physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
  • the ability to work alone and concentrate for long periods
  • a polite manner with customers
  • the ability to complete record sheets and paperwork accurately
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

  1. Mathematics: Basic math skills are essential for calculating distances, fuel consumption, and other logistical aspects of driving.
  2. English Language: Good communication skills are important for understanding and following instructions, as well as maintaining clear communication with dispatchers and clients.
  3. Science: While not directly related to LGV driving, a basic understanding of science can be helpful for understanding vehicle mechanics and maintenance.
  4. ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Proficiency in using digital tools can be beneficial for managing electronic logging devices and navigation systems.

Post School

You’ll need to be over 18 and hold a full car driving licence.

You can apply for a job as a trainee with a freight company or complete an LGV course with a private training provider. You’ll also need a Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).

You could get into this job through an apprenticeship.

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to:

  • have a driving licence that includes LGV for lorries, or PCV for buses, if you work with these vehicles
  • be over 18 years of age
  • have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) – this is known as the Driver CPC

Every 5 years, to stay qualified, you will need to take 35 hours of driver CPC training and renew your lorry driving licence.

Working Hours and Environment:

You’ll usually work up to 42 hours a week. Overtime may be available but there are strict laws about the amount of hours you can spend driving between rest breaks.

Most of your time would be spent on the road, and you would drive day and night in all weather conditions.

Overnight stays may be necessary.

Career Path & Progression:

You could take further training and gain an ADR (Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road) Certificate to drive hazardous goods like toxic chemicals by tanker.

With experience, you could train to become an LGV instructor, freight transport planner or move into management.