Why train to be a HGV Driver?

Paul and Sarah Martin standing in front of PFS Training vehicles

With reports of 60k plus HGV vacancies in the UK due to a serious shortage of qualified drivers, it has got a lot of people thinking about a change of career

These shortages have a real impact on consumers in the UK, there are now warnings of shortages on shop shelves, because there simply aren’t enough drivers to transport goods into and around the country.

This situation isn’t new. There has been a shortage of drivers for many years, but this has been worsened by the pandemic and Brexit, making the circumstances more noticeable.

With the UK unemployment rate currently at 3.7%, it’s clear there are plenty of people out there looking for new positions. Could some of them be encouraged to retrain to fill the gap?

Here are just some of the many benefits to having a career as an HGV driver.

Salaries. With demand higher than current supply, there is certainly pressure to increase wages for driving. Salaries are now starting from £19k, with some drivers earning up to £55k per year.
Job opportunities. There are lots of vacancies currently available, including temporary, contract and permanent roles. Once trained lorry drivers are unlikely to ever find themselves out of work.
Job Security. We will always need HGV drivers to transport goods around the UK and beyond. This is not an industry that fluctuates, HGV drivers are in constant demand.
The job offers freedom and flexibility, with shifts, long distance trips, often with 2 to 3 days off in between jobs.
Not too expensive to get into. HGV Driver training now starts from as little as £1500. Think about the potential salaries you will earn once trained.

How does that sound? If you like what you have read, contact Premier Fleet Services and we can get you up and running in no time!

Paul Martin

Paul has over 25 years experience in driver training, from first time learners, to helping highly experienced motorist hone their skills.

Paul has a passion for training and works hard to make sure all of his trainees enjoy the training and aim to pass first time.

Paul likes socialising with friends and sees himself as a BBQ connoisseur.

What can I drive with a Class 2 licence?

Trying to decipher what each category of licence actually means can be extremely frustrating and time consuming. Therefore, we have decided to make it really clear what vehicles you can drive with a Class 2 licence.

How long does it take to become a HGV driver?

There is obviously no definitive answer, as each learner is unique and therefore times vary from person to person. However, we have provided a guide to timings below.