How long does HGV driver training take?

If you enjoy driving through open roads, you may have thought about becoming a lorry driver. A career in HGV or the haulage industry as an HGV driver is rewarding and lucrative. In 2020, ITV revealed that the UK had a shortage of about 76000 HGV drivers. However, to become an HGV driver, you need significant training to acquire the required skill set.

Here is what you need to know about HGV driver training:

How long does HGV training take?

Practical HGV training takes only five days. However, the entire process, which also involves acquiring a license, requires eight to ten weeks. Training with the right team can make the process fast and affordable.

Why is HGV training important?

HGV training offers you the opportunity to acquire employment not only in the UK but around Europe. The ability to drive a large vehicle professionally makes you valuable to a wide range of employers.

Are there different types of HGV licences?

The licences required to drive a lorry aren’t the same. They mainly depend on the different weights of different vehicles. Licence categories are based on how much a vehicle weighs and how much additional weight it can pull if a trailer was attached. Here are some of the HGV categories:

Cat C1: A Cat C1 vehicle is the smallest vehicle used for haulage. It weighs between 3500kg and 7500kg and allows for a trailer that weighs up to 750kg.

Cat C1+E: This license allows you to drive vehicles that weigh between 3500kg and 7500kg. It allows for a trailer that weighs more than 750kg.

Cat C: This license allows you to drive larger vehicles with a weight of over 3500kg and a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

Cat C+E: This licence allows you to operate the largest vehicles that weigh over 3500kg and a trailer that weighs over 750kg.

What are the necessary steps towards getting an HGV licence?

The process of acquiring an HGV licence is straightforward, with clearly defined steps. With proper training, each of these steps is easy to get through, and the L&T Training Transport Services training programme covers them all.

Medical test

As part of their training, a professional driver is required to pass a medical exam. The exam ensures you do not have any medical conditions that may hamper your ability to drive a haulage vehicle safely. A doctor carries out a brief examination, asks a few questions related to your medical history then fills out a DVLA form.

Theory test

Just like a regular driving test, you are expected to sit for a multiple-choice theory test on a screen in an official test centre. L&T Training Transport Services offers several mock tests to help you get ready for this theory test.

Practical training

After getting your theory test results, it is now time to get behind the wheel and start training. In this phase, you learn how to drive an actual HGV vehicle with a DSV certified instructor. Once you have honed your skill, you can then take a practical test.

Driver CPC training

Once you pass the practical exam, you can legally drive an HGV vehicle. A driver CPC test allows you to drive professionally if you don’t already have it as part of your license. The license enables a driver to drive certain vehicles for a living. Every five years, a driver is required to take a 35-hours refresher course to remain roadworthy.

At L&T Training Transport Services, we are your premier HGV trainers. Our knowledgeable instructors have years of experience in the haulage industry and are ready to pass on their expertise. Contact us today for more information about HGV training.

Update as of Autumn 2021

Due to the current shortage of HGV drivers in Autumn 2021, there will be a few changes to the driving tests. The changes will include what you’re allowed to learn to drive in and take your test in, and how the driving test works.

Lorries

You currently have to learn to drive and pass a driving test in a large rigid lorry (category C) before you can learn to drive and take a test in a large articulated lorry (category C+E).

The law is going to change so that you’ll be able to:

learn to drive in an articulated lorry when you get your first provisional lorry licence
take your test in a large articulated lorry without having to pass one in a large rigid lorry first

If you don’t want to drive anything larger, you can still take your test in a large Ridgid lorry.

Medium-sized lorries

This change will also apply to medium-sized lorries towing a trailer (category C1+E).

This means you’ll be able to learn to drive a medium-sized lorry towing a trailer (category C1+E) and take your test in one, without having to pass a test in a medium-sized lorry (category C1) first.

When you pass your test in a medium-sized lorry towing a trailer, you’ll then be allowed to drive:

a medium-sized lorry (C1)
a medium-sized lorry towing a trailer (C1+E)

You must continue to follow the law until it changes. Currently, there is no date set for when the new change will come into place. You can find more information on the government website here.