How to become a lorry driver in the UK and earn up to £55,000 per year
Get your lorry licence with us! this is just the start of your new career
Have you ever wondered how to become a lorry driver?
If you like driving and love the open road you may have always wondered about how to become a lorry driver. well, you have come to the right place; the home of learning – Craig Baker Driver Training to learn how to drive a lorry. This is a guide for those who are looking to...
The UK is currently over 50,000 HGV drivers short. So, if you’re looking to enter the logistics industry as an HGV driver, this is the golden time to make the most of it. The actual HGV training ( practical) only takes 5 days but the entire process from start to end will take around 8-10 weeks to get the licence in hand.
We at Craig Baker Driver Training have created this introductory guide so you have a clear idea of what you need to do when you’re becoming a lorry driver & getting into the HGV industry. When you train with the right people it can be both fast and affordable, as well as giving you high-quality teaching and hands-on learning that can see you pass your test within weeks and hit the job market with an incredible number of new opportunities. If you don’t have a job in hand you can always contact our recruitment team for more help.
What types of lorry licence should I get?
C1 Licence
A small goods vehicle between 3500kg and 7500kg, like an ambulance or horsebox
Class 2 (Cat C)
A rigid vehicle of over 7500kg- there is no upper weight limit on this licence but these vehicles are usually between 18ton & 32ton
Class 1 (Cat CE)
An articulated vehicle of over 7500kg, Otherwise known as a "artic" these vehicles usually weigh up to 44 ton
Why take HGV training?
If you love driving and don't mind being on your own for most of the day, HGV training could lead to a very rewarding career with a great salary
The steps to getting your lorry licence
Medical
The first step is to go for a D4 medical, which usually lasts for around 15 minutes the doctor will ask you a few questions about your medical history and check your blood pressure, height and weight, the doctor will give you a completed D4 form that you will send of to the DVLA they will then decide you are a fit and proper person yo drive a HGV and send the provisional licence back to you.
Theory test
You will first need to prepare for and take a HGV theory test which will consist of a multiple choice and hazard perception test.
Practical Driving
Now its time to start your HGV training, We have a range of different courses available, and you can be sure you are training with the best at Craig Baker Driver Training our instructors are highly qualified and experienced.
Driver CPC
The Initial driver CPC consists of 2 parts. Module 2 is a case study theory test and is usually booked together with the multiple choice and hazard perception, Module 4 is a practical demonstration test based on 5 topic areas like vehicle loading and daily walkaround checks. Craig Baker Driver Training is approved by the DVSA to conduct our own in-house CPC module 4 test so if you learn with us you can be sure your getting the highest standard of training
How to know if lorry driving is good for you?
Driving a lorry is not for everyone so at Craig Baker Driver Training if your thinking of becoming a lorry driver we offer you the chance to do a lorry driving experience day, this means before you start trying to obtain a lorry licence you can come along and try it out first, our dedicated HGV area is private land so there is no need to have a medical or do a theory test first, you can come along and try out a bit of driving and reversing under the careful watch of our professional HGV instructors
What you can expect from life as a lorry driver
There are several components to being a lorry driver, and driving is only one of them.
As well as sitting behind the wheel and getting from A to B, you’ll also need to keep up-to-date paperwork about the loads you’re carrying, track your hours so you get the right amount of rest, change routes if you need to avoid accidents and delays, navigate bad weather and other unexpected hurdles, and liaise with people at the beginning and end of your journey to ensure the right things have been delivered. This is all on top of making timely safety checks of your vehicle to keep it roadworthy.
If you take on the kind of job that means travelling abroad, you’ll also need to ensure you comply with foreign road laws, carry the required paperwork, and be responsible for taking your cargo on ferries or trains to get from one country to another. And finally, for the most experienced drivers who want to earn the most money, you might need to learn how to safely transport hazardous materials, meaning you would take responsibility for keeping this cargo secure at all times during your journey through additional checks and procedures
How much does a lorry licence cost?
So how much does a lorry licence cost? At Craig Baker Driver Training we have a range of different courses available for different vehicles and prices range from £1250 to £3200. if you are not sure which course is best for you call our sales team on 01942 741 310
How much can I earn as a lorry driver?
The salary for a lorry driver can range from £40,000 – £55,000 per year, depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving, where you’re driving, what sort of cargo you’re carrying and who you work for.
What is driver CPC and why do you need it?
Driver CPC training is an extra qualification that you’ll need if you want to drive professionally. This applies to bus and coach drivers as well as lorry drivers and covers a whole host of things that make the difference between a driver who can merely drive, and one who is an exceptional professional on the road. Its aim is to improve road safety and driver standards, and it’s applicable all across Europe.
