HGV Driving Jobs Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked questions for the HGV driving jobs service we offer at the website

How Do I Post A HGV Job

To post a job at the HGV driving jobs website complete the following steps

  1. Complete the Job submission form and register a free account at the website.
  2. Once you have submitted the job form you will need to review the details and submit them to the website.
  3. You will also need to activate your free account via email to complete the job submission process.
  4. We will review and verify your job listing before included the job at the website.
What Kind Of Jobs Can You Get With An HGV Licence

There are many different types of HGV jobs available, often requiring working for different industries, in which you will need different skills due to the different work that needs to be carried out. These not only help from an employer’s point of view but will also assist you with your HGV Career.

HGV Multi Drop – Usually involves doing more than 65 drops per day and not covering a large area. Usually also done in smaller vehicles such as 7.5ton lorries.

HGV Short Haul  – Not as many drops as multi-drop, but involves larger drops, covering a smaller area.  

HGV Long Haul – Fewer drops but a longer distance between drops.

HGV Single Drop – Involves a much bigger delivery usually with the help of a driver’s mate.

HGV 5 on 3 off  – Is a very common type of HGV job, which involves working 5 days on and 3 days off as agreed.

HGV Continental – Expect to be away from home for much longer periods.

HGV ADR  – ADR work involves driving large Tankers transporting hazardous chemicals such as petrol, liquid nitrogen, and anything deemed no too good for the environment.

What Skills Do You Need To Be A HGV Driver

When it comes to being an HGV (heavy goods vehicle) driver, it helps if you enjoy being behind the wheel. However, there is far more to the job than this, and there are a range of skills and characteristics from other roles and walks of life that can make you an ideal fit for a lorry cab.

Mechanical knowledge

As an HGV, you do not just drive, you are responsible for checking the safety of your vehicle and whether it is roadworthy, so having some level of mechanical skill and knowledge of HGV parts can be hugely beneficial. You will also need to be able to address any minor mechanical issues that might crop up whilst you are driving. These will include some basic maintenance to avoid breakdowns and keep the vehicle safe and punctual.

Driving Skills

It is understood that an HGV driver should enjoy the process of driving if they want to get the most out of their job. You should be a proficient driver and happy to spend your time traveling, but there are some official things that you will need too. Not only will you need a standard driving license, but you will also need a clean driving license that is free of convictions. This will enable you to go on and complete the specialist driver training that is required to be in charge of an HGV. This can take anything from a few days to a few weeks and will cover safety, theory, and practical driving skills.

In terms of the type of driver you need to be, then a safe one is top of the list. Your HGV can have devastating consequences if it is involved in an accident, so driving it within the law, according to the road and weather conditions, and with other drivers in mind is essential. You should be a considerate driver and respectful of other road users – remember, it is not just your reputation on the line, but that of the company which is written on the side of your wagon.

Communication

Whilst you might have a vision of spending many hours alone in a cab, there are also a lot of communication skills that are required to be an HGV driver. Not only will you need to collaborate with your team to ensure targets are met, but you will also be required to deal with customers and build up a trusted relationship. You will need to be able to discuss ideas, as well as keep people informed if there has been a problem of some sort.

Reliability

There are a lot of people relying on your deliveries, and these are usually part of a wider chain, so it is important to show that you are dependable. Everyone involved needs to know that you can be trusted with your goods and can complete the tasks you are given on time. Being seen as honest and trustworthy is hugely important and can help to build important relationships with both your employers and your customers.

Stress Management

We can all suffer from stress in any role, and HGV drivers are not immune from this. It can be created by difficult driving conditions, unexpected traffic, looming deadlines or dealing with different drivers. Stress can also be brought on from outside the cab, with family life creating its own pressures if you are away from home a lot. Being able to manage stress effectively is therefore important and can help to not only keep your mental health in good condition but also leave you better placed to manage tricky situations when they arise.

Being an HGV driver can be an amazing career, with a lot of benefits. Like any job, it needs certain characteristics, but these are often more varied than you would imagine. If you think the above criteria sound like you, then maybe now is the time to consider making a switch into the world of HGV driving.

Health

Being an HGV driver can be seen as a sedentary profession, but it is more physical than you might think, with safety checks, loading and unloading and safety checks to handle. Coupled with the stress you might endure; you must ensure that you take good care of your health to make you a safe and effective driver.

What Type Of HGV Driving License Do I Need

HGV classes are the licences available that allow someone to drive a heavy goods vehicle. There are different licences available based on the size of the truck and what is carried inside. Before you drive any HGV, you must have the correct licence to do so. Some of the different licences available include:

CLASS 1

This can also be called a category C + E licence. With this licence, the driver can operate a vehicle that is 7.5 tonnes or more and the trailer can detach. These are often larger vehicles and can be used for routes over a longer distance.

CLASS 2

Class 2, or the category C licences. This is going to be for any HGV that is more than 7.5 tonnes and has a rigid body base. The cab will not come apart from the trailer with this type of class. These may include refuse collection vehicles and fire engines to name a few. These are more likely to be used around cities rather than for long-haul runs.

CATEGORY C1

An operator with a category C1 licence will not drive as big of a truck as with the other licences. This is necessary any time the HGV is more than 3.5 tonnes, but under 7.5 tonnes. Drivers who passed their driving test before 1997 will automatically get one of these licences. Anyone who passed after that time will need to take another test to receive it.

CATEGORY D AND D1

The category D and D1 licence is necessary to drive a vehicle with passengers (outside of your car). It is often used for those who would like to operate a bus or a coach with many passengers inside.

A category D1 licence is a little bit different than above. This licence allows the operator to drive a minibus that has up to 16 seats inside. This is similar to the C1 licence in that if you passed the driving test before 1997, you will automatically have this licence, but will need to complete a test if not.

CATEGORY B + E

The category B + E Licence allows the operator to tow an item behind their regular car. If you would like to tow something across town or to another town, then you will need to get this licence. That is not necessary if you passed the driving test before 1997.

What Type Of Jobs Can I Post At The Website

This website is designed to connect skilled drivers with reputable employers, fostering a seamless and efficient recruitment process to hire and find HGV / LGV class 1 and class 2 driving jobs.

We only accept the following types of jobs on this website

  1. Class 1 LGV or HGV job lisitng
  2. Class 2 LGV or HGV job listing