Become An LGV Driver and Ride Out The Economic Hard Times

Deciding to be a Large Goods Vehicle driver can be a very lucrative and rewarding career. An LGV driver spends many of their working hours on the road, often traveling throughout the entire United Kingdom, all the while ensuring their delivery loads are made on time and in a professional manner. Their routes can be short one like a drive through town; while other routes can take the LGV driver on overnight trips. Some Large Goods Vehicle drivers may even drive goods on an international level. With today’s fluctuating economy, the career of an LGV driver is almost always stable and unwavering as companies and customers alike need to have goods delivered.

The former HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) is still somewhat in use. The HGV term was switched to LGV due to other countries in Europe have no proper name for the word, “heavy.” In order to drive as a Large Goods Vehicle driver, one must obtain a license. The LGV driver’s license is divided into three categories: C1, C1+E, and C. Each of these three categories allows what type of vehicle the LGV driver can drive and how much weight the vehicle can carry. Category C1 allows the driver to drive any two-axle vehicle with a maximum allowed weight between 3500kg—7500kg. The C1 license can be achieved once the driver is at least 18 years old. Similar to the C1 license, The C1+E license category has the same maximum allowed weight (3500kg—7500kg) except the driver can use a trailer over 750kg of the utmost permissible weight, as long as the trailer does not exceed the weight of the motor vehicle being driven, and the mass of both the vehicle and trailer do not exceed 12,000kg.

The category “C” license, also known as the new Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Class 2 in the UK, is any cargo vehicle with more than two axels. This license allows the licensed driver to operate a vehicle weighing over 3500kg including a trailer up to 750kg of the maximum weight.

The third type of drivers license a driver can obtain is the C+E license. The C+E authorizes the holder to drive a vehicle weighing over 3500kg with a trailer over 750 kg maximum weight. The C+E license can only be obtained after six months of experience with a category C type vehicle.

Beginning in 2009, a new requirement was established for LGV drivers who wish to continue to drive. LGV Drivers are now required to obtain a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and a Driver CPC. After every five years, LGV drivers are mandated to renew their training by taking 35 hours of new training.

Obtaining and maintaining an LGV driver’s certification has never been easier. Most companies train the potential candidate, and most others are often trained by a private instructor. The amount of LGV training all depends on how much or how little prior training and experience a driver has. The cost of Large Goods Vehicle training can vary from £600 to £1100 depending on the type of particular LGV license one wishes to acquire.