7 Reasons You Haven’t Got Your HGV Licence Yet

If you’ve ever considered getting your HGV licence, but you haven’t got round to giving us a call yet, we understand. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about HGV driving – both training and as a career – and just one of these misconceptions can stop you from even taking that first step and having a chat with us.  We’ve checked out the top reasons people are put off making initial enquiries, and the misunderstandings that can mean they write-off a new professional direction altogether. If you’ve ever found yourself considering a career as a HGV driver, and never getting further than that, this could be one of the things that’s stopped you.

1. It’s Expensive

HGV training costs can be spread over time to suit your budget, and can start at as little as £9.99 a month. What you pay depends on what kind of licence you want to get, and whether there’s any additional specialist training you might need to get into specific types of driving. For a standard HGV licence you’re looking at a whole new career for barely a fraction of the cost you might pay to study at college or university.

Your tests are included in your training costs, so there are no hidden fees either.

2. It Takes A Long Time

If you’re already a licensed driver, getting your HGV licence can be done in as little as 5 days. Again, if you want to go on to do more specialist training then you may be looking at a little longer, but it’s nowhere near as time-consuming as you might think.

3. There Aren’t Any Jobs

The truth is that there are more jobs than there are drivers when it comes to the haulage sector. So much so, in fact, that it’s even being discussed by MPs as a crisis for the whole of UK industry. HGV drivers are absolutely vital to this country, both for exporting British-made produce out of the country, and also for UK-wide distribution. That would make you, as a newly-qualified HGV driver, one of the saviours of UK businesses as well as giving you your pick of jobs all over the country. If you’re keen to get out of the country as much as possible, there are driving jobs available around Europe and even further afield, and your licence is still valid to drive overseas, so you can satisfy your wanderlust and earn money at the same time.

You can also study for your PCV licence, which gives you even more career options with passenger carrying vehicles.  If you do train with us, we’ll even help you to find a job and continue to support you throughout your career.

4. It’s Complicated To Get Qualified

As long as you have a standard UK driving licence, you’re already on your way to getting your HGV licence. From that point on, it’s just a case of choosing a training provider and then taking your test and your medical, and you’re ready to apply for jobs. Your training will take the form of classroom work and practical experience, giving you an all-round understanding of your new career. You’ll take a theory test, and finally your practical test. It’s really no more complicated than that.

5. I Don’t Have The Right Licence To Train

If you have a standard UK driving licence, you already have what you need to start training. If you want to add – for example – driving a forklift to your portfolio then you can do that training alongside your HGV training and you don’t need a licence to do it.

6. The Medical Is Intimidating

Whilst it’s true that you need to take an HGV medical exam before you can drive professionally, you shouldn’t think of it as intimidating. For one thing, it’s not something you need to train or study for, which immediately makes it lots easier than getting your licence in the first place.

And secondly, it’s there to protect you and others, and there are some very good reasons you need to take it, so consider it added protection and peace of mind rather than anything to worry about.

7. I’m A Woman So I Can’t Be An HGV Driver

Along with black and minority ethnic drivers, female drivers are being encouraged to join the HGV community. Most of the drivers in the UK are white, male, and approaching retirement age, so it’s the perfect time for some new blood in the industry. Women are very welcome in the business, and a rise in female drivers is one of the predicted trends for the future of HGV driving.