So You Want To Be A Driver??? This page is designed to give you a brief insight into the wonderful world of driving for a living. Large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers distribute millions of tonnes of goods around the UK, as well as to and from the Continent.
What Is The Work Like?
Large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers distribute millions of tonnes of goods around the UK, as well as to and from the Continent. LGVs carry a wide variety of cargo. For example, they may:
take materials or equipment to or from factories, suppliers or construction sites
carry livestock from farms
deliver clothing or food to retailers
transport hazardous or dangerous loads, such as fuel or chemicals.
An LGV driver:
plans their delivery schedule with transport managers - adapting en route if there is congestion or an accident
checks that the lorry is safely and securely loaded
may take part in loading and unloading
has to stick to the driving regulations that apply to their particular lorry and load, including speed and load limits
remains security aware as goods often have high value
takes the required rest breaks during journeys - a machine in the vehicle, called a tachograph, records the number of hours spent driving and resting, the speed of the vehicle and the distance travelled
checks that the lorry is safely unloaded and the right delivery paperwork is completed
may have to clean out or refuel the lorry during a long journey, after delivery, or at the end of a shift
is aware of the different road regulations and laws if driving abroad
allows Customs & Excise officers to check their goods and paperwork on arrival or departure from the UK.
Hours and Environment
Collection and delivery times affect driver hours. They are also restricted to a legal maximum of 60 hours per week, and an average of 48 hours. Night work will usually not exceed 10 hours in each 24-hour period, unless agreed otherwise. The majority of a driver's time is spent alone in the lorry cab, even eating and sleeping there. Modern lorry cabs are usually comfortable, quiet, and may have air-conditioning and heating. Some have sleeping bunks, fridges and even cookers. Physical demands on drivers vary, with some only opening the doors of the trailer for loading or unloading by specialist staff and equipment, while others help load and unload.
Salary and Other Benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
Newly-qualified LGV drivers may start on around £14,000 a year.
Experienced LGV drivers with additional responsibilities may earn up to £30,000.
Drivers of fuel, chemical or other specialist tankers may earn around £35,000 a year.
Skills and Personal Qualities
LGV drivers need:
safe and fuel-efficient driving skills
knowledge of driving laws
the ability to concentrate and stay alert over long periods
health and safety awareness
good eyesight and normal colour vision
to be security conscious
to be able to work with minimal supervision
a polite manner with suppliers and customers
to be able to complete record sheets and paperwork accurately.
Interests
It is important for LGV drivers to enjoy:
driving
navigating across long distances
their own company.
Getting In
There are around 300,000 LGV drivers in the UK. The industry is expanding and there is currently a shortage of qualified drivers. Some drivers are self-employed, driving their own lorry. Others work for a manufacturer, major retailer or distributor with a fleet of vehicles, or road haulage firms.
Drivers must have a clean driving record, normally be over 21, hold an LGV licence category C1, C or C + E and pass a medical examination. The Young LGV Driver Training Scheme allows some individuals to get a licence at 18. Under new EU laws, from September 2009 all new LGV drivers will also have to train for a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). LGV training courses last from one to three weeks. They cover driving skills, basic mechanics, and loading and securing loads. NVQs/SVQs are available in Driving Goods Vehicles at Levels 2 and 3.
At present, no specific qualifications are needed to become an LGV driver. Employers may prefer candidates with some GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5), especially in English and maths.
The LGV licence is divided into two categories:
A category C licence is required to drive a rigid tuck over 3.5 tonnes up to 32 tonnes. C1 is restricted up to 7.5 tonnes.
A category C + E licence is required to drive any LGV vehicle usually up to the legal maximum weight of 44 tonnes (including articulated lorries or drawbar combinations).
Drivers must:
have a clean driving record
normally be over 21
hold an LGV licence category C1, C or C + E
pass a medical examination.
Under new EU laws, from September 2009 all new LGV drivers will also have to train for a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) at the same time as their LGV licence.
Younger entrants may be able to join the Young LGV Driver Training Scheme, managed by Skills for Logistics. It is open to candidates aged between 16 and 21, and offers a fast-track route to a full LGV licence and an NVQ/SVQ at Level 2. It allows some individuals to get a licence at 18.
Apprenticeships which may be available in England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your local Connexions Partnership. It is important to bear in mind that pay rates for Apprenticeships do vary from area to area and between industry sectors. There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information contact Careers Scotland http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/, Careers Wales http://www.careerswales.com/; and for Northern Ireland contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk Entry for Adults
It is possible to move into LGV driving from other work, such as warehouse work, delivery and distribution. Skills for Logistics manage the 'Women into Transport' programme, which targets women over 21 currently, employed in the transport industry in non-driving jobs, who are interested in training as drivers.
Training
LGV training courses last from one to three weeks. They cover driving skills, basic mechanics, and loading and securing loads. NVQs/SVQs are available in Driving Goods Vehicles at Levels 2 and 3. LGV drivers who drive vehicles carrying dangerous goods are legally required to hold an Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) certificate. Initial training takes five days, and certificates need to be renewed with a three-day refresher course after five years. From September 2009, all existing LGV drivers will have to do 35 hours of training every five years as part of the Driver CPC regulations.
Drivers can also train for the Operator's Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which is designed to show that the individual has attained a set level of knowledge in the major areas of their profession. This qualification may support driver progression into management roles, and enable them to own and operate their own vehicles.
Getting On
Career progression to supervisory positions is possible, including in distribution or haulage management, transport and logistics planning, LGV instruction, or a specialised area of driving, such as hazardous goods. Drivers achieving an Operator's CPC may be able to start their own company.
Further Information
Driving Standards Agency (DSA), Stanley House, 56 Talbot Street, Nottingham NG1 5GU. 0115 901 2500. Website: http://www.dsa.gov.uk/ Freight Transport Association (FTA), Hermes House, St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9UZ. 0871 711 2222. Website: http://www.fta.co.uk/Road Haulage Association, Roadway House, 35 Monument Hill, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8RN. 01932 841515. Website: http://www.rha.org.uk/ Skills for Logistics, 14 Warren Yard, Warren Farm Office Village, Milton Keynes MK12 5NW. 01908 313360. Websites: http://www.skillsforlogistics.org/ and http://www.careersinlogistics.co.uk/
