Get your HGV Class 2 driver licence in just four days.
- Do you need to upgrade your driving qualifications?
- Do you want to start your own career as a professional HGV driver?
A Class 2 licence is all you need to start your career as an HGV driver. To get started all you need to do is get in contact with us and in as little as four days, you could have your Class 2 licence (CAT C) and begin a new journey in a flexible and lucrative career.
What is a Class 2 Licence? (CAT C)
This type of licence permits you to drive a large, rigid-body vehicle that weighs in excess of 3.5 tonnes. Vehicles of this type do not have a separate trailer (like a class 1 vehicle), this licence is also known as a Category C licence.
Vehicles that require a Class 2 Licence include:
- Removal vans
- Refuse collection trucks
- Delivery vans
- Tipper trucks
The licence shows that you have proficiency in handling these larger vehicles and it is nothing short of a life-changing skill to learn, one which will allow you to widen your employment prospects in construction, logistics, public service, and retail supply chain fulfilment.
Where can I train for my class 2 (CAT C) licence?
Get in contact with us, and we can put you in contact with your nearest class 2 training centre. We have over 60 training centres across the UK so we’re sure there will be one not too far from your current location! In fact our extensive network ensures that a whopping 95% of the UK’s population is never more than an hour away from one of our training centres.
Give us a ring or take a look at our training centre location page to learn where the nearest centre to you is now.
What do I need to get my class 2 licence?
Obtaining your HGV Class 2 Licence will take a little bit of preparation and a few preliminary tests that you need to pass in order to carry out the full Class 2 training. Luckily, a lot of these requirements are merely a formality and are simple to acquire.
Here are the requirements you will need to meet:
- Over 18 – You will need to be at least 18 years of age to undertake the HGV Class 2 Licence training.
- Full car licence – You must hold a valid Category B driving licence. This is the most common type of driving licence held in the UK and permits you to drive standard cars and light vans.
- Medical test – A doctor needs to complete a D4 medical form for you. The medical exam will entail a general health check, they will examine your eyesight as well as your fitness level; this is to ensure you’re able to safely drive an LGV.
- Theory test – You will need to pass an LGV theory test. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of large vehicles and if you have taken a theory test for your Category B licence it works in much the same way, with a multiple-choice portion and a hazard perception test.
- Provisional entitlement – In order to carry out the class 2 driver training you will also need a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). If you want to drive professionally, you’ll need to get your CPC, which is an assessment of your ability to handle various situations in relation to vehicle safety and efficiency, this also includes knowing what to do in an emergency.
LGV theory test in-depth
Multiple-choice questions:
The first part of your LGV test involves a total of 100 multiple choice questions on topics such as (but not limited to) general traffic laws, the rules on working conditions (such as allowed working hours and the necessary rest periods), details on documentation, the proper techniques drivers must have for loading and unloading their vehicles and the responsibility drivers have for their cargo.
A Hazard Perception Test:
The second part of the HGV test is on hazard perception, it assesses your ability to spot and react to potential dangers you may face on the road. This is examined by presenting you with 19 different video clips (each one being around a minute long) where they show various hazards arising that may require you to take immediate action.
These potential hazards could include an emergency vehicle approaching, poor visibility such as fog, and hazardous conditions like icy or wet roads – conditions that you may encounter as part of your day-to-day professional driving experience.
The CPC case study:
The final element of your LGV theory test is the CPC case studies. This is where you’ll be shown 7 different case studies and will be given 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the test which consists of 6-8 multiple choice questions about each of the 7 different case studies.
And there is always the option to upgrade! If you want to drive vehicles with even larger trailers then you can continue on to your C+E licence. The steps to get this licence will consist of some additional training and another test.
Once you pass the Cat C training requirements mentioned above, you will receive your HGV driving licence and will be able to drive a wide range of heavy goods vehicles both professionally and privately.
How do we help you get your HGV class 2 licence and a new career?
Our specialist knowledge gives you access to HGV training class 2 centres across the UK, and with our impressive resources you will be able to take your new licence and enter into employment immediately.
We aren’t just an experienced HGV training business; we also provide an HGVT career programme and access to an exclusive recruiting partner, Manpower, to ensure you can enter into employment as soon as you’ve obtained your Class 2 licence.
Why should I get my HGV class 2 licence?
If you want to have a career as a professional driver for logistics and transport, a Class 2 licence is a must, but there are greater benefits to this choice of career than you may think.
Earn more money – As a person with a Class 2 licence, your skills are in high demand! As such the class 2 lorry driver salary in the uk enjoyed by those in this industry is very comfortable. Qualified drivers are needed, so people are willing to pay to have the job roles filled. You will also get the opportunity for overtime and driving long-distance routes, both of which promise to maximise your income further.
Gain access to wider career opportunities – A Class 2 licence allows you to drive a whole range of vehicles. This versatility gives you access to a much wider pool of possible job opportunities. You will be a valuable and sought after asset for employers and needed in sectors including retail and construction. Because of the increased need for drivers, you will have substantial job security and be able to find employment across the UK.
Use it to gain more qualifications – An HGV Class 2 licence need not be the end of your journey learning to operate HGVs. You can use your Class 2 licence to obtain your Class 1 licence (CAT C+E), which allows you to drive even heavier and larger vehicles, a natural career progression for anyone interested in driving professionally.
A career with flexible working hours – Due to the high demand and variability of the job role, you will be able to find a job that will better fit around your preferred work/life balance. Driving jobs often have flexible hours, night shifts, part-time, and regular shifts to fit around any lifestyle.
Greater sense of job satisfaction – HGV careers often have a great deal of variety in day-to-day tasks with an enormous sense of independence that comes from this satisfying career path. Drivers often have to think on the fly to navigate their routes and will get to interact with customers during their day.
FAQs
How much does it cost to get your HGV class 2 licence?
Class 2 licence cost in the UK varies depending on a few factors such as your location and level of experience. On average, obtaining your Class 2 licence is approximately £1,500 to £2,500.
If you contact us directly, we can provide you with a more accurate quote and more information on how to get a class 2 licence, including a breakdown of the fee.
How much can I earn as an HGV driver with a class 2 licence?
In the UK you will typically earn from £25,000 to £35,000 a year as a starting salary. There are also often opportunities for working overtime and receiving bonuses. We must make clear that the figures here are an average and that your salary will depend on location, experience, and employer.
What can you drive with a class 2 licence?
A Class 2 licence allows you to drive any rigid vehicle from 7.5 tonnes up to 32 tonnes. This includes any HGV vehicle that does not have a detachable trailer such as refuse trucks, fire engines, delivery vans, and moving vehicles.
What other types of HGV licence can I get?
There are four main types of HGV licence. Class2 which you are aware of the other three are:
- Category C1 which is the entry-level HGV licence allowing you to drive vehicles from 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes.
- Category C1+E which allows the holder of a C1 licence to tow a trailer up to 750kg with the vehicle. The combined weight of both vehicles cannot be over 12,000kg.
- Category C+E otherwise known as a Class 1 licence is the most advanced HGV licence you can get. A driver with a Class 1 licence can drive any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes and also tow a trailer exceeding 750kg. It qualifies you to operate almost any HGV vehicle.
Can I fail my HGV medical test?
You can fail the medical test under certain conditions. These include:
High blood pressure – If your blood pressure is measured as over 180/100 mmHg, you are likely to fail your HGV medical exam.
Severe heart conditions – Any one of these heart conditions will disqualify you from obtaining your medical test; severe arrhythmia, angina, or heart failure.
Neurological conditions – Sleep apnoea, epilepsy, and stroke will need to be taken into consideration for your medical test and may cause you to fail it.
How difficult is it to pass the Class 2 driving test?
The Class 2 licence is no more or less difficult than a standard driving licence theory and practical test. If you have passed your driving test (which you will have had to do to obtain your class 2!) then the way the test works will be familiar to you.
The pass mark for the HGV theory test is 85%, and it is out of 100 questions, so you will have to answer 85 of them correctly to pass. The theory test takes two hours, one hour for the multiple choice section and a further hour for the hazard perception section.
Are HGV drivers in demand in the UK?
Most definitely yes. The UK has been facing a shortage of HGV drivers for some years now, the estimates as of 2025 are that the UK needs 35,000 to 40,000 drivers. The crisis reached its peak in 2021, and even though it’s not as intense as it was back then, the demand is still extremely high.
