HGV Driving Can Be Expensive for Young License Holders

It’s pretty common for us to field questions about how much HGV driver training cost. It’s actually not bad. Most drivers can complete their training and pass their test at an average cost of about £1,200. However, as a Grimsby teenager recently found out there is more to it than simply raising the money to get your training.

The Grimsby Telegraph recently published the story of 19-year-old Lizzy Coulson who passed her HGV test at just 16 years of age. Her family owns a haulage business she plans to be part of when she finishes her schooling. But much to her chagrin, until she turns 23 she will not be able to afford the insurance.

The newspaper reports that Coulson was out with her father for a single day’s run, which cost £37 for full cover. At that rate a full year’s worth of insurance would be more than £12,000. That’s money neither Lizzy nor the company has. It looks like the young lady will have to settle for doing something else until she adds few years.

We decided to post on this story just as a means of educating young adults considering HGV driving as a career choice. It is not meant to dissuade you from getting into this very rewarding field, but to let you know that you will have to consider insurance.

There are some companies willing to hire younger drivers and absorb the cost of the insurance themselves. Long-haul carriers, logistics companies, and international distribution operations are among them. Nevertheless, smaller companies might not be so amenable. That’s something to know when you get ready to begin your job search.

Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot that can be done about the insurance problem. Whether you are talking about standard passenger vehicles or lorries, the fact remains that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in a serious crash than their older counterparts are. When you add the weight of large vehicles like trucks and buses the potential for damage, serious injury, and death increases as well. Insurance companies must charge more to compensate for the increased risk.

Insurance issues aside, HGV driving is an excellent career choice for both men and women. It offers the excitement and freedom of the open road, something that is very attractive to individuals who do not like the idea of sitting at a desk or standing on the manufacturing line all day.

Professional driving also gives you the opportunity to see new places, meet all kinds of people, and deal with different things every day. And in case you’re wondering, the pay isn’t bad either. You can make a nice living as an HGV driver.

Your career as a professional driver begins when you get in touch with us to find out about the training classes we offer. You’ll need to pass your theory test, complete your practical training, and finally, pass your road test. However, if you are willing to put forth the effort you can be fully licensed in as little as eight weeks.