If you’ve done any research into a career as a Class 1 HGV driver, you’ll know that whilst getting your licence is eminently achievable for those with the desire and application to succeed, you will have to put your all into it to achieve your goal. So, when you embark on this career path, you need to know that once you have qualified as a Class 1 HGV driver, it’s a job that’s going to suit you.
So, with this in mind, we now look into what the life a Class 1 HGV driver is really like, covering points like day to day responsibilities, how you’ll find employment and more. By the end, you should have a better idea of whether it’s the role for you. So, without further delay, let’s begin.
What Does a Class 1 Licence Allow You to Drive?
In order to train for a class 1 licence (a.k.a. Cat C+E), you’ll need to already be in possession of your LGV/HGV Class 2 licence (a.k.a. Cat C). Once qualified, you’ll be able to drive vehicles that weigh over 7.5 tonnes and those that have a separate, detachable trailer.
Because of this ability to drive some of the biggest lorries found on the road, as a Class 1 HGV driver, you’ll have a much wider range of jobs open to you, including those that pay the highest wages. The good news is that there are no restrictions in terms of minimum experience, so even if you’ve just qualified for your Cat C/Class 2, you are able to get started on your Class 1 HGV driver training right away!
The additional steps you’ll need to take when going for your class 1 licence include obtaining your class 2 licence (for which you’ll undergo a medical, a theory test, CPC and practical test) and then upgrading it to class 1 HGV licence by training for and passing your Cat C+E practical test. You can find out more about what’s required in becoming a Class 1 HGV driver.
Your Duties as a Class 1 HGV Driver – What to Expect
Of course, the main responsibility of a Class 1 HGV driver is driving, but there are a variety of tasks that need to be taken care of in the course of a typical day:
- Planning of delivery routes to ensure optimum efficiency
- Ensuring all goods to be transported are safe and secure
- Supervision of loading and unloading of goods
- The coordination of deliveries and communication with customers re pick-ups and drop-offs
- The conducting of Regular ‘walk-around’ inspections to ensure regulation compliance
- Vehicle maintenance – it’s the driver’s job to ensure his/her vehicle is road-worthy
- Communicating with customers and answering questions in a polite manner
In order to fulfil all of these responsibilities, you’ll need to be in possession of the following skills:
- Good communication
- Great organisation
- Patience and understanding
- Mechanical maintenance skills
- The ability to manage stress effectively
Whichever firm you work for as a class 1 HGV driver, you’re typically guaranteed a varied working life with no two days being quite the same.
How to Find Class 1 Jobs
Cat C+E HGV driving roles can, of course, be found online via agencies, job boards and recruitment websites and the good news is that there are plenty of jobs out there to be had. There is currently a shortage of qualified class 1 HGV drivers in the UK right now, so finding work shouldn’t be too difficult if you look in the right places.
Sites like Totaljobs, Monster and Indeed are good places to start. Easily found online, you simply type in the kind of job you’re looking for e.g. Class 1 Day Driver and your location e.g. London and you’ll be presented with a list of available positions, complete with salary and other details like type of contract (permanent/temp).
You can also greatly improve your chances of finding Class 1 HGV driver work by choosing a reputable HGV training company like ours at HGVT. We have an exclusive partnership with Manpower – one of the UK’s largest recruitment firms – which placed more than 15,000 jobs in the logistic sector alone in 2019. This allows us to line work up for you with approved employers – even before you’ve qualified!
Whichever way you look at it, there is an abundance of available work for Class 1 and Class 2 drivers in the UK right now.
What licence upgrades options you have?
Even though being a class 1 HGV driver is pretty much ‘top of the tree’ when it comes to HGV driving, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t still other things you can train for.
For example:
HIAB Training – for instance, you could train for your Hydrauliska Industri AB (HIAB) licence, which then allows you to operate any type of lorry loader crane. It’s possible to train for this enhancement in just 2-3 days onsite and you can earn anywhere between £22k and £31k, depending on where in the country you’re working.
ADR Enhancement – Which allows class 1 HGV drivers to transport hazardous goods across Europe. The goods included in this classification include flammable substances, toxic substances, corrosive substances and those that are highly corrosive. This can be achieved via a 10-day ADR training course and opens up the prospect of earning anywhere between £32k and £40k.
Once you’ve added either of these two extra classifications to your class 1 licence, you’ll be able to go for the highest-paying jobs in the industry.
Sound Interesting? Come and Find Out More!
At HGVT, we make becoming an HGV driver so much easier by taking care of everything for you. We deal with all the complicated paperwork, arrange all of your medicals and provide the very best in HGV tuition found anywhere in the UK. Our 60+ approved driver training centres across the country are staffed by the very best and most experienced HGV trainers in the industry.
We also hold your hand right from the outset, providing you with all of the above, whilst at the same time helping you find employment once qualified by putting you in touch with great employers. We think that this kind of joined-up service is the only way to operate and it’s the least you can expect from us.
If you’d like to know more about anything we’ve discussed here or you’d simply like to look into whether becoming a class 1 HGV driver is for you, fill in the enquiry form or give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.
