If you’re thinking about HGV training, it’s smart to check what you could earn as a driver in 2026 so you can decide if it’s right for you. HGV training courses typically cost between £1,500 and £3,000, depending on the type of licence you pursue. Consider this investment alongside potential earnings when weighing up the decision.
In the UK, drivers with a Cat C (Class 2) licence usually earn:
- £30,000 to £36,000 annually in a full-time position.
If you have a Cat C+E (Class 1) licence, your earnings usually increase to:
- £38,000 to £50,000+ per year, depending on your experience and the shifts you take on.
How your job is set up can also have a big effect on your pay:
- Full-time employed: enjoy a steady salary, holiday pay, and pension benefits.
- Agency work: often offers higher hourly rates, especially for night and weekend shifts.
- Long haul or tramping: night-out allowances and mileage can boost your income.
- Self-employed: you can earn the most this way, but you’ll have to handle your own costs.
Compared to 2024 and 2025, HGV driver salaries have generally gone up. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows steady yearly increases. This is mostly because there aren’t enough drivers, costs are rising, and there’s strong demand from supermarkets, construction, and online shopping. (United Kingdom Food Security Report 2024: Theme 3: Food Supply Chain Resilience, n.d.)
Hourly Earnings Breakdown: How Much Do HGV Drivers Earn Per Hour?
Once people learn that HGV work pays well, they often want to know what drivers earn per hour.
As a rough guide across the UK:
- New Cat C drivers: around £13–£16 per hour
- Experienced Cat C+E drivers: around £16–£22+ per hour
How much you earn also depends on when and where you drive:
- Day shifts: standard base rate
- Nights: usually £1–£3 per hour more
- Weekends/bank holidays: enhanced rates or time-and-a-half
- Overtime: higher hourly rate once you pass your contracted hours
Big supermarkets and logistics companies often pay:
- Premium rates for nights and weekends
- Bonuses for performance, safety or attendance
Here’s a simple example:
- Hourly rate: £18/hour
- Hours per week: 45
- Weekly pay: £810
- Approx. yearly salary: £42,000+ (before tax)
To earn these pay rates, you’ll need your Driver CPC, which stands for Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. It is a qualification required by law for all professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers to enhance road safety and ensure high standards of driving. Our CPC Training guide explains the steps you need to take.
Salary Variations by Employer Type (Tesco, Amazon, Long Haul, Self-Employed)
Not all HGV jobs pay the same. The employer you choose can make a big difference in whether HGV training is worth it for you.
Tesco HGV driver salary
Big supermarket companies like Tesco usually offer:
- Solid basic pay, with higher rates for nights and weekends
- Extra pay at busy regional hubs and some distribution centres
- Reliable overtime on top of contracted hours (apply.tesco-careers.com)
Example: Sarah is a Cat C+E driver at a Tesco depot in the Midlands with two years of experience. She might earn £18 per hour as a base rate. With extra pay for weekend shifts, her yearly income could be about £42,000 to £45,000.
Amazon HGV driver salary
- Amazon offers a mix of direct employment, agency work, and self-employed contracts
- Trunking jobs often pay more for night shifts and longer routes (Glassdoor)
Example: Mo is a Class 1 trunk driver working for Amazon through an agency. He does regular night runs at about £18 to £20 per hour and can earn over £900 a week during busy times.
Long haul & self-employed
- Long-haul HGV drivers can earn more through night-out allowances and high mileage
- Self-employed HGV drivers can get higher daily rates, but must pay for their own fuel, maintenance, and insurance
If you’re aiming for these higher-earning Class 1 and 2 roles, have a look at:
Salary Comparison: Licence Type × Experience × Region
If you’re wondering whether HGV training is worth the cost, it helps to see how your licence, experience, and location affect your pay.
In simple terms:
- Higher licence (especially Cat C+E) = higher ceiling
- More experience = better hourly rates and more choice of jobs
- Where you live and work also impacts your pay
Typical 2026 salary ranges (illustrative):
| Licence Type | Experience | Region | Typical Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | New (0–1 year) | UK average | £26,000–£30,000 |
| Cat C (Class 2) | 1–3 years | UK average | £30,000–£36,000 |
| Cat C+E (Class 1) | 2–5 years | UK average | £38,000–£46,000 |
| Cat C+E (Long haul/tramping) | 3+ years | UK average | £45,000–£55,000+ |
Region also plays a part:
- South East & London: often 10–20% higher
- Scotland and Wales: pay is usually a little lower, but remote areas may offer higher rates
- Experience is often the most important factor after your licence type
Before you start, you’ll need to pass a medical exam. Our HGV medical and assessment guide explains what’s involved.
What Next? The HGV Driver Job Market, Application Process & Training Pathway
After seeing the earning potential, most people ask, “Are there jobs available?” and “How do I get started?”
HGV job market outlook for 2026
The job outlook for HGV drivers in 2026 is still strong. The main sectors driving demand are:
- Supermarkets and retail distribution
- Construction and building supplies
- Logistics, parcel and pallet networks
- Waste management and local authorities
As long as e-commerce and construction keep growing, trained drivers will be needed. The job market for HGV drivers is expected to remain stable over the coming years, supported by steady demand. However, like any profession, it is not without risks. Economic downturns or shifts in industry regulations could impact job security, but for now, the outlook is positive. This reassurance about long-term prospects makes HGV driving a viable career option for many.
How to apply for HGV jobs
Most employers follow a similar process:
- Online application or quick CV upload
- Short phone or video interview
- Driving assessment and licence check
You’ll normally need:
- Valid HGV licence
- Driver CPC
- Driver’s medical passed and up to date
- Digital tacho card
HGV training pathway – step by step
Here’s a typical path from starting out to being ready for work:
- Medical (D4)
- Apply for a provisional licence
- Theory & Hazard Perception tests
- CPC modules
- Practical training in the vehicle
- 3a off-road reversing test
- 3b on-road driving test
Once you have your cards and certificates, you can start applying for jobs.
You can learn more in:
These pages can help you compare the cost of training with your potential long-term earnings.
Example: Consider John, who decided to invest £2,500 in his Cat C+E training course. In his first year as a self-employed HGV driver, after gaining the necessary experience, he managed to earn around £45,000. By taking on night shifts and weekend jobs with premium rates, John’s investment in training quickly paid off, demonstrating the potential financial rewards of embarking on this career path.
