With the current shortage of lorry and bus drivers, this page has been compiled to assist those looking for information on becoming an HGV or PCV driver as well as giving transport managers a point of information.
Overview
To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver, you need a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
There are different training courses available to help you get the Driver CPC.
The training to help you qualify as an HGV driver is different to the training to keep your Driver CPC up to date once you have qualified.
What training is available?
The training options depend on where you live. Depending on which option you take, you might be able to get help with some or all of the costs.
Skills Boot camps
The government-funded Skills Boot camps are free training courses. They last up to 16 weeks. The courses are suitable if you are new to heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving, or you are returning to driving.
You can also take a course to upgrade your licence or qualifications – for example, if you want to transport dangerous goods like petrol, or tow heavier trailers.
Who can apply
You can apply if you:
The provider running your course might have extra criteria for applying.
How much it costs
The Skills Boot camps are free, and include all of the costs for:
How to apply
You can apply for Skills Boot camps directly through training providers.
These are only available in England.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. There are different apprenticeship options for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) training in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you train through an apprenticeship, you’ll be paid a salary while you do your training.
These are available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you do an apprenticeship in England, you can start driving professionally before you have passed all 4 parts of the Driver CPC. Find out how to start working as an HGV driver while you are still training.
Who can apply?
You need to be:
Different apprenticeships will ask for different qualifications and skills. For example, you might need a full car (category B) driving licence.
How much it costs
You will not have to pay for the training, and you will be paid a salary. How much you will get paid and which other costs are included depends on the employer.
How to apply
You can search for current apprenticeship vacancies online.
There are different names for HGV apprenticeships in each country. For example, in Scotland it is called a ‘freight logistics’ apprenticeship.
To look for apprenticeship opportunities:
Vocational qualifications
You can only take a vocational qualification to become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver if you are in England. You might be able to get help to pay for the qualification.
There are 5 vocational qualifications you can take:
As part of the qualification, you will take the 4 Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests that you need to qualify as an HGV driver.
If you take one of these vocational qualifications, you can start driving professionally before you have passed all 4 parts of the Driver CPC.
Find out how to start working as an HGV driver while you are still training.
Who can apply?
Check with the course provider to see if you are eligible to apply.
How much it costs
Different course providers charge different fees. Check with the course provider how much your course costs.
For courses starting between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022, some providers might cover the costs of:
Check with the course provider to find out what is included in your course fee.
Get extra help with course fees
The government will cover the full costs of the course if you are an adult who is either:
You might be able to get help to pay for the course from the government if you are employed or earn over £17,374.50 per year. Check with the course provider.
How to apply
You can search for a course by the name of the qualification and location to find a further education provider that runs one of these courses.
Driving schools
You can train through an independent driving school in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The costs and entry requirements are different for each school.
Learn with a private driving school.
There are 2 online national registers of driving schools.
You can:
You do not have to train through a registered driving school. You can find other driving schools online
For advice to help you decide which training option is best for you:
Source – DVSA
