What is HGV Training?
Training for Heavy Goods Vehicles (also known as Large Goods Vehicles) is designed to give drivers the confidence and skills necessary for these larger vehicles.
There are two different categories of licence for Heavy Goods Vehicles, C and C+E, which each allow the driver to operate a different category of vehicle. However, recent DVSA changes introduced on 15th November 2021 have changed the process needed to obtain your C+E licence.
Category C (LGV 2) rigid lorry driver training is still available and one that 2 Start Training would highly recommend those looking to pursue a career as an HGV C+E (Artic Lorry) driver still consider training for category C LGV 2 before progressing onto training for their Category C+E licence.
The rigid category C LGV 2 lorry driver training historically has been the following progressive step drivers take when going from having a car or better yet, a 7.5-tonne licence to work their way up to gain their artic category C+E LGV 1 licence.
The cost of HGV/LGV training is the burning question for many as the financial rewards in some cases are high according to recent press.
To best understand the costs, you first need to understand the types of training and their focuses which will impact both your training path and costs.
HGV Training Process, what are the steps?
Step 1 – Meeting the Requirements
The first step into gaining your LGV licence is to ensure you meet the minimum requirements which include:
- Ensuring you are 18 years old or above.
- Ensuring you already hold a Category B car licence.
You will not be able to begin your LGV training if you do not yet hold a car (Category B) driving licence.
Once you are 18 years of age and hold a full UK Category B car driving licence, you are ready to move onto step 2.
Step 2 – Completing your Medical & Gaining your Provisional Licence
The second step into gaining your licence includes completing your driver medical and obtaining your provisional LGV licence.
Step 3 – Hazard Perception & Theory Tests
To get to this point, you will have successfully passed your driver's medical and gained your provisional licence. You will now need to book both your Hazard Perception and Theory LGV tests.
Depending on the LGV training package you have chosen, our 2 Start team will look to arrange these for you if they are included in your package.
Step 4 – Practical Training & Test
Now that you have passed your theory tests, it is time to start your practical LGV driver training! Here at 2 Start Training, we have a variety of LGV training courses for both CAT C & C+E vehicles. Our team of training advisors will work with you to decide the ideal course that suits all your needs.
Once you have completed your training and our instructors feel you are ready, it will then be up to you to pass your 3a test at an approved training centre and also pass your 3b practical HGV driving test.
Step 5 – CPC Training
Any driver who is hoping to drive a vehicle over 3.5-tonnes commercially or for hire and reward purposes is required to complete 35 hours of periodic CPC training every 5-years.
Those who are new to professional driving and do not currently hold a Category C licence will need to complete Initial CPC training, including their MOD 2 & MOD 4 training and tests. You will then be required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years.
After you have completed the 5 steps mentioned above, you will have completed your LGV driver training and gained your full licence. You are now able to take a job as an LGV or lorry driver and begin your journey in your new career.
What is the difference between classification C and classification C+E?
The licence category classification C (also known as Cat C, LGV 2, HGV 2 and LGV Class 2) qualification allows drivers to operate vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM). Licence category classification C+E (also known as Cat CE, LGV 1, HGV 1 and LGV Class 1).
For more information on Category C and Category C+E licence categories, visit our LGV 2 and straight to C+E or upgrade from LGV 2 to LGV 1 pages or the Gov.uk website.
November 2021 Changes to Category C+E Licence Requirements
As of 15th November 2021, the DVSA changed the test requirements for a driver holding a category B licence looking to gain their Category C+E.
Since these changes, you can now:
- Learn to drive in an articulated lorry (category CE) if your provisional lorry licence was issued from 15 November 2021 (if you had a provisional licence before this date, you need to take extra steps to upgrade your provisional licence)
- Take your test in a large articulated lorry without having to pass one in a large rigid lorry (category C) first.
In addition to the above changes for C+E licence requirements, the Driver CPC part 3 tests are also changing as follows:
As of 29th November 2021, the Driver CPC part 3 test was split into 2 parts.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 3 (driving ability) test is 1 of the 4 tests you must pass to drive a lorry for a living.
You now need to book and take your test in 2 parts:
How much does HGV/LGV training cost?
Many ask us if HGV training is cheap? This purely depends on the course you book.
The cost to complete your heavy goods vehicle training will range between £220 for our C1 7.5-tonne session only course through to our Gold Fast Track Car to C+E course that would cost £4,185 and comes with a few added benefits to provide our students with piece of mind like the pass protection for example.
The HGV driver training course you require will depend on the category of HGV vehicle you would like to drive and your current level of HGV driving experience.
The cost of the training will be respective of the required number of theory and practical based training hours you will need to receive. This again comes back to your current level of experience and the vehicle classification you wish to drive; we can also offer an evaluation session with one of our instructors who will then be able to advise of the recommended number of training hours you will likely require to be test ready.
What Cat C (LGV 2) training packages are available?
For LGV 2 training, the training packages you can choose from include:
- LGV 2 course 5 days, which offers 17.5 hours of training and the DVSA test
- LGV 2 course 4 days, which offers 14 hours of training and the DVSA test.
- LGV 2 bronze package, which includes 17.5 hours of training and the DVSA test & CPC
- LGV 2 silver package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test and CPC
- LGV 2 gold package, which includes 17.5 hours of initial training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test, CPC and one retest on both theory and driving tests.
- LGV 2 professional package, which includes 17.5 initial hours of training, medicals and the theory test, the DVSA test, CPC and two retests on both theory and driving tests. If the course is passed on the first attempt – meaning that the retests are not required – you will be offered a free HIAB or ADR course.
- LGV 2 ultimate package, which includes 17.5 initial hours of training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test, practical CPC module 4, two retests and C+E training. This course is everything you need to be able to drive a C rigid to full articulated vehicle C+E. If you pass the course on your first attempt with this package, you will receive the offer of a free HIAB or ADR training course.
What Cat C+E (LGV 1) training packages are available?
For LGV 1, the packages you can choose from include:
- LGV 1 Lesson, which includes 3.5 hours of training and a full articulated vehicle and trailer.
- LGV 1 bronze package, which includes 14 hours of training, a full articulated vehicle and trailer, and a DVSA test.
- LGV 1 silver package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test and is ideal for beginners.
- LGV 1 gold package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test and is ideal for beginners plus one retest on the driving test.
- LGV 1 platinum package, which includes 17.5 hours of initial training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test, two retests and is ideal for beginners. If you purchase this package and you pass the course on your first attempt, you will receive a free 5-day ADR or HIAB course.
To take the above upgrade from LGV 2 to LGV 1 course, you MUST have first passed the LGV 2 course and will not be allowed to participate until you have passed that course.
What does HGV stand for?
HGV stands for Heavy Goods Vehicle and is typically the acronym used in the UK logistics industry when talking about lorry driving. HGV training refers to driver training that includes vehicles with a gross combined mass of over 3500kgs. Furthermore, HGV training and LGV training have no differences with LGV standing for Large Goods Vehicles. An HGV licence is required by anyone who wants to drive a vehicle that is between 3,500kgs & 12,000 kgs.
If you are planning on driving vehicles that fall into these weight categories, you will need to complete HGV driver training. There are two types of HGV licences which are the HGV Class 1 & HGV Class 2 licences.
HGV Driver Training at 2 Start
To obtain an HGV licence, you need to be aged 18 or older, hold a full UK car driving licence, Complete and pass all HGV theory and practical tests and complete any Driver CPC training (if required). If you have completed these steps, you are eligible for an HGV licence.
2 Start Ltd are one of the South Coasts' leading HGV Driver training schools with HGV training facilities at, Southampton, Worthing, Portsmouth, Theale, and Reading.
Our HGV driver training courses cover Category C1 7.5-tonne, C1+E 7.5-tonne with a trailer, Category C Rigid Class 2 and Category C+E Class 1 articulated HGV lorries.
As you can see, 2 Start Training provides HGV driver training for all the critical driving licence categories under the HGV bracket.
Training to become an HGV driver either as a career progression or as a complete change of career entirely is a fantastic idea as recent months have seen the salaries for HGV drivers rise significantly in some areas.
HGV drivers are the backbone of the UK’s economy and logistics distribution network, training to become an HGV driver will allow you to join this in-demand industry sector and help the UK regain its strength logistically after the recent HGV driver shortage.
2 Start provides several HGV driver training courses, which can all be booked online.
Are you thinking of completing your HGV training with 2 Start?
Here at 2 Start Training, we have a number of HGV driver training courses available for you to complete and gain your HGV licence and begin your journey to becoming a lorry driver. We have both HGV Class 1 & Class 2 courses available, all of which will teach you the skills, knowledge and give you the confidence that you need to safely operate an HGV.
Our team will help you with every step of your journey to gaining your HGV licence from booking your medical for you locally to booking your practical test at the soonest possible date!
Our HGV training facilities
We provide HGV training across the South Coast and our training depots cover the following areas:
Our Portsmouth depot is situated in Hampshire, which covers this area, as well as the Isle of Wight.
Out Southampton depot is also situated north of Hampshire, and covers this location, as well as Wiltshire and Dorset.
Our Worthing Depot is located in West Sussex, which covers this area, and Surrey.
Our Reading depot covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford areas.
Our Theale depot also covers West Berkshire, as well as Buckinghamshire.
Our Portsmouth depot is an approved DVSA testing centre that is available to all of our HGV driver training students across the whole of Hampshire. This gives our students a major advantage as they can use our top-quality facilities throughout their HGV training course. Also, students are able to complete their HGV driving test from our Portsmouth depot!
All of our training depots have on-site reversing facilities and are approved DVSA 3a sites. It is extremely rare to find HGV training companies that have their own on-site reversing facilities, as most sites are not big enough to allow this. This means you can practice your HGV reversing manoeuvres on the same facilities that you will be tested on! Additionally, all of our training depots have well-lit and fully-equipped classroom facilities, including air conditioning.
Interested in our LGV courses? You can contact our team of advisors on 02392 123 555.
HGV Training Frequently Asked Questions
How to start HGV training?
To start one of our LGV driver training courses, all you need to do is decide which of our courses is the best one for you and then choose the best date available for you to complete your training. It is that simple! Our online booking system allows you to easily book your LGV training course and complete your training quickly!
Additionally, you can call our team on 02392 123 555, and they will arrange everything for you! Also, you can email us at daisy@2start-training.com.
Do I need Driver’s CPC training?
You will only need to complete your 35-hours of periodic CPC training if you are driving for hire & reward purposes or as the main part of your job. If you are driving as a hobby, then you will not need to complete CPC training.
Any driver who first passed any category C driving test after 9th of September 2009 must have this new qualification. Drivers who held any LGV driving entitlement before that date have 5 years “acquired rights” to the Driver CPC.
The Driver CPC is enforced on the road in the same way as holding an appropriate driving licence and it is an offence to drive without it. There are penalties for drivers and operators who flaunt this new requirement.
We have both online and classroom CPC training courses available with 7-hour and 35-hour options on offer. We also have a wide variety of training modules that you can choose to complete!
HGV Driver Training Cost?
The cost to complete your HGV driver training will range from £220 for our C1 7.5-tonne session-only course through to our Gold Fast Track Car to C+E course would cost £4,185 and comes with a few added benefits to provide our students with peace of mind like the pass protection for example.
The HGV driver training course you require will depend on the category of HGV vehicle you would like to drive and your current level of HGV driving experience.
The cost of the training will be respective to the required number of theory and practical-based training hours you will need to receive. This again comes back to your current level of experience and the vehicle classification you wish to drive; we can also offer an evaluation session with one of our instructors who will then be able to advise of the recommended number of training hours you will likely require to be test ready.
Can I get funding to become an HGV driver?
Yes, funding options are available for some candidates if they meet the specified requirements.
There are approved schemes like the Governments Skills Bootcamps available that will give you funding to complete your HGV driver training, or some companies will also pay for candidates to complete training when hiring new drivers.
We also offer deposit options for all of our training courses, allowing you to pay for the remainder of your course before you come to one of our depots to complete your training.
How much does it cost to become a lorry driver in the UK?
HGV training costs vary across the board, with different companies offering different prices.
The price for your HGV training will also depend on; which category vehicle you wish to train on, the number of hours of training you want to complete, and other external factors such as some candidates needing to complete re-tests.
Here at 2 Start, we have very competitive HGV training prices for all of our categories, including C1, C1+E, CAT C, C+E, and our new Fast Track car to C+E courses.
How long does it take to become an HGV driver?
The time it takes to become an HGV driver from start to finish can vary for every candidate, depending on their requirements and skill levels they have when they first start their training.
A good estimate from start to finish is around 4-5 months to complete the whole process, including roughly 2-6 weeks from completing your medical and then receiving your provisional licence with the extra HGV entitlements added.
The amount of time it takes you to pass your HGV test could be longer, with some candidates needing extra hours of on-the-road driving and more time to gain confidence in operating an HGV.
How much does an HGV driver earn?
An HGV driver in the UK as of February 2023 typically earns an average salary of around £38,136*[i]. However, this number can drastically change depending on many factors, such as:
- If you are driving a Class 1 or Class 2 HGV.
- The experience you have as an HGV driver.
- The type of loads that you are delivering.
- The distances and hours that you are willing to work.
- If you have additional entitlements such as ADR.
These are just some of the varying factors that can affect how much you earn as an HGV driver, with many more that can be named. However, with increasing demand and an increase in salaries for HGV drivers, some companies have been seen to offer up to £60,000*[ii] a year for HGV Class 1 drivers.
[i] https://uk.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries
[ii] https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=hgv+driver+%C2%A360%2C000&l=England
*All figures accurate at the time of publishing
Can you go straight from a car to a Class 1 HGV?
Yes, as of November 15th 2021, you can now go straight from a car to a Class 1 HGV. The November 2021 changes were introduced by the Government to reduce the national HGV driver shortage.
These changes included:
- Approved training centres and accredited assessors are now able to undertake the reversing test for the 3A section of the test.
- The 3B practical driver section of the test still needs to be completed with a DVSA examiner but is now 60 minutes in duration, up 10 minutes from the previous 50 minutes it used to take.
We have added many Fast Track options to allow our students to go from a car straight to a Class 1 HGV.
If you passed your car driving test before 1st January 1997, you automatically have “acquired rights” to categories C1, D1, and B+E entitlements. This means you can drive goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes, towing a trailer up to 750kg, a minibus up to 16 seats towing a trailer, and a car towing any trailer.
If you passed your test after 1st January 1997, you are allowed to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (Ford Transit or Mercedes Sprinter sized vehicles but check the Gross Weight on the plate of the vehicle because some “Small vans” are not that small!) towing a trailer up to 750kg (but not exceeding a train weight of 3.5tonnes), a minibus up to 8 seats towing a trailer up to 750kg (not exceeding a train weight of 3.5tonnes) and a car towing a trailer up to 750kgs (again, not exceeding the 3.5 tonnes train weight).
If you do not have “acquired rights” you will need to complete some form of HGV training, depending on the category of vehicle you are planning on driving, such as CAT C or C+E.
Although, you can still complete your CAT C course before taking your C+E training. This will allow you to gain confidence and experience in driving a CAT C vehicle before making the jump to a C+E.
