Career Advice for an HGV Driver

As an HGV Driver, you will be responsible for transporting goods safely and efficiently, adhering to traffic laws and regulations.

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How to Become an HGV Driver

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an HGV Driver

Should you wish to work as an HGV Driver you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an HGV Driver

  • A valid UK driving license with category C+E entitlement.
  • A Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Key Responsibilities for an HGV Driver

  • Loading and unloading goods from the vehicle.
  • Planning and following the most efficient route to the destination.
  • Ensuring the safety of the goods and other road users.
  • Maintaining the vehicle and reporting any faults or issues.
  • Completing delivery paperwork and keeping accurate records.
  • Communicating with dispatchers and customers to provide updates on delivery status.

What to expect as an HGV Driver

As an HGV Driver in the UK, you can work for logistics companies, haulage firms, or transport agencies, delivering goods across the country or internationally.

Recommended HGV Driver Jobs

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How to get HGV Driver Jobs

Our advice on how to get an HGV Driver job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an HGV Driver application. If you have not held an HGV Driver position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an HGV Driver role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your HGV Driver CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each HGV Driver application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an HGV Driver in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an HGV Driver 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an HGV Driver and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical HGV Driver experience.

How to get HGV Driver Experience

What does it take to be an HGV Driver? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for HGV Driver jobs. You can learn how to be a successful HGV Driver through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an HGV Driver Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into HGV Driver part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time HGV Driver or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

HGV Driver freelance work

If you have impressive HGV Driver qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.