To become an HGV driver, you will need to obtain your HGV driving licence.
To qualify as an HGV driver, you will need to:
- Have a full car licence
- Be over 18 (some exceptions apply)
- Obtain your professional driving qualification – the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
Changes to HGV Driving Test
Due in part to the shortage of HGV drivers that has been seen in the UK, and a backlog in HGV driver testing caused by COVID-19, changes were made to HGV driving licences and tests from 15 November 2021.
Full details of the changes can be found on the gov.uk site but they include changes to what you can learn to drive and take your driving test in.
One aspect of the changes made was removing the staging requirements in which HGV licences can be obtained.
Prior to the changes, a driver could not be granted C+E (sometimes referred to as HGV Class 1 licence) provisional entitlement without first holding a category C (sometimes referred to as a HGV Class 2 licence) driving licence.
When it comes to lorries, 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
When you pass your test in a large articulated lorry, you’re allowed to drive:
- a medium-sized lorry (C1)
- a medium-sized lorry towing a trailer (C1E)
- a large rigid lorry (C)
- a large articulated lorry (CE)
If you are looking for insurance for your HGV or lorry then talk to us at Anthony Jones. Our expert teams will take the time to understand your business and the risks you face so that they can provide you with the best possible advice and help you put the right insurance cover in place for your business. Talk to us today on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
