Have you ever looked into what it would be like living the life of a professional HGV driver in the UK? If so, you might already know that you can earn, on average £35k per year, while enjoying the professional freedom that most regular jobs don’t offer. There’s no doubt that it’s a big commitment, and you need to fully understand all of the steps involved, but the rewards are obvious.
The route to becoming a certified HGV is a challenging one, but then again, it’s meant to be, as you’ll end up being in control of tons of steel travelling at speeds of up to 60 mph along Britain’s highways. After completing your training, you’ll be able to drive a lorry safely and competently, so let’s take a closer look at what’s involved, as well as the factors that affect how long it takes.
Step #1 – Your Application & Medical Exam
Your very first step to becoming a professional lorry driver is to get on the internet and look for Expert HGV Training Near Me. Then after choosing your training provider carefully, they’ll help you make your application and arrange your medical. Why do you need a medical? Well, it’s to make sure that you’re physically healthy enough to be in charge of a heavy goods vehicle.
During what is a thorough medical examination, a doctor will ensure that you have no health issues that might impact your ability to drive. Taking around 20-30 minutes, the examination involves the health professional checking things like your vision, and blood pressure, while asking you questions about your medical history. As such, the results of this exam are entered into a D4 medical form – a document required by the DVLA for your application.
In an ideal world, that will be the end of your medical examination, however, depending on what the Doctor finds, you might be asked to attend follow-up appointments. If, for example, a health issue is discovered, there may be a need to address it, which could add a few weeks to the process. Again, while it might be frustrating to be held up in this way, it’s vital for road safety reasons.
Step #2 – Preparing For & Taking Your Theory Test
Once you have all of the medical stuff out of the way, you’ll move on to step 2 – your HGV theory test! This phase is designed to fully evaluate your understanding of the rules of the road, driving laws and hazard perception. It involves two parts: 1) a multiple-choice section on road safety and regulations, and 2) a hazard perception test involving video scenarios.
How much time does it take to acquire the required knowledge? Well, that depends on you and how much time you can dedicate to studying. HGVT students get the HGVT App for HGV Theory, which can really help speed things up, but generally speaking, it takes around 1-2 two months before most people feel ready to take the test.
Step #3 – Your Practical Training & Test
Next, you’ll really be getting into things as your certified instructor teaches you your trade – how to drive an HGV safely. How long does the practical stage take? Again, that depends on you, as it will be determined by factors like how fast you learn and how regular your lessons are. That said, if your HGV training is intensive, it can take as little as 4-6 weeks to feel ready for your test.
You’ll spend much of this time practising your skills, and once you feel confident enough, you’ll take your test, during which you’ll be required to demonstrate your newly acquired abilities. After application, the amount of time you’ll wait for a test slot depends on demand, but it can take between 3-12 weeks. However, if taking an intensive course, it may be at the end of the course.
Step #4 – Driver CPC Training & Testing
The final step of qualifying for your HGV licence is to undergo your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training and testing. While your CPC does involve a certain amount of overlap with your practical and theory training, it also expands upon what you’ve learnt and provides additional content tailored to professional driving.
It uses scenario-based questions that reflect real-life situations you might encounter while out of the road. Focusing on road safety, regulations, and hazard perception, it also covers everyday tasks like safety checks and your daily responsibilities, such as loading procedures, preventing trafficking, and understanding vehicle safety. This phase takes up to a week.
Realise Your HGV Driving Dream With HGVT
Once you get to this stage, you’ve essentially made it. All you’ve got left to do is wait for final approval and the issuance of your HGV license. Your career as an HGV driver can begin in earnest and you’re set to work in one of the most dynamic industries in the UK!
While obtaining your HGV licence can be a challenging process, things get that much easier when you enrol with the right HGV training company. At HGVT, we’re able to achieve above-average pass rates for our students thanks to our hugely experienced instructors and network of 60 training centres across the United Kingdom. Furthermore, we even help you find work once qualified!
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