Well, there are a large number of vehicles that one can drive. There are different types of jobs associated with driving different range of vehicles. The one you can choose will depend on a range of factors like your experience and the type of LGV driver licence that you possess.
The Lorry Drivers in the UK can earn a good salary of around $ 23K to $40K per annum. Similar to other jobs, the bigger paid jobs come with more experience and the bigger vehicles to navigate. The more experience as a truck driver you have the better will be your salary income.
Your salary will also be determined by the types of goods that you are transporting. Sometimes hazardous equipment would 0ffer you a greater rate of pay and long haul jobs would also be at the higher end of your pay scale.
If you are looking for how much it costs to get an LGV licence then it mainly depends on the driver’s work that they have been paid for. They can either pay hourly; per mile for the job and others have set their salary paid monthly. There are various lorry driving training centers and companies.
So, you can easily contact a few lorry driving companies and check for their reviews. When taking the course at your own cost doesn’t always guarantee you work at the end of the day.
There are different Lorry driving jobs and these are:
The local driving jobs like Category C class Licence and the most popular to get started like parcel deliveries, food deliveries, etc. These local driving jobs tend to cover the same geographical area and have several drop-offs to make during the day.
1: You need to tend to work more regularly and get to know the route you cover.
2: You might feel under pressure to fit your deliveries within the required time.
Category C1 Licence: It covers jobs that might involve long-distance routes. It means that you need to drive across a couple of countries or you can also drive in an ambulance.
You may also find that you have to stay overnight on route as your destination could be a few hundred miles away. Once you have this licence then you could shift up your gear and it also helps in moving the load pallets and building goods.
Category C+E licence for bigger trucks: Usually, the commercial vehicle drivers can typically transport heavy goods, livestock, or more than 15 passengers.
You will also require a commercial licence and be aware of documentation that you will need to check on the route. If staying away from your home doesn’t bother you then this could be a great way field for your work.
1: Local Driving Jobs:
The local driving jobs involve driving within a small area and it can typically involve multiple, small deliveries per day. You might see that you work within more congested driving zones such as towns and cities.
Some example of local delivery driving jobs includes:
1: Food delivery Lorry drivers.
2: Couriers.
3: Refuse collector.
The local driving jobs mean that you might work in good working conditions. Your pay can be lower than those carrying long-distance journeys and there might be added some stress of trying to make a certain number of deliveries over a day.
2: Short Haul Jobs:
Short-haul jobs mainly involve working within a local or smaller area. The distance traveled is likely to be larger than carrying out local work. Like for example, you can work across several countries and the short-haul jobs are typically involved with a few deliveries that are being carried out a day due to the large distance traveled.
The examples of Short Haul jobs include:
1: Retail Delivery service.
2: Home removal drivers.
The short-haul jobs come with similar pros and cons to local driver jobs and you need to spend less than a few nights away from your home but in some cases, it can attract lower Wages.
3: Long-Haul Jobs:
The long haul lorry drivers will drive large distances and these are most likely carry out fewer drops within the time frame worked. Sometimes long-haul jobs can take days to complete and can see you traveling further across the UK. Some of these jobs involved:
1: Car transporter drivers.
2: Tanker drivers, etc.
The long-haul jobs can see you away from home for longer periods and this doesn’t suit someone with a family. The distances that you have traveled, the hours can be long even when complying with HGV driver hour regulations.
But the long distances that you traveled can provide you the opportunity for travelling and see new places.
How much does an LGV driver earn will mainly depend on several different factors such as the type of licence that you have, the amount of experience you have and the types of jobs that you carry out, the goods you transport, where you work, and whether you work for a business or an owner-operator?
The starting salary that an HGV driver can earn in between $19-$24k and this can be higher as you have started gaining experience and carry out LGV driver training. Experienced Lorry drivers can earn up to $40k.
Some of the Responsibilities of Lorry drivers are:
This will vary and depend on whether you are employed or are a self-employed owner-operator. These areas include:
1: Having the correct Licence:
As an LGV driver, you must ensure that you have the correct licence in place. This is to drive the vehicle and carry out the jobs that you are asked for. Also, various licences include the Class 1 LGV licence and the Class 2 HGV licence.
The licence that you hold also determines the weight of the vehicle you can drive and the trailer you can tow. You also need to ensure that your licence is renewed when it is required.
2: Lorry Driver CPC training:
If you want to keep your Driver Certificate of professional competence to drive a lorry, bus or a coach then you must carry 35 hours of training after every 5 years. So, if you are seeking LGV training then you need to take a course from a reliable training center.
Also read this blog: Everything you need to know about the Minibus Driver Course!
