So you want to be an HGV Driver – Here’s How

You’ve thought long and hard about your career choices and you’re now considering a life on the road as an HGV driver. You’ve made a good choice – especially seeing as there’s been a considerable shortage of drivers in recent years. What’s more, HGV driver training in the UK can be quick, affordable, and you’ll usually be able to find a training course in a location close to you. Here are our top tips on how to become a qualified HGV driver…

Research

Before you jump straight in and choose the first course you find, it’s wise to do a little research. There are a number of organizations offering HGV driver training in the UK, but some are better than others. So –

•Check their credentials
•Call them up and ask about their pass rate
•Compare the costs of training at various establishments
•Think about the time it will take (and money) for you to get to the training course and home again and factor this in
•Find out how long the training takes

Once you’ve thought (and got answers) to these things, you can make your choice wise in the knowledge that you are well informed.

Train

You can usually train to become an HGV driver in as little as a week. The courses are intensive and highly practical so you’ll need to be on the ball. To help you pass first time, it’s wise to make sure you –

1.Are well rested – get to sleep early throughout the week
2.Eat the right foods to keep your brain and body functioning (bananas, nuts, and oily fish are all good)
3.Do your homework – go over any notes you made during the class at home so you are constantly refreshing your memory

Money

If paying for your course is a problem but you want to get trained as quickly as possible, consider asking about finance. Many top training establishments are able to offer course candidates finance arrangements for their course fees. That means, instead of paying for it all in one go, you can spread the cost of the course fee over a series of months. This is helpful if you don’t have a large wad of savings in the bank or can’t siphon off that amount from your cash flow.

Stay in Touch

HGV driver training UK centres are often able to help with recruitment, so when you’ve passed your course it’s wise to stay in touch. Try and build a relationship with those responsible for recruitment and you could be first in line for any jobs that come their way. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your fellow course mates as they too may hear of available jobs – so you can all help each other out if needs be.

Training to be an HGV driver is intensive and hard work, but if you set your mind to it, you should be able to pass your tests and get out on the road. The job can be rewarding, regular, and well paid so train hard and smart and you’ll get there…

The Top 5 ‘On the Road’ Essentials for Every HGV Driver

So, you’ve passed your LGV and HGV training and now you’re ready to hit the road. Wherever it is you’re off to, one thing’s for certain, you’ll be needing some decent supplies to see you through. Leaving home unprepared could result in a rather miserable journey. So before you set off, make sure you’ve read through this list of top five ‘on the road’ essentials. It’ll be the difference between an average journey and a great one…

Entertainment

If you’re in for the long haul, you’d be a food to leave without any form of entertainment in your bag. Things to keep you occupied when you’re resting could include –

•    An e-reader
•    Portable DVD player
•    iPod or mp3 player
•    A good old fashioned selection of books
•    A pack of cards

It’s best not to take your most expensive gear on the road with you, due to the possibility of theft. However, make sure you pack a few items that you can fall back on if you’re really in need of a little light distraction.

Clean Up

If you can’t access a shower, or haven’t the time to make a detour to one, make sure you bring some freshening up essentials. Baby wipes have a multitude of uses – from cleaning your hands to wiping the dashboard! They’re also great to give your face a quick wipe down which could help you feel more alert. Dry shampoo is another good one – especially if you’re on a long journey where you might want to head out for a night. A quick spray of dry shampoo will ‘de-grease’ your hair and give it a new lease of life – which is just what it will need after being stuck inside for so long.

Clothing

Like we mentioned above, if you’re on a journey where you’ll be staying over before heading back home, and fancy a night out – fresh clothing is vital. Hitting a pub or two in your driving gear never feels great, so make sure you’ve packed a fresh change of clothes which you’ll feel comfortable in, heading out to try the local pubs.

Emergency Food Supplies

Throughout your LGV and HGV training, you’ll have covered how vital it is for you to stay alert and awake at the wheel. If that means resorting to snacks then so be it. Pack snacks that will give you sustained energy if you can – they’re much better than quick sugary fixes. Opt for cereal bars, bags of nuts (almonds are really good, and bananas. They may not be super-exciting but they’ll stand you in good stead for a long drive ahead.

Painkillers

Paracetamol. Ibuprofen. Aspirin – whatever works for you. Make sure you’ve got a pack handy just in case a headache hits… driving with a headache just doesn’t work.

We hope these handy hints will help you get the most out of life on the road. Every HGV driver has his or her own list of essentials so figure out what works for you and get out there!

How to be a Considerate HGV Driver

You’ll have covered driving etiquette in your HGV and LGV driver training courses – plus you should remember how to be a considerate driver from your car driving lessons. If you need a recap though, here are some top tips on how to ensure you’re a considerate HGV driver.

Look Around You

Lorries are huge vehicles and when there’s a number of them on the road together, this can be intimidating to car drivers. When you’re driving through towns, or out on the motorway, it’s important you know what other vehicles are around you. Keep an eye on your mirrors as much as possible, be aware of your blind spots, and don’t make any rash driving decisions. It’s all common sense stuff but it’s good to be reminded once in a while.

Signal

Think about it. How irate do you get when someone doesn’t signal? Nobody can read minds (although a few claim they can!). In the world of driving, you need to signal otherwise no one will know what you intend or want to do. Never just pull out, always signal, and make sure if you want to make a specific maneuver that there is space and time for you to carry this out without affecting other drivers. You’re bound to have covered all of these basics in your LGV driver training courses, so if in doubt, think back or look over any past notes, and see how you can improve and get out of lazy habits.

Don’t Risk it

If you’re tired and you’re wondering whether you can make the last stretch without stopping off, don’t risk it. Pull over, grab a coffee, get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Splash water on your face to revive you, and eat a snack to boost your energy levels. If you’re at all concerned about how tired you are, the most considerate thing you can do for yourself (and all the other drivers on the road) is to come off and take a break. You may just be preventing an accident.

Don’t Overtake on a Hill

The main annoyance of many car drivers would have to be HGV drivers overtaking on a hill – especially if they’re in a vehicle that’s been limited to 50mph. This results in a tailback of furious car drivers going nowhere fast, while up at the front the HGV inches forwards over the course of what seems like three hours. So if you can avoid it, try not to overtake on a hill – simply by staying in your lane you’ll be a considerate driver. Top marks!

Being a considerate HGV driver can take time and a bit of dedication, but if you want to be the best driver you can be, it’s wise to be as considerate as possible. Remember, being considerate is all about –

•    Thinking of others on the road
•    Being aware of other drivers
•    Treating yourself and them with kindness

Remember these points and put them into use, and you’ll be a considerate driver in no time!

Top Tips for HGV Drivers to not feel Lonely on the Road

So you’ve finished your driving course at the LGV training centre, and you’re about to set off on a long haul mission to the back of beyond. It’s going to be five days and you’re wondering how you’re going to cope without your usual home comforts and family interaction. To help ensure you stay as connected as possible here are some tips to help combat loneliness on the road.

•Touch base

A 5-minute phone call doesn’t take a large chunk out of your day, so make the effort to stay in touch. Complaining about being lonely works both ways – you need to actively ensure you’re doing everything you can to stay in contact. If you’ve got a smart phone or laptop with you there are loads of ways of staying in touch. Why not try – 

• Whatsapp – you can send photos, videos, and messages for free using wifi
• FaceTime – this free app on your iPhone allows you to connect with family and friends using the video facility on your phone so they can see you and you can see them
• Skype – free and easy. Use with a camera or simply use it like a phone
• Text message – if all else fails, a few text messages now and then wouldn’t go amiss and it will let your family know you’re safe and sound

Talk

Stay in contact with fellow drivers (mates you made at the LGV training centre and new ones on the road) when you can. Plus, when you stop off for breaks, make sure you get out of your cab and have a chat with someone. Whether that's the café owner, or fellow drivers – a bit of verbal interaction can help ease that feeling of isolation. And remember, all other long distance drivers will probably be feeling the same – or will have felt it at some point so they'll get where you're coming from if you just need a chat.

 Read

If you can’t interact with anyone, divert your attention to something else and read a good book. This is a great way to stop yourself thinking about issues in your own life and get absorbed in another world altogether.

Watch a Film

Likewise with the book above – forget about your own worries and lose yourself in a film. If it’s a good one, hopefully by the end of it you’ll have forgotten what you were worrying about in the first place.

Exercise

It may sound like a bit of a random one, but if you’re feeling down and a bit lonely, a bit of exercise could help boost your mood. If you’re on a break, don’t stay slumped in your cab, get out and stretch your legs. A little walk – or a brisk run – will get the endorphins going and help to bust those blues out of the water.

Being away from your loved ones can be hard work, but if you establish good habits from the off, you should be able to stop any feelings of loneliness in their tracks.

Train as an HGV Driver Now, Pay Later

It’s always the way, you discover the perfect training course then see the sum it costs to sign up for it. While HGV training strives to be as affordable as possible, for some it’s simply not possible to hand over a lump sum all in one go. Thankfully though, these days there is HGV training finance available. It works in a similar way as buying something from a catalogue does. Say you’ve seen an awesome flat screen TV that you simply can’t live without… you buy it, but you decide to pay for it in instalments over a number of weeks. That’s just how HGV training finance works. Most people can benefit from it and it means you won’t have to fork out for the cost of training all in one go.

In the past few years, HGV training has increased in popularity. This, coupled with the fact there has been a distinct lack of qualified HGV drivers on the circuit, means it’s a vocation that pays. There are countless opportunities all across the UK for skilled and suitably qualified HGV drivers. Remuneration packages are good, the work is reliable, and you could be based anywhere in the UK. When you consider all of these factors, it’s little wonder more and more people are turning to careers as HGV drivers.

However, if the initial training costs are stopping you from moving forward in your chosen career path, it can be a long wait to get your funds in place. Saving money towards a training course may take a year, and that can feel immensely frustrating. Fortunately though, there are schemes that exist where you can train now and ‘pay later’ over a period of time. You’ll usually pay a small deposit initially and will then pay the rest back, with interest, over an agreed length of time. You’ll usually need to meet a few requirements which are often along the lines of: you’ll need to be over 18, work at least 16 hours or more a week, be a UK resident with a permanent UK address, and be able to supply details of your past addresses for the last three years. You’ll also need to have a good credit report – that means no CCJs, bankruptcies, or IVAs against you.

If you’re not sure how good your credit report looks, before you apply for finance it’s always wise to make sure it’s as ‘clean’ as possible. There are a number of credit report agencies that can often supply your credit report for free (if you take up a free trial and then cancel). Good credit reports will show that you have made up to date payments on things like mortgages, phone contracts and so on.

HGV training finance allows you to move forward with your career even if you haven’t got enough cash in the bank to immediately pay for the full sum of the training course. You’ll pay interest on your payments, but by paying over a longer period of time you won’t feel the pinch of paying a large lump sum at the start.