Large goods vehicle driver | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Large goods vehicle (LGV) and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) lorry drivers transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal

Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid or performing minor repairs.
Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
Remove debris from loaded trailers.
Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock.
Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions.
Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps.
Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders.
Operate idle reduction systems or auxiliary power systems to generate power from alternative sources, such as fuel cells, to reduce idling time, to heat or cool truck cabins, or to provide power for other equipment.
Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
Drive electric or hybrid-electric powered trucks or alternative fuel-powered trucks to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
Operate trucks equipped with snowplows or sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.

Read more about Large goods vehicle driver

Large goods vehicle drivers typically work around 50 to 52 hours per week.

As a Large goods vehicle driver you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

This occupation tends to be:

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely

Read more about Large goods vehicle driver

* from ONETonline

Average salary
30,979 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average salary for Large goods vehicle driver

31,030 GBP
28,388 GBP

Average salary for part-time Large goods vehicle driver

Average salary for full-time Large goods vehicle driver

Showing:

19,281 GBP
10,196 GBP
20,119 GBP

30,979 GBP
28,388 GBP
31,030 GBP

Salary over time for Large goods vehicle driver

Salary for this role has increased over time

26,704 GBP
27,223 GBP
27,774 GBP
28,763 GBP
29,701 GBP
30,678 GBP
30,979 GBP
31,154 GBP
34,557 GBP

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Future outlook for Large goods vehicle drivers

Balanced outlook

210 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Fair outlook

62% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Large goods vehicle driver and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

56% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
19% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
15% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma

You'll need:

knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
customer service skills
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to work well with others
the ability to operate and control equipment
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Large goods vehicle driver

Driving

Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

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Large goods vehicle driver | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Large goods vehicle drivers

Large goods vehicle driver - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Large goods vehicle driver interview

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