Road transport is a massive industry – contributing £13.5bn annually to the UK economy. To meet demand, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reckons the industry needs 40,000 new drivers every year just to keep up. All of which means there are huge opportunities to further your career if you’re already working as a professional driver or, perhaps, a new recruit looking to join a fast-moving, vibrant and essential industry sector.
To meet the burgeoning demand for drivers, you can follow a fast-track Category C+E (Class 1) driver training programme. A C+E licence enables you to drive a 44-tonne articulated lorry – the pinnacle of HGV licences. At one time the only route to C+E licence acquisition was via a staged process – from a car or 7.5 tonne truck (C1 licence), then to a Category C (Class 2) rigid vehicle licence and then onto a C+E test.
With fast tracking you can go straight from a car licence through to a Category C+E HGV driving test, missing out the Category C altogether. If you’re already working in the industry fast-tracking to Category C+E offers you greater career opportunities across different fleet types, a faster route to an HGV test and higher-paid driving jobs. It’s a more time-efficient way of training.
From an industry perspective, it’s helping tackle driver shortages and reduces delays in recruitment. Figures from Logistics UK show a 21% increase in new drivers between 2023 and 2024 – that’s nearly 55,000 new recruits.
For the Driver:
For the Industry:
First step is to apply for a provisional C+E licence. To do this you must be over 18 and have a full car driving licence. You can then apply for your provisional licence online or, if you prefer, by post. The application forms can be downloaded from the DVLA website. You’ll also need to pass the required DVLA medical.
You’ll then need to enroll on a training programme with a recognised licence acquisition training provider who’ll take you through the necessary training to enable you to pass your test.
Whilst fast-track training is a great option, don’t discount the staged approach altogether. It will, of course, take longer, but it may suit some drivers – perhaps those new to the industry. Passing your Category C test and working on rigids for a while gives you experience and confidence before moving to the next level. Indeed, some employers prefer drivers who’ve had Category C experience before moving to the next level.
To find out more…
Call us on 0808 178 9977
Email training@driverhire.co.uk
Or use our Enquiry Form
For the full list of changes, please visit the government’s website.
