An HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driver operates large trucks designed to transport heavy loads over long distances. Here’s an overview of what the role entails:
Responsibilities:
- Driving and Delivery: Transport goods from one location to another, often covering long distances. This includes adhering to delivery schedules and ensuring that loads are delivered safely and on time.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Conduct routine checks and basic maintenance on the truck to ensure it’s in good working order. This might include checking oil levels, tire pressure, and other essential components.
- Loading and Unloading: In some cases, drivers are responsible for loading and unloading cargo. This involves securing the load properly to prevent damage during transit.
- Documentation: Complete necessary paperwork such as delivery notes, inspection reports, and logbooks. Drivers must also keep accurate records of their driving hours to comply with regulations.
- Safety and Compliance: Follow all traffic laws and safety regulations. This includes complying with regulations related to driving hours, rest breaks, and cargo handling.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Licensing: In many places, driving an HGV requires a specialized license, such as the Class 1 or Class 2 license in the UK, or a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) in the US.
- Experience: Employers often look for drivers with experience, although some may offer training programs for new drivers.
- Physical Fitness: The role can be physically demanding, requiring strength and stamina for tasks such as loading and unloading.
- Navigation Skills: Good navigation skills are crucial, as drivers need to plan routes and adapt to changing conditions.
Work Environment:
- Hours: HGV drivers often work long hours, including nights and weekends. They may spend a lot of time on the road, away from home.
- Conditions: The work environment can vary, from long stretches on highways to navigating through urban areas. Drivers may encounter different weather conditions and road types.
Challenges:
- Long Hours: Extended periods on the road can be tiring and may impact work-life balance.
- Regulations: Compliance with various regulations and laws can be complex and requires diligence.
- Traffic and Weather: Dealing with traffic congestion and adverse weather conditions can be challenging.
Overall, being an HGV driver can be a rewarding career for those who enjoy driving and are prepared for the challenges associated with transporting goods.
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers move valuable goods and commodities from one location to another and thereby contribute to the economy. Drivers who work for reliable employers receive proper support and resources to enable them to do their job.
Exploring different companies may help you decide which ones you want to apply to, and this could help you find your next role. In this article, we give details of 10 HGV companies to work for and list some factors to consider when researching potential employers.
10 HGV companies to work for
Once you obtain your HGV driving credentials, you can start researching HGV companies to work for to help you find your next role. Here are some organisations you may consider during your job search:
1. Clarke Transport
Clarke Transport is a family-owned, specialist logistics organisation in the West Midlands that has its own nationwide pallet network. The organisation has been operating since 1933, making it one of the oldest transportation employers in the country. It employs over 500 employees and has more than 250 vehicles.
Clarke Transport actively supports various charitable causes, including hospices and dog homes. The organisation continually looks for new drivers in various locations and offers successful candidates dangerous goods (ADR) training which qualifies drivers to transport hazardous goods by road.
2. DPD
DPD is an international organisation with headquarters in France. It specialises in parcel delivery services. It’s one of the largest transportation employers in the world, which makes it possible for it to offer drivers attractive benefits, rewards and development opportunities.
The organisation has implemented an induction programme for new drivers. As part of this, new employees undergo five-day training that familiarises them with the organisation’s values, principles and procedures. During the training, instructors also teach new recruits how to check vehicles or report accidents.
3. Eddie Stobart
Eddie Stobart is a logistics organisation that operates over 2,000 vehicles and 3,500 trailers. The organisation has 43 operating centres throughout the country, which makes it easier for drivers from different locations to apply for jobs with this employer.
Eddie Stobart works with a range of national and international clients. This includes blue chip clients that are nationally recognised and well-established organisations. The employer offers attractive benefits, including allowances, for day, night and tramping drivers.
4. Glendale Transport
Glendale Transport specialises in pallet distribution services. This mid-sized organisation primarily operates in the North East region and periodically looks for new HGV drivers. They also employ forklift drivers, mechanics and administrative specialists.
To apply for a position at Glendale Transport, consider downloading an application form from their website. Then, submit it to the organisation’s headquarters via email, post or in person.
5. Hammond Transport
Hammond Transport is a haulage organisation that has been operating in London and Essex since 1948. This employer concentrates on offering logistics services to clients from several industries, including construction and air defence and also for music and other live events.
Examples of equipment that this organisation owns include side-door box trailers, side-roof trailers and tail lifts with side safety rails. Depending on a client’s needs, the organisation uses different vehicle types, including rigids, artics, Moffetts and other specialist vehicles.
6. Murray Hogg
Murray Hogg is a haulage, storage and distribution organisation. It originated in 1928 in the North East and now operates nationally. The organisation’s vehicles include artics, rigids, express vans, double deck curtainsiders, tail lifts, crane-mounted trucks, car transporters and forklift trucks.
The employer continually looks for energetic drivers with experience in general haulage and car transport. You can apply through Murray Hogg’s website.
7. Rogers Transport
Rogers Transport is a specialised transport organisation that employs drivers with level D security qualifications for air freight transportation. Some services that it offers include next-day and overnight pallet delivery. If you pass the organisation’s recruitment process, you may drive various types of vehicles, including curtainside trailers, low-loader trailers or 3.5 tonne tail lifts.
8. Travis Perkins
Travis Perkins is one of the nation’s largest builders’ merchants. The organisation supplies trade-quality products, which are available for contact-free delivery. Working as a driver for the Travis Perkins group gives you access to over 3,000 vehicles and at least four driver hours per day.
The employer encourages positive work-life balance options. For example, drivers whose shifts finish at 5:00 p.m. are typically back in their branch by 3:30 p.m. In addition, they receive safe-driving bonuses and undergo driver-to-driver virtual reality training. The employer also pays for their licence renewals.
9. Veolia
Veolia is a leading resource management organisation that provides solutions for ecological transformation. This employer’s values centre around reducing carbon footprint, protecting biodiversity and combating climate change. Worldwide, it employs over 200,000 employees. The employer rewards drivers by providing attractive benefits such as for example the option to work locally as a way to contribute to their community.
10. XPO Logistics
XPO Logistics provides transportation solutions using cutting-edge technology. The employer emphasises the importance of innovation, offering its clients a range of automation tools and intelligent machines that improve operations and customer service.
In addition, the organisation uses a bespoke multimodal digital freight platform that connects clients to the transportation network. XPO Logistics continually looks for HGV drivers to join the team. Typically, it has open jobs for class 1 and class 2 drivers with licences. It also offers new drivers attractive tech-driven training opportunities.
What to look for in a potential HGV driver employer
If you’re an HGV driver looking for a new job, there are different factors you may consider when analysing job offers and researching companies. Here’s what you may look for in a potential employer:
Advancement within the organisation
After working as an HGV driver for some time, you may decide to advance your career. Having the possibility to do so within the same organisation is beneficial, as it allows you to avoid undertaking the entire recruitment process with another employer. In addition, it may allow you to continue working with colleagues you know and like.
Life and health insurance
Insurance is essential for HGV drivers, as the profession requires them to spend periods of a few days to a few weeks away from home. During this time, the employer protects each driver’s health, safety and well-being with proper insurance packages. In addition, it’s good to work for a company that offers truck insurance that supports drivers in case of a truck emergency.
Competitive salary
Maximising your earning potential as a driver increases your financial security and allows you to spend less time driving. When you secure a well-paid job, you may choose to work shorter shifts or work locally. To make their offers competitive, some employers simply raise the base salary for drivers. Others offer add-on rewards, either in the form of monetary bonuses or internal and external benefits.
Inspiring work culture
Work culture is a company’s set of values and beliefs. A positive culture inspires and motivates employees to engage in their workplace community, build valuable professional relationships and support their colleagues.
When looking for a job as an HGV driver, you may look for employers who nurture a family-like atmosphere and recognise staff for their successes and ability to take full responsibility for their actions.
As a tech-savvy driver, you may also prioritise offers from organisations that believe in innovation and give drivers access to modern vehicles and transportation software.