To become an HGV driver in the UK, you'll need a full car licence and to be over 18, then apply for a provisional HGV licence with a D2 form and a D4 medical, and pass the 5 tests that make up the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). To stay qualified, you'll take 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years.
Lorry driving is one of the few well-established careers you can qualify for in months rather than years. Here's the full route, the test details and how to keep your licence.
The rules come from the GOV.UK guide to becoming a qualified HGV or bus driver. Career routes come from the National Careers Service large goods vehicle driver profile. Both were read on 26 October 2026.
What you need before you start
- A full car driving licence
- To be over 18, though GOV.UK says there are some exceptions
- A D2 application form and a D4 medical examination report, both available from Post Offices that offer DVLA services
- A doctor to fill in the D4, either your GP or a private firm that specialises in driver medicals, and an optician may need to complete the eyesight section
GOV.UK warns that your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you for the medical. You should get your provisional licence within 3 weeks of DVLA receiving your application, though it can take longer if your health or personal details need checking.
How to become an HGV driver, step by step
- Apply for a provisional HGV licence. Choose the licence category for the vehicle you want to drive. The National Careers Service says HGV drivers usually hold category C or category CE.
- Pass the Driver CPC part 1 theory test. It has a multiple-choice part and a hazard perception part, booked separately.
- Pass part 2, the case studies test.
- Pass part 3a and part 3b. These are off-road exercises and on-road driving.
- Pass part 4, the practical demonstration. You must pass part 2 before you can book it.
- Carry your Driver CPC card and start work. Then keep up your periodic training.
The Driver CPC tests in numbers
| Test | Format | Pass mark or length |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 multiple choice | 100 questions in 1 hour and 55 minutes | 85 out of 100 |
| Part 1 hazard perception | Video clips, one attempt each | 67 out of 100 |
| Part 2 case studies | Short real-life scenarios, 5 to 10 questions each, 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 out of 50 |
| Part 3b on-road driving | Vehicle safety questions plus driving | 1 hour of practical road driving |
You must pass both parts of the theory test within 2 years of each other to get your theory certificate. If you fail, you have to wait 3 clear working days before you can retake. The multiple-choice questions are based on The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs and the official DVSA guide to driving goods vehicles.
Routes into the job
The National Careers Service lists several ways in. You could do a Large Goods Vehicle Driver C and E Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, look at HGV driving apprenticeship roles in the armed forces, or, if you already work for a transport operator in a non-driving role, ask your employer to support your training. Companies often need more drivers at peak times, so seasonal work with retail and delivery firms or driver agencies can be a good first job.
If you're on an approved National Vocational Training course, GOV.UK says you can drive professionally for up to 12 months without taking parts 2 and 4, which gets you earning sooner.
Keeping your licence: the rule people forget
Here's the detail that catches drivers out. Qualifying is only the start. GOV.UK says you must take 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years to stay qualified, and renew your HGV licence every 5 years, then every year once you reach 65. And if you lose your car licence, you automatically lose your HGV licence too. Keep your training log up to date and your driving record clean.
If you're returning after a break, you don't have to requalify from scratch. What you need depends on when you first got your HGV licence, and in many cases it means completing 35 hours of Driver CPC training.
What the work involves
- Driving safely and following road haulage rules at all times
- Keeping records of deliveries and driving hours
- Loading items safely, which Driver CPC training covers alongside driving skills and basic mechanics
A good set of apps for drivers helps with routes and breaks. Experienced drivers can become self-employed or set up their own haulage firm, and our guide to keeping a trucking business safe and secure is a useful read if that's your plan.
Practical tips before test day
You'll need to bring the right ID to every test, or you'll lose your fee. GOV.UK says that means your photocard driving licence, or your paper licence plus a valid passport if you don't have a photocard. If you've changed your name since booking, you'll need proof such as a marriage certificate or deed poll. It's a small thing, but it's one of the easiest ways to waste a test slot. Use the official DVSA theory test kit and free practice tests while you're waiting for your provisional licence, so you're ready to book part 1 as soon as it arrives.
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My verdict
Becoming an HGV driver is one of the quickest routes into a skilled job in the UK. Get your D2 and D4 sorted, pass the 5 Driver CPC tests and look for an apprenticeship or employer-backed training to keep your costs down. Then protect your car licence and keep up your 35 hours of training, because that's what keeps you on the road.
Delivery driving is a different route into the same kind of work, and my postman guide explains how postal jobs are reached.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to drive an HGV?
GOV.UK says you need to be over 18, though there are some exceptions.
What tests do you need to pass to become an HGV driver?
The 5 tests that make up the Driver CPC: part 1 theory (multiple choice and hazard perception), part 2 case studies, part 3a off-road exercises, part 3b on-road driving and part 4 practical demonstration.
What is the pass mark for the HGV theory test?
85 out of 100 for the multiple-choice part and 67 out of 100 for hazard perception.
How often do HGV drivers need training?
You must take 35 hours of Driver CPC training every 5 years to stay qualified.
Do I need a medical to get an HGV licence?
Yes. You need a D4 medical examination report filled in by a doctor, along with a D2 application form.
Can you lose your HGV licence if you lose your car licence?
Yes. GOV.UK says you automatically lose your HGV or bus licence if you lose your car licence.
