Driving HGVs

What is an HGV?

An HGV is classified as a Heavy Goods Vehicle and can be any vehicle used for the transportation of goods and heavy duty equipment from one place to another. Indeed an HGV can also be used to transport goods and equipment to and from the continent.

An HGV can also be classed as a rigid or articulated vehicle - one of a certain length that needs special skills to both drive and manoeuvre.

Driving an HGV

Not just anyone can get behind the wheel of a heavy goods vehicle and drive it. In order to qualify as an HGV driver you must complete a series of specialised tests designed to prove that not only can you drive the vehicle competently but that you can also operate any corresponding machinery and equipment attached to said vehicle.

Many heavy goods vehicles now come complete with their own forklift trucks so the driver must also be a proficient forklift truck driver - again having passed tests in order to gain his forklift licence. In addition some vehicles also have lifting equipment such as cranes - known as HIABs. These HIABs are telescopic cranes that are used to lift large weights such as masonry and timber and machine parts.

Learning to Drive an HGV

In order to learn how to drive an heavy goods vehicle you must have already passed your Theory and Hazard Perception Tests and gained your full driver's licence. Once you have achieved this you can then commence looking at driving an HGV.

HGV drivers will have to sit a separate Theory test. This Theory test includes:

• Weights and Dimensions
• Vehicle Loading
• Driver's Hours and Rest Periods
• Dealing with Accidents

Of course this is not an exhaustive list but these are some of the more prominent differences a learner HGV driver will encounter in the HGV Theory test as opposed to the questions of the ordinary Theory test.

Again as with driving an ordinary vehicle the driver must complete and pass this Theory test before he - or she (there is an increasing number of female HGV drivers on the road) can sit the practical HGV test.

The Practical HGV Test

Before taking the practical HGV test you must hold a full driver's licence, be over 21 years of age, be found to be medical fit by your doctor and also have passed both the Theory and Hazard Perception tests for HGV drivers. If you fail to qualify for any of the aforementioned reasons then you will not be able to go any further.

If you do reach the taking of the practical HGV test then you will be asked during the course of the test to show competency in the following areas:

• Control and handling of the vehicle
• Knowledge and understanding of vehicle equipment
• Rules of the road for HGV and LGV vehicles
• A good understanding of the Highway Code

Again before you can drive an HGV legally you must successfully pass all aspects of the testing procedure which means you must possess passes in the:

• HGV Theory Test
• Hazard Perception Test for HGVs
• Practical HGV Driving Test

You can contact the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) for further information or visit their website at www.dvla.gov.uk. Alternatively the Driving Standards Agency can provide you will more information and also mock tests in HGV Theory and Hazard Perception tests. More information can be found at www.dsa.gov.uk.

Your local Yellow pages or business directory will also contain listings for HGV training centres in your locale.