For HGV drivers, the job must be on the Shortage Occupation List. In order to obtain a visa for a worker, you'll need to obtain a sponsorship licence from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) agency. This will allow you to sponsor overseas workers for a Skilled Worker visa.
According to Indeed's data, most of the interest in UK lorry driver vacancies from foreign nations is coming from non-EU nations. India, the UAE, South Africa and Nigeria were all mentioned, with Poland the only EU country whose truckers have expressed a similar amount of interest.
You have to be in possession of a valid driving licence for a car and pass a medical and then you can apply to any number of driving schools for Heavy good vehicles.
How long does it take to become a lorry driver? Typically between 6-8 weeks. A lot of the time can be spent waiting for the DVLA to put the provisional entitlement on your licence and then returning your new licence. Sometimes 3+ weeks for a variety of reasons.
Can one get a UK visa to drive trucks as a foreign worker?
Can a truck driver get visa in UK?
For HGV drivers, the job must be on the Shortage Occupation List. In order to obtain a visa for a worker, you'll need to obtain a sponsorship licence from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) agency. This will allow you to sponsor overseas workers for a Skilled Worker visa.
The cost depends upon certain factors, including the licence category, medical exam, theoretical exam, and other such exams. The total HGV licence cost is estimated to be between £250 - £300. This excludes HGV training costs.
How many drivers are needed in the UK? As of March 2023, the UK was 60,000 drivers short of capacity. That number may seem quite substantial, however, in January 2022 the HGV industry was 100,000 short of drivers. Government schemes and improved working conditions have closed the gap.
For HGV drivers, the job must be on the Shortage Occupation List. In order to obtain a visa for a worker, you'll need to obtain a sponsorship licence from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) agency. This will allow you to sponsor overseas workers for a Skilled Worker visa.
The average salary for Truck Driver is £39,850 per year in the London, United Kingdom. The average additional cash compensation for a Truck Driver in the London, United Kingdom is £4,157, with a range from £1,041 - £16,600.
* A competent driver able to pass a theory and practical driving assessment - HGV 2 driver, HGV, LGV, HGV Class 2, HGV Class 2 Driver, Class 2 Driver, LGV, HGV 1, HGV 2, HGV - Salary £42,624 per year + OT £45k + Discounts in Tesco + Loads of Benefits.
How long does it take to become a Truck Driver in UK?
How long does it take to become a lorry driver? Typically between 6-8 weeks. A lot of the time can be spent waiting for the DVLA to put the provisional entitlement on your licence and then returning your new licence. Sometimes 3+ weeks for a variety of reasons.
How long does it take to learn truck driving in UK?
Getting a license. It usually takes an average of 6-8 weeks to get a license to drive a HGV truck. Just like every official ID processing, the first stage is going through a medical exam. This part is very important, considering that you need to be in perfect shape before you can undergo any practical training.
In January 2022, the industry was around 100,000 drivers short, and a year later, that number has only slightly improved, with a deficit of nearly 76,000 drivers, according to Logistics UK.
The average salary for a HGV Driver in the UK, in 2022, is £32,100 gross per year (£2,110 net per month), which is £2,500 (+8%) higher than the national average salary. A typical starting salary is around £21,300 an HGV driver. With more training and experience you can earn significantly more.
The scheme made 5,000 temporary short-term visas available for food and fuel haulage drivers willing to work in the UK. The government also introduced a temporary concession allowing non-visa nationals coming to work in the UK as a HGV fuel tanker driver to seek permission at the border.
How much do truck drivers get paid in the UK shortage?
If there was ever a good time to apply for a HGV – or lorry driver – job, it's now. Why? If you haven't heard, some companies are offering as much as £60,000 to lorry drivers signing on to work for them.
There are several factors that have contributed to the driver shortage in the UK, including: An ageing workforce: Many truck drivers are older and approaching retirement. According to the Chartered Institute of Logistics, the average age of drivers has increased to 51 in 2022, up from 47 since 2015.
It is well known that the tough demands and some of the more challenging aspects of working as an HGV driver can take their toll on drivers' mental health. This is compounded by misconceptions about mental health and stereotyped attitudes about treatment, which means that people often suffer in silence.
With nearly 50% of HGV drivers in the UK aged over 50 years old, more and more of HGV fleet drivers are reaching retirement age. With an insufficient uptake of HGV roles in younger workers, the more HGV drivers we see leave the industry for retirement or other reasons, the thinner the workforce will become.
Overseas opportunities. Finally, obtaining your HGV licence will open up career opportunities around the world. UK HGV licence requirements are respected the world over, and many countries actively seek out UK HGV drivers. These relocation packages can ultimately lead to permanent residency and citizenship overseas.
Government-funded HGV training courses in 2022 were very popular, which is one of the reasons the government announced it was extending the HGV training funding scheme into 2023. However, it appears that funding is currently set to end and the end of the 2023 academic year.
The minimum requirements to become an HGV driver include being above the age of 18 and having a valid driver's licence. Some employers may require you to be over 21. If you don't have a driver's licence, consider joining a driving school so you can pass your driving test and get one.
