Driving & Logistics
How to become a Truck / HGV Driver
Truck (HGV/lorry) drivers transport goods over local, regional or long-haul routes, handling loading checks, vehicle inspections and delivery paperwork.
Qualifications
- A full car licence first, then training for the heavy-vehicle licence category
- Professional driver training
Licences & registration
| United Kingdom | Category C (rigid) or C+E (articulated) licence plus Driver CPC and a digital tachograph card. |
|---|---|
| United States | A commercial driver’s licence (CDL) Class A or B; Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) and a DOT medical certificate are required. |
| Canada | A provincial commercial licence (e.g. Class 1 or AZ); mandatory entry-level training in several provinces. |
| Australia | Heavy rigid (HR) or heavy combination (HC) / multi-combination (MC) licence from the state road authority. |
| United Arab Emirates | A UAE heavy-vehicle licence via the emirate’s road and transport authority. |
| European Union | Category C/CE licence plus the Certificate of Professional Competence (Code 95). |
Key skills
- Safe driving and road awareness
- Vehicle checks
- Route planning
- Time management
- Load security
Experience
Many employers want 1–2 years of licensed experience; some offer trainee schemes.
Indicative pay
- UK: £27,000 (starter) to £47,000 (experienced) a year — National Careers Service
- US: median $58,640 a year; 10th–90th percentile $40,140–$79,380 (SOC 53-3032) — BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimates
- Canada: varies by province — see Job Bank wage data.
- Australia: see Your Career (Australian Government) occupation profiles.
- UAE & EU: varies widely by employer and country; check current listings.
Pay figures retrieved 2026-10-29 from the cited official sources; they are averages/estimates, not offers.
Working in this job abroad: visa notes
United Kingdom
Since 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker applicants generally need a job classed as ‘higher skilled’ (RQF level 6+). Jobs classed as ‘medium skilled’ are only eligible if they appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, so check the current eligible occupations list for this job’s occupation code. Some nationalities can use the Youth Mobility Scheme instead. Lorry, bus and van driving occupations are not normally classed as higher skilled. You will also need to exchange or obtain a UK licence and Driver CPC for professional driving.
Official sources: GOV.UK – Skilled Worker visa · GOV.UK – Skilled Worker eligible occupations · GOV.UK – Check if you need a UK visa
United States
There is no specific visa for drivers; the H-2B (temporary, capped) and EB-3 employer-sponsored green card are the main options. A commercial driver’s licence (CDL) is issued by your state of domicile and requires passing US tests.
Official sources: USCIS – H-1B specialty occupations · USCIS – Employment-based green cards · USCIS – H-2B temporary non-agricultural workers
Canada
Truck drivers are frequently recruited through employer-specific work permits (LMIA) and provincial nominee programs. You will need the provincial commercial licence (e.g. Class 1 or AZ) and, in several provinces, mandatory entry-level training.
Official sources: Canada.ca – Work in Canada · Canada.ca – Express Entry
Australia
Check whether the driving occupation is on the current skilled occupation lists. You will need to convert to an Australian licence of the right class (heavy rigid, heavy combination etc.) through the state or territory road authority.
Official sources: Home Affairs – Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) · Home Affairs – Skilled occupation list · Home Affairs – Skills assessment
United Arab Emirates
Employers sponsor the work permit and residence visa. Licence conversion depends on the country that issued your licence; heavy-vehicle and bus licences usually require local training and tests through the emirate’s road and transport authority.
Official sources: u.ae – Jobs and work in the UAE · MOHRE – Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation · u.ae – Golden Visa
European Union
Professional drivers need the correct category licence plus a Certificate of Professional Competence (Code 95). Non-EU licence holders may need to retake tests. Non-EU nationals require a national work permit; several countries actively recruit drivers.
Official sources: EU Immigration Portal · EU Regulated Professions Database · Make it in Germany (example national portal)
Useful official links
This guide is general information, reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules and licensing change often — always confirm with the official sources above. Not legal advice.