So, you’ve passed your standard driving test and are a competent driver; you already have a car licence and know how to drive – so, why do you need additional HGV training to operate LGVs and HGVs?
Carry on reading to find out the reason for needing extra training to drive an HGV and why you need to gain this additional driving licence to drive the largest vehicles on our roads.
Why is HGV training essential to becoming a lorry driver?
The simple answer to this question is that HGV training reduces the chances of accidents –
HGVs, such as lorries, are big vehicles and require more tuition to learn how to drive them safely and ensure they’re roadworthy.
Additionally, HGV driver roles usually involve an element of loading and unloading heavy goods, which you learn to do correctly on an HGV driving course.
So, what further training is provided by HGV driver training companies?
What additional training do you receive with HGV training?
With an HGV training programme, you gain further driving skills tailored specifically to operating HGVs rather than learning to drive from scratch. Such tuition covers key skills, such as:
Learning how to operate a large vehicle
Driving a HGV is different to driving a car – there are many extra considerations to think about, such as additional blind spots and greater stopping times.
Further training on top of your car licence educates you on how to reverse a lorry and trailer into a loading bay and overtake in a slower, bulkier vehicle.
Becoming competent in HGV vehicle maintenance
A professional HGV training course will teach you to ensure your commercial vehicle is fit for operation and meets the legal requirements outlined in the Government’s ‘Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness: Commercial Goods and Passenger Carrying Vehicles’.
The document states that roadworthiness is complying with the appropriate vehicle construction, road safety, environmental and operating standards required by the law in the UK.
As an aspiring HGV driver, you’ll learn how to do the following:
- Conduct daily walkaround checks
- Record safety inspection results
- Change the tyres on a large vehicle and use jack stands
- Assess braking performance
- And much more!
Becoming educated on HGV loading and unloading
A significant part of HGV training is learning about HGV loading and unloading practices outlined by law – these requirements are in place to make stopping times shorter and improve vehicle handling.
Having a thorough understanding of these obligations will prevent you from losing your licence and enable you to become a safe large vehicle operative, making certain that you can fulfil your duties in any HGV driver role.
Only by gaining your additional HGV licence and undergoing HGV training will you become an exceptionally competent and confident HGV operator, legally qualified to drive heavy vehicles.
Without this additional training on top of your car licence, you can’t apply for prosperous HGV driver roles that are incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
