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To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver, you need a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

There are different training courses available to help you get the Driver CPC.

What training is available

The training options depend on where you live. Depending on which option you take, you might be able to get help with some or all of the costs.

Skills Bootcamps

The government-funded Skills Bootcamps are free training courses. They last up to 16 weeks.

These are only available in England.

Apprenticeships

If you train through an apprenticeship you’ll be paid a salary while you do your training.

These are available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Vocational qualifications

If you take a vocational qualification, you might be able to get some or all of the qualification paid for.

These are only available in England.

Driving schools

You can learn with a private driving school.

These are available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Get help deciding which course to do

For advice to help you decide which training option is best for you:

Skills Bootcamps are free training courses in England that last up to 16 weeks. The courses are suitable if you’re new to heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving, or you’re returning to driving.

You can also take a course to upgrade your licence or qualifications - for example, if you want to transport dangerous goods like petrol, or tow heavier trailers.

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

• are 19 or older
• have a full car (category B) driving licence

The provider running your course might have extra criteria for applying.

How much it costs

The Skills Bootcamps are free, and include all of the costs for:

• getting a provisional licence, including your medical exam
• taking each of the 4 Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests, and one re-sit per test

How to apply

You can apply for Skills Bootcamps directly through training providers.

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Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. There are different apprenticeship options for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) training in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you do an apprenticeship in England, you can start driving professionally before you’ve passed all 4 parts of the Driver CPC. Find out how to start working as an HGV driver while you’re still training.

Who can apply

You need to be:

• 18 or over
• not in full time education
• living in the country you’re applying in

Different apprenticeships will ask for different qualifications and skills. For example, you might need a full car (category B) driving licence.

How much it costs

You will not have to pay for the training, and you’ll be paid a salary. How much you’ll get paid and which other costs are included depends on the employer.

How to apply

You can search for current apprenticeship vacancies online.

There are different names for HGV apprenticeships in each country. For example, in Scotland it’s called a ‘freight logistics’ apprenticeship.

To look for apprenticeship opportunities:

• search for vacancies in England - search for ‘LGV driver’ or ‘driver’
• - search for ‘freight logistics’
• - search for ‘driving goods vehicles’
• - search for ‘driving goods vehicles’

You can only take a vocational qualification to become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver if you’re in England. You might be able to get help to pay for the qualification.

There are 5 vocational qualifications you can take:

• Highfield Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles
• ProQual Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles
• Pearson Edexcel Level Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles
• ICQ Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles
• SQA Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

As part of the qualification, you’ll take the 4 Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests that you need to qualify as an HGV driver.

If you take one of these vocational qualifications, you can start driving professionally before you’ve passed all 4 parts of the Driver CPC. Find out how to start working as an HGV driver while you’re still training.

Who can apply

Check with the course provider to see if you’re eligible to apply.

How much it costs

Different course providers charge different fees. Check with the course provider how much your course costs.

For courses starting between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022, some providers might cover the costs of:

• getting a provisional licence, including if you’re charged for the medical exam
• taking each of the 4 Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests once - re-sits will not be covered

Check with the course provider to find out what’s included in your course fee.

Get extra help with course fees

The government will cover the full costs of the course if you’re an adult who is either:

• unemployed
• earning less than £17,374.50 per year

You might be able to get help to pay for the course from the government if you’re employed or earn over £17,374.50 per year. Check with the course provider.

How to apply

You can to find a further education provider that runs one of these courses.

You can train through an independent driving school in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The costs and entry requirements are different for each school.

There are 3 online national registers of driving schools.

You can:

You do not have to train through a registered driving school. You can find other driving schools online.