Driving any vehicle takes a lot of care and attention, but an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) or a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) requires an extra level of consideration. To become an HGV or LGV driver, you’ll need to be over 21, have a full car licence, a Category C/Class 2 LGV driving licence, and get a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification. Not only that, but you’ll also need to be incredibly safety-conscious in every decision you make when you’re both in the yard, and out on the road. To our drivers, this comes naturally, because within the Travis Perkins Group we’re a family and always take care of each other and everyone around us.
If you’re looking to start a career in driving, or you’re looking to improve your skills as an HGV driver, here are some useful safety tips that may help:
1. Be organised and prepare ahead
You may be doing multiple stops in a day, so planning the route ahead is a great way to be organised as an HGV driver and allows time to prepare for bad weather or traffic peaks.
At Travis Perkins, our drivers are responsible for planning logistics, meaning every day is different. David, for example, is a fully qualified HGV driver, and likes to plan his route so that he can take his break back at the yard and spend some time with the team.
2. Check your vehicle before leaving the yard
Securing the load is essential before you set off on the road. Any competent HGV driver knows that an unsecured load can cause harm, get damaged, or even lost, so ensuring everything is secure is critical. A good tip is to familiarise yourself well with your vehicle; the better you know your vehicle, the more prepared you’ll be to deal with any problems that may arise.
Across our Group, we carry out the legally required daily vehicle checks to ensure all our HGVs are fit for purpose, such as checking mirrors, lights, tyres and more.
3. Take care of yourself
Breaks are a mandatory part of the driver hours regulations. A driving role might mean you’re on the road by yourself for a few hours at a time, so having a rest stop helps to prevent accidents and help restart your alertness and reaction time.
At Travis Perkins, we’ll never ask you to work late nights or do overnight stays, because we value your health and your time, and want you to have more time doing what you love.
4. Be aware of what’s happening around you
Being a considerate road user is required when driving a car, motorbike, or any other vehicle. However, HGVs can measure up to a maximum length of 16.65M - specialist vehicles can be over this but typical length is 16.65M - weighing up to 44 Tonnes, so manoeuvring requires an extra level of care and attention to prevent harm to anyone around you.
Looking out for your teammates and recognising when they need help is another big part of being an HGV driver, especially within the Travis Perkins Group. Jamie, an HGV driver at our Keyline Glasgow branch, says that his teammates are like family, and have really helped him through some difficult times; ‘we’re all conscious of each other’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions.’
Accelerate your driving career at Travis Perkins
Almost everything we rely on in our day-to-day lives is transported via HGVs, which, with the recent ‘petrol crisis’, reaffirmed to society just how valuable HGV drivers are in the UK. Read Jez's colleague story to learn more about our driving careers. Jez currently works at Keyline, our civil specialist business, as a HGV driver at the Poole branch.
At Travis Perkins, we’re proud of our drivers who go above and beyond in their roles, ensuring safety for themselves and everyone around them is a top priority daily. If you’re looking for a new career, with structure, consistent work hours, and great benefits, a driving job at Travis Perkins could be for you. Browse our available HGV driver jobs today and accelerate your career with us.
