Driving Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions

A driver recruitment agency operates within both the recruitment and logistics sectors, focusing on recruiting drivers. These drivers are supplied to transport and logistics companies, which may employ them on temporary contracts for either ad-hoc or ongoing work, depending on their requirements.

Drivers can also be hired on permanent contracts and directly assigned to haulage firms for ongoing work. Furthermore, temporary contracts can evolve into permanent positions. Initially, drivers work through the recruitment agency and may later transition to a permanent role.

Driving jobs are categorised by the type of vehicle driven and the licences required to drive those vehicles. These include:

· LGV1 / Category C+E – most comprehensive licence, permitting drivers to drive articulated vehicles over 3.5tonnes in weight with a trailer over 750KG

· LGV2 / Category C – usually more local deliveries. This allows you to drive a rigid vehicle over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg maximum authorised mass (MAM)

· Category C1E – vehicles up to 7.5tonnes with a trailer over 750kg (unless your licence restricts this) such as ambulances, horseboxes, and delivery vehicles.

· Category B – Vans up to 3,500kg can be driven with a standard car driving licence.

All of the above, including driving vehicles over 3,500KG, need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. This certificate requires drivers to complete 35 hours of training every five years.

Additional specialist licences/training can also be obtained for specialist driving jobs. Some examples of this are:

Moffett – a forklift mounted on a lorry, HIAB – which have a crane. ADR licences for transporting dangerous goods, like toxic chemicals and flammable liquids.

Lorry driving jobs typically require some experience, including the Driver CPC qualification and LGV licences. Some companies may opt to assign certain roles to more experienced drivers, often due to the nature of the work involved. In some instances, it may also be mandatory by insurance.

Driving recruitment agencies maintain a regularly updated database of available drivers, containing all pertinent information relevant to their work, such as the licences they hold and any other necessary qualifications.  

When a business contacts a driving recruitment agency for a driver, the agency will review its list of drivers. They will identify the most qualified driver available for the job.

The average salary of a lorry driver in the UK is around £34,355 per year according to Indeed. This salary often increases with more experience and additional licences such as ADR or HIAB. Other factors affecting the salary include the types of licences held by the driver, the amount of experience, the nature of the work being performed, the type of load being transported and the location of the work.

More Driver Solutions can be reached by requesting a callback, emailing at sales@moredriversolutions.ltd.uk or calling on 01604 588 300.