Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for HGV Driver

🎯 Role Definition

An HGV Driver safely operates heavy goods vehicles to deliver and collect goods to customers, depots and distribution centres. This role requires strict adherence to legal drivers’ hours and tachograph rules, expert load securing and handling, clear communication with dispatch and customers, basic vehicle maintenance and defect reporting, and the ability to work independently while representing the business professionally. Drivers may work on local, regional or long-haul schedules, including night and weekend shifts as required.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Van Driver / Delivery Driver (Class B)
Driver Mate / Yard Operative
Warehouse Operative or Forklift Operator

Advancement To:

HGV Fleet Supervisor / Lead Driver
Transport Manager / Logistics Coordinator
Driver Trainer / CPC Instructor
Owner-operator / Self-employed HGV Contractor

Lateral Moves:

ADR Specialist / Dangerous Goods Operator
Routes Planner / Scheduling Coordinator
Freight Forwarding or Operations Administrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate HGVs (rigid and/or articulated vehicles) safely and efficiently to complete scheduled deliveries and collections, complying with all road traffic laws and company safety policies.
Conduct thorough pre-departure and post-trip vehicle inspections (walkaround checks), accurately complete vehicle defect reports and ensure defects are logged and escalated to maintenance teams before departure.
Accurately complete and manage delivery documentation including bills of lading, proof of delivery (POD), consignment notes, CMRs where applicable, and process electronic signatures and handheld scanner records.
Comply with drivers’ hours regulations and operate the digital tachograph correctly; manage manual or digital records and submit driver logs on time.
Secure, load and unload freight safely using appropriate methods (lashing, strapping, dunnage) to prevent damage or shifting in transit and to meet legal load-securing standards.
Use tail-lifts, pallet trucks and other material handling equipment safely to move palletised goods, and assist with manual handling tasks while observing safe lifting practices.
Maintain vehicle cleanliness, fuel levels, tyre pressure and fluid checks; refuel and top-up fluids as needed and maintain accurate fuel and mileage logs.
Deliver a high standard of customer service at all delivery and collection points—communicate courteously with customers, obtain signatures, resolve minor delivery queries, and escalate major issues to dispatch.
Plan and follow efficient routes using GPS, route planning tools and dispatch instructions to deliver goods on time while considering traffic, road restrictions and vehicle weight/size limits.
Handle temperature-controlled loads where required; monitor and record temperature logs for refrigerated trailers and report any cold chain breaches immediately.
Follow company procedures for transporting special consignments such as hazardous goods (ADR), oversized loads or high-value items, ensuring compliance with relevant permits and documentation.
Liaise regularly with operations, warehouse and dispatch teams to confirm load allocations, delivery priorities, time windows and route adjustments.
Manage on-road incidents professionally—report accidents, vehicle breakdowns or delays promptly, complete incident reports and follow company incident escalation protocols.
Conduct basic vehicle maintenance when necessary (check and replace bulbs, top up washer fluid, change fuses) and ensure service schedules and MOTs are adhered to.
Adhere to health and safety policies at customer sites and depots, follow site-specific rules, wear required PPE and complete any site induction requirements before entering customer premises.
Handle multi-drop routes and mixed loads, prioritise deliveries according to time windows, and proactively reorganise delivery sequences when needed to meet customer SLAs.
Ensure all cargo is handled in accordance with company insurance and quality requirements, sign off damage reports, and support claims processes with clear photographic and written evidence.
Demonstrate strict compliance with regulatory inspections and roadside checks (e.g., DVSA), present documents on request and cooperate with enforcement officers.
Maintain confidentiality and security of loaded goods, follow procedures for secure parking, and lock and secure the vehicle and trailer when unattended.
Participate in driver briefings, safety meetings and mandatory training sessions (CPC periodic training, ADR refresher) and support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and increase on-time performance.
Use vehicle telematics and reporting tools to monitor driving behaviour, fuel efficiency and route adherence; implement feedback to improve personal performance and reduce costs.

Secondary Functions

Assist warehouse staff with loading and unloading during peak periods or when required to maintain schedule adherence.
Support dispatch with ad-hoc routing updates, proof of delivery submissions, and paperwork reconciliation at the end of each shift.
Participate in quality assurance checks for tagged or barcode-managed consignments, scanning goods and reporting discrepancies to inventory control.
Help mentor and support trainee drivers by sharing best practices, safe loading techniques and route management tips.
Contribute to continuous improvement by reporting recurring delivery issues, suggesting route/time window changes and participating in debriefs after major incidents.
Maintain up-to-date contact lists for depot, operations, and emergency services and ensure mobile devices and company communication tools are charged and functional.
Complete administrative tasks such as timesheets, expense claims, fuel card reconciliation and vehicle defect log updates promptly and accurately.
Support emergency response procedures, assist with accident scene management when safe to do so, and cooperate with insurance and compliance investigations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid HGV licence (Class 1 / C+E or Class 2 / C) with a clean driving record and entitlement to drive required vehicle type.
Current Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) and evidence of completed periodic training.
Competent use of digital tachographs and thorough knowledge of drivers’ hours regulations and record keeping.
Practical experience with pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and competent defect reporting.
Load restraint and lashing techniques for palletised, loose and non-standard cargo.
Safe operation of tail-lifts, pallet trucks, forklift cooperation and basic material handling equipment.
Experience transporting temperature-controlled freight and monitoring cold-chain documentation (where applicable).
Familiarity with ADR rules and handling of hazardous goods (ADR certification preferred where required).
Proficient with route planning tools, in-cab GPS, telematics systems and handheld scanners / mobile delivery apps.
Basic vehicle maintenance awareness (fluids, tyre checks, lights) and ability to perform minor roadside troubleshooting.
Strong record-keeping skills: PODs, delivery notes, fuel/mileage logs and vehicle maintenance logs.
Knowledge of health & safety practices, manual handling regulations and site-specific compliance requirements.
Ability to read and interpret delivery manifests, consignment notes and customer-specific instructions.
Experience with multi-drop routes, long-haul planning and managing time-window deliveries.

Soft Skills

Reliability and punctuality with a strong commitment to on-time delivery performance.
Excellent customer service skills—professional, polite and solution-focused when interacting with customers and site staff.
High attention to detail when checking loads, paperwork and vehicle condition to prevent loss or damage.
Strong communication skills for liaising with dispatch, warehouse teams and customers.
Good problem-solving and decision-making skills to manage delays, route changes or on-road incidents.
Ability to work independently, manage time effectively and prioritise tasks under pressure.
Teamwork and willingness to support colleagues during peak or disrupted operations.
Adaptability and resilience for variable shift patterns, traffic conditions and last-minute schedule changes.
Integrity and adherence to regulatory and company compliance requirements.
Safety-first mindset and willingness to participate in ongoing training and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma / GCSEs or equivalent OR demonstrable experience in professional driving and logistics.

Preferred Education:

NVQ/SVQ in Driving Goods Vehicles, Level 2/3 in Logistics, or equivalent vocational training.
Additional qualifications in Transport Management, Fleet Operations or Health & Safety (IOSH) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Transport Operations and Fleet Management
Vehicle Maintenance / Automotive Studies
Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of professional HGV driving experience (local, regional or long-haul depending on role).

Preferred:

2+ years driving the specific vehicle type required (Class 1/C+E for articulated; Class 2/C for rigids).
Experience with multi-drop distribution, refrigerated transport or hazardous goods (ADR) where specified.
Proven track record of safe driving, low incident history and familiarity with company telematics/route planning systems.