Lorry Driver Salary UK: 6 Essential Facts for Better Pay in 2026
A lorry driver salary in the UK usually starts around £27,000 and rises to about £47,000 with experience. Here is what affects HGV pay and how to earn more.
A lorry driver salary is one of the main reasons people train for an HGV licence. Driving is skilled, responsible work and the pay reflects it, but the gap between one job and the next can be large. Using National Careers Service and Department for Transport figures, this guide covers the typical HGV driver salary UK picture, how much HGV drivers earn on different work and six practical ways to earn more.
1. The Typical Lorry Driver Salary
The National Careers Service puts the average lorry driver salary at around £27,000 for a starter and £47,000 for an experienced large goods vehicle driver (National Careers Service). It lists typical hours of 38 to 52 a week, which can include evenings, weekends and nights away.
The Department for Transport gives another view. It estimates median pay for HGV drivers of £15.78 an hour in 2024, up 5% on the year before, with an average working week of 48 hours (DfT).
2. How Much Do HGV Drivers Earn on Class 1 and Class 2?
So how much do HGV drivers earn in practice? It depends on the licence and the work:
- Class 2 (C). Rigid lorries, often local multi-drop or builders’ merchant work, with more regular hours.
- Class 1 (C+E). Articulated lorries on trunking, distribution and tramping, which usually pay more.
- Specialist work. Tanker, ADR, hiab and abnormal loads usually pay a premium for the extra training.
- Shifts. Nights, weekends and nights out often add allowances.
3. Why the HGV Driver Salary UK Picture Has Changed
Driver shortages pushed pay up after 2021. Department for Transport surveys found 43% of HGV businesses had driver vacancies at the end of 2021, falling to 24% by the last quarter of 2024 (DfT). The most common reasons given for vacancies were better pay elsewhere (37%), drivers leaving the industry (36%) and retirements (34%).
That means good drivers still have choices, and employers still compete on pay, hours and home time.
4. Costs and Rules That Affect Take-Home Pay
Professional drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic Driver CPC training every five years to keep their Driver CPC card (GOV.UK). Some employers pay for this training and the time spent on it, others do not, so it is worth asking at interview. Licences must also be renewed every five years, and every year from age 65.
5. Agency, Permanent and Own-Account Work
Agency and temporary work can pay higher hourly rates, especially at peak times, but hours may be less certain. Permanent HGV driver jobs usually bring steadier hours, holiday pay and pensions. Our HGV driver jobs page explains the roles we recruit for, from Class 1 trunking to newly qualified drivers.
6. How to Earn a Better Lorry Driver Salary
Keep a clean licence, add skills such as ADR or hiab, and keep a record of your routes, trailer types and safety record. Make sure your CV lists your licence categories and cards clearly. You can check it with our free CV checker.
Our View
A lorry driver salary can be very good, but it depends on the licence you hold, the work you choose and the hours you are willing to drive. Compare hourly rates, guaranteed hours and home time, not just the headline figure. If you want to talk about your next move, browse our live vacancies or contact our logistics team.
Lorry Driver Salary: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average lorry driver salary in the UK?
The National Careers Service gives an average of around £27,000 for a starter and £47,000 for an experienced large goods vehicle driver.
How much do HGV drivers earn per hour?
The Department for Transport estimated median pay for HGV drivers of £15.78 an hour in 2024.
Do Class 1 drivers earn more than Class 2?
Usually, yes. Class 1 work on articulated lorries tends to pay more than Class 2 rigid work, although shifts and specialist loads also make a big difference.
How many hours do HGV drivers work?
The Department for Transport found HGV drivers worked an average of 48 hours a week in 2024.
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