CATEGORY C HGV DRIVER JOBS UK - RIGID HGV SPECIALISTS

RIGID. RELIABLE. THE WORKHORSE OF BRITISH LOGISTICS.

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THE LICENCE EXPLAINED

A Cat C driver doesn’t want fanfare. They want a truck that starts first time, a load that’s actually ready when they arrive, and a payslip that makes sense. They’re the ones keeping waste collections running, builders’ merchants stocked, and supermarket shelves full. Backbone stuff.

Rigid vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (up to any weight without a trailer).

Age 18+, Group 2 medical (D4 form), DVLA provisional entitlement for Cat C, theory test (multiple choice + hazard perception), Cat C practical driving test, Driver CPC initial qualification (35 hours of periodic training every 5 years), DVLA digital tachograph card.

Approximately £2,000–£3,500 including medical, theory, practical test, and initial CPC. Many training providers offer all-inclusive packages.

4–8 weeks from medical to test, depending on training availability and DVSA test slots.

WHAT THE WORK LOOKS LIKE

So what does a typical day look like? Early start, usually 5:30am at a depot or distribution centre. Load up a 7.5-tonne curtainsider, maybe an 18-tonne rigid if you’re doing heavier work. Then it’s 8 to 12 drops within a 50-mile radius. Back to base, paperwork done, home by mid-afternoon if the traffic gods are kind. Some days are longer. Construction supply runs can have you sitting around waiting for site access. But generally, Cat C work keeps you local and gets you home at a decent hour.

WHO HIRES THEM

Waste collection, construction supply, retail distribution, council services, recycling centres, builders’ merchants, food distribution, and parcel work for the bigger items that won’t fit in a van.

PAY & PROGRESSION

Day rates: £16–£19/hr
Night rates: £18–£22/hr
Annual (Full-time perm): £33,000–£42,000

Many Cat C drivers use the rigid licence as a stepping stone to Cat C+E (artic). The additional trailer test opens up significantly higher pay rates and a wider range of work. Alternatively, specialisation within Cat C, skip driving, municipal work, or HIAB crane operation, can command premium rates without needing to go artic.

READY TO GET FOUND?

Takes about 3 minutes. Get verified and let HGV agencies come to you.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

No. Cat C covers rigid vehicles only. You need Cat C+E (the trailer test) to drive articulated combinations. Many drivers start on Cat C and add C+E later.
Yes, if the vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes and used for commercial purposes. You’ll need a DVLA digital tachograph card, which costs around £32 and takes 2–3 weeks to arrive.
18 for Cat C with Driver CPC. Some insurance providers require drivers to be 21+ or 25+ for certain vehicle types, but the legal minimum is 18.

It depends on the role. Multi-drop and waste collection involve significant physical activity. Trunk runs and tanker work are less physical. Be honest about your preference when you register, agencies will match you accordingly.

The practical driving test is approximately 90 minutes. You’ll need to demonstrate vehicle safety checks, reversing exercises, and on-road driving competence.

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