CONTAINER DRIVER HGV JOBS UK - PORT & INTERMODAL SPECIALISTS

THE LAST MILE OF GLOBAL TRADE. THE DRIVER WHO MOVES THE WORLD'S CARGO ACROSS BRITISH SOIL.

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WHAT YOU NEED

Every shipping container that lands at Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway needs a driver to take it somewhere. Container work is precise, port-access controlled, and increasingly in demand as UK import volumes keep climbing. If you’ve got a port card and you know your way around a skeletal trailer, agencies want to hear from you.

Cat C+E, container work is exclusively artic. You’ll drive tractor units pulling skeletal trailers with shipping containers.

Each major port has its own access requirements:

  • Port PEME assessment (pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol screening)
  • Port operator card (DVLA-registered, usually valid for 2 years)
  • Site induction (specific to each terminal)

Felixstowe (UK’s busiest container port), Southampton, London Gateway, Bristol/Avonmouth, Liverpool, Hull, Tilbury, Immingham.

Terminal booking systems (TBS), customs reference numbers, container seal verification, CargoWise/other logistics platforms. This is learned on the job but technological competence helps.

WHAT THE WORK LOOKS LIKE

Container driving runs on time slots. You book a slot to collect or deliver at the port terminal, then transport the box to a warehouse, distribution centre, or rail terminal. Sounds simple enough. But anyone who’s sat in the queue at Felixstowe for three hours because the ship was late knows it’s not always that smooth. You need patience, and you need to be good at managing your tacho hours around unpredictable port delays. The drivers who thrive at it are the ones who plan ahead and don’t lose their rag when things run late.

WHO HIRES THEM

Container logistics firms, freight forwarders, import/export distributors, intermodal transport companies (port to rail), retail supply chains for imported goods, and automotive parts distribution.

PAY & PROGRESSION

Hourly rates: £20–£26/hr
Annual: £42,000–£52,000
Night premiums: Available at most ports, particularly for early morning collections
Demand: Strong and growing, UK container volumes continue to increase

Why the rates are good: Port access requirements create a barrier to entry. Not every driver has the port card, medical, and systems knowledge required. This limits supply and supports higher rates.

Progression: Multi-port experience (increases your flexibility and earning potential), customs/freight forwarding knowledge, transport planning roles in container logistics, owner-driver operations.

READY TO GET FOUND?

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

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Your employer or agency typically arranges this. It involves a PEME medical (including drug/alcohol screening), DVLA licence check, security vetting, and a site-specific induction. The process takes 1-3 weeks depending on the port.

Sometimes, yes. Port congestion, customs delays, and booking slot issues can mean waits of 1–3 hours. Most drivers are paid for waiting time (though check your contract). Bring something to do.
You don’t need to be a customs expert, but you do need to understand basic reference numbers (MRN, entry number), container seal verification, and how to use the port’s terminal booking system. Your employer will train you on the specifics.
Felixstowe is the UK’s busiest container port by volume. Southampton and London Gateway are second and third. Proximity to a major port significantly increases your work opportunities.
Some companies will take on drivers new to container work and put them through the port induction process. Having Cat C+E with clean licence and some general artic experience is usually sufficient to get started. Register with agencies that specialise in port work.

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