Road Transport Driving: Licences and Qualifications

Careers

Leaving the British Armed Forces can be a significant life transition, but the road transport industry offers a wide range of opportunities for those with the right skills and qualifications. With increasing demand for drivers in logistics, freight, public transport, and more, transitioning into this sector could provide you with a stable and rewarding career.

This guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a professional driver, from qualifications to career opportunities and how to use your military experience to your advantage.

What opportunities are there for me in the road transport industry?

• Road Freight Transport: As a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver, you’ll be responsible for transporting goods across the country or internationally. The logistics and delivery sectors are rapidly expanding due to the increase in e-commerce and supply chain demands.
• Passenger Transport: Coach and bus drivers play a critical role in public transportation, ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently. This sector is ideal for those who enjoy interacting with the public and maintaining schedules.
• Van Driving: Van drivers are essential for last-mile deliveries, courier services, and small-scale logistics, often working with smaller businesses or on specific delivery routes.
• Chauffeur and Private Hire: Chauffeurs and private hire drivers cater to clients seeking comfort, privacy, and premium service. This is a great option for those who enjoy providing a personalized driving experience.
• Taxi Drivers and Private Hire: Taxi drivers work locally, transporting passengers for short distances. With the rise of app-based services like Uber, private hire driving has become a flexible and profitable career.
• Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR): For those interested in more specialized driving roles, transporting dangerous goods requires specific training and certification. This role involves the safe transport of hazardous materials and offers unique opportunities in sectors like chemicals and fuel.

GOVERNMENT TAKES STEPS TO TACKLE HGV DRIVER SHORTAGE

The government is introducing measures including the following, in an attempt to tackle the current shortage of HGV drivers:

• up to 4,000 people will be trained as new HGV drivers to help tackle skills shortages and support more people to launch careers within the logistics sector
• package of measures includes using MoD examiners to help increase immediate HGV testing capacity
• nearly 1 million letters to be sent to all drivers who currently hold an HGV driving licence, encouraging them back into the industry.

Click here to find out more.

Transferable skills

The Defence School of Transport (DST) plays a pivotal role in providing advanced driver and transport management training to personnel from the Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines. Offering a wide range of courses, the

DST is the largest residential driver training school in the world, providing over 150 types of training programs. The Driver Training Squadron (DTS) focuses on foundation and progressive licence acquisition training, including theory, covering common categories such as B, C, CE, D, and D1. This comprehensive training ensures service personnel are well-prepared to transition into civilian driving careers.
DST's programmes emphasize vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, meaning students on major courses graduate with civilian-recognized qualifications that are valuable in the road transport industry. These qualifications can help ex-service members quickly adapt to civilian driving roles.

When preparing for resettlement, training in transport and driving is accessible through several training providers, including the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). If you already hold a C or CE Licence (for heavy goods vehicles) from your time in the Armed Forces, you may need to convert to civilian standards and practices. However, with the ongoing driver shortage in the UK, the process of transitioning to a civilian role as a professional driver has become more streamlined, making it easier to meet the industry’s high demand for drivers.

As a member of the British Armed Forces, you have developed a range of transferable skills that make you well-suited to a career in the road transport industry. Some of these skills include:

• Discipline and Responsibility: Driving commercial vehicles requires focus, responsibility, and the ability to adhere to safety protocols—skills that are honed during military service.
• Navigation and Time Management: In the military, you’ve likely gained experience navigating challenging environments and working with strict time constraints. These skills are invaluable for driving professionals, especially for those who will be transporting goods across large distances or adhering to tight schedules.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Care: Many military roles involve the upkeep and maintenance of vehicles. These skills can translate directly into road transport roles, where vehicle maintenance is key to ensuring safety and compliance.
• Communication and Customer Service: Whether you’re driving a bus, coach, or working as a chauffeur, the ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent service will make you stand out in the industry.
  

Driver CPC and Armed Forces drivers

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a qualification required for most professional drivers operating LGVs or passenger vehicles. The good news for Armed Forces personnel is that your military driving experience can exempt you from some parts of the CPC.

Under certain conditions, service drivers with military licences are eligible for an exemption from the initial CPC qualification and may only need to complete periodic CPC training (35 hours every five years) to maintain their professional status. Always check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to see how your military driving qualifications align with commercial requirements.

How do I qualify to become a professional driver?

To become a commercial driver in the UK, you must hold the appropriate driving licence and complete any necessary certifications. Here’s how to get started:

1. Driving Licence: First, ensure you have the correct driving licence for the vehicle class you wish to operate. If you don’t already have the relevant licence, you’ll need to undergo training and pass the necessary driving tests.
2. Driver CPC: If you’re driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or passenger vehicles with nine or more seats for hire or reward, you’ll need to complete CPC training and obtain a Driver CPC qualification.
3. Specialized Certifications: Depending on your role (e.g., ADR for dangerous goods), you may need additional certifications.
   

Click here for full information.

Road freight transport driving

Road freight transport is a major sector in the UK, providing opportunities for LGV/HGV drivers. These drivers operate large trucks, delivering goods domestically or internationally. If you already hold a military driving licence, transitioning into this sector is straightforward—though you’ll need to ensure you have a Driver CPC and any additional qualifications needed for the specific type of freight (e.g., refrigerated goods, fuel).

The LGV Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

For those pursuing careers in LGV driving, the LGV Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a must. The LGV CPC is a combination of theory tests, practical assessments, and periodic training that ensures drivers are safe, competent, and up to date with industry regulations. The CPC is required for both national and international LGV driving jobs.

Passenger transport: coach and bus driving

Becoming a coach or bus driver requires a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence, as well as a Driver CPC for professional operations. Bus drivers often work locally, while coach drivers may operate on long-distance routes, potentially including international trips. Customer service and time management are critical skills in this role, as you’ll be responsible for the safe and timely transport of passengers.

Find out more

Click here for full information on becoming a qualified professional lorry or bus/coach driver.

HOW TO GET – AND KEEP – FULL DRIVER CPC 

1. Apply for a provisional lorry or bus licence.
2. Pass the four tests that make up Driver CPC to qualify.
3. Take 35 hours of periodic training every five years to stay qualified.
4. Sign a declaration every five years until you’re 45 to show you still meet the medical standards.
5. Provide a medical report every five years after you’re 45 to renew your driving licence – you need to do this every year when you reach 65.

To find out more, click here

Van driving

Van driving is ideal for those looking for flexibility and opportunities in last-mile deliveries. A standard Category B driving licence is sufficient for most van driving roles. However, obtaining additional qualifications like the Driver CPC or training for transporting goods (especially high-value or sensitive items) can increase your employability.

Chauffeurs

For those interested in more exclusive or personalized transport services, becoming a chauffeur could be the perfect fit. Chauffeurs typically work for private clients or companies, providing premium transport services in high-end vehicles. You’ll need a Category B licence and may benefit from additional training in customer service, defensive driving, and professional etiquette.

Taxi drivers and private hire

Taxi and private hire drivers typically require a Taxi or Private Hire Licence, issued by your local authority. With the rise of app-based services like Uber, private hire driving offers flexible working hours and can be highly profitable. A standard Category B licence is required, along with passing a local knowledge test or additional checks depending on your area.

Carriage of dangerous goods

For those interested in transporting hazardous materials, the ADR certificate is essential. This certification covers the safe handling, transport, and delivery of dangerous goods such as chemicals, fuel, and explosives. The ADR certification is often required for jobs in fuel delivery, chemical transport, and other specialized roles. Many Armed Forces personnel already have relevant experience in this area, making it a natural progression for those with the right training.

Use your ELC

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELCAS website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on the Quest website

Finding a job

The road transport industry is continuously expanding, with a high demand for qualified drivers. Use the following steps to find your next role:

1. Veteran-Focused Job Boards: Organizations like the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) offer job search tools specifically for veterans. Many companies are looking for ex-military personnel due to their reliability and strong work ethic.
2. Specialist Driving Recruitment Agencies: Agencies that focus on the transport and logistics sector can help connect you with employers seeking qualified drivers.
3. Network with Industry Professionals: Attend industry events or join professional driving associations to network with hiring managers and fellow drivers. Networking is often key in finding the best job opportunities.
4. Online Job Portals: Major job boards like Indeed, Totaljobs, and industry-specific sites like Logistics Job Shop offer a wealth of opportunities for commercial drivers.

ROAD TRANSPORT DRIVING APPRENTICESHIPS
A huge number of employers run apprenticeship programmes, so there’s plenty of choice for those starting out. Opportunities exist in haulage, passenger transport operations, passenger transport driving, supply chain practice and more. Apprenticeships range from level 2 all the way up to degree level. Use your favourite search engine to find out more, or click here to read about government-backed programmes.

For information about related careers in logistics and distribution, take a look at our feature here

For those leaving the Armed Forces, the road transport industry offers a range of career paths, from freight and logistics to passenger transport and private hire. With the right qualifications, including the Driver CPC, LGV/HGV licences, and specialized certifications, you can transition smoothly into a rewarding career. Make sure to use your military experience and ELC benefits to gain the necessary training, and take advantage of the many resources available to veterans to secure a job in this growing industry.