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Geoff Roy 19th September 2022

Driving an HGV in Birmingham: What You Need to Know

If you’re in search of an exciting new job opportunity, and you’re hoping to earn a little extra on your annual salary, driving an HGV in Birmingham could be the path for you. With the demand for HGV experts higher than ever in the UK, you could earn a significant salary in this career, as well as enjoying countless amazing experiences on the open road.

Not to mention, becoming an HGV driver means you can contribute something incredible to the UK landscape, as without HGV experts, we simply wouldn’t have access to all of the resources we need today, from fuel, to medicine.

Of course, before you leap into your HGV career in Birmingham, it’s worth making sure you know exactly what to expect.

Here’s what you need to know when driving an HGV in Birmingham.

CAZ: What is the Clean Air Zone?

Perhaps one of the most important things you’ll need to be aware of when driving an HGV in Birmingham, is what the “CAZ” means. This is a specific regulation unique to Birmingham, known as the “Clean Air Zone”.

The CAZ is designated around specific points in the city centre, and it requires highly polluting vehicles, including HGVs to pay a fee whenever they drive in. The CAZ aims to reduce air pollution in the region, and it’s something you’ll need to keep in mind when driving your vehicle.

All HGVs and coaches which are defined as highly polluting vehicles need to pay an extra £50 per day to enter the CAZ. Making sure you have your fee on-hand will save you some headaches when you’re planning your route.

Notably, the CAZ does not cover the entire city of Birmingham – just the roads within the A45450 Middleway Ring Road, but excluding the Middleway. You may need to find out in advance whether your employer expects you to pay these fees yourself, or whether they’ll be included as part of the resources you get to do your crucial work.

Other Specific Requirements in Birmingham

Compared to certain regions for driving HGVs, Birmingham doesn’t have quite as many specific laws and regulations. However, you’ll still need to make sure you:

Practice good bicycle safety: Learn how to look out for cyclists and make sure you’re adding extra safety equipment to your HGV where possible. You can also join a FORS or CLOCS accreditation scheme for industry standard support.
Abnormal load management: When dealing with abnormal load management, you will need to contact the Birmingham city council to get guidance on how to safely transport the goods.
Congestion charge zones: Be aware of Congestion charge zones in Birmingham outside of the CAZ environment, and any fees associated with these areas.

What Qualifications Do You Need?

Outside of the special requirements imposed by the CAZ, you’ll also need to follow the general guidelines involved in becoming an HGV driver. This means you’ll need a full UK driving license, and you’ll have to be over the age of 18. You’ll be able to start taking your HGV driving theory and practical test after you’ve got your standard driving license.

You will need to follow these steps:

Get your provisional lorry driver’s license, which involves filling out a D4 medical form. There is a fee associated with this application which can range from £45 to £100.
You’ll need to pass a full theory test and practical driving exam to ensure you’re ready for your license. Make sure you get the right training.
You will need to acquire a professional driving qualification known as the CPC certificate. This is crucial to starting your career in Birmingham.

You can find some more details on the qualifications you need and the fees involved with taking various tests on the government website here. Remember, it can take a while to complete all of your necessary steps to getting your qualifications.

During this time, you should be getting used to the roads of Birmingham, and exploring the various guidelines on how to drive a HGV in the area. It’s also worth thinking about the kind of HGV licence you need for the career you want. Options can include:

Class 1 or C+E: For vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes with a detachable trailer
Class 2 or C: For vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes with a rigid base
Category C1: For smaller vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes
Category D: For driving passengers on a bus or coach
ADR: For transporting dangerous goods like fuel
Lorry loader: For using lorry loaders and hydraulic equipment.

Remember, you will need to renew your HGV license every five years, and you will also need to do at least 35 hours of training within each five-year period. When you reach 65, your license must be renewed on a yearly basis.

How Much You Can Earn

One of the things you’re most likely to want to know when you’re planning an HGV career in Birmingham, is how much you can reasonably earn. The amount you can earn from your career will depend on a number of factors, including your experience level.

Some companies in Birmingham will only offer applicants a job if they have over a year of experience as a driver. However, this is growing less common in the driver shortage age.

Haulage bosses and HGV drivers throughout the West Midlands in particular are currently experiencing a massive shortage in the number of HGV driver applicants available. One logistics director even said they saw a 75% drop in applicants.

Skill shortages could mean you can access a higher rate of pay, depending on the kind of HGV driving you do. Within two years, you could earn as much as £50,000 per year.

Ready to get started? There are plenty of HGV careers available to explore as soon as you you’re your certifications. Contact Easy as HGV today to plan your path to driving in Birmingham.

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