Driving Lorries or Buses: Check out the information for those who drive a lorry or a bus for a living.
This section covers the strict testing processes and the health and safety rules. The guide also explains how to keep your licence up to date.
The category also has guidance on the laws for roadside checks in the United Kingdom. Check how the authorities perform vehicle tests for road worthiness and tax.
You will have several responsibilities as a heavy goods vehicle driver. They relate to carrying and transporting large loads on the roads around Britain.
The driver CPC section is useful if you want to start driving buses or lorries. It explains the required training and courses to become a qualified driver.
HGV Lorries and Buses Guid
Bus and Lorry Drivers
Drivers’ Hours
The section is for anyone who drives a goods vehicle or a passenger-carrying vehicle. You can use it to check the drivers’ hours rules and how many rest breaks you need to take.
Getting Qualified
The section explains bus and Lorry driver licence procedures. Check how to become a Lorry or bus driver and start driving for a profession.
Note: You can also search online to find lorry or bus operators (e.g. HGVs and PSVs) by name, address, or by the licence number.
Driving Test Rules
The lorries used for practical driving tests must meet certain rules and regulations. In some cases, the vehicle and trailer must also be carrying a minimum weight.
Roadside Vehicle Checks
What happens on roadside vehicle checks for commercial drivers in Britain? The guide explains how being stopped by the police or DVSA can result in fixed penalties and roadside prohibitions.
Digital Tachographs
Digital Tachograph Company Smart Card
Check how to apply for a digital tachograph company card online. Company smart cards are about the same size as a plastic driving licence with a special microchip.
Digital Tachograph Driver Card
Driver smart cards store driving information and data from digital tachographs. You can apply to DVLA to get or renew digital tachograph card online and by post.
Tacho Rules in United Kingdom
A simple guide about tachometers and tachograph regulations for drivers and haulage operators. Find information on who needs to use a VU and whether tachograph exemptions apply to you.
Licence Renewal at 45
As a lorry, minibus, or bus driver, you will need to renew your driving licence after reaching the age of 45. Check the process of lorries licence renewal at 45 years old.
Note: A different section explains how to add higher categories to your driving licence to get a provisional entitlement (e.g. to drive higher category vehicles).
Lorry MOT Check
DVSA staff will conduct the testing for a lorry, bus, or a trailer. They will use the ‘annual vehicle test‘ for lorries, buses, and trailers instead of a standard MOT check.
Note: There is a set process to follow if you want to report an excessively smoky lorry or bus exhaust to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).