With demand for HGV drivers reaching record levels across Tyne and Wear and the North East, there’s never been a better time to start your HGV training in Sunderland. Strategically positioned at the heart of the region's industrial coastline, Sunderland offers a direct line to the UK’s most vital transport arteries, including the A19—the primary spine of the North East—and the critical A1231 and A690 corridors linking the city to the A1(M), Newcastle, and the wider Durham area.
At the HGV Training Centre, we coordinate the end-to-end education you need to launch your new career in one of the country's most essential manufacturing and logistics hubs. We give you all the tools to master the local roads, from navigating the high-capacity routes serving the Nissan manufacturing plant and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) to trucking goods near the bustling Port of Sunderland or the Doxford International Business Park—home to regional distribution leaders and global industry giants.
The training is built for you, ensuring you graduate with the technical skill and local knowledge required to thrive in a city that remains a cornerstone of British automotive excellence, maritime trade, and national supply chain distribution.
As of September 2021, the UK Road Haulage Association revealed a national shortage of over 100,000 truck and HGV drivers in the UK. This shortage is prompting unprecedented demand in the HGV landscape, which means more vacancies and bigger earning opportunities for you. Many average salaries in the UK now start at around £32k per year.
If you’re ready to travel a new road in your career, the HGV Training Centre can get you behind the wheel, with the education you need to get the best HGV jobs.
At HGV Training Centre, we’re proud to be supporting both new and existing HGV drivers around the country. Our top-quality training combines sensational value with convenience.
You can tailor your training requirements to suit your needs based on your pre-existing knowledge (if you have any - not essential), and access your course close-to-home, thanks to DVSA-approved, nationwide instructors. With more than 90 UK training locations to choose from, you’re sure to find the solution that’s right for you.
With years of experience in bringing new HGV drivers to the roads, the HGV Training Centre can provide you with all the support and guidance you need as you pursue a future in HGV driving. We can even organise and deliver your training within as little as 4 days- so you can get on the road fast.
Here at the HGV Training Centre, we’re committed to making sure every driver who trains through us has the best shot at success in their new career. That’s why we offer so much more than high-quality education. We also provide a free recruitment service with all of our training courses.
DVSA-approved, dedicated instructors and advisors will help you to track down new opportunities for work. Our fully-managed service will ensure you find a place in the growing HGV community in Sunderland in no time.
We’re thrilled to say we also have an average customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars and many 5 star reviews. With scores like that, you know you can trust the HGV Training Centre to give you the guidance you need as you make your way into your new career. Plus, we’re fully RHA and FTA accredited, with complete JUAPT approved CPC training as standard.
Below you will find a list of the main HGV Training courses available, and the different types of vehicles covered.
Not sure which course is right for you? Or looking for HGV training prices? Let us help you with our guide below, click on the courses for more details.
The fastest way to earn your Cat C C+E license, you could earn up to £50k per year driving any vehicle local, long haul, even cross-continent.
Duration 7 days
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This is the most popular HGV licence in the UK and is the entry level HGV licence.
Duration 4 days
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This is the largest vehicle you can drive in the HGV industry. To obtain this HGV licence, you must already have a Cat C licence.
Duration 4 days
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We coordinate horsebox training for equestrian owners, from medical through to your practical test.
Duration 4 days
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If you passed your car test prior to January 1997, you will have this entitlement already by rights.
Duration 4 days
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If you’ve already got a Category C1 licence and you want to tow a larger trailer, then our Category C1+E course is for you.
Duration 4 days
MoreWe offer the highest quality and best value HGV training, which includes a recruitment service to get you in a job you love, faster. Our high pass rates and 5 star customer service record means you can train with 100% confidence. Since we have been established for over a decade, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands when you train with The HGV Driver Training Centre.
Or great value, top quality HGV Training includes everything you need to get your licence as quickly as possible. We even help you find your perfect job at the end. We take care of your medical, theory, practical, training and tests, and we'll be there every step of the way. From start to finish, it takes around 6-7 weeks to learn to drive and earn your HGV licence. This includes applying for your license, going through the medical exams, and going through multiple stages of theory and practical training and testing.
Not as much as you think! If you opt for a course, like ours, that covers everything you need in just a few days, then the price can be very low indeed. So you can benefit from a very affordable course, and be on the way to earning £65K a year in no time.
It depends. Like any other job, salaries depend on location, company and skills, but the typical starting salary for a HGV driver is between £19K-24K. If you have more experience, or multiple licence categories, the you can earn up to £40K of more with the right employer.
Not as hard as you might think. If you’ve already passed a standard driving test, then you will already be familiar with the format. It’s just more of the same! You will need to do 2 theory tests and 2 practical tests, and if you’ve trained properly, it should be simple to do.
No. If you want to be a Class 1 driver, then you first need to have passed your Driver CPC (a standard for any HGV driver), and your Cat C test. You can’t take the Class 1 test (which adds an E to your licence) without a Cat C – but you can do them both at the same time.
Yes. There has been a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK for a long time now, and the research shows it’s only getting worse. Right now, there is demand for over 370,000 HGV drivers, but only 320,000 are working.
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