HGV Training - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

If you're thinking of getting your Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving licence - be aware - it is like the Wild West out their with lawlessness and bandits at every turn!

The Good
Yes, there are some good HGV Schools out there. These are the ones who have qualified instructors, DVSA approved facilities and are accredited with the LGV Training Industry bodies such as NRI and NVDIR. Wallace School of Transport is one of the good guys with experienced, qualified instructors, bespoke and purpose-built training vehicles, our own training and test facilities that are all fully accredited. And, having been established over 60 years ago, we are are highly regarded throughout the haulage industry and achieve an excellent pass rate across our training locations of Croydon, Dartford, Enfield, Luton, Watford, Park Royal (Wembley) and Slough.

The Bad
Because there is no legal requirement to be a qualified HGV Instructor, or an accredited LGV Training Provider, many Heavy Goods Schools don't invest their time or money in working hard to offer or maintain their facilities, or to help improve their customers chances of passing their test. These are the schools that deliver training to a price, and, for example provide such a small course with too few hours that learners get hardly enough training time behind the wheel to reach test standard. Did you know you can't be put forward for your driving test if you've not passed your reversing test? We hear of learners that have been offered only one or two practices to learn to reverse the trucks (as the school doesn't have a bespoke reversing practice area) and because the trainee has not passed that part, they never get the opportunity of sitting their driving test - and don't get any come-back or refunds!

The Ugly
The HGV training industry is riddled with Brokers. These people are agents and salesmen. They don't have their own instructors, vehicles or facilities. They are just a MiddleMan asking for all your training fees upfront (in a package) so they can 'sit' your money in their bank while you are working through getting your Provisional LGV and passing your theory tests. And many weeks later, when you've gone through those stages, they'll arrange your training. Will it be local to you? Not necessarily! Will it be with a qualified instructor and accredited training school? Not likely! They will 'sub' your booking to a school that will work 'cheaply' so the broker can keep more of the money (your training fees) for themselves. And don't fall for the 'We have 50, 60 (or more)' branches 'and we can offer training everywhere'. They can't. They just phone round the schools to find someone, any one, who will take on your booking.

So, what can you do to avoid this situation......

Do yourself a favour. Contact a 'good school' directly. Ideally, go in to see them at their office or training centre - see the vehicles - check they are genuine. Good schools are happy to help you with getting your Provisional, help you with passing your theory test. You can arrange these first, paying just for those bits (not paying everything up front) either through the school or by doing it yourself. The school will quote you for your training, and if you need it, a bigger course with more training hours, that will help you get through your DVSA test First Time and give you the skills you need not only to pass but to also become a valued, working driver in the logistics industry.

Get your HGV booking right and you will have a great training experience and be ready to take on a new career.