HGV Drivers Quitting: What’s Really Driving Them Away?

Everyone’s feeling the shortage of HGV drivers right now. Supermarket shelves run empty, deliveries are late, and companies scramble to fill driver seats. But what’s actually pushing drivers to hang up their keys?

If you ask around, the answer isn’t simple. Drivers share stories of relentless shifts, unpaid waiting times, and rules that make their lives harder instead of easier. It's not just the miles; it’s the constant grind with not much reward at the end of the week.

If you’re thinking of getting into HGV driving or want to know if things can get better, you’re in the right place. This article breaks down the real reasons drivers quit and offers a few tips if you’re considering the jump into this career.

• Big Shifts: Why the Industry’s in Crisis
• Long Hours, Little Rest
• Pay Isn’t Always What You Think
• Red Tape and Paperwork Headaches
• Tips for Newbie Drivers
• What’s Next for HGV Careers?

Big Shifts: Why the Industry’s in Crisis

Here’s a number that hits hard: in 2024, the UK had a shortage of over 60,000 HGV drivers. That’s not a typo. Companies are offering sign-on bonuses and still can’t keep up, while deliveries get delayed and prices go up for everyone.

So what’s causing this mess? For starters, the average age of an HGV driver is 53. There aren’t enough young people stepping in, and a wave of older drivers are retiring or just fed up. Brexit didn’t help—thousands of EU drivers went home and haven’t come back, leaving a huge gap no one can fill overnight.

The COVID pandemic made things worse. Training centers closed, test slots vanished, and getting a new HGV licence became almost impossible for months. By the time they reopened, the backlog stretched for ages, and loads of people who might have trained just gave up.

Even those sticking around have faced a real slog. Companies are cutting costs lower than ever, while freight is up. If you’re on the road, you’re under pressure to work longer, cover more ground, and deal with customers who are just as stressed as you.

Want to see how things stack up? Here’s a quick look at the numbers for the last few years:

These shifts add up to a perfect storm. Loads of freight, fewer drivers, not enough new blood, and plenty of pressure from all sides. For anyone thinking about a career on the road, knowing what’s changed makes it easier to decide if this industry’s for you.

Long Hours, Little Rest

Most people don’t realise just how brutal an HGV driver’s schedule can be. You’d expect long days, but the reality often means 12-15 hours away from home, sometimes getting behind the wheel before sunrise and wrapping up late at night. While the law limits drivers to nine hours a day at the wheel (can go up to ten twice a week), the total workday gets dragged out by loading, unloading, and waiting around at depots. Those hours aren’t always paid, which really stings.

The working time rules say drivers can’t work more than 56 hours a week. But “working” isn’t just driving – it’s paperwork, delays in the yard, and queues at distribution centres. Drivers sleep in their trucks more nights than you’d expect, often parked up at busy lay-bys because decent parking is rare and noisy service stations fill up fast, especially after 7pm. If you miss a spot, you might drive around for an hour just looking for somewhere to park safely.

Fatigue is a real problem. Surveys in 2023 from unions showed that over 60% of HGV drivers admit to driving tired at least once a week. Accidents go up when people drive tired, yet pressure from tight delivery windows keeps building. Drivers say they feel pushed to bend the rules just to keep up, which only makes things worse.

• Plan your rest breaks before you start a route—don’t leave it to chance.
• Keep a good stash of snacks and water in the cab, since late-night services offer little choice and can cost a fortune.
• Use a sleep mask or earplugs if you’re parked somewhere noisy, since good rest matters as much as time off.

If you’re new to the industry, get used to talking to other drivers about safe places to park—they’ll give you the real scoop, not just what Google shows. Long hours and little rest explain why many drivers decide the job just isn’t worth it in the long run. It’s not just about time on the road, it’s how broken up your day gets and how little real down time there is.

If the HGV drivers crisis isn’t sorted soon, these endless shifts are only going to drive out even more people.

Pay Isn’t Always What You Think

When people hear about HGV driving, the first thing that pops up is pay. Sure, during driver shortages, newspapers splash big numbers across headlines. But what actually lands in a driver's pocket is a whole different story.

The average advertised salary for an HGV driver in the UK is about £32,000 a year. Sounds decent, right? But it rarely tells the full story. For one, not every driver gets that—especially agency drivers or those just starting out. And the pay can swing based on region, distance, load, and whether you’re doing nights or weekends. Some reports from 2024 showed pay ranging from £12 to £18 per hour, but waiting time, traffic jams, or delays at warehouses often aren’t paid at all.

And then there’s the sneaky stuff. Overtime is rarely guaranteed, and long stretches behind the wheel are often expected for that higher pay. Sometimes a good weekly wage only happens if you’re clocking 55 to 60 hours each week. Add in things like parking costs (which often aren’t covered), training fees, and medicals and the reality looks much tighter.

Have a look at a quick comparison of real-world numbers for different HGV driver situations across the UK in early 2025:

The biggest shock for people starting out? Sometimes you could earn more stacking shelves or working at a distribution centre—without all the exams, stress, and nights away from home.

For anyone eyeing a job as a HGV driver, ask the company about the breakdown between paid and unpaid hours, overtime, and reimbursements. Don’t just focus on the advertised annual figure—dig into what actually ends up in your bank account after a tough week.

Red Tape and Paperwork Headaches

Plenty of folks imagine HGV drivers just cruise the roads, but the paperwork side eats up more hours than you’d think. Over the last five years, rules have just ballooned. There are tachograph cards to track shifts, daily walkaround checks, delivery notes that need every box ticked, and compliance logs for the company. Miss something, and you can get hit with fines or even lose your driving license—no joke.

Since Brexit, things got even more complicated. International drivers now juggle extra customs declarations and border documents. You can get stuck waiting overnight if one thing isn’t perfect. In 2023, research from the Road Haulage Association showed that the average HGV driver spent around 2 hours each day on paperwork alone. That’s time you’re not earning.

Drivers complain most about pointless double-checking—like writing details out by hand just to scan them later, when a smart app could do the job. Big fleets have started using digital systems, but smaller companies lag behind. Until everyone catches up, this paperwork chews up your day and patience.

• Double-check everything before hitting the road—don’t risk a fine for a forgotten signature.
• Ask your company if they offer digital logbooks; these can shave off lots of wasted time.
• If you’re new to this, join forums or HGV Facebook groups—real drivers post handy time-saving tips all the time.

The red tape can make the best drivers want to walk away. If the HGV drivers shortage keeps growing, cutting down on useless paperwork could be one of the best fixes out there.

Tips for Newbie Drivers

Starting out as an HGV driver? It’s way more than just getting behind the wheel. The reality hits quickly: this gig comes with long hours, rules stacked on rules, and plenty of alone time. But if you know what to expect and get smart about your choices, you can sidestep the stuff that makes so many new HGV drivers quit within their first year.

1. Be picky with your first job. Agencies and employers know new drivers are keen, but not every role is worth taking. Always ask about pay (hourly or mileage), what happens during waiting times at sites, and how often nights out are expected. Sometimes companies use new drivers as cheap labour for rough shifts, so take your time choosing.

2. Stay on top of the legal stuff. HGV drivers must keep up with tachograph laws, Driver CPC requirements, and break rules. Fines stack up fast if you slip up, and some companies won’t back you up. Read up on the DVSA site and check your hours religiously. It’s not just paperwork; it can protect your licence and your sanity.

3. Sort your sleep and food. Sleep can get weird. Trucks aren’t five-star hotels, and motorway grub isn’t exactly healthy. Pack food so you’re not living on sausage rolls, and don’t underestimate how much a bad night’s sleep messes with your day. Earplugs and a good pillow go a long way.

4. Connect with other drivers. The road can feel lonely, but online groups are full of solid advice. Forums like TruckNet UK or even Facebook groups will clue you up fast. People there won’t sugarcoat the bad bits and will share hacks for everything from parking to paperwork.

5. Know your rights. It’s not rare for newbies to get pushed too hard. If a manager insists you break rules or cut corners, walk away. The Unite union says,

“Standing up for safe working hours isn’t just about comfort—your licence and even your life could be at risk if you don’t.”

Sticking to your guns about safety and rest isn’t being picky—it’s being smart. HGV driving is a career with loads of opportunity, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Go in with your eyes open, keep learning, and you’ll last far longer than most.

What’s Next for HGV Careers?

It’s easy to see why everyone’s talking about the future of HGV driving right now. Demand keeps rising, but fewer want to do the job. The Road Haulage Association reckoned the UK was short nearly 70,000 drivers in 2024. That shortage isn’t just a blip—it’s shaping what these jobs look like moving forward.

So, what are the real changes unfolding? For one, companies are pushing to make the role more appealing. Think higher starting pay, sign-on bonuses, better rest facilities, and promises to listen more to driver feedback. Big employers like Tesco and DHL have boosted wages, offering as much as 15% more compared to 2022.

Technology is another game changer. Digital logbooks, real-time GPS, and driver-assist systems are trimming down paperwork and making life simpler. More companies are also investing in eco-friendly trucks, since the UK’s set to ban new diesel lorries in 2040. Training centres are also speeding up licensing, waving some old paperwork and cutting wait times, so newcomers get qualified quicker.

But here’s the thing—AI and automation won’t replace HGV drivers in the near future. Automated trucks are still testing, and manual driving is staying front and centre because roads, traffic, and real-world surprises can’t fully be programmed in yet.

For anyone eyeing HGV as a career, it’s not all doom and gloom. Switched-on employers are raising standards and making the work less of a slog. You can take advantage of:

• Structured induction programs for beginners
• Flexible shifts and fixed routes
• Training in new tech and electric vehicles
• Company-funded medicals and upskilling

Here's a quick look at what’s changed for drivers over the last few years:

If you want to start as a HGV driver, keep an eye on fresh benefits and ongoing industry changes. New rules and better working conditions are making a difference. Right now, sticking with it could actually pay off more than ever.