HGV Licence Cost UK

Most people getting a Class 2 (Category C) licence in the UK spend somewhere between £1,500 and £2,500 once training, tests and the medical are added together. Going straight on to Class 1 (Category C+E) usually takes the total to around £2,500 to £4,000. Below is every cost you will meet, in the order you meet it.

Cost breakdown

HGV medical (D4)

Required before you can apply for your provisional entitlement.

£50 to £120

Provisional HGV entitlement (D2 and D4 forms)

DVLA does not charge to add provisional lorry entitlement to a full car licence.

Free

Theory: multiple choice (module 1a)

DVSA fee.

£26

Theory: hazard perception (module 1b)

DVSA fee.

£11

Driver CPC case studies (module 2)

Needed if you want to drive professionally.

£23

Practical driving test (module 3)

DVSA fee, usually booked by your training provider.

£115 weekday, £141 evening or weekend

Driver CPC practical demonstration (module 4)

The load safety and vehicle checks test.

£55 weekday, £63 evening or weekend

Category C training (rigid)

The biggest single cost. Varies by provider, area and hours.

£1,200 to £2,000

Category C+E training (artic, taken after Cat C)

Only needed if you want to pull a trailer.

£900 to £1,600

DVSA test fees are set by the government and are the same wherever you train. Training prices are the part that moves, so that is where it pays to compare.

Class 2 or Class 1 first?

You have to hold Category C before you can train for C+E, so Class 2 is always the first step. Plenty of drivers stop there, get a year of work behind them, then come back for the artic licence once they are earning.

Booking both together is usually cheaper than booking them months apart, but only if you are confident you can take the time off to do it in one run.

How to keep the cost down

Pass the theory first time. Each retest is another fee and another delay, so revise properly before you book.
Book weekday tests where you can. Evening and weekend practical slots cost more.
Check what the training price includes. Test fees, vehicle hire on the day and retraining after a fail are not always in the headline number.
Ask about funding. Some employers and job schemes will cover part of the training if you commit to working for them.
Use a discount. Code HGVMETA takes £250 off an HGV Academy course.

How long does it take?

Medical and provisional application take a couple of weeks. Theory can be booked as soon as your provisional entitlement is on your licence. Practical training is typically a five day intensive course ending with the test.

Start to finish, most people are licensed within two to three months, mainly depending on how quickly test slots come up in their area.

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