Heavy goods vehicle driving, or HGV driving, is a former European term for a truck or lorry driver who is in charge of transporting chemicals, food, construction equipment, and other heavy goods over the road. These truckers are now known as LGV (large goods vehicle) drivers. To earn one of four different categories of HGV licenses, all HGV truckers must take commercial vehicle driving classes and pass an HGV driving test, regardless of their home country. Truckers transporting goods across multiple countries must be familiar with the rules of the road as well as the regulations governing driving and rest periods in each country. A person with an HGV license usually works for a transportation or shipping company.
There are four types of HGV driving licenses available in the European Union, all of which must be obtained by someone who is at least 18 years old. A driver with a category C HGV license can drive a truck weighing more than 3,500 kilograms (roughly 7,716 pounds) and towing a trailer weighing up to 750 kilograms (about 1,653 pounds). The category C+E license is identical to the category C license, with the exception that the trailer must weigh more than 750 kilograms (about 1,653 pounds).
A driver with a category C1 license can tow a trailer weighing up to 750 kilograms while driving a truck weighing 3,500-7,500 kilograms (7,716-16,535 pounds) (about 1,653 pounds). The category C1+E license is identical to the category C1 license, with the exception that the trailer must weigh more than 750 kilograms.
(approximately 1,653 pounds), but not more than the weight of the empty truck. For a category C1+E HGV driving license, the combined weight of the truck and trailer cannot exceed 12,000 kilograms (26,455 pounds).
In the European Union, the trucking industry is heavily regulated. Trucks are only allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour). Large trucks are not permitted to pass through some countries. HGV driving is prohibited on Sundays in most European countries. Long-haul truckers must be familiar with the driving rules of any country they pass through, as the laws apply to all drivers, regardless of their country of origin.
In 2007, the European Union enacted more stringent HGV driving and resting laws in order to improve safety. A driver must take a 45-minute break every 4.5 hours of HGV driving. Each 24-hour period necessitates 11 hours of mandatory rest, nine of which must be consecutive. Every two weeks, all HGV drivers are required by law to take a break of 48 hours. These are some of the legal minimum standards that apply across the European Union. Individual countries have the option of enacting stricter legislation if they so desire.