Britain and Northern Ireland began giving out 5,000 short-term visas in the fall of 2021 to help the food and fuel businesses, which were short on HGV and truck drivers. In this plan, there is also a limited exception for HGV drivers from countries where they don’t need a visa. These drivers can ask for permission to work at the border and do so. The New York Times says that the UK government thought there were not enough 100,000 drivers.
This job hasn’t been on the list of skilled work visa jobs in the UK or Northern Ireland since last year. It’s an HGV truck driver. Even so, some companies are willing to hire foreign truck drivers or at least help them get visas. Truck drivers make between €11 and €18 an hour and get a lot of other benefits as well.
Details of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK
- Job Industry: Transport
- Job title: Heavy Good Vehicles Truck Driver/ Truck Driver
- Job country: Ireland
- Job Type: Full Time
- Experience Required: High
- Knowledge Required: Not High
- Age Limit: 18 and up
- Free Food: Mostly No
- Free Accommodation: No
- Free Medical Insurance: Mostly Yes
- Free Transport: No
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes or No
- Salary: between €11-18
Requirements
- Minimum Age: People who want to apply must be at least 18 years old.
- Full Driving License: As a driver, you must have a full license.
- Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC): To drive professionally, you need a CPC, which makes sure that you meet safety and skill standards set by the industry.
- Full Driver’s License: Applicants must pass several driving tests, usually five, in order to get a full driver’s license.
- Experience: Applicants should have driven trucks before and know the rules of the road in their area. The amount of experience needed changes from job to job and can be anywhere from 7 months to 5 years.
- Education: Many companies don’t have specific educational requirements, but some may want applicants with GCSEs or something similar.
- English Proficiency: You must be able to speak and write English well. To get a skilled worker visa, you may need to show IELTS scores if the company doesn’t support the visa.
- Visa Requirements: If you are asking for a visa from outside the UK or to work in Northern Ireland, you must meet all of the requirements.
How can I become a free HGV Driver in Northern Ireland and UK?
To become an HGV driver, you can do one of the things below: A skilled boot camp, B an apprenticeship, C a vocational course, and D a driving school course. The best way to go is to take Skilled Boot Camp, a free course that lasts up to 16 weeks. But you can go to all of these places in the UK and Northern Ireland. So, you have to be in the UK in some way that lets you stay with a visa.
Benefits
Education Requirements: Not having a lot of schooling is not necessary, so it can be done by a bigger range of people.
Attractive Salary Packages: Hourly rates that are competitive and range from £11 to £15, based on experience and employer.
Full-Time Employment: Chances to work full-time with the possibility of adding more hours, which would give you job security and the chance to make more money.
High Demand: There is a big need for truck drivers in the UK, which means there are a lot of job openings and more job security.
Employee Perks: Varying perks offered by employers, which might include:
- Free bus rides for employees and their families
- Free uniforms
- Apprenticeship courses
- Christmas bonuses or courses
- Free parking and laundry services
Commute Assistance: Some companies help with traveling by having bike-to-work programs or giving money to help people buy bikes.
Paid Vacations and Breaks: Annual paid vacations and breaks are included, as mandated by UK Labor Law.
Annual Reviews and Bonuses: People usually get annual business bonuses and regular reviews of their salaries, which add to their total pay and job satisfaction.
Northern Ireland Truck Driver Visa Scheme: Online Application form
The UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme, was first started in 2021 and is now called the UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme. It was started by the Northern Ireland and UK government’s Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy to help fill the gap between the need for and supply of Truck drivers and Lorry drivers in the country’s food processing industry.
Under this plan, the government of the UK said that it would give out 10,500 3-month work permits. The exact criteria for who can join this program and what kind of visa they need have not yet been released. But it is likely that the visas will be in the T5 Temporary Worker group.
How to apply
Conclusion
HGV truck driver jobs in the UK and Northern Ireland offer competitive salaries, job security, and a range of employee benefits. With the introduction of the UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme, there is a streamlined path for international candidates to fill the current driver shortage. Whether through skilled boot camps, apprenticeships, or vocational courses, becoming an HGV driver provides a stable career opportunity. Keep an eye on government announcements for the latest information on visa applications and job opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme?
Purpose: Addresses the shortage of HGV and lorry drivers in the food processing industry
Duration: 3-month work permits
Number of Permits: 10,500 available
Visa Type: Likely T5 Temporary Worker visas
Application Process: Details not fully released yet, but an online application form is expected -
How can I become an HGV driver in the UK or Northern Ireland?
Skilled Boot Camp: Free course lasting up to 16 weeks
Apprenticeship: Various programs available
Vocational Course: Specialized courses
Driving School Course: Standard driving school training
