HGV Driver Salary 2026
How much do HGV drivers earn in the UK? Current salary data by licence class and city — drawn directly from real job listings on kbiis.com.
Salary by Licence Class
Van / Sprinter
£23,459 – £27,906
per year · avg from 259 listings
7.5 tonne
£29,143 – £33,143
per year · avg from 8 listings
Rigid HGV
£32,212 – £36,971
per year · avg from 71 listings
Artic / Long haul
£36,596 – £42,692
per year · avg from 74 listings
Salary by City
📍 Birmingham
77 listings
£30,008 – £34,564
per year
📍 Bristol
15 listings
£32,930 – £37,646
per year
📍 Coventry
14 listings
£0 – £0
per year
📍 Glasgow
53 listings
£29,490 – £33,694
per year
📍 Hull
53 listings
£28,147 – £33,138
per year
📍 Leeds
19 listings
£34,078 – £39,155
per year
📍 Liverpool
52 listings
£30,633 – £35,398
per year
📍 London
62 listings
£19,986 – £27,422
per year
📍 Manchester
18 listings
£31,439 – £36,940
per year
📍 Middlesbrough
40 listings
£22,885 – £26,200
per year
📍 Nottingham
9 listings
£4,500 – £5,500
per year
Salary Matrix: Licence × City
Average annual salary (maximum value from listings)
| Licence | Birmingham | Bristol | Coventry | Glasgow | Hull | Leeds | Liverpool | London | Manchester | Middlesbrough | Nottingham |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚐 Class B | £29,221 | £24,609 | – | £30,542 | £29,370 | £31,500 | £30,768 | £18,611 | £19,409 | £28,249 | £5,500 |
| 🚛 Class C1 | £31,333 | – | – | – | £31,000 | – | £32,000 | £37,500 | – | – | – |
| 🚚 Class C | £39,000 | £38,333 | – | £36,583 | £36,909 | £38,500 | £36,200 | £29,023 | £39,750 | £34,417 | – |
| 🏗 Class CE | £43,728 | £48,167 | – | £47,429 | £42,600 | £41,716 | £47,900 | £44,050 | £47,857 | £43 | – |
* Figures are maximum values from current job listings on kbiis.com. Individual salaries may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about HGV Driver Salaries
How much does a Class 1 (CE) HGV driver earn?
A Class 1 (CE) artic driver in the UK typically earns between £38,000 and £50,000 per year. With night premiums, tramping allowances and bonuses, total packages of £55,000+ are possible for experienced drivers.
How much more does a Class 1 driver earn compared to Class 2?
The salary difference is typically £3,000–£7,000 per year. Class 1 drivers also tend to receive higher subsistence allowances, mileage bonuses and shift premiums, which widens the gap further.
Which UK city pays HGV drivers the most?
London and the South East consistently offer higher wages due to the cost of living and strong demand. Port cities like Southampton and Felixstowe also command premiums for port-related work.
Is upgrading from Class 2 to Class 1 worth it?
Yes. Class 2 drivers typically earn £33,000–£40,000 per year, while Class 1 drivers earn £38,000–£50,000. The cost of a Class 1 upgrade (£1,500–£3,000) is typically recovered within 6–12 months through higher pay.
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