Women Make Up Just 1 per cent of HGV Drivers – Here’s Why That Should Change
Posted by: electime 6th March 2025
- Currently, out of the 315,000 registered truck drivers in the UK, only 2,200 drivers are female – and only 1 per cent are HGV drivers
- The average age of HGV drivers is 51, meaning the UK faces a huge driver shortage
- With a shortage across the UK, now is the perfect time for women to look at entering the industry
There are currently around 315,000 HGV drivers in the UK, responsible for transporting everything from food supplies to machinery, making haulage services essential to our daily lives. However, only 2,200 of these drivers are female, with only 1 per cent of those making up HGV drivers, representing a significant disproportion of women.
The UK road haulage industry has grappled with a shortage of HGV drivers for years, the crisis at its peak in 2021, when the Road Haulage Association reported a staggering shortfall of over 100,000 qualified drivers. Alongside the significant shortage of drivers, further statistics reveal that an alarming 55 per cent of HGV drivers in the UK are between 50 and 65, with an average age of 51. These numbers indicate that a significant proportion of the workforce is set to retire within the next ten years.
With the shortage of HGV drivers expected to worsen, now could be the perfect time for women to consider entering the field. While there has been a 144 per cent increase in women securing Category C and/or C+E (HGV) licenses in the last ten years, women still fall far behind the male numbers. While other male-dominated industries, such as construction, have seen government-backed incentives such as ‘National Women in Construction Week’ and the WISE Campaign for Women in Science, there has been little effort to get women into heavy goods driving.
Luckily, Matthew Briggs, CEO of Right Fuel Card offered his expert insight into why women should get into HGV driving, and the benefits.
Why should women consider getting into HGV driving?
Salary
“The earning potential for HGV drivers is incredible. The average salary for a HGV driver in the UK is between £30,668 and £32,500, significantly more than the UK’s £23,000 minimum wage. In London and the South, where the cost of living is higher, HGV drivers can expect drivers in London can expect to earn up to £40,443 a year. There is also the opportunity for overtime and bonuses, which can significantly increase your salary.”
Flexible working
“HGV drivers are known to spend long hours on the road, however in 2025, this couldn’t be further than the truth. Many companies now offer part-time, full time and flexible shift patterns, making it suitable for a variety of different lifestyles.”
Safety
“While many might not like to admit it, women are far safer drivers than men, making them better suited for a driving profession. Male drivers in the UK pose a higher risk to road users, particularly when it comes to van drivers, the risk posed by men is double that of women per km driven. Additionally, men are involved in approximately twice as many fatal collisions in comparison to women, across all age groups!”
Improved working conditions
“Gone are the days of roughing it on the roads, modern trucks have better technology, safer features and better home comforts, making the job easier to manage. More truck stops and transportation hubs now provide better facilities for women, addressing previous concerns about safety and hygiene.”
How can women enter the industry?
The process to become a HGV driver is pretty straightforward. To begin the process, applicants must be over 18, hold a full car license, apply for a provisional HGV license and get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which takes around 35 hours to complete. This must then be renewed every five years.
Looking for jobs is just as simple, sites such as Indeed and Total Jobs regularly show available roles, which can be filtered by region. Some recruitment agencies specialise in driver recruitment, HGV Recruitment and Drive Personnel specifically help people look for positions for HGV Class 1, Class 2, and C1 7.5T drivers.
Some companies that regularly have driver openings include the following.
• Eddie Stobart
• Glendale Transport
• Hammond Transport
• Murray Hogg
• Rogers Transport
• Travis Perkins
• Veolia
• XPO Logistics
