What Is An HGV? The Role, Types & Licence Requirements

If you’re in the commercial transport industry and looking to hire a vehicle, you’ve probably stumbled on this term a lot, but what is an HGV exactly? This text will answer any questions about it! We’ll delve into the essence of HGVs and explore their significance and various types.

We’ll also answer questions such as whether there is a difference between an HGV-classified vehicle and a large goods vehicle and what training you need to pass to drive vehicles that are classified as HGVs.

Table Of Contents

1 Deciphering HGV Meaning: What Does HGV Stand For?
2 Types Of HGVs
3 Legal Requirements For HGVs
4 The Role Of HGVs In Commerce
5 What Type Of HGV Should You Hire?
6 Frequently Asked Questions
7 Conclusion

Deciphering HGV Meaning: What Does HGV Stand For?

The term HGV stands for Heavy Goods Vehicle. It was created to categorise vehicles such as commercial trucks or other types of commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes for tax purposes.

If you’ve plunged deep into HGV and similar terminologies, you’ve probably stumbled upon the LGV vs HGV debate. Just to clarify, LGV stands for large goods vehicles. Both LGV and HGV are terms that cover any vehicle whose gross vehicle weight is over 3.5 tonnes. Large Goods Vehicle is not to be confused with another abbreviation, LGV, which means light goods vehicles.

The terms heavy goods vehicle and light goods vehicle are commonly used for tax-related documentation in the UK.

Types Of HGVs

There are plenty of vehicles in the HGV class; way too many for us to mention all of them here. But here are some of the all-time classics:

Box truck – The box truck, with a box-shaped cargo area, is one of the most commonly used vehicles. These trucks come with a rigid, enclosed structure to protect their contents. They can carry a wide range of items, including fragile or sensitive ones.
Dropside truck – The short-folding sides of dropside trucks are one of their best features, making them great for easy loading and unloading of cargo. This vehicle is very versatile due to its non-rigid structure, which allows it to accommodate irregular-shaped items such as construction and landscaping materials.
Curtain-side truck – Curtain-side trucks are commercial vehicles with a curtain-like covering on the sides of their cargo area. This allows for quick and easy access to cargo from the sides. It’s well-suited for oddly shaped cargo.
Tipper truck – As the name itself suggests, the tipper truck comes with a tipping rear platform, making unloading as easy as it gets. If you need to transport building materials, such as soil or gravel, a tipper is your ideal vehicle.

If you want to dive into all of the differences between these HGV types, check out our in-depth text on types of trucks.

Legal Requirements For HGVs

HGV and LGV drivers who transport goods for commercial purposes need a valid operator’s licence. This licence is available in various HGV class types, with C1 being the most basic one for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tonnes. Keep in mind that if you happened to pass your driving tests before 1997, you automatically qualify for C1 entitlement on your licence.

There are various trainings for HGV and LGV class types available. If you’re currently living in England, you can sign up for a free skills bootcamp, which lasts for up to 16 weeks.

The Role Of HGVs In Commerce

Rigid vehicles play a crucial role in many industries, such as the freight industry, supply chain connectivity, international trade, logistics and distribution, etc. The high payload and capacity of these commercial trucks allow the movement of goods on a large scale.
The development of technologies and e-commerce businesses especially contributed to the growing need for trucks that will deliver all of the items that people purchase online. It’s estimated that there are more than 6.2 million trucks in circulation throughout the EU only, and they generate an annual trade of €5 billion. And let’s not forget about the economic impact that these vehicles create, as they contribute to job creation in various sectors.

What Type Of HGV Should You Hire?

The type of HGV vehicle you should hire will mainly depend on your driving needs and the type of cargo you intend to carry. If you can drive a 7.5-tonne lorry on your own or have drivers who have obtained HGV driving licences, there are plenty of options to choose from.

You can opt for a classical box truck or just a curtain-sider that will make loading and unloading your cargo a breeze. You can also choose tippers or dropside trucks for versatile cargo handling.

SDVH’s 7.5t lorries for hire service is available for anyone seeking a perfect blend of reliability and efficiency for seamless cargo transport. Contact us today to choose from our diverse fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is HGV?

HGV is Heavy Good Vehicle. Both HGV and LGV (large goods vehicle) are terms used to describe larger vehicles, those whose gross weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes. HGVs play a crucial role in the transport and logistics industry due to their high payload and capacity. Truck drivers who want to drive commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5-tonne tonnes must have suitable HGV training and an LGV lorry licence.

Is A Lorry An HGV?

Yes, a lorry is an HGV. A lorry, commonly known as a truck, has a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes or higher, making it suitable for large cargo transportation. There are numerous truck types available to meet a wide range of transportation needs, including box lorries, curtain-side trucks, tippers, and many more.

How Do I Get An HGV Licence In The UK?

To get an HGV licence in the UK, you’ll need to pass several different training courses. For starters, you need a Category C licence. Furthermore, if you want to drive a heavy goods vehicle for commercial purposes, you’ll need a full Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence). The training options will depend on where you live. Those living in England can join one of the many government-funded skills bootcamps.

Is C1 The Same As HGV?

No, the C1 is a licence entitlement that allows you to operate vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes, while HGV stands for ‘heavy goods vehicle’ and refers to vehicles that weigh over 3.5 tonnes. Category C1 is the basic HGV driving licences class. This basically means that you need a C1 licence to drive the smallest vehicles in the HGV class.

Conclusion

So, what is an HGV? HGV simply means heavy goods vehicle and this is one of the first things to know if you plan to become a commercial vehicle driver. We’ve also helped you understand the difference between HGV and LGV (light goods vehicles). Now you know everything you need to hire commercial vehicles that will elevate your business to a whole new level.