If you are a woman considering a career as an HGV driver, you might be wondering how many females are already working in the industry.

It’s a fair question. HGV driving has traditionally been a male dominated industry, but that is starting to change. More women are entering the profession, and the transport and utilities sector is becoming more accessible as a result.

In this guide, we’ll look at the latest figures, what the role really involves and why more women are choosing HGV driving as a long-term career. We’ll also explain how Lanes Group is working to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all drivers.

The statistics: a changing landscape for UK drivers

When you look at the figures, a clear pattern emerges. HGV driving is still a male dominated industry, but that is starting to change.

Recent government data suggest that women make up around 1–2% of HGV drivers in the UK. This means there are only a few thousand female lorry drivers currently working across the country.

Different data sources give slightly different totals. Some estimates suggest there are around 280,000 active HGV drivers in the UK, with approximately 5,000–6,000 women working in these roles.

While the overall numbers remain low, there are signals the trend is moving in the right direction. Industry data indicates that the number of women gaining Category C and C+E HGV licences has increased significantly over the last decade, with some estimates suggesting growth of over 100%, suggesting rising interest in the profession.

Overcoming challenges and driving change

The trucking industry has historically presented challenges for women drivers, but things are steadily improving. Some of the well-known hurdles include:

• Outdated stereotypes: many women truck drivers have faced suggestions they are not suited to handling large vehicles.
• Facilities: safety concerns have been an issue, as many truck stops traditionally lacked adequate toilet and shower facilities for women.
• Work-life balance: the need to spend long hours on the road can be difficult for anyone with family commitments, and the demanding schedules can be a barrier.

The Road Haulage Association and other industry bodies have made it clear that attracting more women into HGV driving is essential to solving an ongoing driver shortage. As a result, there is now a much stronger focus on improving working conditions, from better facilities at truck stops to clearer support for drivers across the job.

Many companies that use drivers are also taking practical steps to make roles more accessible. This includes reviewing shift patterns, improving safety standards and actively targeting female drivers through more inclusive driver recruitment campaigns.

At the same time, a growing network of organisations and industry groups is helping to support women truck drivers, offering mentoring, networking opportunities and visibility for the incredible women already working behind the wheel.

How Lanes Group supports female truck drivers

At Lanes Group, we believe in building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to creating a culture that empowers and inspires women, providing a supportive environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to develop and progress.

Many of our HGV roles offer more variety than typical haulage work. This means you will not just be sitting in a cab all day; you will get hands-on experience operating specialist jet-vac drainage equipment and delivering excellent customer service.

• Varied roles: you will be actively involved in providing essential wastewater solutions for our customers, making every day different.
• Inclusive culture: we work hard to create a supportive community for all our staff. We are proud of the incredible women working in utilities across our depots and regularly highlight their achievements.
• Training and progression: whether you are joining us from a background as van drivers or are completely new to the sector, we provide comprehensive training to help you succeed.
• Stable hours: we offer a variety of shift patterns to accommodate different needs, providing our drivers with stability, job security and flexibility to work around their family.

We are proud to see so many women thriving in our teams, and offer a substantial benefits package to make them feel valued. As the number of HGV drivers expected to join the utility sector grows, we are excited to welcome many more into the Lanes family.

Ready to take the next step?

If you are looking for a supportive employer with a strong track record of valuing every member of its team, we would love to hear from you. We have plenty of opportunities for HGV drivers across the country. Explore our current opportunities at Lanes Group and start your journey today.

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