Over 2.5 million people work in the haulage and trucking industry, making the sector the fifth-largest employer in the UK. 

Providing an interesting career path for those not wanting to spend their working life behind a desk, life as a truck driver can be both challenging and hugely rewarding. 

At Lanes Group, our drivers play an essential role in safely transporting all the vital equipment needed to keep the UK’s drainage systems running smoothly. Working alongside our wider team, our drivers are relied upon to help our field engineers to resolve any blockages in a quick and efficient manner. 

Despite the flexibility and opportunities offered by a career as a HGV driver, it has been estimated that less than 1 percent of all UK truck drivers identify as female. With this in mind, we answer some of the common questions surrounding life as a truck driver and what it is really like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry. 

Is it a lonely profession? 

Despite often being alone when driving, a career as a truck driver offers lots of opportunities to meet new people and interact with colleagues.

While long-haul drivers might need to spend more time on their own, short-haul drivers are able to enjoy a day on the road, before returning home in the evenings - just like with any other job. 

At Lanes, our HGV drivers work closely with the wider team to support us with the cleaning, desilting and maintenance work we carry out. This means that there is barely a day that goes by where our drivers aren’t working directly with their colleagues. 

Is it hard to get a job? 

With the freight and logistics business continuing to grow, there has never been a better time to consider a career as a truck driver. 

All truck and lorry drivers are required to have passed the four tests that make up the Driver CPC and be willing to commit to 35 hours of periodic training every five years before applying for their first driving role. 

At Lanes, we ask all of our HGV drivers to have proven credentials in operating an HGV, potentially including a Class 1 or Class 2 licence, depending on the demands of the role. We also expect a completed Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and an up-to-date digital tachograph card. 

We are always on the lookout for talented and hardworking drivers to join our team. As a result of the industry-leading training we offer, we are happy to employ HGV drivers with no experience within the drainage sector. 

Is truck driving conducive to having a family? 

The need for a strong work-life balance is important for all employees, but particularly those with a family. 

While shift work might not be suitable for everyone, it does offer some great benefits for those with young children. Working condensed hours over a few days can afford parents the opportunity to drop off their children at school and pick them back up on the days they aren’t working - this isn’t an option for those working 9-5. 

Similarly, the option to do regular overtime can allow parents to pick up extra shifts to help pay for unexpected costs or save for expensive events, like Christmas and birthdays. 

At Lanes Group, we believe it is important to support all our employees in every way we can. As such, we offer all our staff flexible holidays, meaning parents are able to plan their annual leave around school holidays. In addition to this, all our employees are eligible for free childcare for children between 2-4 years old, via a government-backed scheme. 

Is it a challenging industry to work in as a woman? 

Although professional driving has long been considered a male-dominated industry, attitudes are really starting to change. 

With more women deciding to become drivers, organisations have begun evaluating their practices in order to ensure they are able to guarantee a safe and welcoming environment for every employee. 

HR has an important role to play in building an inclusive workforce and dealing with any issues as soon as they arise. As a business, we believe that each of our employees is a hugely valuable asset that should be treated with respect and consideration. 

In addition to our pioneering wellbeing programme, we are in regular communication with all of our drivers to ensure they have access to practical help and support whenever they might need it.

If you’re a HGV driver in search of your next role or interested in building a career at Lanes Group, take a look at the roles we are currently recruiting for within our logistical division. 

Gender is no barrier to a long and successful career at Lanes, and we employ a large number of women in various roles across our entire organisation. Discover how we help women in the workplace here at Lanes.

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