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 HGV driver can be both challenging and hugely rewarding.

At Lanes Group, our drivers safely transport 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 resolve any blockages in a quick and efficient manner.

Despite the flexibility and opportunities offered by a career as an HGV driver, it is seen as a male-dominated sector, and the figures back this up - a recent survey found that of the 315,000 registered truck drivers, only 2,200 were female. However, the same survey suggests that the number of younger women coming into HGV driving is on the rise. With this in mind, we answer some of the common questions surrounding life as a female 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 on the road, a career in HGV driving offers lots of opportunities to meet new people and interact with other drivers and colleagues throughout the haulage industry.

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 Group, 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 logistics and haulage industry 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 Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and be willing to commit to 35 hours of periodic training every five years before applying for their first driving role.

At Lanes Group, 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 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 their family life. In addition to this, all our employees are eligible for free childcare for children between 2-4 years old, and we offer help with childcare costs for any child under the age of 16.

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

Although professional driving has in the past been considered a 'man's job', this outdated attitude has changed in recent years.

Organisations have begun evaluating their practices to guarantee a safe and welcoming environment for every employee. Many logistics UK leaders now believe that attracting female drivers will play a key role in avoiding any future driver shortages.  

With more women deciding to get behind the wheel of a large vehicle such as an HGV, their visibility on the roads will hopefully inspire other women to become lorry drivers.

At Lanes Group, we believe that each of our employees is a hugely valuable asset that should be treated with respect and consideration. We maintain regular communication with all of our drivers to make sure they have access to practical help and support whenever they might need it.

If your previous job involved driving HGVs or you’re new to HGV driving but have one of the necessary licences, take a look at the roles we are currently recruiting for within our logistical division. 

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