Why Are There Fewer HGV Drivers On Our Roads?

The UK is currently facing a major driver shortage due to a number of factors, causing delivery delays and a whole host of other problems for British businesses. Unless an influx of fresh talent can be found to fill these crucial roles, this could be detrimental to the operation of many companies across the country.

What is causing this shortfall in drivers? 

There are a number of issues that have led to the current decrease in HGV drivers, including Brexit, retirement trends, and a backlog in the distribution of licences. 

Much of the current disruption to the industry can be traced back to a combination of the pandemic and Brexit, including the licence distribution delays, which have meant that some drivers might not be able to travel to certain countries without having their licence beforehand. This limits the number of jobs they are able to take on. Additionally, new HGV drivers and those looking to join the industry may face delays with testing to receive their license, again due to this backlog. 

At the same time, many HGV drivers who have been in the industry for years are slowly approaching their retirement age. Once they start to reach this age and cease to work, the driving industry will see a further decline in HGV employment. 

Additionally, the pace at which the sector has been able to replenish its talent pipeline has been hampered by the fact that  many prospective drivers see a career on the road as a lonely one. Typically seen as a job with long working hours, these ideas have deterred its audience from pursuing a career in driving. These preconceptions are actually quite far from the reality of modern HGV driving - especially for the multipurpose roles offered by employers such as Lanes - but these old assumptions are unquestionably part of the contribution to the current talent shortage. 

Though this combination of factors is causing a huge disadvantage for the industry, it can be a perfect opportunity for applicants. Having a huge gap in the market due to an inability to rely on EU drivers, businesses are now looking towards UK-based professionals to make up this shortfall. This means that candidates with the skills and knowledge to excel in professional driving roles have never been in higher demand.

How is Lanes challenging this trend?

At Lanes Group, we are passionate about finding solutions to modern-day issues, and our problem-solving doesn’t just stop at drains. We are actively recruiting for HGV drivers and want to show everyone how rewarding a career in driving can be. 

We are actively working to encourage candidates  to join the industry and see the benefits that a career on the roads could provide. Lanes’ driving roles are designed to suit everyone, no matter their personal background or how many years they have spent driving previously. Our driving jobs are perfect for both experienced professionals who want to explore new career opportunities and diversify their knowledge, as well as newer drivers with families who can make the most of the handy shift patterns. 

We provide our drivers with flexible working opportunities, often working a ‘4 days on, 3 days off’ week. This means that our drivers can relax in the knowledge that they can enjoy their days off and spend this time refuelling themselves for their next journey. 

We don’t expect our drivers to be on the road for days at a time - we encourage them to return home after each day of hard, dedicated work they do. We believe that this approach is ideal for drivers who have partners and young children, as it provides the necessary flexibility to help out at home with the school run and bedtime routines. 

Our HGV drivers aren’t just drivers either. Our driving roles are diverse, in the sense that they require additional technical knowhow - you’ll be working directly with heavy tools and equipment, getting involved with the drain clearing work, and delivering support to other areas of the business, while also liaising directly with customers to provide them with a seamless, supportive customer service experience. 

It’s a challenge, but it's an exciting one for those who are eager to learn and make the most out of their future career. We encourage our team members to upskill, meaning drivers can come into these roles from previous driving-only backgrounds and massively expand their skill set.

This helps to create a balanced team of strong-minded individuals that are capable of problem solving. We’re happy to train all that are willing to learn; after all, our employees' success is our success. 

Being the UK’s largest privately-owned drainage contractor, we have plenty of offices and depots all across the country, leading to endless possibilities for change for those who seek it. We provide support to each and every one of our employees in a range of different ways, from benefits to mental health and wellbeing programmes. 

We make sure that our drivers know that what they do is incredibly important, valued by many, and that they are playing an integral role in the vital work we do keeping the UK’s drains and sewers running clean and clear. 

How can you join Lanes’ team of dedicated drivers? 

If you want to join us on our drainage revolution and kickstart your career in this incredibly rewarding industry, take a look at our available driving roles, or contact us by filling out our enquiry form and we’ll give you a call back at a time that suits you.