The profession of truck driver
Truck Driver Responsibilities
The HGV driver supervises the transport of the goods entrusted to him, from departure to their arrival at destination. His main missions are :
- To respect departure and arrival times and deadlines. Load and unload the goods.
- Ensure that the goods are properly stowed and that the quality and integrity of the goods are preserved during transport.
- Driving safely and respecting regulations and other road users, driving in an eco-responsible manner.
- Check the good condition and take care of the vehicles.
- Complete transport documents correctly.
- Hand over the transport documents to the dispatcher and to our customers.
- Regularly download tachograph data.
- Communicate necessary repairs to be foreseen on the vehicles to the workshop.
- Depending on the case, check the cooling unit and monitor the temperature of the goods during transport.
The truckers are also our “ambassadors” to our Customers and thus help to convey a good image of our company.
The salary of a truck driver
The salary of a trucker is attractive for several reasons:
- Evolutionary remuneration policy
- Wage supplements generated by night hours, weekend hours, and travel expenses.
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Training to become a lorry driver
Driver’s license:
There are several types of licences for driving goods vehicles, they are called C licences or Group C licences.
The C licence:
It allows the driving of single vehicles with a permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes and a maximum of 9 seats. It is also permitted to tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg.
The EC licence :
It permits the driving of a combination of vehicles where the tractor vehicle belongs to category C and a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg.
The C1 licence:
It permits the driving of motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes and with a maximum of 9 seats. It is also authorised to tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg.
The C1E licence :
It allows the driving of a coupled combination of vehicles where the tractor vehicle belongs to category C1 and for which the trailer or semi-trailer may exceed 750 kg without exceeding 12 tonnes.
Obtaining a C permit:
There are no European regulations concerning driver training for the C licence, but the European Union sets the following minimum standards:
Passing a driving test consisting of a theoretical and a practical test.
The examiners who conduct the tests must have obtained an initial qualification, undergo periodic assessment and undergo regular training.
To prepare for a C licence, we therefore advise you to check the rules in force in your country of residence.
Other training courses:
Professional drivers engaged in the carriage of goods must have an initial and continuous qualification, the Compulsory Continuing Training (FCO), either by presenting a valid Driver Qualification Card (CQC) or by affixing Code 95 on the driving licence.
What are the prospects for development of the profession of HGV driver?
Over the course of his or her career, a truck driver will have the opportunity to drive heavy goods vehicles of increasingly larger sizes. If he wishes, he can also gain responsibility by specialising in a specific type of transport (e.g. air freight).
An experienced road driver may also be able to join administrative or commercial departments. Groupage jobs (warehouseman, organisation/control of the content of loads in warehouses) are also possible developments.
