An HGV driver is a person who works for different companies that carry goods. These drivers are in charge of operating heavy vehicles to transport different goods from one place to another. These goods mostly include stuff like wood, cement, food, etc. They usually transport these goods to different warehouses and factories.
These drivers normally drive vehicles like lorries, trucks, trail wagons, and more. All in all, these vehicles weigh over 7.5 tonnes. However, drivers are supposed to opt for HGV training, and only then they are given a license to drive such vehicles. Driving heavy lorries is not an easy task, and one needs special skills in order to ensure the safety of the vehicle as well as the goods.
What Are The Responsibilities Of An HGV Driver?
HGV drivers are supposed to complete a number of tasks. They need to keep each and everything in mind when driving a heavy goods vehicle. They are taught all these things when they take an HGV training course. Some of these are mentioned down below:
- They need to inspect their vehicle
An HGV driver is in charge of inspecting their vehicle before taking it on the road. They are given the training to do so. The driver needs to check all the vehicle parts and check whether they are functioning well or not. Other than that, they need to file a report on the inspection of the results achieved. Lastly, if they feel like there is an issue with a vehicle, they need to report that as well. This is done to ensure the safety of the vehicle as well as the driver.
- Follow the law
There are certain traffic laws for people who drive a heavy goods vehicle. They must keep them in mind when driving. Moreover, they are only supposed to drive on the designated roads. These drivers must report any traffic violations to their employers. If there are any accidents or hazards, it is the duty of the driver to report them to their employer. This can consist of anything, be it overheating of the vehicle or even a puncture.
Not to add, there is a certain weight limit for different vehicles. One cannot exceed that limit at all. It all depends on the weight of the vehicle and the amount of goods it can carry. If you end up driving an extremely overloaded vehicle, it could cause disasters. Your vehicle won't be stable, and you can even face issues when it comes to steering and pulling the brake.
A heavy goods vehicle cannot exceed the weight limit. It must be noted that the unladen weight of any vehicle is actually the weight when it is empty. Moreover, it doesn’t include the weight of the following either:
- Batteries
- Authorized mass
- Fuel
The maximum authorized mass refers to the weight of the vehicle that includes the maximum amount of load it can carry on the road. It is also called gross vehicle weight as well as the permissible maximum weight. This weight depends on the type of vehicle and the number of axles. Moreover, the gross grain weight of a vehicle can easily be found on its number plate or its sticker. This weight includes the weight of the tractor, trailer, and load.
- Keeping special accommodations in mind
Another thing a heavy goods vehicle needs to do is to keep special accommodations in mind. For instance, the goods may include stuff like frozen foods that require refrigeration or other fragile items that need to be handled carefully.
A heavy goods vehicle driver is also in charge of following any instructions when it comes to loading or unloading the goods. All of these things must be kept in mind.
Are There Any Skills Required?
There are certain skills required in order to drive a heavy goods vehicle. This includes mechanical and driving skills. The driver needs to be able to prevent any sort of risks and accidents. Moreover, the driver needs to stay alert when it field to driving for hours. They are also supposed to drive different sort of heavy goods vehicle and monitor their condition. The driver also needs to be able to perform small mechanical changes. A person who has the skills to manage time and deal with difficult situations is the one who makes a perfect heavy goods vehicle driver. All of this is taught in a HGV training course.
Spokesperson from HGVT, UK's leading HGV training provider has to say “HGV Training is essential when it comes to becoming an HGV driver. The training will keep you safe from accidents or other major disasters. The Daily check of vehicle, weight limits, height check etc are all included in our cpc training module.”
