A Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver is a demanding career and a rewarding one too, that is very essential to sustain the United Kingdom’s logistics industry. The shortage of more than 100,000 drivers leaves an urgent demand for new talent.
Aspiring drivers must be able to grasp the training process, including supervised practice, which builds the skills and confidence needed to drive heavy vehicles safely.
What Supervised Practice Does for HGV Lessons
Supervised practice in Bristol and other parts of the UK allows new drivers to take their classroom skillset, learnt during training, and apply them in real life, while working with the pros.
Who is authorised to supervise a learner driver of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)?
Age and Experience: To be a candidate, he or she needs to be the minimum of 21 years old and have a full HGV driving licence for the relevant type of vehicle for at least three years.
Licence Validity: The training institute must hold a valid and an unblemished driving licence that is not disqualified.
Physical Fitness: The supervisor needs to stay in good physical shape so that he or she is able to take control of the vehicle, if necessary.
These requirements guarantee that learners are guided by those who are experienced enough and are knowledgeable about road safety.
Insurance Considerations
Prior to initiating supervised practice, it is essential to resolve insurance matters:
Learner's Own Vehicle: If the learner is going to have his own vehicle, he will need to have a learner driver insurance policy in place.
Supervisor's Vehicle: If they are practicing in the supervisor’s vehicle the learner must be added to the current insurance policy as a named driver.
You not allowed to from driving without the right insurance and the penalty for doing so can be quite high – and include a fine and points on your licence.
Guidelines for Supervised Practice
Although supervised practice offers advantages, there are specific limitations that must be considered:
Motorway Driving: HGV drivers who are learning are not allowed to drive on motorways unless they are being accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a dual controlled vehicle.
Displaying of L Signage on number Plates: Learners must clearly display L plates in front and rear of the vehicle for practice sessions.
The Path to Professionalism
As one of the UK’s main providers of HGV training in Bristol, HGVT stresses the importance of supervised practice in producing confident, skillful drivers for the logistics industry. Customised training programmes designed for safety and excellence, delivered by HGVT, prepares learners to safely meet the demands of the profession. Gary Bernardout, founder and CEO of HGVT, states that, “Becoming a proficient HGV driver takes dedication, practice and a trainer that knows what they are talking about. Supervised practice helps link the theoretical knowledge you acquire with the practical know-how; this creates a strong base for doing well.”
Supervised practice is essential to HGV training leading to confident drivers who are able to thrive in the UK logistics industry. Aspiring drivers can make a good career if they follow the guidelines and opt for the best of training.
