HGV training near Canterbury: schools, prices and test centres
The lorry training yards nearest Canterbury, what they charge like for like, and how far you'll travel for the theory test, the medical and the driving test.
Short answer
The nearest lorry training yards to Canterbury are Mainstream Training (15 miles), Learn2Pass HGV (16 miles) and HGV Training Hub (16 miles). A Class 2 licence from a Kent provider costs £1,373 to £3,272 all in, with a middle of £1,897. The nearest DVSA lorry test centre is Gillingham LGV, about 22 miles away.
Canterbury's lorry test centre stopped appearing in DVSA's figures after 2020 to 2021, so the nearest DVSA lorry test centre is Gillingham LGV. Canterbury does have a theory test centre, which also runs lorry theory tests.
Training yards near Canterbury
Nearest first. Prices are the provider's own, made like for like.
| Provider | Miles | Class 2, all in | Car to Class 1, all in | Best value score | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstream TrainingSittingbourne (Church Road) | 15 | from £1,67815 cab hours | from £2,758 | 5.5/10 | 6/8 |
| Learn2Pass HGVSittingbourne (Swale Way) | 16 | from £1,88218 cab hours | from £2,944 | 5/10 | 7/8 |
| HGV Training HubSittingbourne (Swale Way) | 16 | from £1,88220 cab hours | from £2,944 | 8.5/10 | 7/8 |
| Hartlip HGVGillingham and Queenborough start points | 17 | from £1,59516 cab hours | from £2,711 | 5/10 | 6/8 |
| A-Class Driving SchoolGillingham, with Hartlip HGV | 17 | from £1,912 | from £2,711 | – | 7/8 |
| Gordon Springate Transport TrainingDetling, near Maidstone | 20 | On request | On request | – | 6/8 |
Tests and the medical: how far you'll travel
| What | Nearest | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Lorry driving test (DVSA) | Gillingham LGV58.3% pass rate, 2025-26 | 22 |
| Lorry driving test, alternative | Thurrock LGV58.8% pass rate, 2025-26 | 37 |
| Theory test centre | Canterbury54.0% lorry multiple-choice pass rate, 2025-26 | 0 |
| Theory test centre | New Romney62.3% lorry multiple-choice pass rate, 2025-26 | 21 |
| D4 medical clinic | Drivermedics, Ashford£48 | 13 |
| D4 medical clinic | D4Drivers, Maidstone£58 | 23 |
"HGV training in Canterbury" adverts
Many national companies and brokers have pages for Canterbury, but none we checked names a local yard or publishes a course price. Before paying, ask where the truck is kept and who'll train you, and get the cab hours in writing. Broker or school? · How to check a company
Before you book
- Compare the all-in cost per cab hour, not the headline price. Check a quote.
- Ask for an assessment drive and visit the yard.
- Read the refund terms and pay by credit card. Mistakes to avoid.
Learning to drive a car in Canterbury? Canterbury car test centre pass rates and waits.
Related: Driving a lorry in Kent: Brock, Dover and truck stops · Kent agency pay rates
Common questions
Where can I do HGV training near Canterbury?
The nearest lorry training yards to Canterbury are Mainstream Training (15 miles), Learn2Pass HGV (16 miles), HGV Training Hub (16 miles), measured in a straight line from the town centre.
Where is the nearest HGV test centre to Canterbury?
Gillingham LGV, about 22 miles away. It's the nearest DVSA lorry test centre; some schools are also approved to run the off-road test at their own yards.
How much is HGV training near Canterbury?
A Class 2 licence from a Kent provider costs £1,373 to £3,272 all in, including the medical, theory and CPC tests and DVSA fees, with a middle of £1,897.