HGV training near Thanet (Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs): schools, prices and test centres
The lorry training yards nearest Thanet, 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 Thanet are Hartlip HGV (27 miles), Mainstream Training (27 miles) and Learn2Pass HGV (28 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 35 miles away.
Thanet has no lorry or theory test centre; Canterbury is the nearest theory centre and Gillingham LGV the nearest DVSA lorry test centre.
Training yards near Thanet
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartlip HGVGillingham and Queenborough start points | 27 | from £1,59516 cab hours | from £2,711 | 5/10 | 6/8 |
| Mainstream TrainingSittingbourne (Church Road) | 27 | from £1,67815 cab hours | from £2,758 | 5.5/10 | 6/8 |
| A-Class Driving SchoolGillingham, with Hartlip HGV | 27 | from £1,912 | from £2,711 | – | 7/8 |
| Learn2Pass HGVSittingbourne (Swale Way) | 28 | from £1,88218 cab hours | from £2,944 | 5/10 | 7/8 |
| HGV Training HubSittingbourne (Swale Way) | 28 | from £1,88220 cab hours | from £2,944 | 8.5/10 | 7/8 |
| Gordon Springate Transport TrainingDetling, near Maidstone | 34 | 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 | 35 |
| Lorry driving test, alternative | Thurrock LGV58.8% pass rate, 2025-26 | 48 |
| Theory test centre | Canterbury54.0% lorry multiple-choice pass rate, 2025-26 | 15 |
| Theory test centre | New Romney62.3% lorry multiple-choice pass rate, 2025-26 | 34 |
| D4 medical clinic | Drivermedics, Ashford£48 | 27 |
| D4 medical clinic | D4Drivers, Maidstone£58 | 37 |
"HGV training in Thanet" adverts
Many national companies and brokers have pages for Thanet, 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 Thanet? Herne Bay 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 Thanet?
The nearest lorry training yards to Thanet are Hartlip HGV (27 miles), Mainstream Training (27 miles), Learn2Pass HGV (28 miles), measured in a straight line from the town centre.
Where is the nearest HGV test centre to Thanet?
Gillingham LGV, about 35 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 Thanet?
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.