How to get an HGV licence: every step, in order
From a car licence to driving a lorry for work: the medical, the provisional licence, four tests, and how long each step takes.
Short answer
You need a full car licence and to be at least 18. Get a D4 medical, send it to DVLA with the D2 form to get a provisional lorry licence, then pass four tests: theory (Part 1), case studies (Part 2), the driving tests (Part 3) and a practical demonstration (Part 4).
In Kent a Class 2 licence costs £1,373 to £3,272 all in, with 15 to 24 hours in the cab. The main waits are about 3 weeks for the provisional licence and about 2.5 weeks for a driving test, so it can all be done in a couple of months.
Before you start: age and licence
- You need a full car licence.
- You can drive a lorry for work from 18 if you get the full Driver CPC, which is how almost everyone qualifies. Without Driver CPC, the minimum age for Class 2 and Class 1 is 21.
- You can get a 7.5 tonne (C1) licence from 18.
- If you're under 21, 4 or more penalty points on your licence stops you holding lorry entitlement. Points and HGV licences.
The steps
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Get a D4 medical
A doctor checks your eyesight and health on form D4. It costs £45 to £66 in Kent and is valid for 4 months. What's checked, and Kent prices.
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Apply for your provisional lorry licence
Send the D2 form and the D4 to DVLA with your photocard licence. It's free, and DVLA says it should take up to 3 weeks; in early 2026 postal lorry and bus applications averaged about 3 to 6 working days, but cases where DVLA checks a medical condition took 42 to 56 working days. Ticking category C gives you provisional entitlement for C1, C1+E, C and C+E.
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Pass the theory test (Part 1)
Two parts, booked once you have your provisional licence. Multiple choice: 100 questions in 1 hour 55 minutes, pass mark 85 (£26). Hazard perception: 19 video clips, pass mark 67 out of 100 (£11). The certificate lasts 2 years, and you must pass the driving tests within that time.
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Pass the case studies test (Part 2)
Seven case studies based on real situations, 50 questions in 1 hour 15 minutes, pass mark 40 (£23). You can take it before or after the theory test.
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Train in the truck
This is where most of your money goes and where courses differ most. Ask for the cab hours in writing and whether it's one-to-one or shared. Compare every Kent course.
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Pass the driving tests (Part 3)
Part 3a is the off-road exercises: an S-shaped reverse into a bay, and uncoupling and recoupling if you're taking Class 1 (up to £40). Part 3b is about an hour of road driving with vehicle safety questions: you pass with 12 or fewer driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults (£115). You must pass 3b within 6 months of 3a. Your school usually books these tests with your permission, but you can book the on-road test yourself on GOV.UK; the 2026 learner-only booking rules apply to car tests, not lorry tests. Where Kent learners take their tests.
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Pass the practical demonstration (Part 4)
You show you can keep the vehicle and load safe: at least 15 out of 20 in each of five topics, and 80 out of 100 overall (£55). It must be passed within 2 years of Part 2.
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Get your cards
Your Driver CPC card should arrive within 20 days of passing your last test, and you can drive for work while you wait. A first digital tachograph card costs £32 from DVLA.
How long it takes
| Step | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Medical | Book with a clinic or GP; the form is valid for 4 months |
| Provisional licence | About 3 weeks, longer if DVLA checks your health |
| Theory and case studies | A few weeks of revision; you can retake after 3 clear working days |
| Training | 15 to 24 hours for Class 2, 24 to 35 for car to Class 1 |
| Driving test wait | DVSA's average wait for a lorry test was 2.5 weeks in 2025 to 2026 |
What it costs
DVSA test fees for a Class 2 licence come to £270 on a weekday, the same wherever you train. Add the medical, about £58, and the training. The full cost in Kent, or check a quote you've been given.
Class 2 first, or straight to Class 1?
Since November 2021 you can go straight from a car licence to Class 1 (C+E) with one set of tests, which usually costs less than doing Class 2 and then the upgrade. Class 1 or Class 2: which to get.
Do I need Driver CPC?
If you'll drive a lorry for work, yes. You don't need Parts 2 and 4 if you'll only drive for non-commercial reasons, or carry your own work materials and driving is less than 30% of your working time. Once qualified, you need 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep driving professionally.
After you pass
Many fleet insurers prefer drivers with about two years' experience, which can make the first job harder to find. It's industry practice, not law. Ask a training provider what help it gives with finding work, and which employers it works with. HGV driver pay and your first job.
Related: Provisional licence rules · Automatic or manual? · How the tests are marked · Medical conditions · CPC Module 2 and 4 · Already a bus driver?
Common questions
How old do you have to be to get an HGV licence?
18, if you take the full Driver CPC, which is how almost everyone who drives for work qualifies. Without Driver CPC the minimum age for Class 2 and Class 1 is 21. You can get a 7.5 tonne (C1) licence from 18. You need a full car licence first.
How long does it take to get an HGV licence?
The main waits are about 3 weeks for DVLA to issue the provisional licence and about 2.5 weeks for a lorry driving test (DVSA's 2025 to 2026 average). Training itself takes a few days to two weeks, so the whole process can take a couple of months.
What tests do you need to pass for an HGV licence?
Four: the theory test (multiple choice and hazard perception), the Driver CPC case studies test, the driving tests (off-road exercises and on-road driving) and the Driver CPC practical demonstration. DVSA fees total £270 on a weekday.
Can I go straight from a car licence to Class 1?
Yes. Since November 2021 you can go straight from a car licence to Class 1 (C+E) with one set of tests, without passing Class 2 first.