The Daily Challenges Faced By UK HGV Drivers

For most people, being an HGV driver can be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. However, there are also some challenges as part of this role.

There are many things that HGV drivers must navigate each day in addition to the roads themselves, so here, FleetEx takes a look at some of the most common hurdles they are likely to face on a daily basis and find the best ways to deal with them.

Driver shortages

The HGV industry has been suffering a severe driver shortage for some time, creating several difficulties in the supply chain. This has been due to a combination of the impact of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and an ageing workforce that could not be replaced as quickly as we would have liked due to delays that the lockdown created in relation to driver training and testing.

This has meant that drivers have been under increased pressure to pick up the shortfall, leading to tighter deadlines and longer working hours that proved to be incredibly stressful.

Thankfully, the tide is now turning due to some government-linked recruitment campaigns. These have aimed to fill the gaps in the driver market by encouraging people from different backgrounds to take up the career and streamlining the testing processes to help get qualified HGV drivers out on the road as quickly as possible.

Changing regulations

An HGV can be an incredibly dangerous thing, so there are a lot of regulations involved in this industry. It is crucial that all truck drivers are compliant with these laws, but keeping up with them can be a full-time job.

There are regular changes in legislation relating to things like driver hours, tachograph usage, driver training and vehicle admissions that both employers and drivers need to be aware of.

The penalties for failing to comply with these rules can be significant and ignorance is never considered an adequate defence, so it is important to make sure that all drivers are aware of any changes that might affect them.

Traffic issues

As you might imagine, one of the biggest headaches for an HGV driver is the traffic that they will face all day, every day. Congestion seems to be a growing problem and the delays that this can cause will impact on delivery schedules as well as leading to drivers feeling more stressed and fatigued.

It can be difficult to predict which areas are likely to be snarled up, and sometimes they cannot be avoided, but investing in a good sat nav system can be a game changer. These are now incredibly advanced and are aware of many of the traffic hotspots as they change, which gives drivers the opportunity to recalculate their routes and take roads that cut out a lot of the queues.

Mental and physical health

Many jobs can take their toll on your health if you are not careful, and HGV drivers are not immune from this. Sitting in one place all day with no company, no fresh food, and an awful lot of stress can impact on your body and mind. This means they can often feel the impact of a poor diet, both in their weight and the condition of their heart, and many can suffer from back or joint pains due to being sedentary for long periods of time. Working as an HGV driver can be a very lonely job, with a lot of stress involved and so many can find themselves suffering with things like anxiety and fatigue.

Drivers are now becoming more aware of things they can do to improve their diets and so are stocked up on healthier food and drink and also give themselves opportunities for rest spots where they can get out and stretch their legs to get a bit of exercise.

There are also many tools on the market that can help improve the posture of an HGV driver to help take away some of their aches and pains.

In addition to this, advancements in technology mean that HGV drivers can keep in touch with family and loved ones at all times so that they are never left feeling completely alone.

Infrastructure issues

The UK relies on the work that HGV drivers do, but we can often lack the infrastructure they need to do their job properly. There are many roads which are still unsuitable for HGVs due to them being too narrow or having low bridges in place, which can mean that the fastest route is not always the best.

This means a lot of planning needs to go into a route to help avoid these areas and making sure your sat nav knows the type of vehicle that you are driving can also help.

Parking can also become an issue. Whilst motorway services often have copious amounts of truck parking, areas that are a little more off the beaten track do not. This can impact on the safety of a driver and their load, and they can be stuck trying to find somewhere that offers a safe and well-lit space to take a break and get some refreshments.

Time management

Time management can be a very important skill for an HGV driver as you will need to plan your routes to ensure that you can reach your destination in adequate time. This can often be turned on its head with some unexpected road works or a change in weather conditions, so it is essential that you are able to be adaptable and find a new but safe way to get there on time.

Being an HGV driver can be a fantastic role, and there are some huge advantages to it. No job is free from its daily struggles, so understanding what an HGV driver is likely to face can help to manage expectations and find ways to deal with these issues.

Some careful planning and investment in the right tools and equipment can be extremely helpful in getting through the day successfully and happily so that each driver can feel like it has been a job well done.