Hire drivers and transport workers

Start with the driving licence

The first thing we ask is which vehicle is to be driven. That determines which driving licence the driver needs:

• Category B: vans up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight, such as for deliveries and service driving
• Category C1: lorries between 3,500 and 7,500 kg gross vehicle weight
• Category C: lorries over 3,500 kg, such as for distribution and construction site deliveries
• Category CE: lorry with a trailer or semi-trailer

If a trailer is towed behind a van, category BE may be required depending on the weight. So always state the vehicle type and gross vehicle weight in your booking.

Driver CPC, ADR and driver card

In addition to the driving licence, there are a number of certificates that are often necessary in commercial transport:

• Driver CPC (code 95): Typically required for drivers who drive lorries commercially. The certificate must be renewed with further training every five years.
• ADR certificate: Needed when transporting dangerous goods, depending on the type and quantity of goods.
• Driver card: Used in vehicles with a digital tachograph and is personal to the driver.
• Crane operator certificate: May be required if the vehicle has a crane and the driver is to operate it.

We ask about the certificates before we propose a driver. Even so, it is good practice to check the driving licence yourself at the start.

Driving and rest times are part of the plan

Lorry drivers are subject to rules on driving and rest times. This means that a driver who has just finished a long trip for someone else cannot necessarily start with you the same morning. So tell us when the route starts and finishes, and whether there is an overnight stay, so we can plan accordingly.

Experience matters as much as the paperwork

A driver who is used to urban driving with many stops is not necessarily used to reversing an articulated lorry onto a loading bay, and vice versa. So tell us if there are special conditions on the route, such as a tail lift, a refrigerated vehicle, narrow delivery addresses, a handheld terminal for signatures or customers who expect the goods to be carried inside. Then we can find a driver who already knows that type of driving.

Typical jobs

• Distribution to shops and businesses, often with an early start
• Home deliveries to private customers by van
• Driving between warehouse, terminal and customers
• Construction site deliveries of materials and containers
• Transport workers for loading, unloading and help on the route
• Transport planners who plan routes and keep in touch with drivers and customers

Many transport jobs are closely linked to the warehouse. If you also need people for loading and packing, you can read about warehousing and logistics.

What we need to know

• Vehicle, gross vehicle weight and any trailer
• What goods are being transported, and whether ADR is required
• Route area, start time and expected finish time
• Whether the driver is to load and unload
• Period and number of days per week

We find drivers among our own people and from approved partner companies. You have one contact person, and we will come back with a specific proposal before anything is agreed. Read more about hiring a driver, or send your request via Book workers.