You're a professional driver, out there in the thick of it. You have to be one of the best in the world to make it out there.

To be a professional lorry driver you need demanding driving skills - you have to 'think truck'. That is thinking continuously about your trucks weight, length, height, and any combinations.

As with a car, when driving you do two things. According to the circumstances, you can change the vehicles speed and direction.

Before changing speed, you have to think early about the kinetic energy. That is the energy held by a moving vehicle that must be reduced in plenty of time by braking well before stopping. It takes a lorry much longer to stop than a car.

Before changing direction the effects of centrifugal force on the lorry and the load have to be anticipated very early. Goods must be loaded correctly to ensure stability and control.

As a trucker you must have a good working knowledge to deal with the enormous numbers of regulations that apply to your work. Driver's hours and tachographs; domestic and European Community rules; loading and unloading restrictions; safe working practices. The security of your vehicle and its load is another one of your responsibilities.

A comprehensive and practical understanding of the UK Highway Code and where you are driving abroad, the rules of the road in other countries is a basic 'must'. New drivers entering the industry may be trained by their employers, otherwise learning needs to take place through a commercial Driving School. There is now a voluntary register of Large Goods Vehicle instructors administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Details of this are on their website.

How to start your career as a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver
If you're considering entering the profession to get your LGV provisional licence entitlement begin with having to comply with the strict health and medical standards that apply to all lorry drivers. You will need to take a Theory Test before the practical. If you want to drive articulated lorries you must pass your test on a rigid vehicle first. Details of the entry examination are on DSA website.

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