The UK continues to struggle with a shortage of large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers, a shortage that will peak in 2021 when the country will have a shortfall of over 100,000 qualified drivers, according to Nationwide Vehicle Contracts after analysing figures from the DVSA. Despite an increase in the number of LGV tests, the demand for drivers will still not be met by 2024. LGVs, which are classified as trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500kg, require drivers to pass a series of tests and undergo additional training every five years.
Concerns persist as the driver pool ages, with 55% of HGV drivers currently aged between 50 and 65, suggesting that many will retire in the next decade. Meanwhile, less than 2% of drivers are under the age of 25, creating potential challenges for UK businesses, especially during peak times such as Christmas when supermarkets rely on timely stock transportation, the organisation warns.
LGV driving test data: Most and least successful centres
A recent analysis by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts highlights the LGV driving test pass rates across the UK, identifying where drivers are most likely to pass. From 2022 to 2023, Yeading in London was the most frequently used test centre, conducting 4,708 tests, with Featherstone and Atherton following with 4,581 and 4,250 tests, respectively. However, success rates varied considerably across locations.
Top test centres for pass rates
Ipswich topped the list for LGV driving test pass rates, achieving an 80.8% pass rate in 2024, with 1,551 of the 1,920 drivers tested passing. Kilmarnock in Scotland ranked second, with a pass rate of 75.9%, and Heads of the Valleys in South Wales placed third, with a pass rate of 75.4%. Poole and Bristol (Kingswood) also featured in the top five, with pass rates of 74.1% and 72.3%, respectively.
| Rank | Location | Tests Conducted | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | Ipswich | 1,920 | 80.8 |
| 2 | Kilmarnock LGV | 1,101 | 75.9 |
| 3 | Heads of the Valleys | 560 | 75.4 |
| 4 | Poole | 688 | 74.1 |
| 5 | Bristol (Kingswood) | 3,113 | 72.3 |
Test centres with the lowest pass rates
Birmingham’s CRH Transport Training recorded the lowest pass rate at 40.1%, while GTG West Midlands in Wolverhampton followed with a pass rate of 43.4%. Featherstone, one of the most popular centres, reported a pass rate of only 44.6%, placing it among the lowest in the UK.
| Rank | Location | Tests Conducted | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | CRH Transport Training | 720 | 40.1 |
| 2 | GTG (West Midlands) | 778 | 43.4 |
| 3 | Featherstone | 4,581 | 44.6 |
| 4 | Birmingham (Garretts Green) | 3,065 | 44.8 |
| 5 | Leicester (Cannock Street) | 1,808 | 47.0 |
The disparity in pass rates across UK testing centres points to potential challenges for aspiring LGV drivers, with some centres offering considerably higher success rates than others, says Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. This ongoing shortage and the testing landscape may impact UK businesses reliant on LGV drivers for logistics and supply chain operations, particularly during high-demand periods.