Things to Know About HGV
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) of formally known as Large Goods Vehicle, is a European term for motor vehicles carrying a massive amount of goods and is allowed to carry a gross combination mass(GCM) of over 3,500 kilograms. There are two sub-categories of HGV:

1. N2 ‘“ vehicles under this category is allowed and can carry even more massive amounts of goods up to 12,000 kilograms of weight.
2. N3 ‘“ vehicles under this category is simply the ordinary HGV that are allowed and can carry goods over 3,500 kilograms of weight.

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving is only applicable to truck drivers or lorry drivers, who are capable, qualified and licensed, and are experienced that can handle the delivery of over-the-road goods, chemicals, construction equipments, and other heavy goods. These truckers or HVG drivers must pass a certain HGV driving exam and secure a license, regardless of where their home is. A HVG driver must secure a license either one of the four different category of HGV driving.

These are the 4 categories:

1. Category C1 – or known as the HGV class 3 that is now introduced in UK. The HGV class 3 was a two-axle vehicle containing goods over 7.5 ton – 7,500 kilograms (16,535 lb); in which the holder is allowed to run an HGV with a maximum authorized mass range of 3.5 ton to 7.5 ton (3,500kg to 7,500kg) in a truck up to 750kg maximum authorized mass. This license is applicable to 18 years old and beyond. This license can be applied to drivers with N3 HGV category.
2. Category C1+E – allows the driver of a truck with a maximum authorized mass ranging to 3.5 ton – 7.5 ton (3,500kg to 7,500kg) with a truck loader over 750kg maximum authorized mass, provided that the maximum authorized mass of the truck does not overlap the maximum unlade mass of the vehicle being driven, and the merged maximum authorized mass of the two vehicle and trailer must not go above 12 ton (12,000 kilograms). This license also can be applied to drivers with N3 and N2 HGV category.  This license can be obtained at 18 years of age and beyond after passing C1.
3. Category C ‘“ or known as the HGV class 2 introduced in UK. The HGV class 2 before is categorized to any firm goods truck or trailer that exceeds two axles; allows the driver to run a vehicle weighing over 3.5 ton (3,500kg) with a truck weighing up to 750kg maximum authorized mass.
4. Category C+E ‘“ it is the newly improvised class 1 that allows the driver to run a vehicle weighing over 3.5 ton(3,500kg) with a truck that exceeds 750kg maximum authorized mass. This license can be only acquired if the driver have finished and qualified using a Class 2 truck, but today, it is changed according to the law that you can certainly apply the tests, back to back; i.e. Category C first then C+E the following week.

Trucks are not allowed to go faster that 90 km per hour (56 miles).  It is very important for HGV drivers to know the rules before driving these heavy vehicles.