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Is Truck Driving Still Worth It in 2026? The Honest Truth

Luke C in a HGV

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What is it really like being an HGV driver in 2026? Join me on a delivery to Hyde Park as I answer some of the most common questions about the job.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:10 Making a Delivery to EPG in Frome

04:22 What Sort of Money Do HGV Drivers Make?

07:20 The Cost of Getting an HGV Licence

09:38 What Are the Responsibilities of an HGV Driver?

11:24 Quick Break Before Heading into London

12:40 The Essential New Truckers Handbook

13:11 Driving the A40 into London on the Way to Hyde Park for BST Festival

13:54 What Fines Can HGV Drivers Get?

15:40 What Risks Are There Being an HGV Driver?

20:15 What Do I Like About Driving Trucks?

21:38 What's It Like Having a Family Whilst Being an HGV Driver?

23:13 How Do I Balance Work and Home Life?

24:43 Arriving at Hyde Park for BST Festival

28:38 Leaving Hyde Park

29:08 What Does Social Media Do for the HGV Industry?

31:18 Has the Industry Become Easier Than It Used to Be?

33:04 Has the Industry Improved Since I Got My Licence in 2016?

34:22 What Is Good About the HGV Industry?

36:14 Is Trucking in 2026 Still Worth It?

37:48 Do I See Myself Still Driving in 10 Years?

40:26 Questions for You

42:04 Outro

Welcome to Luke C in a HGV!

I'm Luke, a UK HGV driver sharing the reality of life on the road. From daily vlogs and unusual deliveries to industry news, truck driving tips and behind the scenes content, you'll see what it's really like behind the wheel.

Whether you're a fellow driver, thinking about getting your HGV licence, or simply curious about the transport industry, you're in the right place.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Whether you're looking to get into the HGV industry, you're new to the industry, or you simply want to refresh and improve your existing knowledge, then consider purchasing The Essential New Truckers Handbook by Malcolm Green. It's packed with useful information for both new and experienced drivers.

If you're interested, take a look on Amazon and read the 5 star reviews for yourself:

https://amzn.to/4bEWtk2

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Luke C in a HGV

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20 Comments

@anthony1636 3 months ago

Lets get straight to the chase. Driving any HGV is not a normal Job. And it takes a certain type of person to make ago of it. And after 45 years in the Transport industry I think I have the experience to give an honest opinion.
First and foremost this job will not suit everybody. And I have every respect for anybody who gives it a try but decides it is not for them. I cannot abide by those who complain and moan because they do not have the attitude to Drive HGVs. And as I have said its clearly not for everybody.
My main bit of advice for any body thinking of becoming a HGV driver. If you want an 8 to 5 working day then forget it. What you will require is Flexibility, start and finish times will change everyday. And you have to have the ability to work to a very rough schedule that can and will change not just daily but in may cases hourly. But if are happy to use your own initiative and able to work around problems then it could be for you.
Like everything in life NOTHING is perfect. But I would sooner be on my own and see a changing outlook everyday. Than be sat at a desk or pressing buttons in a factory looking at the same four walls. It works for me...

@williamfence566 3 months ago (edited)

Retired 2 years ago . Last job class 2 no nights out 45-50 hours per week £18.91ph. still had drivers moaning every shift.
I liked getting paid to listen to podcasts 😁

@PaulGraham-q4i 3 months ago

I got out of HGV driving just over 3 years now from curtain siders and being away all week to skip wagons , hiab work and tipper work and don't miss it at all, my main problem is greedy bosses putting more and more work on the drivers and paying the drivers as little as they can, now coming up to 61 I'm semi retired and drive a school bus as I'd rather have quality of life rather than chasing the money.

@castlebilliards8712 12 days ago

I only started in the industry last week. My very first time in my life being in a truck on my own and I was doing multi drop in a truck nearly twice the size of what I did my lessons and test in. It was terrifying tbh. Friday was my second shift and I also struggled. I messed up on my tachograph both days and just worked through most of my break,mostly due to feeling under pressure and knowing I was behind. I'm going to still give it a go next week. I won't be breaking the tacho rules again no matter how far behind I am. If it doesn't work out for me I'll just go back to my old job but I'm hopeful it that it gets easier

@Henrypritchett-g1n 3 months ago

Had more good times than bad in my 44years on the road traffic was the main problem when I retired 9 years ago when I was was 67

@PaoraHira-q7j 3 months ago

I drove trucks for 24 years on and off 6 wheeler 8 wheeler truck and trailer B Train 18 speed from Tippers to Tankers Curtainsiders retired on a 8 wheeler concrete mixer truck my only regret is I wished I started young say in me
20th I think i would of clocked 40 years plus.During the Christmas holidays I would take off 2 weeks break sometimes I couldn't wait to get back to work I loved driving everywhere sitting up high in my cab looking down at the cars it felt inferior I loved the sound of the Jakes blah blah blahing down the hills the air horn blaaaaa splitting the 18 speed manual gearbox nothing could replace them days now in my 70th due health issues those days are just memories ✅

@thomasgarwell8214 3 months ago (edited)

First of all, what a brilliant video. I was married for 44 years before my hubby passed away, and he had done shift work all his working life. He's had a few jobs, all shift work, and at one job, each month, I would not see him for a whole week because he'd gone to work just before I got home from my job, and he'd come home just after I left in the morning. I accepted it. I'd been used to it all my life as my dad was also a shift worker, doing the usual three shifts of 10-2 (mornings); 10-7 (nights); 7-2 (afternoons). I would listen to others who talking about their partners on shifts and they hated it and missed them. Didn't bother me in the least. My parents never attended any events I was in at school, never bothered me. Although it didn't help that back in the 1960s (when I attended school), my parents couldn't afford cars, so it was buses, and during winter time getting a bus, then a good half mile walk to the actual school wasn't good when it was freezing cold, raining or snowing. Not good, so I never expected it, and never missed it. You saying about your grandad saying there was ice inside the truck, I'm now 72, and back in the 1950s, through the night, we had ice on the inside of the windows of our bedrooms. I would scrape the frost off, it was so bitterly cold. No central heating in those days, we had hot water bottles, and that was it. Talking about London. I visited in June of last year, and went into Green Park amongst other places. I walked across the park to Buckingham Palace, and the last time I visited London must be around 15 years ago, and it was so quiet compared to back then. I was shuffling to get past people, but this time, not many people about, hardly any tourists. To your questions at the end. Is the industry worth it? First of all, its very hard to get a job that you enjoy, if you are lucky enough to find one, then yes, it is worth it, even if the pay is poor or sky high. My hubby did his six year apprenticeship in painting and decorating back in the 1950s. He told me that when he finished (he did it at Salford City Council), he worked for a couple of years, then volunteered to join the Army (it was either volunteer or two years National Service). He stayed in for nine years, then went into security jobs when he left up to when he retired. He loved it. The only time he did painting and decorating was doing family favours, me, my mum, his mum, and eventually his kids🤣

@colineastham4578 3 months ago

Hello Luke , Im 73 , I have been a driver most of my my life from taxi driver to van driver to 7.5 ton driver to Class 2 driver, to Class 1 driver., I’ve done it all. I’ve just watched and enjoyed your video about, is it worth it being an HGV driver in 2026.I can definitely most definitely it is not. Follow your Wedding and Events business, and you will make much more money, forget HGV driving it will only get worse, and all your efforts are going to your employer. Colin Eastham . Wigan.

@jimandali0 2 months ago

Stress with other road user, Stress with finding a safe tachograph place to park, fitting in breaks and Stress with getting the days work done.

@richardpalmer2841 3 months ago

Well made video Luke of the pro&cons of driving a hgv👍👍👍👍

@Billspiby 3 months ago

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Luke. I did 10 years of hgv class one general haulage with companies 'taking liberties' with my so-called contract.
Good luck, lad, with your future weddings.

@brianbarlow-se2mr 2 months ago

Great video.
I personally think there's no better job in the world if you like your own company. Especially in the summer. The industry is what it is, and trucking will always be there as everything you see and touch has been on a lorry.
I have my own truck, and i hire a trailer. Good money is there to be made, but you have to spend money on your tractor unit, no matter what maintenance item crops up. Eventually, if you don't thrash your truck, let the engine and transmission do what its supposed to do, 56mph empty, 54mph loaded will return good mpg and keep profits up.
Look after your lorry, and it will look after you. .

@statesidestan 3 months ago

Excellent video and was it therapy for you. Getting stuff off your chest and explaining how difficult things are today. I’m a driver for a supermarket and roads , traffic , cyclists and deadlines are an everyday issue

@SamuelRWB 3 months ago (edited)

Just started 3 weeks ago, failed my test first time, passed the second time with some pass protection, the whole cost of the license, not including the days of work lost was £2675. My first Job is night work, typically 10-11-hour shifts, driving class 2 rigids, 3-4 drops a night of 13-17 pallets loaded and unloaded myself with a pump truck. Earning anywhere from £160- £205 a night, depending on how timing works out. Really happy compared to my old job of appliance installation around central London, lugging fridge freezers up 5 flights of stairs 5-6 times a day and then installing too for around £1600-£1800 a month. Now getting paid weekly. Been well worth it for my situation. Was really stressful at first learning the routine of filling out my vehicle checks and paperwork not to mention a few slip-ups on the tacho and getting comfortable/experienced behind the wheel but I would encourage new drivers like me it does get better with exsperience.

@KabukuKabuku-o8q 2 months ago

Learning from legends, Zambia.

@leebrown6321 13 days ago

Spot on Luke

@nigelwhitehouse282 3 months ago

Good vlog , about time you renegociated your contract ,

@AlanGray-qk5ne 3 months ago

I remember when, a few years ago, when new rules came in that basically we as HGV drivers we are the top or bottom, depending on how you look at it, of the pyramid and we have to watch out for everyone else.

@trevornelmes9331 3 months ago

Yeah. It had become pants pay when I left, and that was 25 years ago. I went to work morning shifts (so, started the same time as I had previously had to be at the yard) at what is now a Co-op cold store, filling the wire cages with fruit and veg. I finished at 1pm, got paid more for the day (way more). If I did any overtime, I got paid for that. Company was great to work for, closer to home. I was gaining weight driving, I lost so much weight, became a lot fitter in working the warehouse. I got to see my wife and young daughter. I actually got to collect my daughter from daycare and later, school.

Best decision I ever made.

@Nickschannel2023_uk 2 months ago

Love the videos bro! I passed in 2023 when I just needed an income and fancied a go. Cut my teeth on the lowest pay running fridges, went to curtains on general, back to fridges, back to general curtains and bulkers and finally settled down back on supermarket fridge work. Yes I go to the same places with regular monotony, but I have a radio, music and an open road so I’m generally not fussed. I get paid by the hour for every hour, more on sat or sun and unsocial hours. Top payers are the likes of Tesco and sainsbury, but those depots are too far to drive to. However my son does. One four week period on 4 day nights, he took home over 3k. He does a quarter of the miles, but does have all the manual handling of cages. Me? I hook up, take a load out, grab a reload (sometimes) and come back and drop it. I’ve tipped trays twice in 7 months. Easy job and at 55, 3 days a week, pays enough. You are incredibly undervalued in what you do. At your age, I’d be running nights for Tesco DCs and enjoying 25 an hour ;)