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Create CVIf you’re searching for “HGV driver salary,” you’re not just looking for a number. You’re trying to understand what you can actually earn, how pay really works in practice, and how to position yourself for higher-paying routes, contracts, and employers.
Here’s the reality from a recruiter and hiring manager perspective:
HGV driver salaries vary massively depending on license class, route type, industry sector, shift pattern, and experience level. The difference between a low-performing candidate and a high-value driver can easily exceed €20,000+ per year.
This guide breaks down:
Real salary ranges (entry to elite drivers)
How pay is actually structured (base vs extras)
What recruiters look for in higher-paid drivers
The mistakes that keep drivers stuck at lower wages
A high-level resume example that aligns with top-paying roles
Let’s establish realistic salary expectations based on current hiring data.
€28,000 – €34,000 annually
Often limited to local routes or agency placements
Lower bargaining power due to lack of experience
€35,000 – €48,000 annually
Access to better routes, contracts, and shift options
Increased trust from employers and clients
Most candidates misunderstand this completely.
Your base salary is only one component. Real earnings come from layered compensation.
Base hourly or annual salary
Overtime (often 1.25x to 2x rate)
Night shift premiums
Weekend premiums
Per diem or travel allowances
Delivery efficiency bonuses
Recruiters consistently prioritize certain driver profiles due to operational risk and complexity.
Highest demand across Europe
Salaries often €60,000 – €90,000
Requires strict compliance and certifications
Oil, gas, chemicals
Higher liability = higher pay
€55,000 – €85,000
€50,000 – €70,000+ annually
Includes long-haul, hazardous goods, tanker, or refrigerated logistics
Often includes bonuses, overtime, and premiums
€70,000 – €95,000+ annually
Cross-border logistics, ADR-certified drivers, high-risk cargo
Often contract-based or niche industry roles
Recruiter Insight:
The salary gap is not based on years alone. It’s based on perceived reliability, compliance history, specialization, and operational efficiency.
Fuel efficiency incentives
Safety and compliance bonuses
ADR certification premiums
Refrigerated transport bonuses
Long-haul international allowances
What This Means Practically:
Two drivers with the same base salary can differ by €15,000+ annually depending on route type and incentives.
Pharmaceuticals, food supply chains
Time-sensitive deliveries
€50,000 – €75,000
Cross-border routes
Extended time away from home
€55,000 – €80,000+
Requires precision and experience
€60,000 – €95,000
Recruiter Insight:
Specialization is the fastest way to increase salary. Generalist drivers are easier to replace.
Recruiters don’t just look at your license.
License Type (Category C vs CE)
Compliance Record (accidents, violations)
Route Complexity Experience
Reliability and attendance history
Industry exposure (fuel, pharma, retail logistics)
Certifications (ADR, CPC updates)
Hiring Manager Reality:
If your CV doesn’t demonstrate trust and consistency, you will be filtered into lower-paying roles automatically.
Shift pattern dramatically impacts earnings.
Lower base pay
More predictable schedule
€30,000 – €45,000
Premium rates
Higher fatigue risk
€40,000 – €60,000
Highest hourly rates
Less competition
€45,000 – €70,000
Insight:
Candidates willing to work unpopular shifts earn significantly more.
This is one of the biggest strategic decisions.
Higher hourly rate
Less job security
Flexible work
Typical earnings:
Stable income
Benefits and pension
Lower hourly rate but consistent earnings
Typical salary:
Strategic Insight:
Top drivers often combine both models to maximize income.
This is where most drivers fail.
ADR license
Advanced CPC modules
Specialized transport endorsements
Fuel transport
Medical logistics
High-value cargo
Recruiters prioritize drivers who:
Show up consistently
Have clean compliance records
Handle pressure without issues
Most drivers lose opportunities here.
From a recruiter perspective, these are immediate red flags:
Listing duties instead of results
No mention of safety or compliance record
Missing certifications or license details
No route or cargo specialization
Generic job descriptions
Weak Example:
“Responsible for transporting goods to different locations.”
Good Example:
“Delivered time-critical refrigerated goods across EU routes with 99.8% on-time performance and zero compliance violations over 3 years.”
This is what separates €35K drivers from €70K drivers.
Clean driving record
Experience with complex routes
Evidence of reliability
Industry-specific exposure
Clear documentation of certifications
Recruiters scan your CV in 6–10 seconds.
If they don’t instantly see:
Trustworthiness
Competence
Specialization
You get filtered into lower-paying roles.
High-paying employers don’t hire drivers. They hire risk-reduction assets.
To position yourself:
Highlight safety metrics
Show operational efficiency
Demonstrate consistency
Emphasize high-value cargo experience
Insight:
You are not selling driving skills. You are selling reliability and risk management.
Candidate Name: Michael van Dijk
Job Title: Senior HGV Class CE Driver
Location: Netherlands (EU Cross-Border)
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced HGV Class CE driver with 8+ years of cross-border logistics experience specializing in refrigerated and ADR-regulated cargo. Proven track record of 99.7% on-time delivery performance, zero compliance violations, and consistent operational efficiency across high-pressure EU routes. Recognized for reliability, safety adherence, and ability to manage complex delivery schedules.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Long-Haul EU Logistics
ADR Certified Transport
Refrigerated Goods Handling
Route Optimization
Compliance & Safety Standards
Time-Critical Deliveries
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior HGV Driver | International Logistics Group | 2020 – Present
Delivered pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive cargo across Germany, Belgium, and France
Maintained 100% compliance with EU driving regulations and safety standards
Reduced delivery delays by 18% through route optimization strategies
Achieved zero incident record over 4 years of high-volume operations
HGV Driver | Regional Transport Solutions | 2017 – 2020
Managed national and cross-border deliveries for retail and FMCG clients
Maintained 99% on-time delivery rate across 250+ annual routes
Recognized for reliability and assigned priority routes
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
HGV Class CE License
ADR Certification (Hazardous Materials)
Driver CPC (Up-to-date)
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Zero accidents across 8 years of driving
99.7% on-time delivery rate
Trusted with high-value and sensitive cargo routes
It’s not luck.
It’s positioning, specialization, and trust.
Drivers who:
Invest in certifications
Choose the right sectors
Present themselves correctly on their CV
Consistently outperform others in salary.
False. Without specialization, salary plateaus quickly.
Completely wrong. Industry and cargo type matter more than distance.
No. They care about risk, reliability, and performance signals.
The market is shifting.
Driver shortages increasing wages
Automation not replacing long-haul complexity yet
Compliance becoming stricter
Specialized drivers becoming more valuable
Projection:
Top-tier drivers will continue to command premium salaries due to supply-demand imbalance.
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