THERE are hundreds of HGV driver vacancies in Lancashire – and some of them are being advertised for as much as £55,000 per year.

That’s according to Indeed, where there over 584 HGV driver vacancies within 25 miles of Lancashire.

While the UK appears to be in great need of drivers, an East Lancashire-based HGV training company insists that they are busier than ever.

Here’s all you need to know about the HGV shortages – including the salary being offered in Lancashire:

Why is there a shortage of HGV drivers?

Many reasons have been listed for the estimated shortfall of around 100,000 HGV drivers - including the pandemic and Brexit.

The Road Haulage Association has previously estimated that about 20,000 European drivers have left the UK since Britain’s divorce from the European Union.

Rod McKenzie, managing director of policy and public affairs at the RHA, said: “Why would you give up a well-paid job in Europe to come and drive a truck in Britain for a very short period of time when you have to get a six-month let on a flat and go through all the hassle, initially to be chucked out on Christmas Eve, but now, we’re told, for a bit later?

“It is not an attractive offer and, effectively, what Europeans have done is kind of vote with their feet on that.”

But Mr Shapps said Brexit had enabled him to make changes to relieve the testing “bottleneck” which he would not have otherwise been able to do if Britain had still been a member of the Brussels bloc.

The Cabinet minister told Sky News: “I’ve seen people point to Brexit as if it is the culprit here. In fact, they are wrong.

“Not only are there very large and even larger shortages in other EU countries like Poland and Germany, which clearly can’t be to do with Brexit, but actually because of Brexit, I’ve been able to change the law and alter the way our driving tests operate in a way I could not have done if we were still part of the EU.

“So, Brexit actually has provided part of the solution of giving more slots available for HGV tests and there are a lot more – twice as many – tests available now than before the pandemic, a large proportion of those we’ve only been able to do because we are no longer in the EU.”

Covid-19 closed HGV testing sites, causing a backlog in those looking to take the test.

There is also an ageing workforce and the long hours with low pay – compared with rates elsewhere in Europe – have also contributed.

How much does it cost to become a HGV driver?

According to the government website, the cost of various HGV tests, cards and concession fees practical tests can cost over £300.

However, Ministers will expand a free fast-track scheme to allow up to 5,000 people to be trained as HGV drivers to alleviate the supply chain crisis.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday that 2,000 additional places would be opened up through “skills bootcamps” to boost the number of lorry drivers.

But the free courses lasting up to 16 weeks will not start until next month, meaning they will do nothing to alleviate concerns about shortages this Christmas.

Places will be offered to drivers who want to return to the profession or upgrade their licence to transport dangerous goods such as fuel, as well as to newcomers.

What does an East Lancashire HGV training company think about the shortages?

Andrea Allot, director of Ben Shaw Training Ltd, said she doesn’t understand why there is percieved 'shortage' of drivers as their training company has been “really busy”.

Ben Shaw Training Ltd is a Burnley-based company which offers HGV driver training.

Andrea said: “We sort everything for them from beginning to end.

“We give them a theory training package, help book their theories, we sort CPCs, take them for test.

“We’re busy so I don’t understand why there is a shortage of drivers to be honest”.

The company has had many success stories with many people coming to them to take their test.

She added: “Since we opened up after Covid we have actually seen an increase in people coming to us.

“We’ve had a load of passes and many of them already have jobs waiting for them.

“Some of them want to help with the shortage, others are just changing jobs and others might have lost their jobs in the pandemic and want to try something new.”

However, Andrea said that she has noticed an industry-wide problem in regards to DVLA applications.

She said:  "Everyone that’s starting to train has to do a medical and then apply to the DVLA for a license.

“That process takes approximately 2-4 weeks. I know people at the minute that have been waiting for 12 weeks and they still haven’t received it back.”

Andrea also said that HGV drivers might have left their jobs in the pandemic due to how they were treated.

She explained: “During lockdown, drivers were expected to deliver food and all of your essentials but nowhere was open for them to shower, eat and rest.”

How many HGV driver jobs are available in Lancashire?

According to leading employment website, Indeed, there a 584 HGV driver vacancies within 25 miles of Lancashire.

Some of the salaries advertised are far more expensive than the £32,500 average (data from totaljobs.com).

Of these adverts, 55 companies in and around Lancashire are offering more than £40,000 per year for drivers to come and work with them.

Nine per cent of these adverts are classified as “urgent” with drivers “urgently needed”.

A HGV Class 1 driver is needed for an Accrington-based company and they are offering between £44,000-£52,000 for the right candidate to come along.

A worker for this role is “urgently needed” to transport goods.

A Leyland-based business is also looking for a HGV Class 1 driver and they are offering as much as £55,000 per year to work five days a week installing crash barriers around the motorway.

Here are some of the Lancashire-based adverts with the highest advertised salaries (accurate at the time of writing):

HGV Class 1 driver /Grab driver, Joe Roocroft and Sons Ltd, Leyland
Salary: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Working within a highway maintenance environment you will be working as part of a team installing crash barriers and concrete barriers around the motorway network .

Knowledge of grabs/hiabs preferable but not essential . A CSCS card would also be required for this work , training for this can be arranged.

HGV Class 1 Driver, Camden Group, Lancaster
Salary: £650 - £1,122 a week

Due to our continued growth and success we are expanding our fleet and require drivers to deliver our products across the UK and Ireland to our growing number of customers.

HGV Class 1 Driver with Nights Away, Earl Transport Limited, Accrington
Salary: £40,000 per year

Due to continued expansion and growth, we have opportunities for LGV/HGV Class 1 Drivers. The role is a long-term general haulage with nights out.

HGV Class 1 Driver, Accolade Logistics Ltd, Clayton le Moors
Salary: £44,000 - £52,000 a year

We have opportunities for Class 1 drivers to join our well established family run company based in Accrington. Immediate start date available.

Class One Driver (Tramper), Kenley Warehousing & Distribution Ltd, Darwen
Salary: £40,000 - £48,000 a year

Kenley Warehousing & Distribution Ltd has been established for almost 40 years and has built a great reputation, both nationally and in the local area. Located in central Lancashire, we specialise in providing a quality warehousing and distribution services.

Due to our continued growth, we are now looking to recruit One full-time, experienced Class One LGV Tramper Driver (Tramper).