Class 1 vs Class 2: Which HGV Licence Do You Need?

Class 1 or Class 2? Compared on cost, jobs, pay and how long each takes, so you can pick the right one first time.

The short version: Class 2 lets you drive a rigid lorry over 3.5 tonnes. Class 1 lets you drive an articulated lorry at up to 44 tonnes, and it includes everything Class 2 covers.

You cannot take Class 1 without passing Class 2 first — but you do not have to stop in between. That single fact decides the route for most people, so we will come back to it.

Class 1 vs Class 2 at a glance

What you drive. Class 2 is a rigid lorry — cab and body in one fixed unit, no bend in the middle. Class 1 is an artic — tractor unit pulling a separate trailer on a fifth wheel.

Official name. Class 2 is Category C. Class 1 is Category C+E.

What it costs with us. Class 2 is £1,195 + VAT training, £1,644 all in. The Class 1 upgrade is £1,295 + VAT training, £1,709 all in. Car to Class 1 as one continuous course is £2,706 all in.

Training time. Five days each. Six to ten weeks end to end for Class 2, eight to twelve weeks for the full car-to-artic route.

Typical pay in Kent. Around £42,000 for Class 2. Over £40,000 for Class 1, rising to £55,000–£60,000 with experience on artics.

The lifestyle. Class 2 is mostly local and regional work, home most nights. Class 1 is more distance work, more nights away, higher ceiling.

Can you go straight to Class 1?

Not in a single test. Category C+E legally requires you to already hold Category C, so everyone passes Class 2 first. Any provider telling you otherwise is describing a different thing.

What you can do is take both stages back to back as one programme. That is what our Car to Class 1 course is: Category C and Category C+E run continuously, no pause to find rigid work in between. It is faster and cheaper than booking the two stages separately.

So the honest answer is: you cannot skip Class 2, but you never have to stop at it.

Which one should you actually take?

Take Class 2 if you want a paid driving job as quickly and cheaply as possible, you want to be home most evenings, or you are drawn to construction, waste, supermarket delivery or multi-drop work. Plenty of drivers stay on Class 2 for their whole career by choice, not because they got stuck.

Take Class 1 if you already know you want artic work, you are chasing the highest earnings, or you want the widest choice of employers. Trunking, supermarket distribution and long-distance haulage all recruit for C+E.

Take Car to Class 1 if you have decided on artics and you are starting from a car licence. Doing both stages in one go costs less than doing them a year apart.

There is no wrong first step here. Class 2 is never wasted, because it is a prerequisite for Class 1 either way.

Is the extra money worth it?

The Class 1 upgrade costs around £1,700 all in and typically adds several thousand a year to your earning potential, so on paper it pays for itself quickly.

The part that does not show up on a spreadsheet is time. Artic work generally means longer runs and more nights away from home. Some drivers happily trade that for the money. Others take one look at tramping and stay on rigid work permanently. Neither is wrong, and we would rather you knew that before you paid us.

What about the other licence categories?

Class 1 and Class 2 are not the only options, and for some people they are the wrong ones.

C1 covers 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes — ambulances, couriers, horseboxes. Cheaper and quicker than Class 2, and if you passed your car test before 1997 you may already have it.

PCV Category D is buses and coaches. Completely separate from HGV, and you can go straight to it from a car licence.

D1 is minibuses up to 16 seats — schools, care work, community transport.

Frequently asked questions

Is Class 1 or Class 2 higher?

Class 1 is the higher licence. It contains Class 2, so a Class 1 driver can legally drive any rigid lorry as well.

Can I upgrade from Class 2 to Class 1 later?

Yes, and many drivers do. The upgrade is five days of training and one practical test. Your medical and provisional entitlement carry over, though a theory pass expires after two years.

Which is easier to pass?

Class 2. The Class 1 reversing exercise is harder because the trailer pivots, and there is coupling and uncoupling to learn on top. Drivers who already hold Class 2 usually find the on-road part straightforward.

Do I need Driver CPC for both?

Yes, for professional driving on either. It is one qualification covering all categories, not one per licence. Driver CPC has not been scrapped.

Where will I train and test?

Training is at our Sittingbourne centre on full-size vehicles. You test at the Gillingham DVSA test centre, on routes you have already driven during training.

Where to start

If you want Class 2, our Category C course is the fastest route to a paid driving job.

If you already hold Class 2, the Category C+E upgrade is five days.

If you are starting from a car licence and you want artics, Car to Class 1 does both stages in one programme.

Still not sure? Call 01795 667 008. We will ask what hours you want to work and what you want to earn, and tell you which licence fits — including when the cheaper one is the right answer.

Nicky Birch

VP of Marketing