Cat C or Cat C+E? Class 2 vs Class 1

People get lost in the letters. Cat C is Class 2. Cat C+E is Class 1. That is the main choice for most HGV training in the UK.

Class 2, the rigid truck

A Class 2 lorry has the load on the same vehicle. Think supermarket multi-drop, refuse, building supplies, local work. Hours can be more regular. A lot of people start here if they want to stay closer to home.

Typical Class 2 pay across the UK often sits around £29,000 to £45,000 a year, depending on shifts and overtime.

Class 1, the trailer

Class 1 means you can pull a trailer. That is artic work. Trunking, nights, longer runs. The money is usually better. Typical Class 1 pay often sits around £38,000 to £58,000 or more if you do nights and overtime.

It is more lorry. It is also more responsibility. Not everyone wants that in week one.

Which one should you pick?

Ask yourself:

• Do you want to be home most nights, or is extra pay worth nights away?
• Are you happy starting on Class 2 and adding Class 1 later?
• Is there Class 1 work near you, or is it mostly rigid work?

There is no prize for picking the “bigger” licence if you will hate the hours.

Can you do Class 1 first?

Sometimes, yes. It depends on you, the yard, and the work you want. We will tell you straight if Class 2 is the smarter first step.

Talk it through

Have a look at our licence pages, then leave your number. We will match the licence to the job you actually want, not a glossy job title.