Category C (Class 2) - Rigid lorry licence

Start your HGV career with the most accessible lorry licence.

  • Drive rigid HGVs up to 32 tonnes, the lorries used across logistics, distribution, construction and retail delivery.
  • The most accessible entry route into professional driving, with steady, well-paid work.
  • A recognised, transferable qualification that employers are actively hiring for nationwide.
  • One licence, thousands of jobs across the UK.
  • BostonBoston - Lincolnshire
  • ChevronFlint - Flintshire
  • Green PassPreston - Lancashire
  • The HGV SchoolWolverhampton - West Midlands
  • Peter SmytheBury St Edmunds - Suffolk
  • Peter SmytheGuildford - Surrey
  • Peter SmytheHandsworth - South Yorkshire
  • Peter SmytheLeighton Buzzard - Bedfordshire
  • Peter SmytheOxford - Oxfordshire
  • Peter SmytheSutton-in-Ashfield - Nottinghamshire
  • Peter SmytheWatnall - Nottinghamshire
  • PJEHereford - Herefordshire
  • Core Includes Starter Pack and Initial CPC. (Deposit unavailable, requires payment in full) £1,945 £2,744

    Save £799

  • Course only Only the course is included. No medical, theory test, or paperwork. (Deposit unavailable, requires payment in full) £1,725
  • Pay in full
  • Deposit onlybalance required 14 days before course start date
Price You pay £1,945.00 Compare at price £2,744.00

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How It Works

Step 1

Medical

A medical will be booked on your behalf by our team. You will receive your licence upgrade pack when you come in (or we can help you order this online), including the paperwork that needs to be completed.

Step 2

Theory Revision

While you’re waiting for your licence to be approved by the DVLA, we’ll provide you with both face to face and online revision to help prepare for your theory tests.

Step 3

Theory Test

Once your licence has been returned, you can contact us to book your theory tests. This includes both the multiple choice, hazard perception, and CPC where required, with our team on hand if you need any support.

Step 4

Practical

Our team can now book all practical HGV training, test dates and any other relevant CPC training needed. We can offer convenient training locations across the UK.

Why Choose Category C Licence Training?

A Category C licence is the qualification that gets most drivers into the industry and keeps them in steady, well-paid work. Here's what it puts within reach:

Wider Job Opportunities

Gain access to driving roles across logistics, construction, distribution and retail.

A Trusted Entry Route

Category C is the most popular first step into professional HGV driving.

Pathway to Class 1

Hold Cat C and you can progress to a Category C+E licence.

Employment Demand

Skilled HGV drivers are in high demand, offering long-term job security.

What Can You Drive With a Category C Licence?

Think large rigid lorries: the kind you see making supermarket deliveries, supplying building sites, collecting waste or moving fuel and food around the country. It is the licence that gets you into the industry, and it opens up a wide range of work straight away, because rigid lorries are used in almost every sector that moves goods. Much of this work is local or regional, which means you can earn a solid wage driving a serious vehicle while still getting home most nights, rather than spending your life on the road.

A Category C licence covers rigid lorries over 3,500kg, with no upper weight limit on the vehicle, plus a small trailer up to 750kg. It also includes smaller 7.5 tonne lorries, so you are not limited to one type of work and can move between roles as your experience grows. From there, it is also the natural stepping stone to a Category C+E licence and the larger vehicles that come with it.

Requirements

1

Be at least 18 years old to start your training

2

Have a UK car driving licence

3

Ensure your photo card licence is in date

Real Drivers. Real Career Changes.

See how people from all backgrounds have trained with Lifft and transformed their careers.

image of HGV trainee stood with HGV vehicle in field

Sarah

Fully-qualified at just 21

“I love the independence it gives me. I get given my jobs list and left to crack on.”

Image of Geoff stoof in front of white HGV's used in transport training

Geoff

Now in International Events Logistics

“I always prefer family-run businesses where possible, because you usually get better service and care - and that was absolutely true here.”

Image of Lindy in front of a green HGV after passing her HGV training course with Lifft

Lindy

Horse owner

“The training and test were straightforward and, although an established driver, it has increased my confidence.”

Martin

Upskilled from Cat C

“The training from Clarke was superb he really made me feel confident, relaxed and ready for my reverse test.”

Image of Alex in front of two blue HGVs after passing HGV training course with Lifft

Alex

New Driver

“I looked around a lot...
I am truly glad I went with The HGV School.”

Image of Aimie sat in blue HGV after passing HGV training course with Lifft

Aimie

Bootcamp Graduate

“I honestly enjoyed the entire experience, from my first interaction with the instructors, it was tons of fun!”

What vehicles can I drive with a Class 2 licence?

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With a Class 2 licence, also known as Category C, you can drive rigid-body vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. You can also tow a trailer up to 750kg, with the maximum weight of the HGV including the contents being 32 tonnes.

How does Lifft differ from other Category C (Class 2) licence training?

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At Lifft, we have operated in the transport industry for 25 years and are privileged to have a team of highly experienced instructors to help people qualify both quickly and confidently. Our Category C driving licence training is conducted by NVDIR qualified instructors, so you can start your professional driving journey with the right guidance and support through the process. 

We also offer Lifft Essential as a full bundle to get your Cat C driving licence. Along with the features of our Cat C training, Lifft Essential includes our starter pack worth £250 (medical, theory, online e-learning and a classroom day), the initial CPC and a £100 voucher to use towards upskilling. Save £830 total by choosing this bundle for a start to finish training programme!

Explore our success stories to see examples of the amazing feedback we've received.

How much does the Category C (Class 2) training cost?

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If you’ve already completed your medical test, theory, hazard perception and have your initial CPC, then all you need is our 'Course only' option, which costs £1,725.

If you are yet to complete the prerequisites, then we’d recommend Lifft Core, which costs £1,945, offering a fantastic saving.

Read our training packages comparison page to see what each package can offer you.

What’s the difference between Category C+E (Class 1) and Category C (Class 2) driver training?

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Class 1 driving licence training is for large, articulated lorries, also known as Category C+E. The tractor unit has a detachable trailer, suitable for long-distance haulage and large loads, providing more flexibility.

A Class 2 driving licence enables you to drive rigid-body vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, which don’t have a separate trailer, typically used for shorter distances and lighter loads. The Class 1 licence is more advanced, and you can either choose our Essential, Professional, or Ultimate training packages for complete beginners, or if you already have your Cat C licence, you can complete our 'Advantage' package, to upskill from your current Cat C or Cat D licence, to a full Category C+E licence.

How long is the Cat C licence training course?

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Our Cat C driving licence training is usually completed over 5 days,  including 14 hours of on-road experience. Our timings can be flexible, with different training centres across the UK, so you can let us know when it fits your schedule. 

Is there a demand for Category C drivers?

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Yes, there is consistently high demand for Class 2 drivers in the UK. The demand has steadily grown with a shortage of HGV drivers and the permanent need for good transport. Many companies also offer opportunities for overtime and night allowances, so you can create a career to suit your needs.

Do you offer payment plans?

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Yes, we offer payment plans with all of our training courses, including our Cat C+E licence training. You can pay in instalments directly with us or choose longer-term finance options. You can train now and pay later, breaking down the cost of a new career into manageable payments. To learn more, explore our accessible payment options.

Can I complete my Category C licence training locally?

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We have training centres all across England and Wales for you to complete your Cat C licence training. See our dropdown at the top of the page to see all our training locations, from Lancashire all the way down to Herefordshire.

What happens if I fail my test?

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If you fail your test, you can easily rebook with us. We do have a Pass Protection package available, which includes up to three retests.

* Pass Protection MUST be taken out prior to the start of your training. It cannot be added retroactively in the event of a test failure.

Our Promise to You

Elevate your potential

We are committed to creating and preserving a diverse pipeline of talent for the transport industry. Our promise is to elevate your potential and help you reach new heights.

Train Now,
Pay Later

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Qualified Instructors

100% of our instructors are NVDIR registered & up to date training.

Purpose-Built Vehicles

We have a modern, training vehicle fleet, including mirrorless cabs.

Approved Test Sites

Take your test from where you learn at the majority of our sites.