Paragraph by paragraph
I'm interested in the Class 1 night trunking job at Eddie Stobart's Doncaster depot. I've driven professionally since 2014, first on Class 2 multi drop for Wincanton and since February 2019 on Class 1 trunk routes for XPO Logistics.
The type of work, the depot and his history
He names the type of work (night trunking) as well as the depot, then sums up his driving since 2014 in one sentence. A transport manager knows at once what classes he has driven and for whom.
At XPO I drive 44 tonne artics between depots all over the UK. I've covered over 350,000 miles there without an accident, and I'm in the top 10% of our 80 drivers for on time delivery. I do my walkaround checks properly every time and report defects straight away, and I plan my breaks around the route so my tachograph records stay within the rules.
The numbers drivers are judged on, and his checks
The first two sentences cover the vehicle, the mileage, the accident record and on time delivery, and being in the top 10% of 80 drivers tells the reader how good that figure is. The third covers walkaround checks, defects and tachograph hours, the things that keep an operator out of trouble with DVSA.
At Wincanton I delivered chilled and ambient loads to more than 25 Sainsbury's stores a week, up to 18 pallets a drop, so I'm used to tail lifts, tight store yards and staff who need the delivery on time.
Wincanton, and the store work
Store deliveries use skills that trunking doesn't, like reversing into tight yards, working a tail lift and dealing with store staff. It means the planner can give him more kinds of work.
I hold a C+E licence, a current Driver CPC card, a digital tachograph card and an ADR certificate for packages. I live in Doncaster, I'm happy on nights, and I can start once I've worked my notice.
What the planner needs
His licence and cards take one sentence, and then he says where he lives and which shift he wants. That is what the planner needs to put him on the rota.
Licences and cards: what to list
Before a transport office lets you drive, it checks your entitlements and cards. Listing them in the letter, with dates where they matter, saves everyone time.
| Item | What to write |
|---|---|
| Licence category | C+E for articulated lorries (often called Class 1), C for rigid lorries (Class 2), C1 for smaller trucks. |
| Driver CPC | That your card is current. Professional drivers need 35 hours of periodic training every five years, and the deadline is printed on the card. |
| Digital tachograph card | That you hold one and that it is in date. |
| ADR certificate | That you hold one for dangerous goods, and whether it covers packages, tanks or both. |
| Medical | Usually not needed in the letter. If your licence renewal or a D4 medical is due soon, say when it will be done. |
| Other equipment | Tail lifts, moffett or truck mounted forklifts, cranes, double deck trailers. |
Driving professionally without Driver CPC can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, so operators always check it.
A text or a message to a driver agency
A lot of driving work goes through agencies or a quick message to the transport office. This is all they need to call you.
Your driving record, in numbers
- Miles or years without an accident, the single most persuasive number for a driver.
- On time delivery, with your ranking if your depot publishes one.
- Telematics or fuel scores, if your company measures driving style.
- Defects reported, which shows you do your checks properly.
- Points on your licence: if you have any, don’t hide them. Operators will check, and a short, honest explanation goes down better than a surprise.
Other driving jobs, other first lines
Newly qualified driver
Be honest about your experience and show you are safe and reliable. Mention your training, any van driving, and that you are happy to start with simpler routes.
I passed my Class 2 test in August and hold a full Driver CPC card, and before that I drove a 3.5 tonne van on multi drop for two years without a claim.
Class 2 moving up to Class 1
Say when you passed your C+E and how much artic driving you have done since, even if it is limited.
I passed my C+E in June after five years on Class 2 rigids, and I am looking for my first artic job on trunking.
Tramping, nights out
Show you are comfortable spending nights away and give the kind of routes you have done.
I have done three nights out a week for the last four years, mostly runs between the Midlands and Scotland.
ADR tanker driver
Lead with your ADR certificate and the classes or tank work it covers, then your safety record.
I hold an ADR certificate covering tanks and have delivered fuel to filling stations across Yorkshire for three years without an incident.
Van or 7.5 tonne driver
Give the vehicle size, drops per day and your record. Smaller vehicle jobs value customer contact and route planning.
I drive a 7.5 tonne truck on a furniture delivery route, about 12 drops a day, and on most drops I carry the furniture in and build it.
Trunking, multi drop and tramping: what each employer looks for
| Type of work | What it involves | Lead your letter with |
|---|---|---|
| Trunking | Depot to depot runs, often at night, with long distances. | Miles, motorway experience, night shifts and hours planning. |
| Multi drop | Several deliveries a shift to shops or customers. | Drops per day, reversing and tight access, tail lifts, dealing with customers. |
| Tramping | Nights out in the cab, often several in a row. | Experience of nights out, routes across the country, and being self reliant. |
| Tankers and ADR work | Fuel, chemicals or other dangerous goods. | ADR certificate and classes, safety record, any loading or unloading training. |
| European work | Routes into Europe. | Ferry and tunnel crossings, paperwork you know, and any languages. |
Five mistakes in HGV driver cover letters
Saying "safe and reliable"
Every driver says it, and a transport manager can’t check it from the words.
Give miles or years without an accident, and your on time record.
Leaving out cards and categories
If the office can’t see your licence category and CPC status, they have to chase you.
List C or C+E, Driver CPC, tacho card and ADR in one sentence.
Hiding points or infringements
Operators check licences, so hidden points come out anyway, and they look worse when they do.
Mention them briefly with what happened, if you have any.
No shifts or location
Transport offices plan around start times and where drivers live.
Say where you live and which shifts you want.
A long letter
Transport managers are busy and read quickly.
Keep it to about 200 words, or a short message for an agency.
Keeping it short
- Length: about 200 words. Drivers’ letters are usually short, and that is fine.
- Where to send it: the transport manager at the depot, not head office. Dear Transport Manager works if you have no name, closed with Yours faithfully.
- Tone: plain and direct, the way you would talk in the transport office.
- Phone: a mobile number you answer, because most driving jobs are offered by phone.
The main points from this page
- 1Give miles or years without an accident.
- 2List your licence category, Driver CPC, tacho card and ADR.
- 3Mention walkaround checks and hours planning in plain words.
- 4Say where you live and which shifts you want.
- 5Keep it short.
Frequently asked questions
Do HGV drivers need a cover letter?
Not always, since many jobs go through agencies or a phone call. A short letter or message still helps, especially for permanent jobs with a named transport manager.
What should an HGV driver cover letter include?
The job and depot, your licence category, your driving history, your safety and on time record, your Driver CPC, tacho and ADR status, where you live and the shifts you want.
Should I mention points on my licence?
If you have any, yes, briefly. Operators will check your licence anyway, and an honest explanation is better than a surprise.
What is Driver CPC?
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence that professional lorry and bus drivers need. You keep it by doing 35 hours of training every five years, and the deadline is shown on your card.
How long should a driver cover letter be?
About 200 words, or a few lines for an agency or text message.