HGV & PCV Training in Derby
Lorry and bus training for Derby, on the A38, A50 and A52, with practical tests at Watnall, about 17 miles away by road.
Why Choose HGVTH Derby?
Derby sits on the A38, A50 and A52: the A52 runs east to M1 junction 25 and Nottingham, and the A50 passes south of the city to M1 junctions 24 and 24A. In the triangle between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, East Midlands Airport handled 413,664 tonnes of cargo in 2025/26, with DHL, UPS and FedEx as its anchor operators, and the East Midlands Gateway rail freight terminal next to it can handle up to 16 trains a day. The city's DVSA centre at Alvaston tests cars only, so your lorry or bus practical is at Watnall in Nottinghamshire, about 17 miles by road. We arrange one-to-one training in a full-size vehicle with an approved partner school near you. We name the school and instructor, and confirm the test centre, dates and full all-in price in writing, before you pay anything.
HGV Courses Available in Derby
Class 1 (Artic)
8 days · 28 hoursFull one-to-one artic training, with your training and test centre confirmed before you book.
Class 2 (Rigid)
5 days · 18 hoursFull one-to-one rigid lorry training, with your training and test centre confirmed before you book.
7.5 Tonne (C1)
3 days · 12 hoursOne-to-one 7.5 tonne training for ambulance, courier and removals work.
PCV (Bus/Coach)
5 days · 18 hoursOne-to-one bus and coach training for Category D.
Frequently Asked Questions in Derby
Q: Where will I train if I live in Derby?
We arrange one-to-one training in a full-size vehicle with an approved partner school near you, so there is no trip down to our Kent centre. We name the school and instructor, and confirm the test centre, your dates and the full all-in price in writing, before you pay anything.
Q: Can I take my lorry test in Derby?
No. Derby's DVSA test centre at Alvaston is for car tests only. The nearest lorry and bus centre is Watnall, in Nottinghamshire, about 17 miles by road, and DVSA's 2025/26 figures show 1,342 lorry tests there. Leicester (Cannock Street), about 34 miles away, also takes lorry and bus tests.
Q: What driving work is there around Derby?
Rolls-Royce and Toyota are Derby's two biggest employers, and Toyota builds the Corolla at Burnaston, south-west of the city. East Midlands Airport, where DHL, UPS and FedEx are the anchor operators, sits beside the East Midlands Gateway rail freight terminal at M1 junction 24. Once you qualify, we offer introductions to our employer network.
Q: Is there funded HGV training for Derby residents?
The East Midlands Combined County Authority, which covers Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, lists HGV Skills Bootcamps on its 2026 provider list. Bootcamps are free for eligible adults aged 19 and over and are run by separate providers with their own entry rules, so check the current terms with them. For other routes, see our funding page.
Q: How much does HGV training cost in Derby?
Our pricing page shows what each course includes. Training for Derby is arranged with a partner school near you, so we confirm your full all-in price in writing, with DVSA test fees included, before you pay anything. On the Full Package we also book your D4 medical at an approved clinic near your home.
Local Support
Fill in your contact info below. One of our regional driver advisors will get in touch to book your local D4 medical and theory access.
Serving Local Districts
Training, testing and paperwork for Derby drivers
Where you take the practical test
Watnall, about 17 miles by road. Derby's own DVSA centre at Alvaston tests cars only. Watnall, over the county line in Nottinghamshire, takes lorry and bus tests, and DVSA's 2025/26 figures show 1,342 lorry tests there. The next option is Leicester (Cannock Street), about 34 miles by road, and your centre is confirmed in writing at booking.
Getting to us from Derby
We arrange one-to-one training in a full-size vehicle with an approved partner school near you, so there is no trip to our Kent centre. On test day, Watnall is about 17 miles from Derby city centre by road.
The roads Derby drivers work
The A38 south-west to Burton and Birmingham and north to M1 junction 28, the A52 east to M1 junction 25 and Nottingham, the A50 south of the city to M1 junctions 24 and 24A and west towards Stoke and the M6, plus the A6 and A61.
Who is hiring near Derby
Rolls-Royce and Toyota are Derby's two biggest employers, with Toyota's UK headquarters and Corolla production at Burnaston. East Midlands Airport handled 413,664 tonnes of cargo in 2025/26, and the city's buses are run mainly by Arriva, Trentbarton and Notts and Derby.
Towns and villages around Derby we train drivers from
Mickleover, Littleover, Allestree, Chaddesden, Spondon, Alvaston, Chellaston, Duffield, Belper, Long Eaton and the surrounding villages. Call 01634 907 229 and we will confirm your postcode in a minute.