HGV Class 1 Training in Nottingham
HGV Class 1 (Category C+E) - Articulated Truck Training for learners across Nottingham. One-to-one training in a full-size vehicle, your D4 medical booked near you, and introductions to our employer network once you pass.
Course Overview & local Relevance
Your Class 1 training is one-to-one in a full-size vehicle and planned around your DVSA test. For learners in Nottingham, we confirm the training centre and test centre before you book, and every DVSA test fee is included in the price.
Nottingham's lorry and bus tests are at Watnall, a DVSA centre that tests only lorries and buses, about 7 miles north-west of the city centre by road along the A610. It sits near Nuthall, where M1 junction 26 meets the A610, and DVSA's 2025/26 figures show 1,342 lorry tests there.
Category C+E (Class 1) is the ultimate HGV qualification. As a Class 1 driver, you'll be operating heavy articulated lorries up to 44 tonnes. This course is perfect for those seeking the highest earning potential in the industry and the freedom of long-haul driving. We specialise in fast-track Class 2 to Class 1 upgrades as well as direct-to-Class 1 pathways.
We support Class 1 learners across Bulwell, Basford, Sherwood, Clifton, Beeston, West Bridgford and the wider Nottinghamshire area.
Your Pathway in Nottingham
Medical & Provisional
We book your D4 medical locally and manage your DVLA paperwork.
Theory & Hazard Perception
Master the exams using our AI-powered Learning Hub and mock tests.
Practical Training
Get behind the wheel with our expert instructors on modern automatic fleets.
The Jobs Hub
Pass your test and instantly unlock roles with our network partners across Kent, the South East and nationally.
Class 1 Training in Nottingham - FAQs
Q: Where do Nottingham learners take the lorry test?
At Watnall, a DVSA centre that tests lorries and buses only, about 7 miles by road from the city centre near M1 junction 26. Nottingham's Colwick and Chilwell centres do not test lorries or buses. DVSA's 2025/26 figures show 1,342 lorry tests at Watnall, and your test centre is confirmed in writing at booking.
Q: Is there free HGV training in Nottingham?
Possibly, if you are eligible. The East Midlands Combined County Authority, which covers Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire, lists an HGV Skills Bootcamp (novice to Category C) on its 2026 provider list. Skills Bootcamps are free for eligible adults aged 19 or over with a full car licence, and this one is aimed at people who live in the East Midlands. It is run by a separate provider, so check its terms, and see our funding page for other routes.
Q: Where will I train if I live in Nottingham?
We arrange one-to-one training in a full-size vehicle with an approved partner school near you, so you do not travel to our Kent centre. We name the school and instructor, and confirm the test centre, dates and full all-in price in writing, before you pay anything.
Q: Can I go straight from a car licence to a Class 1 (C+E) licence?
Yes. Following the 2021 DVSA rule changes, you no longer need to pass your Class 2 (Rigid) test first. If you hold a valid UK car licence (Category B) and are over 18, you can fast-track straight to your Class 1 (C+E) articulated licence, saving you time and money.
Q: What is the difference between an HGV Class 1 and Class 2 licence?
A Class 1 (Category C+E) licence allows you to drive articulated lorries (drawbar or articulated vehicles) up to 44 tonnes. A Class 2 (Category C) licence restricts you to driving rigid vehicles over 3,500kg. Class 1 is the highest qualification and typically offers higher earning potential and long-haul opportunities.
Q: What is the Driver CPC and is it included?
The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a legal requirement for anyone driving an HGV for commercial use. Your training with the HGV Training Hub includes comprehensive preparation for your Initial CPC (Modules 2 and 4), ensuring you are completely road-legal and ready to be hired the day you pass.
Q: How much can I earn as a newly qualified Class 1 driver?
The logistics industry is facing a severe shortage of qualified drivers, pushing wages up. Newly qualified Class 1 drivers can expect starting salaries between £35,000 and £45,000 depending on the region and shift patterns. Drivers willing to do "tramping" (overnight stays) or weekend shifts can earn upwards of £50,000+.
Q: How difficult is the DVSA HGV medical (D4)?
The D4 medical is a standard health check to ensure you are fit to drive heavy vehicles. It includes an eye test, blood pressure check, and a review of your medical history. As part of our service, our Concierge team books this locally for you, removing the stress of finding an approved physician.
Q: Are the training vehicles manual or automatic, and how does it affect my licence?
Our entire training fleet uses modern automatic gearboxes, allowing you to focus on road positioning and reversing manoeuvres rather than shifting gears. Under current DVLA rules, passing your HGV test in an automatic still grants you the full entitlement to drive manual HGVs professionally.
Secure Your Slot
Class slots are highly competitive. Request a direct call back to discuss tuition financing, medical slots, and fast-track calendars.
Other Courses in Nottingham
Class 1 (Artic) in Nottingham: the local picture
East Midlands Gateway, reached from Nottingham on the A453 to M1 junction 24, has a rail freight terminal that took its first train in January 2020.
Where you take the test
Watnall, about 7 miles by road. Watnall tests lorries and buses only, and Nottingham's Colwick and Chilwell centres do not test lorries or buses. If you need another option, Leicester (Cannock Street) is about 28 miles by road, and your centre is confirmed in writing at booking.
Getting to us from Nottingham
We arrange one-to-one training with an approved partner school near you, so there is no trip to our Kent centre. On test day, Watnall is about 7 miles north-west of the city centre by road, out along the A610.
The roads you will be working
M1 junctions 24 (A453), 25 (A52) and 26 (A610), the A610 Nuthall Road out towards Watnall, and the A60 Mansfield Road north from the centre.
Who is hiring near Nottingham
Nottingham City Transport has around 800 drivers and 280 buses, and about half its fleet runs on biogas. East Midlands Gateway, at M1 junction 24 just north of East Midlands Airport, has had a rail freight terminal since January 2020.
What Nottingham learners get
- Large Vehicles Only: Watnall tests lorries and buses, not cars, and is about 7 miles by road from the city centre.
- By M1 Junction 26: The centre is near Nuthall, where junction 26 meets the A610 into Nottingham.
- Bootcamp on the 2026 List: EMCCA's Skills Bootcamp providers include an HGV course, novice to Category C, for eligible residents.
- Written Before You Pay: We name the school and instructor and confirm the test centre, dates and all-in price in writing.
How far is the test centre from Nottingham?
Your practical is at Watnall, about 7 miles by road. We arrange one-to-one training with an approved partner school near you, so there is no trip to our Kent centre. On test day, Watnall is about 7 miles north-west of the city centre by road, out along the A610. We book the test alongside your training dates, so you are not chasing DVSA slots yourself.
Do you cover my part of Nottinghamshire?
Learners come to us from Bulwell, Basford, Sherwood, Clifton, Beeston, West Bridgford, Arnold, Hucknall. If you are just outside that list, call 01634 907 229 and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right school for you.
Nottingham's lorry and bus tests are at Watnall, a DVSA centre that tests only lorries and buses, about 7 miles north-west of the city centre by road along the A610. It sits near Nuthall, where M1 junction 26 meets the A610, and DVSA's 2025/26 figures show 1,342 lorry tests there. Further south, M1 junction 24 serves East Midlands Gateway, which has had a rail freight terminal since 2020, and Nottingham City Transport has around 800 drivers. Funding is worth checking here, as the East Midlands Combined County Authority's 2026 provider list includes an HGV Skills Bootcamp. We arrange one-to-one training in a full-size vehicle with an approved partner school near you, and we name the school and instructor and confirm the test centre, dates and full all-in price in writing before you pay anything.
Towns and villages around Nottingham we train drivers from
Bulwell, Basford, Sherwood, Clifton, Beeston, West Bridgford, Arnold, Hucknall, Carlton, Kimberley and the surrounding villages. If your postcode is not on that list it almost certainly still works: call 01634 907 229 and we will confirm in a minute.