Lorry Driver Salary UK: Understanding Hourly and Annual Pay

If you are comparing hourly jobs with salaried offers in the haulage industry, knowing the latest lorry driver salary UK benchmarks is essential. The most reliable source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which provides median earnings for full-time large goods vehicle drivers (SOC code 8211). For April 2025, the median gross annual salary stood at £39,905, with a median hourly rate of £16.25 and median weekly pay of £799.90. This places the typical lorry driver slightly above the UK full-time median of £39,039.

How to Convert Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

When you see an hourly rate in a job advert, you can estimate the annual equivalent using the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 weeks

However, the standard 37.5-hour week used in many office roles rarely applies to lorry driving. According to the RHA Pay Report 2026, average weekly hours for Class 1 (artic) drivers are 55, for Class 2 (rigid) drivers 49, and for van drivers 45. So a Class 1 driver earning a basic £15.05 per hour and working 55 hours would have a basic annual salary of around £43,043 before overtime premiums. But the ASHE median of £39,905 already includes overtime, so the actual basic rate may be lower.

Use our salary data page to explore more percentiles and regional variations.

Comparing Job Offers: Hourly vs Salaried

When comparing a salaried position with an hourly-paid driving job, look beyond the headline figure. Key factors include:

• Overtime rules: Is overtime paid at time-and-a-quarter, time-and-a-half, or flat rate? A £16 basic rate with time-and-a-half after 45 hours can be worth more than a £17 flat rate with no overtime.
• Night-out allowances: Tramping drivers often receive tax-free subsistence payments (e.g., £26.20 per night under HMRC-agreed rates). This can add £5,000+ per year without appearing in the salary.
• Holiday pay: If holiday is paid at basic rate but you normally work overtime, your holiday pay will be lower than your average earnings.
• London weighting: Some London-based roles include an additional allowance; check if it is consolidated into the hourly rate or paid separately.

Lorry Driver Pay by Licence Class

The RHA Pay Report 2026 provides basic hourly rates by licence class:

Licence class	Median basic hourly	Average weekly hours	Average gross weekly pay
Class 1 (C+E)	£15.05	55	£883
Class 2 (Cat C)	£14.50	49	£741
7.5 tonne (C1)	£13.05	48	£656
Van (Class B)	£12.50	45	£607

These basic rates exclude night-out money and bonuses. The ASHE median of £16.25 per hour reflects the inclusion of overtime and other payments.

National Living Wage and the Floor

The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over rose to £12.71 per hour from April 2026 (up from £12.21 in 2025). This sets a floor for van and 7.5-tonne roles. For comparison, a full-time employee on NLW working 37.5 hours per week earns about £24,785 annually. Lorry drivers typically earn well above this, but the rising NLW continues to push up the lower end of the pay scale.

Regional Variations

ASHE data shows that lorry driver pay varies by region. Drivers in London and the East of England tend to earn higher rates, while those in Northern Ireland and Wales earn below the median. When evaluating a job offer, consider the cost of living and any regional pay supplements.

Practical Tips for Job Seekers

• Read the advert carefully: Distinguish between basic rate and total earnings. A £16 basic on 45 guaranteed hours may be better than a £17 basic on 40 with overtime “available”.
• Ask about overtime: After how many hours does overtime start? What is the multiplier? Time-and-a-quarter after 45 hours is common; flat-rate overtime on a 55-hour tramping week can cost you thousands.
• Check night-out allowances: The HMRC scale rate for overnight subsistence is £26.20 per night with a sleeper cab. Four nights a week adds over £5,000 tax-free annually.
• Consider pension and holiday: Holiday paid at basic rate when you normally work overtime is a quiet pay cut. Ensure the employer uses average earnings for holiday pay.

For more detailed comparisons, visit our salary articles covering different occupations and pay structures.

Summary

The lorry driver salary UK median is £39,905 per year or £16.25 per hour (including overtime). Class 1 drivers on long hours and night runs can earn significantly more, with the top 10% exceeding £53,128. When comparing hourly and salaried offers, always factor in overtime rules, allowances, and hours worked. Use the conversion formula with your actual expected hours to get a realistic annual figure.