A fleet manager’s guide to heavy goods vehicles (HGV)

For fleets operating in Europe, stakes are high when it comes to compliance, driver hours, and licensing standards for heavy goods vehicles (HGV). A single HGV compliance violation can set you back thousands of pounds, and regulatory fines across Europe have seen a noticeable increase in recent years. Tachograph violations, driver fatigue, and missing documentation are just some of the compliance issues that can lead to significant operational and financial consequences for fleets. In fact, as many as 34% of HGVs in Europe have been cited for compliance violations.

Yet properly managing compliance requirements is more than just avoiding penalties. It’s also about protecting road users and truck drivers, improving public trust, and maximizing profitability. In this guide, you’ll learn about the key components of an effective compliance strategy for HGVs, and how telematics technology can help take your HGV fleet management to the next level.

What is an HGV vehicle?

In Europe, a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) is a commercial vehicle or lorry used to transport goods, with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kg). HGVs make up a critical component of many supply chains, moving large shipments of products between manufacturers, warehouses, and retailers. The term “HGV,” which is also sometimes called a large goods vehicle (LGV), is primarily used in the United Kingdom and other countries in the European Union. In the United States and Canada, similar vehicles are called "commercial trucks" or "heavy duty trucks." For example, US Class 7 and 8 trucks are comparable in size and function to European HGVs.

What are the different types of HGV licenses? 

There are different kinds of HGV driving licenses, and they each have different licensing requirements:

• Category C1 – This HGV licence allows you to drive smaller haulage vehicles weighing between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg, such as vans and box trucks. It also permits towing a trailer up to 750 kg.

• Category C1+E – This HGV licence lets you operate vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg with a trailer weighing over 750 kg. It qualifies you for all Class 1 driving roles.

• Category C – With this HGV licence, you can drive larger vehicles over 3,500 kg and tow a trailer up to 750 kg. This includes lorries and other heavy-duty trucks.

• Category C+E – The highest-level HGV licence, allowing you to drive vehicles over 3,500 kg with trailers exceeding 750 kg. This licence covers all Class 2 driving jobs.

• ADR Licence – ADR stands for “Accord Dangereux Routier” and authorizes the transportation of dangerous goods, such as fuel tankers or vehicles carrying flammable or corrosive substances.

If you are a business that operates a HGV goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight, then you need to have a goods vehicle operator’s licence.

• Standard National Licence: This driving licence allows you to carry your own goods and other people’s goods within the UK.

• Standard International Licence: This driving licence permits the carriage of goods within the UK and internationally.

• Restricted Licence: This driving licence allows you to carry only your own goods within the UK.

What are key regulations and compliance requirements for HGV fleets?

HGVs are critical to fleet operations, with recent data indicating that more than 46,000 HGVs were sold in the UK in 2023. HGVs transport a variety of different cargo, such as construction materials, consumer goods, or temperature-controlled freight. Given the importance of HGVs in Europe, it’s critical to ensure operational efficiency across your fleet, especially as compliance regulations become increasingly complex.

HGV regulations typically cover licensing categories, driver working hours, maximum permitted weights, and emission standards. Staying compliant is critical, not just to avoid fines, but also to keep your fleet operating efficiently and safely. Non-compliance can result in costly consequences, leading to unplanned downtime, penalties, and inefficiency.

How to leverage a tachograph to improve compliance

One of the most important tools for tracking HGV driver safety and compliance requirements is a tachograph. A tachograph is a device that records speed, distance, and driver activity, helping you confirm that drivers aren’t exceeding legal driving hours. 

In the European Union (EU), drivers generally must not exceed:

• 9 hours of driving daily (extendable to 10 hours twice per week)

• 56 hours in any single week

• 90 hours over a two-week period

Drivers are also required to take mandated rest breaks of 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving, along with daily rest periods of at least 11 hours.

As of August 21, 2023, all newly registered commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes operating internationally within the EU must be fitted with Smart Tachograph Version 2 (Smart Tacho 2). The Smart Tacho 2 features include automatic border crossing detection, remote data access via DSRC technology, advanced anti-tampering safeguards, and precise GNSS-based location tracking.

Innovative fleets today are combining tachographs with advanced telematics technology like Samsara to simplify compliance. Fleets gain live tacho status, instant analysis, and remote downloads, making it possible to minimize violations, avoid infringement, and streamline audits.

Recent updates to HGV compliance and regulations in Europe

1. Stricter HGV Ministry of Transport (MOT) Testing

The UK is introducing tougher MOT requirements for HGVs starting April 1, 2025. Vehicles must now pass four roller brake tests per year, each under a minimum load of 65%. Additional checks will cover parts like sideguards, mirrors, rear bumpers, fuel tanks, windscreens, and electrical systems. MOT certificates will also come fully digital and printed copies will no longer be issued. 

1. Clean Air Zones 

To reduce emissions, many UK cities have introduced Clean Air Zones (CAZ), where HGVs must meet minimum emissions standards or face daily charges. Cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh enforce CAZ rules. Charges can range from £12.50 to over £100 per day for non-compliant vehicles. Operators should regularly check CAZ maps and upgrade vehicles where needed.

1. Accord Dangereux Routier (ADR) Dangerous Goods Regulations

From January 1, 2025, the EU will implement updated ADR rules for transporting dangerous goods. These changes affect packaging, documentation, and classification of substances like fuels, lithium batteries, and chemicals. Operators must ensure their drivers and safety advisors are trained on the latest version of the ADR code. ADR compliance is required to avoid penalties and ensure road safety during hazardous material transport.

How to improve HGV fleet management with Samsara fleet telematics

Samsara is a leading fleet telematics solution that helps with safety, compliance, and efficiency. With GPS tracking for vehicles and assets, dash cams, intuitive tools for compliance, and more, Samsara is a complete telematics system that helps create a unified fleet management platform for HGVs or any other heavy-duty vehicle.

Samsara is trusted by leading organisations across the UK. Take AO for example, a leading electrical retailer in the UK, delivering household appliances and electrical goods to over 2.5 million customers annually. With Samsara’s telematics and fleet management solution, AO was able to overhaul their telematics, provide visibility over their fleet of vehicles, and offer targeted coaching to their growing roster of self-employed drivers. By monitoring vehicle and driver performance, AO achieved a multi-million pound saving across their business. 

Want to learn more about how Samsara can improve fleet management for HGV vehicles and more? Explore our Vehicle Telematics solution, and get in touch for a demo or free trial today.