8211 Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers: SOC 2020 occupation code

In short

ONS unit group 8211, in minor group 821 (Road transport drivers) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
Going rate as the tables print it:

What the ONS says

Description

HGV and LGV drivers collect, transport and deliver goods in rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, articulated lorries and lorries pulling trailers.

Typical entry routes

No formal academic entry qualifications are required. The HGV/LGV test incorporates a medical examination, theory test and assessed road driving. HGV/LGV drivers of vehicles of 3.5 tonnes and over require a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). The minimum age for HGV/LGV driving after obtaining the qualification is 18 years. NVQs/SVQs, other vocational courses and apprenticeships relevant to this occupation are available at various levels.

Tasks

checks tyres, brakes, lights, oil, water and fuel levels and general condition of the vehicle
drives vehicle from depot to loading/unloading point
agrees delivery schedule and route with transport management
assists with loading/unloading and ensures that load is evenly distributed and safely secured
drives vehicle to destination in accordance with schedule
maintains records of journey times, mileage and hours worked
undertakes minor repairs and notifies supervisor of any mechanical faults

Related job titles

Haulage contractor
LGV/HGV driver
Lorry driver
Owner (HGV/LGV)
Tanker driver

ONS note: Unit group title was Large goods vehicle drivers (version V9).

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes

SOC 2020 occupation code

8211 Heavy and large goods vehicle drivers

Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)

Haulage contractor
LGV/HGV driver
Lorry driver
Owner (HGV/LGV)
Tanker driver

Other unit groups in minor group 821

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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