Insurance Broker Spotlights Female HGV Drivers For International Women’s Day

One Sure Insurance is shining a spotlight on female HGV and motor trade professionals for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Recent findings show that only 1.2% of heavy goods vehicle operators are estimated to be women.

One Sure spoke with Vicky Holland, 34, from Birmingham, about her job as a recovery truck driver for AVS Recovery in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. 

Holland has been working in the motor trade industry since 2014, where she has had a range of professions from recovery vehicle operator to delivering car parts. She qualified for a full class one licence in 2022 after taking time away for two years to be a stay-at-home mum to her four-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son. 

Vicky said: “There are not a lot of female recovery truck drivers. In general, I don’t think that women get treated differently than men in the industry.

“However, training and recruitment for these roles are rarely advertised to women. Now, with social media, the word is getting out there that more women are doing and can do these types of roles.”

She said: “I take pride in my job and what I do. I handle cars exactly how I expect mine to be treated: with care.

“I always get a warm welcome. People are very happy to see me when I arrive to pick up their car. Many have had a rough day if they need a vehicle picking up. So, the first thing I do is smile and ask how they are.

She adds: “I also give good banter and know how to communicate with people. I try to brighten their mood with a joke. For example, if someone has a flat tyre, I’ll joke: ‘Are you having a wheely good time?’ to make them laugh.”

While operating a 3.5-tonne truck on a standard licence is possible, larger vehicles require more specialist training and qualifications. Now she has a class one licence, Vicky operates trucks weighing in at 7.5 and 12 tonnes 

“Training for my class one licence involved quite a lot of studying. It’s a big responsibility, but if you work hard, you can do it.  As drivers, we must understand how to safely transport vehicles, even when the situation is quite hazardous. We’re trained to perform our job safely and navigate different environments.”

“It’s dangerous work. For example, if the winch isn’t under the right tension when loading a vehicle, it can snap and kill you. These vehicles are a significant size, so you must quickly adapt and know what you’re handling.”

Vicky has encountered a few bumps in the road on her journey to becoming a vehicle recovery driver. 

She said: “My course had to be completed in just four days, and at the time, my partner had just left me. I suffer from really bad anxiety, and it was a bad relationship. I was heartbroken, but my training kept me level-headed. I guess you can say I was in a fight or flight mode.

“It was quite difficult, but a bad start doesn’t mean you can’t change your situation. I just decided to put on my big girl pants and run with it! I smashed it straight away by passing the course. Amazingly, my trainer offered me a job right before I had even completed my test. He could see my potential.”

Vicky is eager to encourage women and young people interested in the motor trade industry to follow their passion. This drove her to create a Facebook group, ‘Women Recovery & HGV Drivers’, for women in the industry to connect and talk. 

“I love that I work with cars and trucks. I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I feel empowered in this job by the joy of helping people, talking to them, and solving their problems. After I’ve done that, I get them back on their way.

“My daughter is only 4, and, like all kids, she takes everything in. She says, ‘I want to be like you. I want to drive a truck’. Female drivers are now paving the way for the next generation of truck drivers.“

She concludes: “My advice to women who want to work in this industry but are nervous is to go for it!! It’s fun and exciting – but not for the faint-hearted. You have to be firm and not take any rubbish – but everyone can do it. There are no two ways about it. Don’t overthink it, do what you love.”