Let’s be honest – HGV peak season work, especially in transport is chaos, but it can also be where the money’s at.
From Black Friday right through to early January, everything is moving: parcels, food, toys, booze – you name it. And none of it goes anywhere without HGV drivers.
Whether you’re a solid Class 1 driver, newly passed Class 2, or just looking to smash some hours and stack cash for a few months, peak is one of the best times to do it.
This is your no-nonsense guide to what peak season actually looks like, what to expect, and how to make it work for you.
So… What Even Is HGV Peak Season work?
Peak season is basically the mad rush where everyone orders everything at once and the whole logistics world goes into overdrive.
Retail, food, parcels, factories – they all ramp up. And that means:
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More routes
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More hours (if you want them)
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Better rates
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Last-minute shift offers
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Temp-to-perm chances if you want something longer term
If you’re after consistent shifts and decent money, peak season is where you lean in, not tap out.
What Can Drivers Actually Earn doing HGV Peak Season Work?
Because everyone’s desperate for drivers, rates normally go up.
You’ll usually see something like:
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£18–£25 p/h for Class 1
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£15–£20 p/h for Class 2
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Higher LTD + weekend rates
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Extra pay for nights, tramping, and holiday cover
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Premiums for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
If you want to go into January with your bank looking healthier, this is the time to rack up the hours.
The Main Types of HGV Peak Season Work
Peak hits pretty much everything in transport, but these are the big ones:
1) Retail & Supermarket Deliveries
Shops are constantly running low on stock because everyone’s panic-buying. You’ll be doing store drops and RDC work to keep shelves full.
2) Parcel Networks
Think mail, couriers, online shopping.
Next-day and 2-day deliveries go through the roof – it’s non-stop trunking and depot-to-depot work.
3) Container Work
Places like Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool, London Gateway get slammed with imports.
A lot of it is port to RDC, quite structured once you know the sites.
4) Factory Clearance & Manufacturing
You might be moving goods from factories to depots or between sites.
Often shifts, often nights, often solid regular work.
5) Tramping & General Haulage
If you don’t mind being away in the truck, tramping is massive in peak.
The more flexible you are? The more likely you are to be first on the list.
If you’re open to nights and weekends, you won’t be short of options. At all.
What HGV Peak Season Work Really Feel Like
Peak driving isn’t a chill time, let’s be real. But a lot of drivers enjoy the buzz.
You might notice:
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More drops than usual
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Traffic being grim around cities
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Tighter delivery times
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Weekends and nights being offered constantly
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Short-notice “can you get there for tonight?” calls
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Busier RDCs and longer waits
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Regular shifts if you keep showing up and doing a good job
One big thing: reliability matters.
The drivers who turn up, answer the phone, and don’t kick off over every little change… they’re the ones who get the best runs and get called back after peak.
How to Survive (and Win) Peak Season
If you’re going to throw yourself into peak, make it easy on yourself:
Check your cards
Tacho, CPC, licence – if anything’s out of date, it’s a non-starter. Sort it before you start hunting for work.
Plan your breaks
You’ll be running on tighter schedules, so plan your rest. Keeps you legal and less stressed.
Learn site rules
Every RDC has its own little quirks. Saves loads of time if you know them in advance.
Have your kit ready
Straps, PPE, hi-vis, gloves, torch – basic stuff but you’ll kick yourself if you forget it.
Be flexible
Say yes to nights, weekends, different start times if you can.
The more you say “yeah, I can do that”, the more work comes your way.
Why Peak Can Turn into a Full-Time Job
A lot of drivers think peak is just a quick cash grab – in and out.
But loads of companies use it as a chance to test new drivers out.
If you:
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Turn up on time
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Don’t wreck the kit
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Communicate without going off on one
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Handle pressure
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Show you actually want to learn
…you’ll often get offered temp-to-perm or ongoing work once things quieten down.
So if you’re thinking about settling into a permanent role, peak can be your way in.
Final Thoughts: Is Peak Season Worth It?
For a lot of HGV drivers, peak season ends up being the best-earning part of the year.
You get:
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More miles
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Better money
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Regular shifts
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New contacts and long-term opportunities
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it can be stressful. But if you go into it with the right mindset, it can properly set you up for the months ahead.
If you’re looking to lock in Class 1 or Class 2 work this peak and want someone to actually talk you through your options:
DM Mia on our social media channels or call Ross on 07399 411 407
