Published by Go Big Driving School | Sheffield & Rotherham | Updated June 2026
There are currently 172 Class 1 vacancies in Sheffield alone, and over 336 HGV driver vacancies of all types within 20 miles of South Yorkshire. South Yorkshire is one of the most strategically important logistics regions in the UK — the iPort at Doncaster, the M1/M18 corridor, and proximity to the Humber ports mean Class 1 demand here is consistently strong.
What Class 1 Work Is Available in South Yorkshire?
Supermarket and Retail Trunking
Large national retailers operate distribution runs from South Yorkshire DCs to local stores. These roles typically involve overnight trunking with predictable hours and strong permanent pay packages. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s all operate within the region.
Long-Haul and Tramping
Tramping work involves staying out overnight on multi-stop national runs. South Yorkshire is an ideal tramping base because of its central motorway position. Tramping drivers based here can realistically earn £45,000 to £55,000 when night-out allowances are factored in.
iPort Doncaster Operations
The iPort at Doncaster — one of the largest inland logistics parks in Europe — creates consistent demand for Class 1 drivers. Amazon’s facility there, alongside Woodland Group, Maritime Group, and others, runs large-scale operations with structured pay and shift patterns.
Container and Port Work
The Humber ports at Hull, Immingham, and Grimsby are 60 to 90 minutes from Sheffield. Container runs between the ports and South Yorkshire’s logistics parks are specialist Class 1 work that often commands a pay premium.
Specialist Haulage
Steel and heavy materials haulage, aggregate and bulk powder tankers, and car transporter work all require Class 1 as a foundation and pay some of the highest wages in the industry.
What Does a Class 1 Driver Earn in South Yorkshire?
| Role type | Pay |
|---|---|
| Agency / temporary Class 1 | £16.50 to £21.50 per hour |
| Permanent days (local / regional) | £38,000 to £44,000 |
| Permanent nights (trunking) | £42,000 to £50,000 |
| Tramping (includes night-out allowances) | £45,000 to £55,000 |
| Specialist (tanker, ADR, car transporter) | £48,000 to £60,000+ |
| Night-out allowance (tramping) | £25 to £35 per night on top of base |
The South Yorkshire Advantage
A Class 1 driver earning £44,000 in Sheffield is genuinely well-paid relative to local costs. The same salary in London often leaves drivers little better off than Class 2 workers locally. The motorway access also matters for tramping: central location means fewer unpaid hours getting to the start of a long run.
What Are Employers Looking For?
- Valid Cat CE licence and Driver Qualification Card (DQC)
- Digital tachograph card
- Clean or near-clean licence (most allow up to six points)
- Recent experience, though newly qualified drivers are considered for the right roles
The newly qualified point is worth emphasising. There is a widespread belief that you cannot get a Class 1 job without two years’ experience. This is not true — particularly in the current market where demand consistently outstrips supply.
After You Qualify: First Steps Into Class 1 Work
Recruitment agencies (Driver Hire, Interaction Recruitment, Workforce Logistics) regularly place new Class 1 drivers in South Yorkshire. Direct applications to iPort Doncaster tenants and logistics firms along the M1/M18 corridor are worth pursuing. Online job boards — Indeed, CV-Library, Totaljobs — carry daily Class 1 vacancies in Sheffield and Rotherham.
Ready to Start Training?
Go Big trains Class 1 drivers from across South Yorkshire at our Sheffield S9 base. Call Dan on 0114 357 0000 for a no-pressure conversation about which course suits you, what it costs, and when you can get started.
Visit our Class 1 HGV training page for full details, or read how much Class 1 training costs in 2026.