The Demand for Class 1 Drivers in South Yorkshire
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. That number has been consistently high for several years and there are no signs of it falling.
The reason is simple. South Yorkshire is one of the most strategically important logistics regions in the UK.
The iPort at Doncaster – one of the largest inland logistics parks in Europe – sits just 20 minutes from Sheffield on the M18. Amazon’s £100 million fulfilment facility is based there, alongside Woodland Group, Maritime Group, and dozens of other national and international logistics operations. The M1, M18, M62, and A1(M) all connect within the region, meaning a Class 1 driver based in Sheffield, Rotherham, or Barnsley can reach 60% of the UK’s manufacturing base within two and a half hours, and 75% of the country within four and a half hours.
That geography drives demand. And that demand drives pay.
What Class 1 Work Is Available in South Yorkshire?Supermarket and Retail Trunking
Large national retailers like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and others operate distribution runs from South Yorkshire distribution centres to local stores and regional DCs. These roles typically involve overnight trunking: collecting a trailer in the evening, delivering it, and returning. Pay is strong and hours are predictable, though nights are the norm.
Long-Haul and Tramping
Tramping work involves staying out overnight – sometimes for several consecutive nights – on multi-stop national runs. South Yorkshire is an ideal tramping base because of its central location: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Bristol are all within a reasonable drive.
Tramping attracts higher basic pay plus night-out allowances on top. A tramping driver based in South Yorkshire can realistically earn £45,000–£55,000 when allowances are factored in.
iPort Doncaster and Distribution Centre Work
The iPort site at Doncaster is one of the most active Class 1 employment locations in the region. Amazon’s logistics operations there, alongside Woodland Group and other tenants, create consistent demand for Class 1 drivers. These are large-scale, professionally managed operations with structured pay and shift patterns.
Container and Port Work
The connection to the Humber ports at Hull, Immingham, and Grimsby – all within 60-90 minutes of Sheffield – creates steady work for Class 1 drivers running containers between the ports and South Yorkshire’s logistics parks. This specialist work often carries a pay premium.
Specialist Haulage
South Yorkshire’s industrial heritage feeds into specialist Class 1 work — steel and heavy materials haulage, aggregate and bulk powder tankers, and car transporter work. These roles command some of the highest wages in the industry and are well-represented in this region.
| Role type | Pay |
|---|---|
| Agency / temporary | £16.50–£21.50 per hour |
| Permanent days (local / regional) | £38,000–£44,000 |
| Permanent nights (trunking) | £42,000–£50,000 |
| Tramping (includes night-out allowances) | £45,000–£55,000 |
| Specialist (tanker, ADR, car transporter) | £48,000–£60,000+ |
| Night-out allowance (tramping) |
The gap between a newly qualified Class 1 driver on days and an experienced tramping specialist with ADR is substantial – sometimes £20,000 or more. The progression is real, driven by experience and additional qualifications rather than luck or connections.
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The South Yorkshire Advantage for Class 1 Drivers
Sheffield and the surrounding area give Class 1 drivers something that drivers based in London or the South East often lack: affordable living alongside strong salaries.
A Class 1 driver earning £44,000 in Sheffield is genuinely well-paid relative to the cost of housing and everyday expenses in the region. The same salary in London often leaves drivers little better off in real terms than Class 2 workers locally.
The motorway access also matters for tramping. Being centrally located means fewer unpaid hours getting to the start point of a long run. South Yorkshire is one of the most practical places in the UK to be based as a long-distance driver.
What Are Employers Looking For?
Most Class 1 employers in South Yorkshire require:
- A valid Cat CE licence and DQC (Driver Qualification Card — your CPC card)
- A digital tachograph card
- A clean or near-clean licence (most allow up to six points; no serious endorsements)
- Some recent experience — though newly qualified drivers are considered for the right roles
The newly qualified part is worth emphasising. There is a widespread belief that you cannot get a Class 1 job without two years of experience. This is not true – particularly in the current market, where demand consistently outstrips supply. Several logistics agencies in South Yorkshire actively place newly qualified drivers in supervised roles that build experience quickly.
After You Qualify: First Steps Into Class 1 Work
Recruitment agencies are the fastest route for newly qualified drivers. Driver Hire, Interaction Recruitment, Workforce Logistics, and others regularly place new Class 1 drivers across South Yorkshire. Agency work builds experience rapidly and frequently converts to permanent.
Direct applications to logistics companies based at iPort Doncaster, along the Tinsley and Attercliffe industrial corridors, or at the Rotherham distribution parks are worth pursuing. A locally-rooted application from a freshly qualified driver with a clean record stands out more than you might expect.
Job boards – Indeed, CV-Library, Totaljobs, and Jobsite all carry daily Class 1 vacancies in Sheffield and Rotherham. Set up alerts rather than checking manually.
Ready to Train?
Go Big Driving School trains Class 1 drivers from across South Yorkshire at our Sheffield S9 base. We offer direct access courses (car licence straight to Cat CE) and upgrade courses (Class 2 to Class 1). Training is one-to-one, CPC Module 4 is tested on-site, and we have access to short-notice DVSA test slots.
Call Dan on 0114 3570 000 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 course details, or read how much Class 1 training costs in 2026.