Published by Go Big Driving School | Sheffield & Rotherham | Updated June 2026
This is one of the most common questions we get at Go Big, and the honest answer is that there is no universal right choice. The best licence for you depends on what you want your working life to look like, how much you want to spend upfront, and how quickly you want to be earning.
The Fundamental Difference
A Class 2 licence (Cat C) allows you to drive rigid lorries — vehicles where the cab and load area are one fixed unit. Think skip trucks, tipper lorries, curtainsided rigids, box vans, refuse trucks. Maximum weight: 32 tonnes.
A Class 1 licence (Cat CE) allows you to drive articulated lorries — vehicles where a separate cab unit tows a detachable trailer. The combination can weigh up to 44 tonnes. Class 1 is the higher qualification. It includes everything Class 2 covers and adds the trailer element. In practice: more job options, higher earning potential, more complex training, and higher cost.
Cost Comparison
| Class 2 | Class 1 direct access | Class 1 upgrade from C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| D4 medical | £50 to £120 | £50 to £120 | Not required |
| Provisional licence | £43 | £43 | Not required |
| Theory + CPC Module 2 | £49 | £49 | Not required |
| Practical training | £1,440 to £1,600 | £1,800 to £2,500 | £900 to £1,500 |
| CPC Module 4 | Included at Go Big | Included at Go Big | Included at Go Big |
| DVSA practical test | £155 | £155 | £155 |
| Typical total | £1,900 to £2,400 | £2,500 to £3,500 | £1,200 to £2,000 |
Training Time Comparison
| Class 2 | Class 1 direct access | Class 1 upgrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical training days | 4 to 5 days | 5 to 7 days | 3 to 4 days |
| Full process (start to licence) | 6 to 10 weeks | 8 to 14 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
Salary Comparison
| Class 2 | Class 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Agency / temp | £15 to £20/hr | £16.50 to £21.50/hr |
| Permanent days | £30,000 to £40,000 | £38,000 to £44,000 |
| Permanent nights | £35,000 to £42,000 | £42,000 to £50,000 |
| Tramping / specialist | Not typically applicable | £45,000 to £60,000+ |
Across comparable roles, Class 1 drivers typically earn £5,000 to £15,000 more per year than Class 2 drivers. The gap widens further for tramping, tanker, or ADR work.
Which One Is Right for You?
Go for Class 2 first if:
- Budget is a significant constraint and you want to start earning sooner at lower upfront cost
- You want day-based work and evenings at home
- Your employer will fund or part-fund Class 2 training
- You want to build confidence on a rigid before progressing to an artic
Go straight to Class 1 if:
- You are confident in your driving and motivated to reach the top licence quickly
- You are comfortable with the higher upfront cost
- You have a clear goal of long-haul, trunking, or specialist work
- You want to avoid doing the process twice
Still Not Sure?
That is completely normal. Call Dan on 0114 357 0000 and have a ten-minute conversation. There is no pressure to book anything.
Visit our Class 2 HGV training page or Class 1 HGV training page for full course details. Also worth reading: how much Class 2 training costs, how much Class 1 training costs, and can you go straight to Class 1 without Class 2.