Salaries and Costs
Driving recruiters in Bury work with local employers to hire staff for van, 7.5t, and HGV roles across temporary, permanent, and contract work. Pay rates vary by licence and shift pattern, with van drivers often around £11 to £13 per hour, 7.5t drivers around £12 to £15 per hour, and Class 2 HGV drivers around £13 to £17 per hour. Class 1 trunking and nights can sit nearer £16 to £20 per hour. Permanent salaries for experienced transport planners or supervisors in the area can reach £28,000 to £38,000, with transport managers higher based on fleet size and compliance scope. Recruitment fees for permanent hires tend to fall in a band from 12% to 18% of basic salary, and agency costs for temps include pay, holiday accrual, employer NI, and the agency margin. Good recruiters will be clear on charge rates, mileage rules, minimum hours, and cancellation terms before a booking is confirmed.
Qualifications
Most agencies ask for valid right to work, a clean DVLA licence record, and Driver CPC where required. Tachograph knowledge is expected for HGV roles, with digital card in date. ADR can lift pay for hazardous loads. HIAB, Moffett, and forklift tickets help with specialist deliveries. School or care runs may need a DBS check. Transport office roles often ask for strong route planning skills, WTD knowledge, and confidence with telematics or TMS software.
Regional or geographic variations
Bury sits on the M66 corridor, linking quickly to the M60 and M62. That access means demand for multi drop and trunking is steady, with early starts common to beat traffic on the A56 and A58. Metrolink links into Manchester widen the candidate pool for transport office roles, while drivers in Whitefield and Radcliffe can reach Pilsworth and Park 66 with ease. Agencies factor these commuter links into shift planning, pick up points, and standby cover.
Hiring challenges
Local businesses report tight availability for night drivers, HIAB operators, and ADR holders. Early starts, split shifts, and weekend work can affect retention, so good recruiters keep close contact, plan realistic routes, and confirm load details before dispatch. Reliable communication on delays, site rules, and waiting times helps reduce no shows and improves rebooking rates. For permanent roles, transport managers with strong compliance records can be scarce, so executive search is often used for leadership posts in logistics and fleet operations.
Roles and career paths
Recruitment consultants in this sector place van drivers, 3.5t multi drop, 7.5t, Class 2, and Class 1, along with driver mates for heavy home delivery. Office paths include transport administrator, planner, supervisor, and transport manager. Many drivers progress from van to 7.5t, then to HGV with employer support for training and CPC modules. Some move into training, compliance, or depot leadership over time, with pay stepping up as responsibilities grow.
Seasonal trends or themes
Peak demand arrives around Black Friday and Christmas, with home delivery, retail, and food distribution all ramping up. Summer holiday cover creates gaps on regular routes and in planning teams. Short notice bookings rise in bad weather, so standby pools of vetted candidates are valuable. Agencies in Bury often arrange temp to perm routes after peak season, which helps retention and reduces repeated onboarding costs for local employers.
Key sectors or employers in the region
The area mixes retail distribution, building supplies, food and drink, and parcel networks, with many depots clustered near Pilsworth and other business parks. Local employers value punctual multi drop skills, careful handling of goods, and positive site conduct. Staffing agencies support these expectations with site briefings, route familiarisation, and feedback loops between drivers and transport leads.
Regulatory or compliance standards
Working Time and Drivers’ Hours rules sit at the heart of shift planning. Agencies check CPC, medical status, and DVLA points at registration, then monitor expiring cards and training dates. For loads with special risks, ADR categories must match the job, and site inductions are logged. Good practice includes right to work checks, licence verification at source, and clear recording of breaks and infringements. Auditable processes protect local employers during external checks and help avoid fines or downtime.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this area
Frequent bookings include van multi drop, home delivery with driver mate, supermarket backhaul, Class 2 multidrop, Class 1 night trunking, and refuse collection drivers for local routes. Office roles include transport administrator, route planner, and compliance coordinator. Many businesses use temp agencies for weekend work or holiday cover, then switch to permanent or fixed term when volumes steady.
Hard-to-fill positions
Night trunkers with clean records, ADR tanker or packages drivers, and HIAB roles linked to construction sites are harder to find. Early conversation about pay rates, site conditions, loading kit, and parking reduces fall off. Recruiters keep shortlists ready for these jobs and will advise on uplifted pay or sign on bonuses where the labour market is tight.
Market and labour snapshots
Bury’s job market benefits from steady commuter links and a broad base of local businesses. Candidates prefer predictable shifts, fair pay rates, and prompt payroll. Employers want low no show rates, good timekeeping, and clean paperwork for audits. Agencies bridge these aims by setting clear expectations at registration, offering route familiarisation, and tracking attendance data to improve retention across the workforce.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What licence do I need for 7.5t work in Bury?
You need a C1 licence, Driver CPC, and a valid digital tachograph card for roles where tachographs apply.
How much do agencies charge for a permanent HGV hire?
Most employment firms quote a percentage fee, with many falling between 12% and 18% of basic salary for mid level roles.
Can I register with an agency for weekend shifts only?
Yes, many temp agencies handle weekend only and night only patterns, with minimum shift rules set out at registration.
Do agencies place transport office staff as well as drivers?
Yes, recruitment consultants cover planners, administrators, supervisors, and transport managers, through permanent and contract work.