Salaries and Costs
Port work, last-mile routes, and regional trunking mean pay varies by licence and shift pattern in Portsmouth. Class 1 roles often sit at £16 to £20 per hour during the day, with nights and weekends higher. Class 2 can be £14 to £18 per hour, with 7.5 tonne at £12 to £15, and van multi-drop from £11 to £14. Forklift and yard roles tend to pay between £12 and £15, with premiums for counterbalance and reach tickets. Permanent placements through recruitment agencies might carry recruitment fees of 12% to 18% of basic salary, with executive search for transport leaders being higher for niche briefs. Temp agencies usually charge rates that reflect pay rates, holiday accrual, pension, NI, and agency costs, with margins often in the 15% to 25% band, depending on volume, notice, and shift times. Employers should agree on service levels, vetting standards, and clear rate cards up front, and candidates should know their pay rates, holiday accrual, and any deductions before they start.
Qualifications
Most driving jobs require the right DVLA category: Cat B for vans, C1 for 7.5 tonne, C for rigids, and CE for artics. Drivers must hold a valid Driver CPC and keep 35 hours up to date, and agencies will check cards and tachograph knowledge as part of onboarding. ADR can help with hazardous loads serving the ferry and port network, and HIAB opens doors for builders’ merchants across the city and neighbouring Fareham. Warehouse and port support roles often seek RTITB or ITSSAR forklift certificates, with telehandler tickets valued on construction-linked deliveries. Strong route planning, safe loading, and customer service complete the picture for multi-drop employers.
Local hiring challenges
Portsmouth International Port, naval activity, and tight urban streets on Portsea Island create a steady need for experienced drivers who can handle short drops, quay rules, and varied start times. Peak demand flares on ferry schedules, retail promotions, and university term dates, leading to short-notice bookings for temp drivers. Retention can dip on early starts and split shifts, so businesses work with recruitment consultants on rotas, realistic drops, and fair pay rates. Candidates with clean records, recent references, and flexibility on nights or weekends usually secure fast interviews with local recruiters.
Regional or geographic variations
Access is shaped by the M275 and M27, with quick links to Hilsea, Cosham, and North Harbour. Many employers are based in Lakeside North Harbour, Anchorage Park, and Farlington, with further warehouse space toward Havant and Segensworth in nearby Fareham. Cross-Solent movements, cruise support, and ferry freight bring irregular flows, and agencies often balance city centre routes with longer A3(M) and A27 trunking. Recruiters serving Portsmouth match drivers to runs that fit licence class, home postcode, and public transport, which helps with punctuality and workforce stability.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Driving recruitment agencies in Portsmouth support parcel carriers, foodservice, builders’ merchants, waste and recycling, and port logistics. The naval base and marine supply chains offer steady, rigid work, with curtain siders, flats, and HIABs in demand. Supermarket and third-party logistics operations nearby feed regular trunking and store deliveries, and employment firms also place transport office staff, planners, and yard marshals. Local employers lean on agencies for short-notice cover, sickness, and seasonal peaks, while longer searches are handled by executive search for transport managers and depot leaders.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this sector
HGV Class 1 and Class 2 drivers cover night trunking, day trunks, store deliveries, and quay shunts. 7.5 tonne and van drivers handle multi-drop routes to the city’s shops and sites. ADR, HIAB, and Moffett drivers support bulk, hazardous, and offload work across the docks and construction supply. Forklift operators, yard staff, and driver mates back up the wider workforce. Recruitment and staffing agencies often register job seekers for temporary, permanent, and contract work, giving businesses a quick way to hire staff or find employees when rotas shift.
Regulatory or compliance standards
Recruiters check right to work, licences, CPC, digital tacho cards, and medicals, with DVLA checks run at set intervals. Some runs need DBS checks, such as school transport or sensitive sites, and port passes are handled for quay access. Clients should confirm induction requirements, safe systems, and PPE, and agree on how infringements will be managed. Candidates should keep CPC hours logged, carry cards at all times, and report any endorsements promptly to their recruitment consultants.
Seasonal trends or themes
The job market lifts around Black Friday and Christmas for parcels and retail, with summer spikes tied to ferry travel and events. Waste and recycling have New Year surges, and building supply work rises in spring and early summer. Agencies plan holiday cover with clients in late spring, and many job seekers register with an agency early to secure preferred routes and shifts. Pay rates often inch up during peaks, then settle as volumes ease, so both sides should discuss budgets and retention early.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What licences do I need for HGV work in Portsmouth?
Cat C or CE with Driver CPC and a valid digital tacho card are standard for HGV roles in the city.
How much do agencies charge for permanent driver hires?
For permanent roles, recruitment fees often sit around 12% to 18% of basic salary, with senior briefs higher.
Do Portsmouth employers use temps for driving?
Yes, temp and temp-to-perm routes are common for port cover, peaks, and probation periods, with clear pay rates and charge rates agreed.
Can I register with more than one driving agency?
Many job seekers register with more than one agency, but you must track CPC hours, shifts, and notice so bookings do not clash.
Which areas near Portsmouth see regular driving jobs?
Hilsea, Cosham, North Harbour, Farlington, and routes toward Havant and Fareham carry steady demand across depots and business parks.