HGV Fitter Jobs

HGV Fitter is a title used extensively across fleet Vehicle Maintenance Units, local authority transport workshops, utilities operator depots, emergency services vehicle maintenance facilities and logistics businesses to describe the heavy vehicle maintenance professional responsible for the servicing, inspection and repair of HGV trucks, trailers and ancillary equipment within an in-house or independent workshop environment.

The title reflects a heavy vehicle maintenance tradition in sectors where the emphasis is on methodical component fitting, safety inspection and preventive maintenance rather than the manufacturer-specific diagnostic system focus that characterises the franchised dealer environment. In practice the work is highly demanding: HGV Fitters maintain some of the UK's most safety-critical vehicles, carry out DVSA statutory safety inspections, manage defect rectification under time pressure and work across a diverse fleet of vehicles from multiple manufacturers.

For candidates searching for a role with consistent shift patterns, a structured workshop environment and a broad range of vehicle types without the commercial throughput pressure of a franchised dealer, the HGV Fitter position in a well-run fleet workshop or VMU offers exactly that. Venatu also places candidates using the HGV Mechanic and HGV Technician titles, which describe the same core discipline under different employer conventions.

Venatu recruits HGV Fitters for permanent and contract roles across fleet Vehicle Maintenance Units, local authority and public sector workshops, utilities and civils operator maintenance depots, logistics and distribution businesses and commercial vehicle independent workshops throughout the UK. This role sits within our truck and van recruitment division.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Local authority, NHS and public sector fleet workshops and VMUs
• Utilities, telecoms, civils and infrastructure operator maintenance depots
• Municipal waste and highways vehicle maintenance units
• Police, fire and ambulance service vehicle maintenance workshops
• HGV haulage and distribution fleet maintenance operations
• Independent HGV and commercial vehicle workshops
• Bus and coach fleet engineering departments - see also our bus and coach division
• Plant and heavy equipment businesses with mixed HGV workshop requirements

Roles We Place

• HGV Fitter
• Heavy Vehicle Fitter
• Fleet HGV Fitter
• VMU HGV Fitter
• HGV and Trailer Fitter
• HGV Fitter (Statutory Inspection)
• Senior HGV Fitter
• HGV Fitter Team Leader

Who Can Apply

HGV Fitter roles are accessible to candidates across a range of experience levels. Strong placements typically come from:

• Experienced HGV Fitters at fleet VMUs, local authority workshops or logistics maintenance operations who want to move to a new employer, a better-equipped workshop, improved hours or an enhanced package
• HGV Technicians from franchised truck dealer workshops who want to move into an in-house fleet or VMU environment with more consistent shift patterns and a broader multi-manufacturer vehicle portfolio
• HGV Mechanics from independent HGV workshops who want to move into a more structured fleet or local authority workshop environment
• Commercial Vehicle Technicians with LCV and van maintenance experience who want to progress into heavier vehicles and develop their skills across the rigid and articulated truck categories common in fleet VMU operations
• Field Service Technicians (HGV) who want to move from mobile working into a fixed workshop environment with structured daily hours
• Ex-military vehicle technicians from REME or transport support corps with heavy vehicle maintenance experience who want a civilian fleet workshop role in a structured and regulated environment
• Apprentice Vehicle Technicians who have completed their qualification in a light vehicle context and want to develop skills on heavy commercial vehicles within a supportive fleet workshop environment

For statutory safety inspection roles, DVSA Authorised Vehicle Examiner (AVE) qualification or active pursuit of it is required. A Category C driving licence is preferred or required for road testing repaired vehicles. Most employers provide manufacturer-specific product familiarisation training on induction. Venatu confirms all qualification and licence requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

HGV Fitter Salary Guide

Public sector VMU roles typically offer enhanced pension contributions, defined pay scales and job security alongside competitive base salaries. Shift premiums for evening, night and weekend working are standard across most fleet and depot operations. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on heavy vehicle and fleet workshop technical role remuneration. Read about the benefits and career development available in the HGV technical sector in Benefits Of Becoming A HGV/PSV Technician.

What the Role Involves

• Carrying out scheduled preventive maintenance services on HGV rigid trucks, artic units, drawbar and skeletal trailers and specialist municipal or utilities vehicles including oil and filter changes, brake inspections and adjustments, tyre checks, lighting checks, fluid levels and all associated service items
• Inspecting and replacing brake system components including brake chambers, slack adjusters, brake drums, shoes, discs and pads, air dryers, reservoirs and associated pipework across air braking systems
• Inspecting and replacing suspension components including leaf springs, air suspension bags, shock absorbers, U-bolts, king pins, fifth wheel assemblies and trailer coupling components
• Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults on vehicle lighting, ABS, EBS, trailer connections and ancillary equipment using hand instruments and basic diagnostic tools
• Replacing drivetrain components including clutch assemblies, prop shafts, differentials, gearbox-related components and wheel bearing assemblies
• Conducting DVSA safety inspections where AVE-qualified, completing inspection documentation accurately and issuing vehicles as roadworthy or recommending withdrawal from service based on inspection findings
• Carrying out annual test preparation, presenting vehicles and trailers for DVSA annual test and managing any post-test rectification work to return vehicles to service as quickly as possible
• Completing job cards, defect records and inspection documentation accurately and submitting to the workshop management system or fleet management system at the conclusion of each job
• Maintaining the workshop environment to the health and safety standards required by the employer throughout the shift

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the vehicle types maintained, shift pattern, AVE qualification requirements and any Category C licence requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability, qualification and licence status and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for heavy vehicle technical competency, inspection documentation capability and workshop experience.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your technical qualifications, vehicle types maintained, AVE status where applicable, licence entitlements and preferred shift pattern.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your technical background, vehicle type experience and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What is the difference between an HGV Fitter, an HGV Mechanic and an HGV Technician? All three titles describe the same core discipline - maintaining and repairing heavy goods vehicles - but are used by different types of employer and reflect different sector conventions. HGV Fitter is most commonly used in fleet VMU, local authority, utilities and public sector workshop environments. HGV Mechanic is typically used by independent workshops and smaller hauliers. HGV Technician is the title used by franchised truck dealerships and increasingly by larger fleet operators who have adopted the technician designation. The technical work across all three titles overlaps substantially. Venatu places candidates across all three designations and confirms the precise scope with each employer.

What qualifications does an HGV Fitter need? City and Guilds or IMI Level 3 in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair is the most widely recognised qualification for HGV Fitter roles and is expected for experienced positions. For statutory inspection work, DVSA Authorised Vehicle Examiner (AVE) qualification is required. Many fleet VMU and local authority employers also accept candidates with a strong practical maintenance track record in the absence of a formal qualification, particularly where in-house training or NVQ assessment is available. Venatu confirms the qualification requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

Do HGV Fitter roles require a Category C driving licence? Category C is preferred or required for roles where the fitter needs to road test repaired vehicles or reposition trucks within the depot or operating site. Some employers accept candidates with Category B and support the Category C upgrade as part of their development offer. Venatu confirms licence requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does an HGV Fitter earn in the UK? Experienced HGV Fitters typically earn between £32,000 and £42,000. AVE-qualified fitters and senior fitters earn between £36,000 and £50,000. Team leader roles typically sit between £42,000 and £54,000. Public sector roles often include enhanced pensions alongside competitive base salaries. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from HGV Fitter? Common progression routes include Senior HGV Fitter, Fitter Team Leader, Workshop Supervisor, Workshop Manager, VMU Manager and Fleet Manager. Fitters who obtain AVE qualification, develop strong inspection documentation discipline and take on team leadership responsibility progress most quickly. Read about career development in the HGV technical sector in Benefits Of Becoming A HGV/PSV Technician.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your technical qualifications, vehicle types maintained, AVE status and licence entitlements. Venatu will match you to current HGV Fitter vacancies across fleet VMUs, local authority workshops and logistics maintenance operations, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your HGV fitter requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.