Hughes Driver Training Reviews 1.501

I won't mention names but I flew through all the theory 95/100 CPC 45/50 Hazards 85/100, also passed the off-road maneuvers and CPC first time with no actual training from them, you just turn up in a car park on the first day and its sink-or-swim.

When it came to the driving lessons, after the first two sessions my instructor went on the sick and I was put in with another bloke who then had 2 learners in the cab. I was supposed to get 40 hours behind the wheel but only got 15 hours before they rushed me into the test. I failed it due to the extra stress and pressure of knowing I wasn't prepared.

The worst thing is after waiting for over a year about the retest they had been paid for by the government they never actually got me one, just took the money and ran I suppose.

You can say it didn't cost me anything so you get what you pay for.. but I worked really hard for 4 months for nothing and lost the chance of a new career. I know for a fact that the instructors blag their learners to leave 5 star reviews on here because there are company incentives in it for them, fair enough but people should also know the other side.

The office staff were dismissive towards me, and the instructors spent most of the time during my sessions slagging the company off and telling me home truths about how awful driving HGVs is for a living!

I suppose I will try and get qualified for at least Class 2 off my own back, but needless to say I won't be doing it with Hughes!

Anyone thinking of parting with hard earned money there are plenty of options out there so have a look at some of the other 1 Star reviews on here before you make a decision and not just the 5 Star review bombing from successful candidates. There are about 1.5k reviews on here but bear in mind, this is a Nationwide training company with hundreds of candidates on a weekly basis, so there will be plenty of people like me with bad experiences who don't bother to come and leave an honest review.

If you are a new learner I wish you all the best of luck with getting passed!

friendly trainers in Northampton, happy with training

my instructor Steve was great, very patient and very calm even when I made mistakes. really good way of teaching and a good laugh, makes learning a whole lot easier and enjoyable. I would recommend

I passed my C+E today and thanks to Lukas for your help and support to get me perfect driving skills, without your assistance I can’t imagine to passed, once again thanks to Lukas and all Hughes members.
Very happy to get passed certificate.

Very relaxed instructor abs thorough preparation for the test. Many thanks Keith and all at HDT

Had nick as my trainer, kept me calm the whole time and has a great knowledge of the road. Taught me everything I need over just a few days to pass everything first time.

Coleshill branch mark who done my day one and richard who done the rest of week helped me alot and darren i just want to thank you all in helping me pass and making me feel relaxed and reasured highly recommend and i will definatly be back see you soon for my class 1.

Had richard from coleshill birmingham branch. Couldnt ask for a better instructor. Taught me everything i needed to know even with having to swap trucks half way through learning been a pleasure to work with

Really enjoyed my course at Hughes Northampton, with Keith and Nick. Keith was great at getting me settled into the lorry, taking the nerves away and building my confidence. In the second week, Nick helped me build on that foundation and improve quickly ready for test. Both were excellent instructors and great people to be on a drive with. Would recommend to anyone looking at HGV training

I had the pleasure of being trained by Nick and Keith during my LGV journey, and I can honestly say their support made a massive difference in helping me pass my tests.

Both trainers brought a very professional and structured approach to the training. They didn’t just focus on getting me through the test, but on building real driving competence. From the start, they emphasised key LGV principles such as proper mirror routine (use of mirrors before speed, signal, and position changes), forward planning, hazard perception, and maintaining safe braking distances based on vehicle weight and road conditions.

Keith was particularly strong on technical understanding and explaining the “why” behind decisions. He broke down manoeuvres step-by-step, especially reversing exercises and coupling/uncoupling procedures (following clear routines like brake checks, air lines, kingpin engagement, and safety clips). This helped me build confidence and consistency.

Nick complemented this perfectly with a calm, practical approach on the road. He focused heavily on anticipation, reading traffic flow, positioning on roundabouts, and maintaining lane discipline—especially important when handling a larger vehicle with different blind spots and turning circles compared to a car.

What stood out the most was their attention to detail and their commitment to safety. They continuously reinforced industry standards and DVSA expectations, making sure I understood not just how to pass, but how to drive safely and professionally in real-world conditions.

Their patience, clear communication, and ability to adapt their teaching style to suit my learning made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable.

I would highly recommend Keith and Nick to anyone looking to pass their LGV tests and, more importantly, become a confident and competent driver. I’d also like to mention Matt Hughes, who organised all my bookings and kept me fully informed throughout the whole process, making everything straightforward and stress-free.

I recently passed my HGV test with Hughes Driver Training in Newbury. I came here on the back of a bad experience with a previous HGV training company. Coming here and training with Derek was a breath of fresh air, totally renewing my confidence and ability to do the job. Derek was brilliant. He talked my language and made everything straight forward. A very nice place including spotless, spacial facilities to have a packed lunch during a break, easy parking. Make sure you book direct with them and NOT through a broker.

I had Heidi as my instructor for class 1. She helped me understand everything and passed the entire course first time round. Her teaching methods are strict but it really makes you stop and think when you make a mistake and how to correct it. Overall a very good instructor and I’m glad I got the opportunity to be taught by Heidi

Passed my category C with Nick in Northampton. He is a brilliant instructor gave me loads of confidence and help!

The journey from being a standard car driver to becoming a fully qualified C+E commercial driver isn’t always straightforward, and the overall process can feel broken at times, with hurdles along the way.
That said, the real shining star of the experience was Hughes Driver Training (HDT)’s driver trainers. The instructors are exceptional — knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and genuinely focused on turning you into a safe, confident, and competent professional driver. The training itself is absolutely 5‑star.
While the office support and communication could benefit from some improvement, and the reliability of equipment was occasionally questionable, none of this detracted from the quality of instruction once you were in the cab.
A huge thank you to all the trainers, and a special mention to Andy B for his excellent preparation, guidance, and support in the lead‑up to my test — which I’m delighted to say I passed successfully today.
If you’re looking for top‑class driver training delivered by people who truly know their craft, the instructors at HDT are outstanding.

I would like to say a massive thank you to the entire Hughes Driving Academy for supporting me throughout my journey to gaining my C+E driving licence.

A special thanks to the Northampton team — Keith, Nick, and Zara — you are all fantastic, and I couldn’t have done it without you.

I highly recommend this academy to anyone planning to become an HGV driver.

Ady was a fantastic tutor and gave me so much great advice. Had a great experience
I highly recommend Ady and HDT.
Passing first time

Keith is a fantastic instructor made my training enjoyable he gave very clear instructions and always pointed out mistakes that I needed to work on he is very calm and precise. Anybody who wants to train for hgv book with Hughes they are outstanding

Would like to thank Adi for his patience with me, and for having faith in me.

I joined the Derbyshire Alfreton team, for my class 1 and had Andy lead instructor.
What a down to earth strong instructor I’ve learnt so from him, I built confidence in stuff I didn’t know I needed thank you.
Highly recommend

Had Keith as an instructor in Northampton very professional and brilliant instructor 1st time pass and confident to drive