Mental Health on the Road: Supporting Your HGV Drivers
Driving a heavy goods vehicle may seem like a solitary job — but behind the wheel, thousands of drivers face challenges that go far beyond logistics. Long hours, isolation, pressure to meet deadlines, and disrupted sleep can all take a toll on mental wellbeing.
In the UK HGV industry, mental health support is often overlooked — yet it’s increasingly clear that mental fitness is as critical as physical safety. A driver struggling with anxiety, depression or burnout is more prone to accidents, illness, and errors in judgment — not to mention the human cost to their quality of life.
This blog explores the unique mental health challenges faced by HGV drivers and offers practical, meaningful strategies fleet operators can use to support their workforce.
Understanding the Mental Health Challenges for HGV Drivers
Driving HGVs isn't just physically demanding — it’s mentally draining. Common mental health issues in the industry include:
Loneliness and isolation: Long periods away from home and social circles
Fatigue and disrupted sleep: Especially under pressure to meet tight delivery windows
Stress and anxiety: From traffic, deadlines, poor rest facilities, or job insecurity
Depression and burnout: Often unspoken and untreated, especially in male-dominated workforces
The stigma surrounding mental health can prevent drivers from speaking up, which only increases the risk of problems going unnoticed and unaddressed.
1. Start by Creating an Open Culture
The first step is reducing the stigma. Mental health should be treated the same as physical health — openly, respectfully, and without judgement.
How to build an open culture:
Encourage managers to check in regularly and ask how drivers are feeling
Promote the message that “it’s okay not to be okay”
Offer mental health awareness training to team leaders
Share stories of drivers or colleagues who have sought help and recovered
Tip: Posters, emails, or toolbox talks with supportive messaging can go a long way toward normalising the conversation.
2. Train Managers to Spot the Signs
Many drivers won’t speak up themselves — so managers need to be able to spot early signs of mental distress. These might include:
Increased absenteeism or lateness
Mood changes or irritability
Withdrawal from team communication
Drop in performance or concentration
Signs of fatigue or poor self-care
Provide training to help supervisors respond with empathy and direct drivers to support services confidentially.
3. Encourage Healthy Routines on the Road
Simple health improvements can have a big effect on mental wellbeing. Fleet managers can promote:
Healthy eating: Provide guidance on nutritious, road-friendly food options
Hydration: Offer water bottles or hydration stations at depots
Physical activity: Encourage walking breaks or stretching routines during rest periods
Sleep hygiene: Promote good sleep habits and avoid over-scheduling long shifts
While you can’t control every aspect of life on the road, even small adjustments can improve driver resilience.
4. Improve Rest Facilities and Work Conditions
Poor-quality rest stops, lack of access to clean toilets and showers, and unsafe overnight parking all contribute to driver stress.
Support better wellbeing by:
Planning routes that include decent rest stops
Advocating for improved HGV facilities across the UK
Listening to driver feedback about overnight conditions
Supporting policy changes at industry level
A driver who feels comfortable and respected is more likely to feel valued — and less likely to burn out.
5. Offer Access to Mental Health Resources
Whether in-house or external, make sure drivers know where to turn if they need help.
Options include:
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
Mental health helplines (e.g. CALM, Mind, Samaritans)
Online therapy or counselling services
Occupational health assessments
Ensure these resources are shared in driver handbooks, emails, depots, and on apps where available. Confidentiality is key to encouraging take-up.
6. Review Working Patterns and Schedules
Fatigue is a major factor in mental health decline — and in road safety incidents. Review shift patterns to avoid:
Excessively long shifts without rest
Back-to-back night driving
Poorly spaced delivery schedules
Where possible, allow flexible scheduling or route planning that respects drivers’ home life and rest needs.
7. Encourage Peer Support
Sometimes, the best support comes from those who’ve been there themselves. Encourage a culture of peer mentoring and team connection.
You could introduce:
Buddy systems for new drivers
Group chats or social events
Mental health champions among drivers and staff
Even a casual check-in over the phone can make a huge difference to someone feeling isolated.
Final Thoughts
Supporting mental health in the HGV industry isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a business-critical responsibility. A mentally healthy driver is a safer driver. They're more engaged, more productive, and more loyal to the business.
By investing in mental health awareness, support systems, and a culture of openness, operators can build stronger, more resilient teams and reduce the risks associated with burnout, fatigue, and isolation.
Above all, it’s about remembering this: your drivers are people first. When you support them as such, everyone benefits — from the road to the depot and beyond.