Refrigerated Transport: A Guide to Reefer Driving in the UK

Refrigerated transport — commonly called reefer driving — is a specialist area within the logistics industry. Drivers who can operate temperature-controlled vehicles are always in demand, and the work often commands higher pay rates than standard haulage.

What Is Reefer Driving?

A reefer unit is a refrigeration system fitted to a trailer or rigid vehicle. It maintains goods at specific temperatures during transit. This includes frozen goods (typically -18°C to -25°C), chilled goods (0°C to 5°C), and ambient-controlled products.

Common goods transported in reefer vehicles include:

• Supermarket fresh produce, dairy, and meat
• Frozen food for restaurants and food service
• Pharmaceutical products requiring cold chain storage
• Flowers and plants
• Chocolate and confectionery (which can melt in standard trailers)

Additional Skills and Knowledge Required

Beyond your standard HGV licence, reefer driving requires:

• Temperature monitoring — understanding how to read and set the reefer unit controls. You will check temperatures at loading, during transit, and at delivery
• Pre-trip reefer checks — fuel level for the reefer unit (it runs on its own diesel supply), refrigerant levels, door seals, and drainage
• Food safety awareness — many employers require a Level 2 Food Safety certificate. Understanding HACCP principles is valuable
• Loading procedures — correct stacking to allow air circulation, using bulkheads between different temperature zones, and maintaining the cold chain during loading and unloading
• Fault response — knowing what to do if the reefer unit alarms, including who to call and how to preserve the load

Typical Pay and Working Patterns

Reefer drivers typically earn 10-15% more than standard haulage drivers due to the specialist nature of the work. In 2026, reefer HGV rates in the South West range from £14 to £18 per hour for agency work, with permanent roles offering £32,000 to £42,000 annually.

Working patterns vary. Supermarket distribution often involves night shifts (starting between 10pm and 2am) to ensure stock arrives before stores open. Food service delivery tends to be early morning starts. Pharmaceutical runs may follow more standard hours.

Getting Started in Reefer Driving

1. Get your HGV licence — Category C for rigids, C+E for artics
2. Complete a Food Safety Level 2 course (available online for around £20-30)
3. Register with a recruitment agency that handles reefer work — like TRS Recruit
4. Accept your first reefer assignment and learn from experienced colleagues
5. Build experience and consider multi-temperature work for better rates

TRS Recruit regularly places reefer drivers with major food distributors and supermarket logistics providers across the South West. If you have an HGV licence and want to move into this better-paid specialist area, get in touch with your nearest branch.