3 Must-Have Apps for UK Truck Drivers

Driving from A to B might sound simple but, as HGV operators know, there can be a whole host of complications. From unsuitable roads, to lack of overnight parking, to time-wasting dead mileage, there are many possible frustrations. Thanks to modern technology, there are lots of applications out there that claim to make life easier for those driving HGVs. Here to sort the best from the rest, I’m breaking down the three must-have apps for truck drivers in the UK.

Truck Parking Europe

Truck Parking Europe advertises itself as ‘your buddy on the road’ and, put very simply, it’s for truck drivers who need a parking space. However, they offer a much more comprehensive service than this. The user can set filters to find a parking place that meets their needs, covering comfort, infrastructure and security. Parking spaces are also rated by other truck drivers, so you always know what you’re getting. If you enter your start point and destination, all available parking facilities along the route will be shown. The app allows users to add friends and will then show who is driving nearby.

Truck Parking Europe is highly rated and is the top European platform for HGV parking facilities. It’s free from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

NavTruck UK & Ireland by Renault Trucks

Renault Trucks’ NavTruck is one of the more expensive options we’re looking at today, priced at £79.99. However, this is an application that certainly delivers the goods. NavTruck is the first GPS navigation app created with HGV drivers in mind. The application provides truck drivers with safe and reliable routes as it takes restrictions, such as prohibited roads and weight limits, into account when calculating a journey.

The navigation system works out routes based on your vehicle size, load type and weight; avoiding low bridge clearances, truck-prohibited turns, Hazmat or flammable materials restricted roads, etc. The user can select various route options such as ‘Shortest’ or ‘Toll Avoidance’.

You can download this application from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Haulage Exchange Mobile App

The Haulage Exchange Mobile App is perfect for owner operators and drivers as it enables you to pick up more business. The user simply advertises their location and status on the app’s Live Availability Map and then can be contacted with suitable jobs. The app will also send a real-time notification to your phone if a nearby load matches your vehicle size, so you can quickly decide whether to take the job or not.

This application combats the problem of dead mileage as it logs your journeys and matches them to loads relevant to you on your route. This can help to increase the efficiency of each journey and boost profits. It is always possible to turn the tracking off if you want to hide your location and availability for any reason.

This app is available free to all subscribed Haulage Exchange members.

App-solutely Great

I hope this has helped you learn more about three of the best apps for truck drivers. Though there is no replacement for experience, a tech-savvy driver can save themselves time, and even make more money, by taking advantage of the technology available to them.

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Haulage Exchange provides services for matching truck drivers with available haulage jobs. Over 4,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.