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Driver

Royal Air Force • United Kingdom • 6m ago

Currently recruiting

Transport & vehicles Travelling the world Analysis & maths

INITIAL ANNUAL PAY

£25,200+

+ BENEFITS

As a RAF Driver, you will operate many vehicle types, from cars and minibuses to cranes, articulated trucks, coaches and specialist vehicles (such as aircraft refuellers) to ensure RAF personnel, equipment and commodities are in the right place at the right time.

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What will you do?

As a driver you will be required to drive and operate a wide range of general and specialist vehicles, from Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV, which include cars, minibuses and coaches), to both rigid and articulated Large Goods Vehicles (LGV). You will be responsible for making sure RAF personnel, equipment and vehicles get to the right place, at the right time. In your role you will:

Drive a range of vehicles throughout the UK, Europe, and on worldwide operational deployment or field exercises, both on roads and over rough terrain
Train and operate specialist vehicles supporting the RAF’s airfields in the UK and worldwide
Transport personnel and goods (including hazardous materials) between units using Large Goods Vehicles, coaches and Troop Carrying Vehicles
Refuel aircraft using tankers, clear runways of snow and ice using specialist airfield support vehicles and transport freight with complex trailers

Minimum education requirements

No formal qualifications required

Requirements

Be aged 17 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
Must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status)
Commit to minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
Meet the fitness and health criteria
Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
Pass a Fitness test - Details below

View all entry requirements >

Apprenticeships available

The RAF is one of the largest providers of diverse apprenticeships in the UK. We offer these apprenticeships for this role:

Level 2 Large Goods Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship

Doing an RAF apprenticeship means you can gain a professional qualification that’s recognised in the civilian world, and you’ll also have a guaranteed job in your chosen role once you’ve completed it.

View full details

CAREER, TRAINING

& EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.

Phase one training

Basic Recruit Training

10 weeks

RAF Halton

Your career will start with Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.

Phase two training

Specialist training

17 weeks

DST Leconfield

Your next step will be the specialist driving course at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield in East Yorkshire, which takes up to four months.

First tour

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

Your first assignment will most likely be at an RAF Main Operating Base. You will drive the vehicles for which you hold licences that you achieved during Initial Specialisation Training

Additional qualifications

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

You can gain further qualifications and advanced driver training with such courses as Tanker Anti-Rollover, requalification in ADR every 5 years and Digital Tachograph training.

Career prospects

Ongoing development

Ongoing

As assigned

As your career progresses, we will continue to train you in new skills.

Transferable skills

Ongoing development

Ongoing

As assigned

The qualifications you can earn are as valuable in civilian industry as they are in the RAF.

WHY JOIN

THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Rent from £75p/m

Free gym

Subsidised food

Health care

World travel

Training

View all benefits

WHAT HAPPENS

AFTER APPLYING

Joining the RAF takes several steps. Below is an overview of the process. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.

Aptitude test

Stage 1 of 6

The aptitude test has been designed to ensure you’re a good fit for the role you’re applying for. You’ll answer seven multiple choice sections which each focus on a different skill:

Verbal reasoning - use and interpretation of written information
Numerical reasoning - ability with basic fractions, decimals and formulae
Work rate - speed and accuracy of tasks
Spatial reasoning - how shapes and objects work
Electrical comprehension - working with electrical concepts
Mechanical comprehension - grasp of mechanical concepts
Memory - Ability to remember information accurately

Click here to try the online practice test.

Selection Interviews

Stage 2 of 6

Here’s where we get to know you a little better. You’ll get to showcase your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining us. Your interview will take place at a local AFCO and cover the following topics:

Family life
Education
Work experience
Special interests and hobbies
Interest in the RAF
Training
The role you’ve applied for
The RAF

You’ll be asked a series of standard questions, and you’ll be able to ask your own questions during the debrief afterwards. Some roles require a second interview and/ or test to determine your suitability. These are normally conducted over a 1-3 day period at an RAF base where you’ll be able to see, and experience, the kind of environment you’ll be working in. Details about which interviews are relevant for you will be provided during the application process.

Health Assessment

Stage 3 of 6

You’re legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show you’re fit for military duty. As part of this assessment we will check your overall health, focusing on areas like hearing, eyesight and body mass index.

We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role. Please refer to entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.

Fitness Test

Stage 4 of 6

A good level of fitness is critical to joining the RAF, it’s also something that must be maintained throughout your career. You’ll need to complete a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFC). This will take place at a local gym, and includes a 2.4km run, push up test and a sit-up test.

The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. Please refer to the entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet. You can also find help, and a training plan, to assist you in your preparation here.

Acceptance

Stage 5 of 6

Once you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process you’ll be invited to a provisional offer of service interview at your nearest AFCO. This is to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of service in the RAF, are fully committed to joining, and prepared to commence training.

Training

Stage 6 of 6

This takes place over 10 weeks at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. It will make you fitter and more confident. It will challenge you mentally and physically, and it will prepare you for your career with us. There are 6 phases:

Arrival - You’ll be sworn into the RAF and be given a service number
General Service training - You’ll learn about marching, drills, core values and our code of conduct
Initial Force Protection training - Fighting and survival in a military environment
Exercise Blue Warrior - 4 days in the field with real battle conditions
Force development training - Apply your skills in new environments with adventurous training activities
Graduation - Learn about what’s required in your first post and display your new skills

What next?
Now you’re a fully-fledged member of the RAF you can receive role specific training.

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

Must be aged between 17 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

No formal qualifications required.

You do not need any type of driving licence to apply for the role of Driver in the RAF but you will need a UK DVLA provisional driving licence before you start your training.

You must not have any endorsements (penalty points) or a driving ban which would prevent you from holding an LGV licence, if you are under the age of 21. A maximum of 3 penalty points for Minor Traffic
Offences (such as SP30) will be accepted for over 21 years of age. Any serious driving
convictions (such as DR 10 to DR 30) are not acceptable due to the limitations on the type of
employment you will undertake.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BACKGROUND CHECKS

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.

APPLY

NOW

Got what it takes? Start your application here.