Heavy goods licence in Paris in 2026: training, employment and prospects

Why the heavy goods licence is popular in Paris in 2026

The road transport sector has suffered from a chronic shortage of heavy goods drivers since 2020. In Paris and Île-de-France, it is estimated in 2026 that 3,500 HGV drivers are missing. This tension directly benefits candidates who train: quasi-guaranteed hiring at the end of training, constantly rising salaries, increasingly attractive employer benefits (welcome bonuses, training coverage, recent vehicle).

The salary of a beginner heavy goods driver in Paris in 2026: €2,100-2,450 gross monthly (i.e. €1,700-2,000 net), with bonuses and overtime quickly €2,700-3,200 gross. Confirmed drivers with specialization (ADR hazardous materials, refrigerated, etc.): €3,300-4,000 gross. It is one of the best-paid jobs without a high school diploma in 2026.

The different heavy goods licence categories

C1 licence (light HGV)

Allows driving vehicles from 3.5 to 7.5 tons. Practical for small delivery drivers (fresh, e-commerce, ambulances, moving). Minimum age: 18. Training: 15-20 hours minimum. Budget in Paris in 2026: €1,500 - €2,200.

C licence (HGV)

Allows driving vehicles over 3.5 tons (trucks, skips, tankers). Minimum age: 21 (or 18 with FIMO training). Training: 35 hours minimum. Budget in Paris in 2026: €2,200 - €2,900.

CE licence (HGV with trailer)

Allows driving an HGV with trailer of more than 750 kg (truck-trailer, car carrier). Minimum age: 21. Training: 30 hours after C licence. Budget in Paris in 2026: €1,800 - €2,400.

D licence (passenger transport)

Allows driving buses and coaches. Not in the same universe as goods transport but often accumulated. Minimum age: 24. Training: 35-45 hours. Budget in Paris in 2026: €2,800 - €3,500.

FIMO: mandatory training to drive professionally

FIMO (Mandatory Minimum Initial Training) is required to practice as a professional road driver. It is added to the heavy licence. Duration: 140 hours. Budget: €2,100 - €2,700. This training is almost systematically financed by the employer in 2026, so strong is the shortage: some companies finance the entirety (licence + FIMO) against a minimum 2-year commitment in the company.

After 5 years, FIMO must be renewed by a FCO (Mandatory Continuous Training) of 35 hours. FCO budget: €400-600, generally covered by the employer.

Heavy goods training centers in Paris and suburbs

Heavy goods training does not take place in inner Paris (tracks of more than 12 meters required). The main centers in Île-de-France in 2026: AFT Paris (78, Élancourt), Promotrans Saint-Denis (93), CFA Transport Gretz-Armainvilliers (77), ECF Roissy (95), Sambre Transport Noisy-le-Grand (93), Centre ACMAT Rungis (94). Average distance from Paris: 20-45 minutes by car.

Most centers offer accommodation and catering for intensive training (2-3 weeks continuously). This explains that it is often more economical to leave on outsourced training than in a Parisian center.

Outlets in Paris in 2026

Last-mile urban logistics

Explosion since 2023 with Amazon, Chronopost, Colissimo, DPD, GLS. Partly night hours (delivery between 9pm and 6am to bypass daytime congestion). Starting salary: €2,300-2,600 gross.

Building and public works (BTP)

Huge ongoing construction sites in Île-de-France (Grand Paris Express, 2024 Games then post-Games renovations, rehabilitations). Need for drivers of skips, mixers, machine carriers. Starting salary: €2,400-2,800 gross + construction bonuses.

Long-distance transport

Less Parisian (a long-distance driver does not return home every evening), but for some profiles it is the opportunity. Higher salaries (€3,000-3,800 gross) but absence 3-5 nights per week.

Specialized transport (ADR, refrigerated, cash transport)

Additional training required but significantly increases salary. ADR (hazardous materials): +€400-700 per month. Refrigerated: +€200-350 per month. Cash transport: +€500-900 per month.

Heavy goods training aids in 2026

Unlike the B licence, the heavy goods licence benefits from many aids: CPF (usable without restriction for C and D licences), Pôle Emploi (AFPR aid that can go up to €3,000 if the training leads to a job), OPCO Mobilités (for employees wishing to evolve towards transport), regional aids (Île-de-France Region accompanies conversions).

Many large logistics companies (Amazon, XPO, DB Schenker, Géodis, DHL) fully finance the training of their future employees via an apprenticeship or professionalization contract. For a motivated candidate without resources, it is often the best entry door.

The typical path of an HGV conversion in 2026

Step 1 (month 1): prospecting with companies (Amazon, DPD, Chronopost have permanent recruitment programs in Paris with financed training). Step 2 (month 2): signature of pro contract or Pôle Emploi AFPR, entry to training center. Step 3 (month 2-4): licence + FIMO training (2-3 months intensive). Step 4 (month 4): hiring. Total conversion delay: 3-5 months. Personal budget: often €0.

Find your heavy goods training in Paris

DevisPermis.fr directs candidates to the most suitable heavy goods training centers for their situation (C, CE, FIMO licence). We identify mobilizable aids and put you in touch with companies that finance. Request your free quote in 2 minutes.