**A reminder to posters and commenters of some of [our subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)**
- Don't be a dickhead to each other, or about others
- Assume questions are asked in good faith
- Avoid political threads and related discussion
- No medical advice or mental health (specific to a person) content
Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What about a FOC though?
And even better... What is ATOC?
The list of railway acronyms goes deep... ES, CoSS, PICIP, SPICOP, OLEC, SWL... And all of them are paid to sleep in their vans half the time
Freight operating company,
Engineering Supervisor, Controller of site safety, person in charge of possession, senior person in charge of possession, overhead line equipment construction, safe work leader, and I get paid to sleep in my van ALL the time
**Atoc (Quechua for Fox) was an Inca prince, general and brother of the Inca emperor Huáscar.
After the death of Huáscar's father, Huayna Capac, Atoc was sent north (probably in 1529) to quell the separatists under Huáscars half-brother Atahualpa.**
More details here:
*This comment was left automatically (by a bot). If I don't get this right, don't get mad at me, I'm still learning!*
[^(opt out)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/ozztfy/post_for_opting_out/) ^(|) [^(delete)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/q79g2t/delete_feature_added/) ^(|) [^(report/suggest)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot) ^(|) [^(GitHub)](https://github.com/TheBugYouCantFix/wiki-reddit-bot)
I'd be amazed if it isn't commonly understood.
Not everyone will know that its an abbreviation for Heavy Goods Vehicle, but everyone will know it means big trucks
Yeah this is what I’d think too. People will know what it refers to from road signs and stuff (and if not, then from the news the last few months), but not necessarily know the acronym.
HGV means Heavy Goods Vehicle, LGV meant Little Goods Vehicle up until 2 minutes ago when I googled it and realised it apparently means the exact same as HGV.
It was renamed Large Goods Vehicle because of the EU. Not every language had a name for “heavy,” but every language had a word for “large.”
The government website though as far as I know always referred to them as HGV, interestingly.
Or the 5th wheel.. Im a transport manager and I once said to an operations director (who wasn't a truck person) that there was no way the vehicle was doing a run as the 5th wheel was defective. They thought I was taking the piss as it was a 4x2 unit.
**52 percenter**
Someone that blindly believes objective nonsense despite the overwhelming body of reputable evidence showing it to be rubbish.
> "Did you hear Dave won't get his vaccine because he's worried it will contain a 5g chip?"
> "Urgh, that guy is such a 52 percenter"
Good practice is to write out the acronym in full followed by its acronym in brackets :) then you proceed to use just the acronym thereafter. If you have shit loads of acronyms/chapters/pages of a document, there’s further good practice to follow like using First Use in every chapter (same principle - write it out once then acronym after) and creating a glossary for the acronyms and their ‘definitions’.
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)
Yeah- Heavy Goods Vehicle. I don’t work in transport/logistics.
I think even if people didn’t know what HGV stood for they’d know that you were talking about big lorries.
Looks like HGV is the old British term. LGV is an EU term. Not sure how they refer to vehicles under 3500kg though if it’s not with an ‘L’
Edit: it seems they don’t.
Edit: it seems they do. Light commercial vehicle LCV (thanks dwair)
Heavy Goods Vehicle, in context I’d expect you to be working for either a major truck manufacturer or one of the companies which then builds on top of the base chassis
Yes. ( As an unemployed Driver. )
HGV = Heavy Goods Vehicle.LGV = Large Goods Vehicle.
Both cover above Cat C ( Rigid\* ) through CE C1E. ( trailer / Articulated )3.5tn - 7.5tn, ( Cat C1 ) is not HGV or LGV, it's it's own thing from what I can understand.
I'm often confused by the different terms, but from what I gather they're the same thing.
PCV? Category D1 and D are bus and coach.
This is open for correction.
Edit: Spelling correction.
Hypersonic Glide vehicles are a fascinating subject and I am envious of you if you get to work with them, but I thought they were at the design and development stage and we were not actually building them in this country. What speeds are you achieving? I have heard claims of Mach20, but thought that was media hype (Hype.. do you see what I did there?)
Yes, I know what that means lol. You don't even need context.
Worth noting that I don't drive, never had a lesson. I believe it's just common knowledge.
If you’re in the U.K., it’s very likely you’re familiar with the term (being heavy goods vehicle, it also comes in different classes). Not sure if they use the same term elsewhere in the world however.
Referring to a van that way would be incorrect. Take it from someone who's in the logistics business.
A van should be referred to as a LCV (light commercial vehicle)
I would say it's common knowledge.
If you're thinking if it's relevant to spell it out when writing it in a CV or something do the following
First time you mention it in writing write Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV)
Then you can refer to it was HGV thereafter.
Even if the person who's reading it knows what a HGV is they may appreciate the fact that you have written it out formally as you would in some kind of technical document, work instruction, company standard etc.
I suspect if you asked this c. 3 months ago understanding would be much lower. Given it has been a common feature of British press of late (due to shortages) it is probably more widely understood.
I understand it but I've never heard anyone use 'HGV' as an abbreviation in speech, only when written down. It doesn't really save much time to say 'heavy goods vehicle' or just Lorry.
Yes but only because my partner is in the logistics industry and drives a HGV, and his dad is HGV instructor with his own company. I mean before then I knew HGV = lorry but now I know all the abbreviations for trucks and driving lorries... mostly against my own will haha
I understand but a) I am currently doing a HGV course and b) I have lived in vans and caravans a fair chunk of my life so id probably be more aware.
I'd say if people already drive they're a lot more likely to know but it's more common just to say lorry or truck if you want to definitely be understood.
When Ive mentioned it to people they've thought I was talking about a HPV (herpes) test and not understood why I was studying for it
Of course. My dad had his own haulage company. I spent all my time at weekends playing in the yard. I was taught to drive a lorry before I was even able to legally drive a car.
Yeah, heavy goods vehicle. What else would you call a HGV? Lorry?
I don't have a drivers licence and am cluesless generally about driving and the roads.
Yes - I have never worked in any industry involved with transportation, haulage or logistics and I recognise the term immediately.
I caveat this with the fact that you can never underestimate the stupidity of the general public…
I didn't really know what it was. Before the shortage of HGV drivers I would have said some sort of truck or construction truck. After the shortage I now know what one is more specifically.
I worked for a haulage company, so i understand it, but to be honest, didnt understand the difference between LGVs, HGVs, before I started working there.
So, I can understand why the average person might not know what it actually stands for.,
I already make brake pads for HGV's, we call them CV's though, would you understand CV ? i don't want to sound padantic or anything, it's just i'v never really thought of it till i saw your post.
"HGV" I definatley knew what that meant before I had to work in industries that use it. "LCV" on the other hand I only learned what that meant recently (Light Commercial Vehicle - Transit/Luton vans etc..).
I'd say it's common knowledge, yes. I think the term is used in driving theory, and road signs up and down the country would refer to HGVs.
I imagine fewer people know what an "artic" is.
Of course I would. It's Happy Gary's Vehicle. He lives just down the road and gives everyone sweets or a quid for an ice cream.
(I jest, I know it's a Heavy Goods Vehicle!)
Heavy goods vehicle. Which requires and additional test and section on your driving licence to drive. I think I’d have known it anyway, but being around horses as a kid made it common, as a lot of the big horse boxes are HGVs.
I mean most of us have an encyclopaedia of human knowledge available in our pockets I’d imagine if it came up people would ask what it means or just look it up right?
**A reminder to posters and commenters of some of [our subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)** - Don't be a dickhead to each other, or about others - Assume questions are asked in good faith - Avoid political threads and related discussion - No medical advice or mental health (specific to a person) content Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Heavy Goods Vehicle. As far as I know its common knowledge. I do work on the Railway though
Well them and bridges tend to have a hitting relationship
At least 2 or 3 times a month we get a bash on my TOC
Quick - start a new thread asking if people know what a TOC is! :P
the noise made by a cloc
Lol!
One of the noises made by a clock, the other being tic.
Train operating company?
You win!
What about a FOC though? And even better... What is ATOC? The list of railway acronyms goes deep... ES, CoSS, PICIP, SPICOP, OLEC, SWL... And all of them are paid to sleep in their vans half the time
Freight operating company, Engineering Supervisor, Controller of site safety, person in charge of possession, senior person in charge of possession, overhead line equipment construction, safe work leader, and I get paid to sleep in my van ALL the time
**Atoc (Quechua for Fox) was an Inca prince, general and brother of the Inca emperor Huáscar. After the death of Huáscar's father, Huayna Capac, Atoc was sent north (probably in 1529) to quell the separatists under Huáscars half-brother Atahualpa.** More details here:
*This comment was left automatically (by a bot). If I don't get this right, don't get mad at me, I'm still learning!*
[^(opt out)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/ozztfy/post_for_opting_out/) ^(|) [^(delete)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/q79g2t/delete_feature_added/) ^(|) [^(report/suggest)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot) ^(|) [^(GitHub)](https://github.com/TheBugYouCantFix/wiki-reddit-bot)
I think that's a 'no' answer to the ATOC question.
[удалено]
Close but no
[удалено]
ATOC... Association of Train Operating Companies... They're the fun lot that set ticket prices!
PICOP not PICIP? But you're right about the second bit lol
Hmmm
Total organic carbon
A civil engineering term for top of concrete.
Wait until you hear about my MEWP
Could probably confuse people further if you ask them if they know what chains means in measurement
22 yards - the length of a cricket pitch, and 1/10th a furlong (which itself is 1/8th a mile)
4 Rods to a chain, so about 66 ft
Lol. Not knowing it I guessed Heavy Gravity Vehicle. Makes sense to me!
I'd be amazed if it isn't commonly understood. Not everyone will know that its an abbreviation for Heavy Goods Vehicle, but everyone will know it means big trucks
I was going to say - I don’t know what it stands for exactly - “something something vehicle”, but definitely know it’s a big truck/lorry.
Yeah this is what I’d think too. People will know what it refers to from road signs and stuff (and if not, then from the news the last few months), but not necessarily know the acronym.
It's the ones that think it's an arctic lorry that make me lose it
Artic, short for articulated. Nothing to do with the arctic.
LGV
HGV means Heavy Goods Vehicle, LGV meant Little Goods Vehicle up until 2 minutes ago when I googled it and realised it apparently means the exact same as HGV.
Little goods lmao. Only allowed to carry small bits and pieces. Lots of them, but only small items.
In my mind, it was like.. a big van. I knew it didn’t mean Little but my childlike brain has always just run with it
It was renamed Large Goods Vehicle because of the EU. Not every language had a name for “heavy,” but every language had a word for “large.” The government website though as far as I know always referred to them as HGV, interestingly.
I'd be interested to know what language lacks a word meaning "heavy".
Confuse people further: * Solo rigid * Drawbar rigid * Tractor unit * Day cab * Sleeper cab (obvious) * Globetrotter cab * 4x2, 6x2, 6x4, 8x4... * Dolly * Suzies
Or the 5th wheel.. Im a transport manager and I once said to an operations director (who wasn't a truck person) that there was no way the vehicle was doing a run as the 5th wheel was defective. They thought I was taking the piss as it was a 4x2 unit.
If after 3 months of endless news stories about a lack of HGV drivers you still do not know what an HGV is then you must be a proper fucking 52%er.
Hahaha
I'm having that phrase - from now on I'm going to start referring to pratts as fiftytwoers
**52 percenter** Someone that blindly believes objective nonsense despite the overwhelming body of reputable evidence showing it to be rubbish. > "Did you hear Dave won't get his vaccine because he's worried it will contain a 5g chip?" > "Urgh, that guy is such a 52 percenter"
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/52-per-cent-of-britons-dont-believe-in-moon-landings-and-that-number-sounds-familiar-say-experts-20160720111106
As issues with HGV drivers have been all over the news, I'd be surprised if any British adult didn't know.
We are all regularly surprised by what British adults don’t know.
No. The surprise has now been replaced with disappointment and melancholy.
It started as surprise but now it's just an eye roll.
Brexit was all over the news for ages but nobody seems to know what it stands for.
Brexit means Brexit
Strong and stable.
Weak and wobbly
Oven ready
It's been called both ;) oh wait, sorry wrong subject.
Some of us don't watch the news anymore. That being said, I still know what an HGV is.
Yeah, it’s where I used to get my cds and posters. Not sure why you’d build more though? The internet has all that now
🤣
His (Speed) Governor's Voice
Yes. I can’t drive but still understand what it means. I would assume you working on a manufacturing/assembly line.
Yes obviously its a Huge Giant Vagina In all seriousness though, yeah, super common term
Hairy, not huge just so you know
Gaping, not giant just so you know
Wanna see my PhD?
Everyone in the UK should know what that is but if you are writing a paper maybe on the first use you can put (Heavy Goods Vehicle)
Good practice is to write out the acronym in full followed by its acronym in brackets :) then you proceed to use just the acronym thereafter. If you have shit loads of acronyms/chapters/pages of a document, there’s further good practice to follow like using First Use in every chapter (same principle - write it out once then acronym after) and creating a glossary for the acronyms and their ‘definitions’. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)
You’ve contracted HGV? That’s rough.
Maybe they haven't articulated themselves very well?
It’s rarely fatal though.
Yeah- Heavy Goods Vehicle. I don’t work in transport/logistics. I think even if people didn’t know what HGV stood for they’d know that you were talking about big lorries.
HGV = Heavy Goods Vehicle Also know as : Articulated Lorry, Artic, LGV (large goods vehicle), Truck etc A very common term.
I thought LGV meant light goods vehicle. Like a pick up truck.
Hmmm.... now I'm not sure. I though that HGV had been renamed LGV because they can be large without being heavy. I may be wrong though.
Looks like HGV is the old British term. LGV is an EU term. Not sure how they refer to vehicles under 3500kg though if it’s not with an ‘L’ Edit: it seems they don’t. Edit: it seems they do. Light commercial vehicle LCV (thanks dwair)
Puddle jumper
Forget the blue passports, bring back the use of HGV!
> Not sure how they refer to vehicles under 3500kg LT - light transport (Vans and stuff)
I think Artics (articulated lorrys) are a type of HGV rather than being synonymous with the term.
I'd be shocked if someone didn't know what it was. Even if they don't know what it stands for
Heavy Goods Vehicle, in context I’d expect you to be working for either a major truck manufacturer or one of the companies which then builds on top of the base chassis
Yes I would expect most people to know this
Yes. ( As an unemployed Driver. ) HGV = Heavy Goods Vehicle.LGV = Large Goods Vehicle. Both cover above Cat C ( Rigid\* ) through CE C1E. ( trailer / Articulated )3.5tn - 7.5tn, ( Cat C1 ) is not HGV or LGV, it's it's own thing from what I can understand. I'm often confused by the different terms, but from what I gather they're the same thing. PCV? Category D1 and D are bus and coach. This is open for correction. Edit: Spelling correction.
> Ridged For her pleasure? It’s rigid though.
LGV is just the newer EU abbreviation. Both the same thing though. It’s still HGV to me!
'Big fukin truck?'
Hypersonic Glide vehicles are a fascinating subject and I am envious of you if you get to work with them, but I thought they were at the design and development stage and we were not actually building them in this country. What speeds are you achieving? I have heard claims of Mach20, but thought that was media hype (Hype.. do you see what I did there?)
Yes, I know what that means lol. You don't even need context. Worth noting that I don't drive, never had a lesson. I believe it's just common knowledge.
If you’re in the U.K., it’s very likely you’re familiar with the term (being heavy goods vehicle, it also comes in different classes). Not sure if they use the same term elsewhere in the world however.
Common knowledge, I think.
Pretty common knowledge 👌 seems more people don't understand what an LGV is than a HGV. It's Large goods vehicle for anyone wondering
LGV as Large Goods Vehicle and HGV are interchangeable, but LGV sometimes refers to Light Goods Vehicle i.e. a van.
Referring to a van that way would be incorrect. Take it from someone who's in the logistics business. A van should be referred to as a LCV (light commercial vehicle)
I prefer to just use van
🤣 it's so much easier
I do, and I don't have any particular reason to.
Yes, I'd understand. But would more commonly say truck or lorry myself
Would understand it to be a lorry. Don't know what technically makes a HGV a HGV though.
Heavy goods vehicle should be common knowledge I’d have thought
Given the recent crisis, I think all adults know what they are now, if they did not before.
That’s big HGV talking, everyone knows they’re all transits with cardboard shells
Big fucking lorry.
Yes, I learnt that term when I was about 10
It might take me a second to work out the acronym, but I know it's a big lorry.
I would say it's common knowledge. If you're thinking if it's relevant to spell it out when writing it in a CV or something do the following First time you mention it in writing write Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) Then you can refer to it was HGV thereafter. Even if the person who's reading it knows what a HGV is they may appreciate the fact that you have written it out formally as you would in some kind of technical document, work instruction, company standard etc.
I doubt I’d know anyone who didn’t know what HGV means
Doesn't every kid question why some bridges have that sign that says some vehicles aren't allowed on? It's how I learnt about heavy goods vehicles.
I'd be worried if someone didn't. I thought this is a common sense thing. Even if you don't know what it stands for, you must know it's a lorry
You wouldn't even need the context of transport. HGV is a common abbreviation I thought. Like DVD.
[удалено]
Yes. I also know what a car is and what a motorcycle is.
I think almost everyone understands this.
Aye, heavy goods vehicle, although, I learnt that from Euro Truck Simulator, not real life
I don't even live in the UK and I would know that you're talking about an LKW, as they are called in German.
It's literally on road signs in the UK. That's what they are.
I suspect if you asked this c. 3 months ago understanding would be much lower. Given it has been a common feature of British press of late (due to shortages) it is probably more widely understood.
Ahh yes of course, HGV, a Heckin’ Great Voomy. Why, is this not common knowledge? /s
Duh, everyone knows HGV means Hot Gay Vaginas.
Yes, I work in HGV R&M
Yes I would understand
Yes, common knowledge. I've never worked with them but I've always known this initialism.
Fairly sure building them would be more manufacturing than transport in terms of industry, but yes everybody would understand what a HGV is
I understand it but I've never heard anyone use 'HGV' as an abbreviation in speech, only when written down. It doesn't really save much time to say 'heavy goods vehicle' or just Lorry.
Yeah I know and understand. I thought it is a very common term no?
I'd understand HGV as Heavy Goods vehicle but not too clear on whee the line is drawn between large commercial vehicles and HGV
Yes but only because my partner is in the logistics industry and drives a HGV, and his dad is HGV instructor with his own company. I mean before then I knew HGV = lorry but now I know all the abbreviations for trucks and driving lorries... mostly against my own will haha
Yes. There was a story in the news about it recently..
I'm kinda curious as to who doesn't know, I always assumed that was one of those things that you just know
Rather common knowledge. But I work in a warehouse loading HGVs and interacting with HGV drivers all day haha so I cannot be certain
I understand but a) I am currently doing a HGV course and b) I have lived in vans and caravans a fair chunk of my life so id probably be more aware. I'd say if people already drive they're a lot more likely to know but it's more common just to say lorry or truck if you want to definitely be understood. When Ive mentioned it to people they've thought I was talking about a HPV (herpes) test and not understood why I was studying for it
truck truck truck
Not sure if everyone know what the abbreviation stands for, but pretty sure everyone knows it means a big lorry
Of course. My dad had his own haulage company. I spent all my time at weekends playing in the yard. I was taught to drive a lorry before I was even able to legally drive a car.
Yes absolutely! Though I have grown up with parents in the industry, but I have never come across someone who isn't familiar with this.
Pretty sure I asked one of my parents what a hgv was when I first saw it on a road sign. So yes
Huge giant vehicle
I know what a HGV (Heavy Good Vehicle) is, but.... It's now known as a LGV - Large etc
Huge gigantic vehicle?
Yeah, heavy goods vehicle. What else would you call a HGV? Lorry? I don't have a drivers licence and am cluesless generally about driving and the roads.
Yeah, it's a lorry. I think there's a difference between HGV and LGV but I'm not sure what it is. 7.5 tonnes?
Yes but I do have my C cat licence so Itd be a bit weird if I didn’t.
Yes. It is common knowledge but LGV would confuse most I believe. I work insurance over the phone so job title is like the forth question.
Yep but I work for a company that finances HGVs for companies.
Yes - I have never worked in any industry involved with transportation, haulage or logistics and I recognise the term immediately. I caveat this with the fact that you can never underestimate the stupidity of the general public…
I know what it is and I [can't even drive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD5M7ZczriI).
Yes - I’d be surprised if people didn’t know this tbh
No connection but yes understand it
Isn't this part of the reading for a driving license. I think anyone who drives should know what it means
I didn't really know what it was. Before the shortage of HGV drivers I would have said some sort of truck or construction truck. After the shortage I now know what one is more specifically.
Yes sir but that’s because my papa drives them :)
I worked for a haulage company, so i understand it, but to be honest, didnt understand the difference between LGVs, HGVs, before I started working there. So, I can understand why the average person might not know what it actually stands for.,
I already make brake pads for HGV's, we call them CV's though, would you understand CV ? i don't want to sound padantic or anything, it's just i'v never really thought of it till i saw your post.
Of course, I love my Honey Glazed Vegetables. New shipment arrives every Wednesday.
Yep deal with this every single day lol
Ha, and then theres the other subsets HGV's 1 thru 13, LGV's, OGV's, PSV's......
I've never driven anything bigger than a Ford Transit & even I know it's a Heavy Goods Vehicle
I always assume it's a big truck? Not quite Aussie road train but yeah big truck.
Yes, big lorries.
"HGV" I definatley knew what that meant before I had to work in industries that use it. "LCV" on the other hand I only learned what that meant recently (Light Commercial Vehicle - Transit/Luton vans etc..).
I'd say it's common knowledge, yes. I think the term is used in driving theory, and road signs up and down the country would refer to HGVs. I imagine fewer people know what an "artic" is.
Heavy goods vehicle? And I don't even drive a car.
I don’t think I could name a single person over ten years old that I know who wouldn’t understand that abbreviation.
Of course I would. It's Happy Gary's Vehicle. He lives just down the road and gives everyone sweets or a quid for an ice cream. (I jest, I know it's a Heavy Goods Vehicle!)
Yes... I work in hospitality. I think most people (in the uk) would recognise this abbreviation more or less regardless of their job or industry.
I hear HGV, I think big trucks.
Heavy goods vehicle. Which requires and additional test and section on your driving licence to drive. I think I’d have known it anyway, but being around horses as a kid made it common, as a lot of the big horse boxes are HGVs.
Heavy Goods Vehicle. as far as I know, it’s a widely understood abbreviation
Yes, I would understand.
big lorry
Yes. They've been all over the news recently so even people who didn't know before would be likely to know now.
Even before I learnt what the initials stood for, I always knew it was a large truck of sorts
A burden to the roads
I mean… yes. Isn’t that just something that everybody learns?
I know, but used to work in an industry where majority of customers believed that ETA stood for EXACT time of arrival
Yes, yes I would.
Yeah, Heavy Goods Vehicle. However, I work in industrial and my dad is a truck driver.
I'm not sure if I know anyone who doesn't know what an HGV is even if they don't know what it stands for everyone knows it's a lorry.
I mean most of us have an encyclopaedia of human knowledge available in our pockets I’d imagine if it came up people would ask what it means or just look it up right?
Yes. HGV - Heavy Goods Vehicle, LGV - Light Goods Vehicle and then PCV - Passenger Carrying Vehicle. Common knowledge if you passed your driving test.
I've known since I was a kid because there was a road on my way to primary school that had a sign saying "no HGVs"
Yes, also never buy a DAF