Surprising list of best-paying jobs you MUST have a driving licence for – including a £50k gig that allows you to travel

IT turns out that being a lorry driver or a cabbie aren’t the only roles that require a drivers licence.

Around 17.4% of jobs require candidates to have a standard driving licence, according to the RAC Foundation.

From the postings on job site Adzuna, 189,608 adverts required those applying to be able to drive.

It might be worth grabbing those driving lesson as roles that require driving skills could you set up for £50k a year.

Here is a list of jobs that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to need a licence for and what the role entails.

Social worker

A social worker is an important member of the community who looks after vulnerable people. This includes children’s welfare, supporting certain adults and working with those with disabilities. It’s a crucial role in society and ensures those who need it are being looked after.

As you’re going to be connecting with various people you’ll be expected to move around and access those hard-to-reach areas. The per cent of social worker jobs requiring a driving licence is 34%.

Average salary: £49,502.

Chartered surveyor

Chartered surveyors are advisors who are able to offer knowledge about construction, property, land and infrastructure. It’s a highly skilled profession that you’ll need more than just a driving license to get.

Visiting, inspecting, and advising on land means you would be in need of a vehicle to access your place of work. The per cent of chartered surveyor jobs requiring a driving licence is 34%.

Average salary: £49,632

Plumber

Plumbers work inside people’s homes fixing pipes, water tanks, boilers, and other water installations. They ensure all the waterworks inside a household is up to scratch.

With a set of heavy equipment and a different place of work everyday, a car is crucial. The per cent of social worker jobs requiring a driving licence is 68%.

Average salary: £37,785

Mechanic

When fixing a car, it would certainly help knowing how to drive one. The role of a mechanic is to identify motor issues and fix them.

Mechanics will sometimes drive vehicles to attempt to figure out what the issue is and will also needs general car knowledge. The per cent of mechanic jobs requiring a driving licence is 64%.

Average salary: £41,388.

Electrician

With a job that involves racing around to different buildings to fix electrical problems, a car would be necessary. Electricians install and repair electrical fixtures in homes and commercial properties.

If you’re about to head over to a new client you’ll need a way to bring your kit. The per cent of electrician jobs requiring a driving licence is 64%.

Average salary:  £40,899.

Estate agent

Estate agents market and sell properties. You can earn a lot of money as an estate agent, especially if you look the part. To make a great sale you’ll want to look professional when driving clients to their prospective homes.

Estate agents are often offered a company cars for this reason and also are expected to drive potential buyers to viewings. The per cent of estate agent jobs requiring a driving licence is 59%/

Average salary: £37,159.

Carpenter

Carpenters work with wood to build and repair wooden elements of buildings and furniture. It’s no surprise in this career you may be expected to transport heavy materials.

Moving wood to and from your workshop, or accessing different work sites, would require a large vehicle like a van. The per cent of carpentry jobs requiring a driving licence is 38%.

Average salary: £36,925

Carer

Similar to a social worker, carers look after vulnerable people. However, this type of employment attends to physical and mental needs, whereas social workers focus on the individual’s wider environment and welfare.

Cares work unusual hours and may need to access their patient urgently and so a car would be recommended. The per cent of care jobs requiring a driving licence is 34%.

Average salary: £33,039.

Sales executive

Sales involve talking to clients, assessing their needs, and attempting to make a successful sale. They sell products, services and organisations to prospective clients.

While many sales positions can be remote, with calls often taking place online, a car may still be useful to get to clients who want to talk face to face. The per cent of sale jobs requiring a driving licence is 32%.

Average salary: £38,409.

Forklift driver

It may seem obvious but you need a licence to be a forklift driver – but it’s not just a standard driving licence. To operate a forklift you will need to prove you can get a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

While you don’t need a standard licence to get this, it may set you up in better stead to take on this training. The per cent of forklift driver jobs requiring a driving licence is 32%.

Average salary: £23,931.