Driving jobs for 18 year olds?

Driving jobs for 18 year olds?

Author
Discussion

davgen7

Original Poster:

19 posts

91 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Hello there guys, this is my first post and I'm already nagging for help! biggrin

I know just how unlikely it is for a lad my age to get paid to drive, whether its due to lack of experience or insurance issues, but I think I may be a slight oddity.

I have experience driving for business purposes and have experience driving vans - although the latter isn't referenceable as I've now become aware that that was possibly quite naughty (company's fault), which does screw up my case a bit - as well as driving (owning) my own car.

Of course I get that few companies have regulations that would welcome someone my age, but given that I have a full license, an impressive amount of past experience for my age for a range of uses, and of course experience driving my own car - I drive a Mondeo ST and haven't crashed it yet - I don't see why I should be disregarded for certain jobs just because most others my age are stupid, can't drive for sh*t and end up crashing. I understand also that this is the usual case, as I personally know a guy my age who is currently on his fifth Corsa on his first year having written the first four off, for instance. However, as I say, I drive a big, quick Mondeo ST every day of my life and am not an idiot on the road so I'm still inclined to find a way around this if there is one.

Does anyone have any ideas? I don't mind if the job isn't purely driving as long as it is a major component of the job. I have good references and very good social skills, along with experience in a range of fields (again, for my age).

I'm not expecting much but please remember that I am serious. Unlike the guy whose thread I read, in which (this thread is still on this forum somewhere - hopefully it has been saved in full detail to provide entertainment to future generations):

- He didn't have a driving license
- He was going to get a minimum wage driving job
- He wasn't going to spend a penny of his wage
- He would avoid all social interaction, which is why he wanted a driving job
- He would then invest his savings and become loaded
- He would retire to the Philippines and live off five grand a year

I'm realistic.

Thanks for reading my first post,
David

Trabi601

4,865 posts

94 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Your problem isn't company regulations / rules - it's going to be insurance.

I've worked for a few companies who offered a home delivery service - the lowest age requirement I saw for a driver (due to insurance) was 21 - one company had an insurance policy which stated 25, after a few too many incidents with younger drivers.

CubanPete

3,630 posts

187 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
The apprentices at work can all drive the pool cars, no age restriction.

What about something slightly alternative, such as working at a corporate events company with quads, honda pilots etc or a kart track?


rog007

5,748 posts

223 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers

Hilts

4,380 posts

281 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Welcome to the forum David.

How about 'man with a van' type self-employment?

If you can insure a Mondeo ST it may be feasible but IDK for sure.

gretsch-drummer

622 posts

156 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Have a look at Royal Mail. I'm a collections van driver i.e I drive about on my set route collecting mail from businesses, boxes etc (It's a good mix of driving and walking). I've been here for 3 years and I plan on getting my 17tonne license soon (I think it's about £1k now) and progressing to driving the 7.5t and 17t trucks.

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Trabi601 said:
Your problem isn't company regulations / rules - it's going to be insurance.

I've worked for a few companies who offered a home delivery service - the lowest age requirement I saw for a driver (due to insurance) was 21 - one company had an insurance policy which stated 25, after a few too many incidents with younger drivers.
all too common, or a de facto age restriction of 20 / 21 due to requiring 2/ 3 years full licence ( as realistically most newly passed drivers are goingto ber closer to 18 than 17 )

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

116 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

116 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.
Because when you sign up to join the forces it is not a two way legally enforceable contract between adults of equal standing.

The forces can decide to send you anywhere, to do anything. The fact that you signed up to drive lorries is of no relevance. If the Army decide to send you to Afghanistan they can. If they tell you to pick up a rifle and shoot at those people over there, then that is what you must do.

An order is an order, not a request.

In the services you can go to prison for failing to obey an order. Statement of the obvious? Well, just think about it.

MitchT

15,788 posts

208 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Hilts said:
How about 'man with a van' type self-employment?
This, or maybe a driver for a parcel delivery company - they're usually self employed. That said, the pay is very poor.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Domino delivery driver.

I would not want to be driving for a job. I worked at Domino's for like 7 or 8 weeks doing 16 hour shifts. It was hell, I hated driving my car!

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
The Mad Monk said:
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.
Because when you sign up to join the forces it is not a two way legally enforceable contract between adults of equal standing.

The forces can decide to send you anywhere, to do anything. The fact that you signed up to drive lorries is of no relevance. If the Army decide to send you to Afghanistan they can. If they tell you to pick up a rifle and shoot at those people over there, then that is what you must do.

An order is an order, not a request.

In the services you can go to prison for failing to obey an order. Statement of the obvious? Well, just think about it.
ah the classic misapprehensions about Service Life vs civilian employment ...

R8Steve

4,150 posts

174 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
I worked for a large car dealership when i was 18 and still at university in the parts department and got to drive the works van around all day. This progressed to often delivering customers cars/picking them up for servicing/etc which was nice as there would be the occasional piece of exotica.

The pay was peanuts, the hours were long but it was possibly the most enjoyable, stress free job i've had.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.
Because when you sign up to join the forces it is not a two way legally enforceable contract between adults of equal standing.

The forces can decide to send you anywhere, to do anything. The fact that you signed up to drive lorries is of no relevance. If the Army decide to send you to Afghanistan they can. If they tell you to pick up a rifle and shoot at those people over there, then that is what you must do.

An order is an order, not a request.

In the services you can go to prison for failing to obey an order. Statement of the obvious? Well, just think about it.
ah the classic misapprehensions about Service Life vs civilian employment ...
Is what he said wrong then?

M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 9th August 16:59

mike74

3,687 posts

131 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
gretsch-drummer said:
Have a look at Royal Mail. I'm a collections van driver i.e I drive about on my set route collecting mail from businesses, boxes etc (It's a good mix of driving and walking). I've been here for 3 years and I plan on getting my 17tonne license soon (I think it's about £1k now) and progressing to driving the 7.5t and 17t trucks.
Doubt he'd get a nice cushy collections or rural delivery duty unless he's very lucky, more likely he'll just be a 'postman with driving' doing some stty park and loop duty which is actually 90% walking.

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

116 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.
Because when you sign up to join the forces it is not a two way legally enforceable contract between adults of equal standing.

The forces can decide to send you anywhere, to do anything. The fact that you signed up to drive lorries is of no relevance. If the Army decide to send you to Afghanistan they can. If they tell you to pick up a rifle and shoot at those people over there, then that is what you must do.

An order is an order, not a request.

In the services you can go to prison for failing to obey an order. Statement of the obvious? Well, just think about it.
ah the classic misapprehensions about Service Life vs civilian employment ...
Well, I have served in the Armed forces. Have You?

Are you saying that what I have said is inaccurate? If so, please spell out where I am wrong.

davgen7

Original Poster:

19 posts

91 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks everyone for all the replies so far, I massively appreciate it.

I've looked at sorting out my own self-employed delivery business on the weekends (at the moment I'm working Monday to Friday, happy to change that job too though as frankly I don't really like it) as I get bored unless I'm working seven days a week - most parties or nights out happen far later than working hours anyway so I don't miss much.

Vans, as expected, can be found inexpensively, and as I'm training to become an electrician could still use the van long after this delivery business has died so this makes good sense. Insurance is going to be a bh - I only managed to insure the Mondeo ST because the insurance company screwed my quote up somehow and it was much cheaper than it should have been, but I accepted it before they could figure that out thankfully (if I'd rung them yesterday it would have been £9500. I know this because I had a feeling they'd messed it up so I rang them again and gave them the same details, minus the name, to see if the quote was the same. I paid £1695, so I'm now certain they screwed up somewhere, to my advantage).

I would also need to be certain that I could find a steady flow of work in order for the cost of the van and the insurance, which won't be pretty, to pay itself off. I have enough cash to get a decent van, perhaps a Transit Connect, with 75k miles or so, plus about £1000 for insurance (probably very optimistic) - but I'd have to be bloody sure I'm on to something I could make a few quid out of before I start, as £4.5k minimum is a lot of cash for a lad age 18 who sees £7.20 per hour as a lot of money.

With that said, all the suggestions given will be looked into. As far as temporary/part-time work goes, while I haven't got any useful qualifications yet, I'd much rather earn a living behind the wheel until I can start my own small electrical business. Unsurprisingly, these types of jobs I'm looking at are very few and far between and I can't help but feel like all the other young drivers have ruined the party for me to some degree, but I will think of something.

Any more suggestions are more than welcome, I've read them all and will continue to do so.

Thanks a lot guys!

Edited by davgen7 on Tuesday 9th August 22:58

AJS-

15,366 posts

235 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
As others have said it's most likely insurance rather than the company's policies.

Quick tip though - don't tell prospective employers that you have a Mondeo ST and haven't crashed it yet as though this somehow made you a beacon of maturity and responsibility.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Wednesday 10th August 2016
quotequote all
The Mad Monk said:
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
mph1977 said:
The Mad Monk said:
rog007 said:
Join the Navy, Army or Royal Airforce (Regular or Reserve) as the minimum ages for driving most vehicles are lower for military drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/military-drivers
Do not do this.
why shouldn;t someone join HM Forces ? the differential ages for driving are far less of an issue than previously with the restrictions of 'boy service' and the changes in age restrictions for all group 2 licences.
Because when you sign up to join the forces it is not a two way legally enforceable contract between adults of equal standing.

The forces can decide to send you anywhere, to do anything. The fact that you signed up to drive lorries is of no relevance. If the Army decide to send you to Afghanistan they can. If they tell you to pick up a rifle and shoot at those people over there, then that is what you must do.

An order is an order, not a request.

In the services you can go to prison for failing to obey an order. Statement of the obvious? Well, just think about it.
ah the classic misapprehensions about Service Life vs civilian employment ...
Well, I have served in the Armed forces. Have You?

Are you saying that what I have said is inaccurate? If so, please spell out where I am wrong.
Someone would have to be a bit thick if they joined up but didnt realise that they would be required to do other tasks.

OP, the forces would be a great idea if you want to have driving experience and get paid to learn to drive HGVs.