Becoming a HGV driver.

[The Turbonator]

I've been driving buses for nearly 10 years now and I'm seriously considering doing my Cat C and Cat C+E. Would it be a wise decision though?

I know a lot of HGV driver's say the industry is no longer a good place to work but I'm currently getting really fed up of bus driving. The shifts are getting longer, I seem to be spending less and less time at home, the company has made it obvious that it doesn't care about it's staff after recent events, and I'm just generally fed up of being in a customer service based role.

I know I'm paid well, I'm currently earning just short of £11 an hour but next year that will probably rise to over £12 an hour, what with an annual pay rise and a 10 years service pay rise award too. That's the only reason I still do it. I can't find any advertised driving jobs that pay anything near what I currently earn. Unless I get my cat c or cat C+E.

So should I take the plunge and spend the £2500 on getting HGV licence or is it an avenue I shouldn't even consider wasting my money on?

[The Turbonator]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

The Turbonator said:

I know I'm paid well, I'm currently earning just short of £11 an hour but next year that will probably rise to over £12 an hour, what with an annual pay rise and a 10 years service pay rise award too.

If Bob Crow had been your union leader, you'd be on twice that amount, maybe 3 times.. Driving a bus has got to be a lot more stressful that driving a tube train.

Outside of London it's pretty decent wage for a bus driver. Everywhere else pays around 8-10 pound per hour. I suppose tube driving is a more valued skill.

[The Turbonator]

Thought I'd give you all an update.

I started an apprenticeship with a large dairy company in September who collect milk from farms. I can honestly say that I'm thoroughly enjoying it and because it's an apprenticeship, they pay for my licence and everything.

I took a huge leap of faith, as whilst I'm on the apprenticeship I'm on half the wage as I was before. I'm confident I've made the right decision though and after the apprenticeship I'm on the same money as I was on the buses.