HGV class 1 driving?
Discussion
First of all im aware theyve started calling this Cat C and Cat C+E or something like that now!
ill spare you the 'im sick of my job and want to change for whatever reason' speech.
basically im 25 and thinking of becoming a lorry driver, im aware of the costs/tests involved etc. but id like to hear from guys who are already doing it to find out what its really like. and most of all id like to know if they enjoy it, and what sort of work opportunities lie out there in the current economic climate. I enjoy driving, and would like to make a long-term career from it. just wondered if the guys already in the trade recommended it.
cheers in adavnce for any replies!
ill spare you the 'im sick of my job and want to change for whatever reason' speech.
basically im 25 and thinking of becoming a lorry driver, im aware of the costs/tests involved etc. but id like to hear from guys who are already doing it to find out what its really like. and most of all id like to know if they enjoy it, and what sort of work opportunities lie out there in the current economic climate. I enjoy driving, and would like to make a long-term career from it. just wondered if the guys already in the trade recommended it.
cheers in adavnce for any replies!
I love it, I work for a high st store chain and deliver to their shops overnight.
There are many different type of jobs in HGV ie delivering to shops or distribution centres going to ports, working days or nights out or having nights or weeks away.
I prefer working nights because I can get round my deliveries before the majority of muppets are awake
Your problem is getting started it is a catch 22 most places want a min of 2yrs experience but where can you get it in the first place.
Either work with a company who do haulage pass your test and they'll employ you or pass your test and sign up with an agency.
This time of year work always slows down and thats when there is not a lot of work working for a agency until it picks up mid/ late March.
Just like all jobs you'll love it or hate it
There are many different type of jobs in HGV ie delivering to shops or distribution centres going to ports, working days or nights out or having nights or weeks away.
I prefer working nights because I can get round my deliveries before the majority of muppets are awake
Your problem is getting started it is a catch 22 most places want a min of 2yrs experience but where can you get it in the first place.
Either work with a company who do haulage pass your test and they'll employ you or pass your test and sign up with an agency.
This time of year work always slows down and thats when there is not a lot of work working for a agency until it picks up mid/ late March.
Just like all jobs you'll love it or hate it
oggs said:
I love it, I work for a high st store chain and deliver to their shops overnight.
There are many different type of jobs in HGV ie delivering to shops or distribution centres going to ports, working days or nights out or having nights or weeks away.
I prefer working nights because I can get round my deliveries before the majority of muppets are awake
Your problem is getting started it is a catch 22 most places want a min of 2yrs experience but where can you get it in the first place.
Either work with a company who do haulage pass your test and they'll employ you or pass your test and sign up with an agency.
This time of year work always slows down and thats when there is not a lot of work working for a agency until it picks up mid/ late March.
Just like all jobs you'll love it or hate it
cheers oggs, i understand it is difficult to get a job when ive only just passed my test, however i have a few close ties within the industry that should help me out with any luck. as you say though experience is the key with jobs like this one, but this line of work really does appeal to me being petrol head. im hoping to get out as a drivers mate or something before i go ahead with my training so i can get a better idea of what is required of the job in real life rather than just reading about it.There are many different type of jobs in HGV ie delivering to shops or distribution centres going to ports, working days or nights out or having nights or weeks away.
I prefer working nights because I can get round my deliveries before the majority of muppets are awake
Your problem is getting started it is a catch 22 most places want a min of 2yrs experience but where can you get it in the first place.
Either work with a company who do haulage pass your test and they'll employ you or pass your test and sign up with an agency.
This time of year work always slows down and thats when there is not a lot of work working for a agency until it picks up mid/ late March.
Just like all jobs you'll love it or hate it
The best advice I can give you if you go for your test is to buy the authourised question book for the theory test and study it well. All the questions are in there and they can't ask others. It's not hard, I got 60 out of 60. The driving test is relatively easy, just don't clip the kerb and don't roll back on hill starts. Get a good teacher and good luck.
I liked driving class 1 and enjoyed being out on the road, no one hassling me (apart from the office, but those tunnels can be a nightmare for signals!) and it can be pretty relaxing when your on a late or early.
Like oggs has said there are many different types of class 1, the best thing is once you get into the job you can pick what hours you would like to work.
Tesco pay well, but the shift pattern is a bit odd, fuel tankers also are well paid but you will need experience and an ADR, lots of agency work around but be prepared for some hostility from regular drivers.
If you only do it for 10 years and find its not for you, at least you have tried and you could always come back to it or work weekends.
I still drive but I swapped my Daf for a Merc E class!
Like oggs has said there are many different types of class 1, the best thing is once you get into the job you can pick what hours you would like to work.
Tesco pay well, but the shift pattern is a bit odd, fuel tankers also are well paid but you will need experience and an ADR, lots of agency work around but be prepared for some hostility from regular drivers.
If you only do it for 10 years and find its not for you, at least you have tried and you could always come back to it or work weekends.
I still drive but I swapped my Daf for a Merc E class!
Edited by GTIR on Monday 9th February 14:54
autoholic said:
The best advice I can give you if you go for your test is to buy the authourised question book for the theory test and study it well. All the questions are in there and they can't ask others. It's not hard, I got 60 out of 60. The driving test is relatively easy, just don't clip the kerb and don't roll back on hill starts. Get a good teacher and good luck.
My other half was going through his class 2 last year, and he studied the book, we spent ages testing him on the questions until he could get through all the sections (including the buses) without getting anything wrong, was slightly miffed when he did his theory only to get one wrong (and I think it's 100 questions now), he came out, got the book out, went right through it and announced that they had slipped a question in that wasn't in the book.As a result of him going through it, I know more than I ever wanted to know about tachos, working/driving hours and pendulum/arc/wave effects!
what can i say taldo,
i passed my class 1 when i was 21, many years ago now.
it was ok at the start, but then it got to where i was away from home regulary starting at silly oclock on monday morning and getting to see home on friday night (if lucky) or saturday morning.
living in a cab all week is not all the fun its cracked up to be.
most of the truckstops have gone, services charge a fortune to park up.
i was on general haulage, but if you get with a company who deliver their own goods to their own shops it might not be too bad.
Truckers used to be kings of the road, but now many of the city centers don't want trucks, the roads are a lot busier now and the hours have changed from when i was doing it.
i've been from 1 end of the country to the other and from side to side of it too, lost my first marriage through it, coz of the long hours and away from home, but thats all in the past.
gave it up 6 yrs ago, now better off, happily married again, and home for my tea at 4.30-500pm every night.
best thing i did packing it in.
don't think i'm trying to put you off from HGV driving, once you get your licence you 've got it till you're 45, then need another medical.
anyway good luck and hope you like it when you pass
i passed my class 1 when i was 21, many years ago now.
it was ok at the start, but then it got to where i was away from home regulary starting at silly oclock on monday morning and getting to see home on friday night (if lucky) or saturday morning.
living in a cab all week is not all the fun its cracked up to be.
most of the truckstops have gone, services charge a fortune to park up.
i was on general haulage, but if you get with a company who deliver their own goods to their own shops it might not be too bad.
Truckers used to be kings of the road, but now many of the city centers don't want trucks, the roads are a lot busier now and the hours have changed from when i was doing it.
i've been from 1 end of the country to the other and from side to side of it too, lost my first marriage through it, coz of the long hours and away from home, but thats all in the past.
gave it up 6 yrs ago, now better off, happily married again, and home for my tea at 4.30-500pm every night.
best thing i did packing it in.
don't think i'm trying to put you off from HGV driving, once you get your licence you 've got it till you're 45, then need another medical.
anyway good luck and hope you like it when you pass
I passed mine when i was 22 and started doing nights out straight away and enjoyed it as it was different and i was single with no kids. Now the roads have more traffic on and everyone is chasing your ass, Ie your boss, The place where your delivering to, Car drivers when trying to get out on a busy roundabout And the cops keep a close eye on what your doing. Its a rat race and i dont have a big mortgage to live in a 7x6 box all week and come home for a day and 1/2 everyweek and paid peanuts. Im baised on site now shunting doing 12 hour shifts 4 on 4 off ( for now anyway) I know when im going to be home instead of making plans for tomorrow night only to find ive run out of time and cant make it.
Life on the road can be good seeing the country that you wouldnt normaly see and its a nice country when you travel all over. I think its different for everyone and you dont know till you try it...
Give it a go and good luck and hope you enjoy it. Its always something to fall back on.
Life on the road can be good seeing the country that you wouldnt normaly see and its a nice country when you travel all over. I think its different for everyone and you dont know till you try it...
Give it a go and good luck and hope you enjoy it. Its always something to fall back on.
I got a class 1 and have been driveing about 25 years and love it got my own car transporter been all over the place'one the best jobs I got was moveing classic cars all over Europe sometimes for shows sometimes for very rich poeple,some put me up for a night or two or just gave me a meal that's how I got a tast for good wine,ten great years.A good mate of mine does moilbe homes we have had some good times out on road,once we drove from North Wales to Canterbury at 14 foot wide 47 foot long.Past the test and go and see what's out there you will be surprise!
sorry to resurrect a dead thread, however i thought some of the people who contributed to answering my question might be intrested to know ive decided to go ahead with my training, ive had my medical and sent away for my provisional license, once that comes back i can start studying for my theory! ill try and keep everyone posted on my progress!
sniff diesel said:
Don't mean to put a downer on things but wouldn't lorry drivers be most affected in a recession? If everything people by is delivered by lorry, and people are buying less than Shirley that would mean less lorries?
The UK haulage industry has been severely affected by the current economic climate, haulage firms are going out of business on a weekly basis, as a consequence of this wages are being driven to the floor with more drivers chasing less vacancies.Unless you are very lucky, or know someone who is prepared to take on a newbie, the chances of getting a permanant job are slim. Most employers like to see at least two years previous experience, and with the thousands of qualified, experienced drivers currently looking for work, the odds on a newly qualified driver are stacked against them.
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