Discussion
Hi all
Due to an impending redundancy I know will be coming my way(still deciding wheather to take the enhanced voluntary package) I am thinking about possible new careers. Always had in the back of my mind becoming a lorry driver. Would like some kind kind of driving job - excluding driving instructor.
Basically looking for any recommendations on a driving school. Looks like there are a few on google. Any thoughts/recommendations?
Thanks for any replies.
Hi Barry,
Just had a wee look into your profile. It seems you have been suffering with back problems. Im my experience getting behind of the wheel of an HGV might not be the best choice (esp in cold weather). It can be hard going on your back getting in and out of the cab and the work that is also involved (roping and sheeting). I ended up with a damaged back in 2004 after I fell off the truck I was working on (yeah yeah cue all the jokes from the folks who know me as an accident prone clusterf**k
).
Anyway, it's a job I would not go back into but that is my opinion but there are probably plenty on here who drive trucks that can paint a better picture but I would get the back sorted first.
However if driving is what you are set on becoming a driving instructor for HGV's could be a better option.
Don't know where you are based but in the Highlands the popular ones are MD Fiddes and Moray Firth Training who put folks through their tests.
Good luck in the new venture.
Ave
Just had a wee look into your profile. It seems you have been suffering with back problems. Im my experience getting behind of the wheel of an HGV might not be the best choice (esp in cold weather). It can be hard going on your back getting in and out of the cab and the work that is also involved (roping and sheeting). I ended up with a damaged back in 2004 after I fell off the truck I was working on (yeah yeah cue all the jokes from the folks who know me as an accident prone clusterf**k
).Anyway, it's a job I would not go back into but that is my opinion but there are probably plenty on here who drive trucks that can paint a better picture but I would get the back sorted first.
However if driving is what you are set on becoming a driving instructor for HGV's could be a better option.
Don't know where you are based but in the Highlands the popular ones are MD Fiddes and Moray Firth Training who put folks through their tests.
Good luck in the new venture.
Ave
SSC! said:
Hi Barry,
Just had a wee look into your profile. It seems you have been suffering with back problems. Im my experience getting behind of the wheel of an HGV might not be the best choice (esp in cold weather). It can be hard going on your back getting in and out of the cab and the work that is also involved (roping and sheeting). I ended up with a damaged back in 2004 after I fell off the truck I was working on (yeah yeah cue all the jokes from the folks who know me as an accident prone clusterf**k).
Anyway, it's a job I would not go back into but that is my opinion but there are probably plenty on here who drive trucks that can paint a better picture but I would get the back sorted first.
However if driving is what you are set on becoming a driving instructor for HGV's could be a better option.
Don't know where you are based but in the Highlands the popular ones are MD Fiddes and Moray Firth Training who put folks through their tests.
Good luck in the new venture.
Ave
Cheers AveJust had a wee look into your profile. It seems you have been suffering with back problems. Im my experience getting behind of the wheel of an HGV might not be the best choice (esp in cold weather). It can be hard going on your back getting in and out of the cab and the work that is also involved (roping and sheeting). I ended up with a damaged back in 2004 after I fell off the truck I was working on (yeah yeah cue all the jokes from the folks who know me as an accident prone clusterf**k
).Anyway, it's a job I would not go back into but that is my opinion but there are probably plenty on here who drive trucks that can paint a better picture but I would get the back sorted first.
However if driving is what you are set on becoming a driving instructor for HGV's could be a better option.
Don't know where you are based but in the Highlands the popular ones are MD Fiddes and Moray Firth Training who put folks through their tests.
Good luck in the new venture.
Ave
Had probs with back for a few years now - hence why i think i may be "selected" for redundancy, been off a lot because of operations/recovering. A driving job is something i kind of have my heart set on. Don't want anything in the science sector again, been in forensics over 14 years and had enough of the people and the job.
Thanks for your thoughts on the job I thought, because of the back, driving instructor may be bad for it i.e sitting side on to learner. Would ideally like some kind of driving. I appreciate your insight, thats why I asked here. I never even thought about the ropeing etc.
I'm based in Fife but would travel anywhere to learn a new trade.
Again thanks for your thoughts.
Cheers
Barry.
Hi Chr,
If you are considering a change of career to hgv driving you could try GTG in Sighthill in Edinburgh,part of the Arnold Clark group.
It is also worth bearing in mind that you will need a medical(£72?) before applying for your provisional licence and a digial tacho card(£38?)for most jobs now,also you'll need your driver CPC.Thats 35 hours of job related training i.e ADR course,Safed course or other such training.
Not all driving job involve roping and sheeting,that's mainly on flatbeds,although most jobs will still involve heavy lifting of some sort.If you are unsure that an hgv licence would be a good use of any redundancy pay try getting work driving 7.5tonners or Transit vans.It's a cheap way of finding out if life on the road is for you.
Lastly,as an absolute last resort last job in the world kind of thing you could try going on the buses.Most firms offer free training but with a two year tie in with the cost of training deducted from your wages.
HTH
Jim
If you are considering a change of career to hgv driving you could try GTG in Sighthill in Edinburgh,part of the Arnold Clark group.
It is also worth bearing in mind that you will need a medical(£72?) before applying for your provisional licence and a digial tacho card(£38?)for most jobs now,also you'll need your driver CPC.Thats 35 hours of job related training i.e ADR course,Safed course or other such training.
Not all driving job involve roping and sheeting,that's mainly on flatbeds,although most jobs will still involve heavy lifting of some sort.If you are unsure that an hgv licence would be a good use of any redundancy pay try getting work driving 7.5tonners or Transit vans.It's a cheap way of finding out if life on the road is for you.
Lastly,as an absolute last resort last job in the world kind of thing you could try going on the buses.Most firms offer free training but with a two year tie in with the cost of training deducted from your wages.
HTH
Jim
I haven't driven HGVs. However I work with drivers alot. Alot of the drivers say working for supermarkets is the easiest job they have done. Less heavy loading and lifting than with other firms they have worked with. No hassle from the police checking tacographs as they know the supermarket firms crack down on over running there drivers. And I think they are fairly good to there employees. I know that a few depots are based in and around livingston. Tesco's is massive! They have the capacity to fill a couple of hundred wagons at the same time.
But as I said not first hand knowlede, just bits iv picked up.
But as I said not first hand knowlede, just bits iv picked up.
Thanks for that guys - very helpful F1dget.
Celt - I have thought about the supermarkets. Got a day off soon, was thinking about going round a few and asking for a few details. I don't really care what I have to do to bring in some money - would just prefer driving. years ago during college hols I worked as a delivery driver for a firm delivering frozen foods all over Scotland. If i remember correctly it was a long wheel base transit/or merc sprinter van. For a guy of 18 and with just a years experience of driving cars it was great experience. I honestly say to this day it was the best job I've ever had. Loved being on my own and driving all over the place - no sat nav in those days - summer of 94. Think thats maybe why I'm thinking driving jobs are for me.
Until something came along I'd happily pull pints for a weeks wage. I'm looking at redundacy as a kick up the arse for me - been looking at getting out of the lab for years.
Thanks for your thoughts all - great getting others opinions.
Cheers
Barry.
Celt - I have thought about the supermarkets. Got a day off soon, was thinking about going round a few and asking for a few details. I don't really care what I have to do to bring in some money - would just prefer driving. years ago during college hols I worked as a delivery driver for a firm delivering frozen foods all over Scotland. If i remember correctly it was a long wheel base transit/or merc sprinter van. For a guy of 18 and with just a years experience of driving cars it was great experience. I honestly say to this day it was the best job I've ever had. Loved being on my own and driving all over the place - no sat nav in those days - summer of 94. Think thats maybe why I'm thinking driving jobs are for me.
Until something came along I'd happily pull pints for a weeks wage. I'm looking at redundacy as a kick up the arse for me - been looking at getting out of the lab for years.
Thanks for your thoughts all - great getting others opinions.
Cheers
Barry.
Craphouserat said:
Thanks for that guys - very helpful F1dget.
Celt - I have thought about the supermarkets. Got a day off soon, was thinking about going round a few and asking for a few details. I don't really care what I have to do to bring in some money - would just prefer driving. years ago during college hols I worked as a delivery driver for a firm delivering frozen foods all over Scotland. If i remember correctly it was a long wheel base transit/or merc sprinter van. For a guy of 18 and with just a years experience of driving cars it was great experience. I honestly say to this day it was the best job I've ever had. Loved being on my own and driving all over the place - no sat nav in those days - summer of 94. Think thats maybe why I'm thinking driving jobs are for me.
Until something came along I'd happily pull pints for a weeks wage. I'm looking at redundacy as a kick up the arse for me - been looking at getting out of the lab for years.
Thanks for your thoughts all - great getting others opinions.
Cheers
Barry.
Most supermarkets run artics on all of their operations,with the exception of the Co-op who at the moment have a varied rigid/artic fleet bbut I dont know how that will pan out as they integrate with Sommerfield.My point is that you will have to pass your rigid test first before you can progress onto artics.Celt - I have thought about the supermarkets. Got a day off soon, was thinking about going round a few and asking for a few details. I don't really care what I have to do to bring in some money - would just prefer driving. years ago during college hols I worked as a delivery driver for a firm delivering frozen foods all over Scotland. If i remember correctly it was a long wheel base transit/or merc sprinter van. For a guy of 18 and with just a years experience of driving cars it was great experience. I honestly say to this day it was the best job I've ever had. Loved being on my own and driving all over the place - no sat nav in those days - summer of 94. Think thats maybe why I'm thinking driving jobs are for me.
Until something came along I'd happily pull pints for a weeks wage. I'm looking at redundacy as a kick up the arse for me - been looking at getting out of the lab for years.
Thanks for your thoughts all - great getting others opinions.
Cheers
Barry.
Once you have passed your rigid test you can go straight onto your artic training/test.Depending on who you do your training with you could easily be looking at a couple of K's out of your redundancy!!If you don't want to take the gamble with your money go down the route of doing your rigid test and maybe aim for work on tippers for a while.It may not be the cleanest of jobs but if you can get a job on a modern fleet there should be little reason to leave your cab.
Most tippers have automatic tailgates and load sheeting(different from flatbeds) now that can be controlled from the cab.If you enjoy life on the road and still want to play with the big boys try getting work on containers.I've not done it myself butt I'm led to believe that drivers are not insured to go into the container,it has to be unloaded by the consignee.So there is little physical input on your part hat may aggravate your back.
Also bear in mind that it's very difficult to get into driving trucks, especially attics. Most employers look for drivers with a few years experience. How are you supposed to get that when no one will take you on??!!
Getting work through agencies is probably the best route in, but it tends to only be temp work.
If you are going for the full licence (c+e), then you are looking at about £2k including the training, tests and other fee's.
Getting work through agencies is probably the best route in, but it tends to only be temp work.
If you are going for the full licence (c+e), then you are looking at about £2k including the training, tests and other fee's.
XDA said:
Also bear in mind that it's very difficult to get into driving trucks, especially attics. Most employers look for drivers with a few years experience. How are you supposed to get that when no one will take you on??!!
^^Anybody looking to pass their LGV test and who thinks they can walk into a job is living in cloud cuckoo land.
The recession hit the transport industry the hardest and how is a newly qualified, inexperienced driver going to get a job before the thousands of experienced old hands?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8037161.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsi...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8068110.stm
Don't waste your time or money...go do something else.
mp3manager said:
Anybody looking to pass their LGV test and who thinks they can walk into a job is living in cloud cuckoo land.
The recession hit the transport industry the hardest and how is a newly qualified, inexperienced driver going to get a job before the thousands of experienced old hands?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8037161.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsi...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8068110.stm
Don't waste your time or money...go do something else.
Agreed, but if 15 hour days, crap money, bad working conditions get you up, go for it....The recession hit the transport industry the hardest and how is a newly qualified, inexperienced driver going to get a job before the thousands of experienced old hands?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8037161.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsi...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8068110.stm
Don't waste your time or money...go do something else.
any employer who will trust a newly qualified driver with 44 tons of possibly very expensive cargo doesn't really exist
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