Looking to get into HGV driving (Class 1 or 2)

[DMCFan]

Hi all,

I’m looking at getting into HGV driving and just wanted some advice from people already in the industry.

I’m currently based in Solihull and I’ve got my D4 medical booked this week. I’m aiming to go straight for Class 1 (C+E) rather than doing Class 2 first.

I’ve had a few quotes from training companies but they vary a lot, and I’ve also come across the government-funded Skills Bootcamps, so I’m trying to figure out the best route.

A few questions if anyone can help:

Is it better to go straight to Class 1 or do Class 2 first?

Are the Skills Bootcamps worth it or is private training quicker/better?

Roughly how long did it take you from starting training to getting a job?

Any training companies in/around Birmingham/Solihull you’d recommend (or avoid)?

How easy is it to get work straight after passing, especially for Class 1?

I’ve also potentially got a contact who might be able to help me get a job once I pass, which is a big reason I’m leaning towards doing it now.

I’m happy to do tramping as well, doesn’t bother me at all.

Any advice appreciated

[Keep it stiff]

DMCFan said:

Hi all,

I m looking at getting into HGV driving and just wanted some advice from people already in the industry.

I m currently based in Solihull and I ve got my D4 medical booked this week. I m aiming to go straight for Class 1 (C+E) rather than doing Class 2 first.

I ve had a few quotes from training companies but they vary a lot, and I ve also come across the government-funded Skills Bootcamps, so I m trying to figure out the best route.

A few questions if anyone can help:

Is it better to go straight to Class 1 or do Class 2 first?

Are the Skills Bootcamps worth it or is private training quicker/better?

Roughly how long did it take you from starting training to getting a job?

Any training companies in/around Birmingham/Solihull you d recommend (or avoid)?

How easy is it to get work straight after passing, especially for Class 1?

I ve also potentially got a contact who might be able to help me get a job once I pass, which is a big reason I m leaning towards doing it now.

I m happy to do tramping as well, doesn t bother me at all.

Any advice appreciated

My middle son took the route of Class 2 and later took his Class 1, if he was doing it again he would go straight to Class 1.

What he did not foresee is that Class 2 vacancies are limited and that quite a few of them are less-desirable roles.

One of the things you will come up against, regardless as if you are Class 1 or 2, is that most roles require experience, in part this is due to employers being nervous of inexperience and in part as a requirement of insurers. My son overcame this by taking Class 2 agency work, after he took his Class 1, and with a couple of years of Class 2 behind him, he found multiple opportunities.

Whatever you decide good luck with the training.

[the-norseman]

The bootcamp is no better or worse than private, but will be a slower process.

I applied for Class 1 bootcamp but only got offered Class 2, so did it, 5 days, test at the end with 2 minors. I've not used it since because I'm my full time role I opt out of the european time directive so I fall foul of that for working hours. I was hoping to pick up some ad hoc work locally to get experience but didn't.

My cousin who failed his car test about 15 times, did the Class 2 bootcamp as well after me, passed first time. He was working as a Sainsbury's shopping driver previously, a local bakery gave him a chance and hes driving class 2 for them now.

Getting your foot in the door is the key, people who do 1-10 years of class 2 and then try to jump up to class 1 hit the brick wall of "experience", I was on a Facebook group for HGV jobs and its a minefield, its been advertised as a "shortage" of drivers but in fact its a shortage of companies paying liveable wages, some are offering less than you would get for stacking shelves at Morrisons.

I've been around trucks my whole life, one of my best mates was a driver for James Irlam then Stobart then Culina and is now driving for a private firm, I used to go out with him regular.