Question about becoming a truck driver

[GC8]

My understanding is that digital tachos make it easier, rather than harder (to comply that is, not do the job), as they indicate when breaks are due.

[R0G]

GC8 said:

My understanding is that digital tachos make it easier, rather than harder (to comply that is, not do the job), as they indicate when breaks are due.

I wish they did!!

The stupid software in them reads periods of POA as break and cocks it all up!!

[GC8]

As you can tell, I dont have a digital card.

[philmots]

R0G said:

WTD or RTWTD - forget it - no authority checks on it

I would say that is bad advice...

If you got work on agency for a big supermarket and 'forgot' about WTD 6hr rule you'd be out the door faster than a... Fast thing!!!

[philmots]

R0G said:

I wish they did!!

The stupid software in them reads periods of POA as break and cocks it all up!!

Correct! Don't follow what the tacho records or follow the timer on the truck. Just stick to your breaks, make note of times on a note pad. Note how much poa etc and work it out for yoriself. It can be flashing at you at 4:15 to pull over for a break when you're well in.

[cossy400]

philmots said:

R0G said:

WTD or RTWTD - forget it - no authority checks on it

I would say that is bad advice...

If you got work on agency for a big supermarket and 'forgot' about WTD 6hr rule you'd be out the door faster than a... Fast thing!!!

This was my understanding on it too, as when i down load the drivers cards at work it picks it up too,

FWIW all our drivers lose there daily bonus for infringments, amazing really that they still manage to get at least 1 a month between the 4 of them.

[R0G]

cossy400 said:

philmots said:

R0G said:

WTD or RTWTD - forget it - no authority checks on it

I would say that is bad advice...

If you got work on agency for a big supermarket and 'forgot' about WTD 6hr rule you'd be out the door faster than a... Fast thing!!!

This was my understanding on it too, as when i down load the drivers cards at work it picks it up too,

FWIW all our drivers lose there daily bonus for infringments, amazing really that they still manage to get at least 1 a month between the 4 of them.

A company cannot give LEGAL infringements for RTWTD breaches - they cannot dismiss for not complying with it because there is no legal sanction in force

Most companies do not realise that whole thing is pointess legally

[philmots]

They can dismiss based on it if they make it 'company policy' to follow WTD rules...

[GC8]

cossy400 said:

This was my understanding on it too, as when i down load the drivers cards at work it picks it up too,

FWIW all our drivers lose there daily bonus for infringments, amazing really that they still manage to get at least 1 a month between the 4 of them.

Perhaps, but it may also indicate that its a lot harder to do sat in the driving seat, than it is sat in an office.

[cossy400]

GC8 said:

cossy400 said:

This was my understanding on it too, as when i down load the drivers cards at work it picks it up too,

FWIW all our drivers lose there daily bonus for infringments, amazing really that they still manage to get at least 1 a month between the 4 of them.

Perhaps, but it may also indicate that its a lot harder to do sat in the driving seat, than it is sat in an office.

As much as i understand your point, the fact is i do there job for 3 days of the week too, and my card is clean and green all the way.

[GC8]

*nods*

[philmots]

Mine too.

I've not had an infringement in 2 1/2 years never mind a WTD one.

[pacman1]

Having recently gained C and CE, I'd advise the OP to go for it. Shop around for an instructor you are comfortable with. Cheap is not always best. All in, it cost me £2,200, but that included digi card, medical, hazard & theory, two four day courses for each, with a test on the fifth, and a blinkin' retest!

Next is the tricky bit, getting experience!! Trawl the agencies, I'm on with three at the moment, one of which is getting me regular rigid work with the trust being built between us, the other two are a bit sheite, offering me multi drop van work for minimum wage, that I tell 'em to shove.

Also, there are companies out there who take on newbie drivers, you just have to keep asking around, I've found two already.

[philmots]

^ that sounds very very very cheap!! Where abouts in the country are you?

Well done anyway!!! And keep at it.

[Dav_s]

To be fair that's probably not that far off of what you'd pay us for the same sort of thing (I own an LGV and PCV driving school in west London).

It's important to shop around and find a school that's reasonable price wise AND has a good reputation. There are a few out there amongst all the cowboys, chancers, and brokers!

[pacman1]

philmots said:

^ that sounds very very very cheap!! Where abouts in the country are you?

Well done anyway!!! And keep at it.

Cheers,

WDT Avonmouth

[4keymonsta]

Talking of chancers, last time that i looked the test was £120. I did my class 2 in a hire vehicle with a couple of L plates stuck on. Obviously not the correct way to do it, but it served its purpose.

[Panda76]

Mixed bag answers.

My advice,before you spunk a load of cash on driving licences check out the local job situation.
If there is a load of out of work drivers then you really need to ask yourself the question of:
Is it worth paying all this money out to be left dissapointed.

If there is jobs a plenty then go for it.

[R0G]

Panda76 said:

Mixed bag answers.

My advice,before you spunk a load of cash on driving licences check out the local job situation.
If there is a load of out of work drivers then you really need to ask yourself the question of:
Is it worth paying all this money out to be left dissapointed.

If there is jobs a plenty then go for it.

And make sure those are genuine jobs and not the same so called jobs being advertised by multiple agencies

Check the jobsites and see if they are being advertised by companies - google the company to double check

[philmots]

Panda76 said:

Mixed bag answers.

My advice,before you spunk a load of cash on driving licences check out the local job situation.
If there is a load of out of work drivers then you really need to ask yourself the question of:
Is it worth paying all this money out to be left dissapointed.

If there is jobs a plenty then go for it.

Also good advice.

I'm lucky as i'm right on the M62/M1/A1 and there's stacks of distribution centres etc for big blue chip companies.

That's only one type of work available, too.