LGV/HGV Thinking of becoming a driver. Help needed

[Dizzi D1]

hi all im 19 and want to get onto the trucks but im not sure about doing it now because some jobs iv seen advertised, you have 21 for insurence does this go across everywhere?

Also what elce is needed to get on the road, i got a car licence. Im aiming to get the Class 2 with the CPC but what elce is needed (nothing is ever as simple as it sounds)

Any info im grateful for

thanks D

Edited by Dizzi D1 on Thursday 6th May 10:21

[Mazda Baiter]

Speak to some drivers locally. My advice is don't as the industry is on very shakey ground. Go for a PCV licence instead. We are going to need more bus drivers soon, not HGV drivers.

[alfaeagle]

I did it on a self-employed basis through an agency for a few years (Class 1) after getting made redundant.

It used to be really good, cleared £500+ per week. The hours were long, but the work was easy enough for the money. The EU then brought in the Working Time Directive, which limits you to 48 hours a week, then you had the influx of Eastern European drivers willing to work for minimum wage.

Net result, fewer hours and just to make things worse all the hours you lost were overtime hours. Then work started to dry up and rates just stagnated because they could always get someone in who would be willing to do it for less than you.

My earnings fell through the floor so I jacked it in and am now back in a soulless 9-5 job in IT. Still look at driving from time to time, but in general I don't think I would really go back.

I think you have to be 21 for your C or C+E entitlements, though, unless you're in the forces.

[chris123321]

I do believe that due to the new CPC you can gain your HGV licence at a much younger age, will check up on it,

I wouldnt do it personally for the reasons above, transport is getting hit hard currently and will continue to get hit hard and the drivers are always going to get diddled.

Last i heard I believe Stobart drivers are only on £7.50 an hour or thereabouts,

My 2 pence atleast.

[alfaeagle]

doogz said:

Na, Not if he has a CPC qualification

Thanks for the clarification doogz, I was knocking on a bit by the time I did my tests so it's not something that I really know much about.

[tommybrock]

Give it a miss no company will take on a under 25 and the haulage game is deregulated 2010 which will allow foreign wagons to shuttle in britain making it even harder for for resident haulage companys

[Asterix]

Join the Army, go REME as a VM and you'll get to drive loads of cool things before you are 21

[sday12]

Asterix said:

Join the Army, go REME as a VM and you'll get to drive loads of cool things before you are 21

Unless you get shot;)

[fergus91]

with the law changeing you can now do the rigid body test at 18, artic is still 21

[Dizzi D1]

id rather avoid the army lol so its becoming st because of the pols ? even more diffecult because im under 25 ..... that just about sums it up

[Oggs]

Mazda Baiter said:

Speak to some drivers locally. My advice is don't as the industry is on very shakey ground. Go for a PCV licence instead. We are going to need more bus drivers soon, not HGV drivers.

[109 Bob]

I thought about doing the same thing years ago but when I added up all the pros & cons decided against it, the main reason being - I didn't want to spend the rest of my working life stting & pissing in a hedge.

[Mazda Baiter]

tommybrock said:

Give it a miss no company will take on a under 25

Not true. I am 25 now and I have been driving for 3 years. Some will, but it's best to get a year under your belt with an agency.

I was in the position where a local hire company wouldn't hire me a transit pick up because I was under 25. The day after the phone call refusing me I went down there in a company truck with a rear steer trailer, manouvered and parked in their tiny yard then went in and asked to speak to the manager. The result was that I hired the transit.

I have never had a problem with my age for work. If there were any jobs to be had it wouldn't stand in my way.