First step to becoming a HGV driver

First step to becoming a HGV driver

Author
Discussion

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

183 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
quotequote all
callmedave said:
Hi all

Sorry for not updating for a while, its been busy and I've been absolutely knackered!

So its been two weeks on the tipper lorries, My Volvo 8 wheeler got swapped for a little Renault 4 wheeler. Its definitely the truck that they give to all the agency staff, its been abused and has a terrible gearbox, but its small and can get in and out of bays in one go instead of having to take a shunt like in the Volvos.

in other news i have been desperately seeking some HIAB work and i'm getting the same response of 'you need experience before we can offer you any work' I asked on a trucking page on facebook and all responses were 'Lie' - now I will if i really have to but I would rather keep to the honest route.

In the mean time I did find an agency who take on new starters for HIAB work and I have an interview with them Monday!

and then on friday i got a phone call from Travis Perkins, I had applied for a HIAB position with them and they called me back to offer an interview, I explained that i had only just got my HIAB ticket and had no experience, they said that its fine and they do take on new passes.

I am over the moon that i have an interview there, Its a step back in pay but im on the bottom step of a ladder that leads a lot higher up. that interview is the following week so i have a long wait of being both excited and nervous, this is exactly the sort of job i had in mind when i set about getting my training.

...and to answer your question, I do not have the EPIC card, although i have heard a little bit about them, I think they are only required for when you are working in a quarry? Im not in a quarry as such, its more of a sorting station for what comes out of the quarry next door. I will ask the guys at work about this (who are great by the way, all very helpfull and a good laugh.)
I hear that bud. Was supposed to be going out tonight but I'm physically FUBAR so collapsed with the OH in front of the telly.

That second steering axle makes one helluva difference doesn't it! Still missing the 8 wheelers though tbh.

Good luck with your interview bud, it's nice to be off somewhere different everyday and HIAB means no heavy handballing (which is currently knackering me.)

Ahh right. I was out of a quarry and a few places around here asked about it as alot of them run tippers.

Joys of something like TP is you'll get some bds of access jobs which really keep the job interesting (one of my previous roles involved ordering bits from TP for our sites and some of them were royal pigs to get at!)

Get used to some lovely lanes like this bad boy I was trundling down on Thursday


The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

117 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
quotequote all
callmedave said:
How does one say they can drive class 2 on their CV?

would 'qualified to drive class 2 vehicles' work or should it be more like 'in possession of tacho card, CPC and class 2 license'?

i'm not sure of the best way to update my CV.
Dave

I hope you will forgive me. You will be applying for jobs - if not now, then at some time in the future.

The letter or application that you send in will be examined by someone who will make a judgement based upon what they read.

May I respectfully point out that the word 'licence' is spelt like that. Two 'C's, no 'S's.

It's licence, not license.

My apologies if this causes offence.

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Sunday 11th June 2017
quotequote all
The Mad Monk said:
Dave

I hope you will forgive me. You will be applying for jobs - if not now, then at some time in the future.

The letter or application that you send in will be examined by someone who will make a judgement based upon what they read.

May I respectfully point out that the word 'licence' is spelt like that. Two 'C's, no 'S's.

It's licence, not license.

My apologies if this causes offence.
Eek! Good spot! Thank you, I will correct that now!

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
carmadgaz said:
I hear that bud. Was supposed to be going out tonight but I'm physically FUBAR so collapsed with the OH in front of the telly.

That second steering axle makes one helluva difference doesn't it! Still missing the 8 wheelers though tbh.

Good luck with your interview bud, it's nice to be off somewhere different everyday and HIAB means no heavy handballing (which is currently knackering me.)

Ahh right. I was out of a quarry and a few places around here asked about it as alot of them run tippers.

Joys of something like TP is you'll get some bds of access jobs which really keep the job interesting (one of my previous roles involved ordering bits from TP for our sites and some of them were royal pigs to get at!)

Get used to some lovely lanes like this bad boy I was trundling down on Thursday

Sorry completely missed your post!

Ive been naturally waking up at 5am now so feel like my body is starting to accept this new routine.

Just got back from my appointment with the recruitment agency, my first impression of them was not great but i will keep my options open. When i was heading back to my car I saw another agency asking for HIAB drivers so I popped in there and registered, Im waiting for a call from them for some work.

in the mean time My regular agency has given me some work tomorrow for a different client, only basic details so far But i assume i will be in a tipper out on the road this time! I cannot wait!

I was so worried about work before I started but as long as you are willing to chase (pester) people for it, then they will deliver. I will update in a day or two after I have done some work for this new client, Im glad to be getting some variety (even if it is still tipper work)




carmadgaz

3,201 posts

183 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
No worries bud thumbup

Never takes long to settle into a rhythm when it's regular. Despite my contract saying 8am start I've been bouncing between 7 and 8 starts (or 6 this morning frown ) which fries me a little.

Did register with an agency but never got anything from them so I'm glad to hear you've been getting somewhere smile . Good luck thumbup

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
quotequote all
All this week I have been working for a different company, still on tipper trucks but I'm actually out on the road picking up and tipping locally.

I have pretty much been left to it, had a run sheet and a set of keys handed to me and told to get on with it. Although I was extremely nervous about it I tried to show confidence and just get on with it and I think I've been doing ok, until Friday, I had been in the 'agency truck' all week this truck was battered, gearbox was rubbish, would only blow hot air inside the cab, it was filthy smelly and noisy. But on Friday we had another agency guy turn up so I got an Upgrade! This truck was much nicer, quieter and the air con worked!! smile

I got to a section of road that is extremely thin, and a coach comes the other way, I have managed to get most of the way past it and then I hear a smash!
My sheet motor has struck the rear most side window and shattered it! I asked the coach driver if the passengers were ok, she said they were, we exchanged details and that was it.
I called the office to tell them, I had to fill out an accident form. I'm back there on Monday but I'm really worried they will say they don't need me anymore.
It actually shook me up a little and I pulled over for 10 mins as I was so pissed off with myself for doing it. I knew it was my fault and I could have avoided it if I had looked properly.

I will wait to see what happens next week, my agency say they have other jobs they can put me on if this company don't need me anymore, but I've been really enjoying it there, drivers are nice office staff are alright and I enjoy the work.

Fingers crossed this doesn't go against me and the rest of my good efforts can cover up this one misdemeanour!

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
quotequote all
Get as far over as you safely can, and stop. Do not go off the sealed surface because you weigh too much. This type of incident isnt uncommon. Usually caused by the bus wker thinking that they are clear, but failing to see the sheet bar or easysheet motor which protrudes beyond the vehicle's body side, and pulling away. They then argue that you hit them... Unless they were stationary with their parking brake engaged, they probably arent free of responsibility.

Edited by GC8 on Sunday 18th June 07:29

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
quotequote all
GC8 said:
Get as far over as you safely can, and stop. Do not go off the sealed surface because you weigh too much. This type of incident isnt uncommon. Usually caused by the bus wker thinking that they are clear, but failing to see the sheet bar or easysheet motor which protrudes beyond the vehicle's body side, and pulling away. They then argue that you hit them... Unless they were stationary with their parking brake engaged, they probably arent free of responsibility.

Edited by GC8 on Sunday 18th June 07:29
They were parked and stationary.

I've learnt it's better for me to stop and let traffic navigate around me, at least if I'm stationary And a car does hit me the blame is not on me.


ezi

1,734 posts

186 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
quotequote all
You're part of the club now biggrin

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

183 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
quotequote all
callmedave said:
They were parked and stationary.

I've learnt it's better for me to stop and let traffic navigate around me, at least if I'm stationary And a car does hit me the blame is not on me.
Unlucky bud but these things happen, that's why we have insurance. Several of the wagons I've driven have had battle scars from "experienced" drivers. The mirrors on the two CFs are routinely being folded in (doesn't seem to happen with our old Leyland DAF 60s!).

Luckily I've only tapped fences and folded some mirrors in so far but came close to taking the side of a Volvo V40 out the other day on a country lane. As you've said it's easier to stop and let them squeeze through. Ended up barking out of the window for her to fold her mirror in and get on with it!

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Turned up and no work today.

I'm sure this is human error but a little bit nags at me that I won't be going back because of fridays run in.

I have a job interview tomorrow so will wait and see what my agency say about the rest of the week.

I'm off to enjoy a day paid for doing nothing! smile

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

198 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
These things happen. I did something similar years back, took a wrong turn in town in an 18 tonner trying to follow my A-Z (pre sat nav!), and ended up in a 7.5 tonne zone.
Of course, with a 12 metre rigid in an urban or inner city area, you are not turning it around easily and while I was looking for a suitable side road to use, I got to a fairly narrow bit with a car coming the other way.
Rather than stop and let the other guy figure it out I carried on, then bumped up the kerb to try and squeeze through. Unfortunately as it was at a really shallow angle the back wheels scrubbed along the kerb, which resulted in the tail lift column clipping the car.
I drove out of the narrow road then stopped and waited for the guy to turn around and come back.
All I could do was apologise, which in fairness he accepted with good grace.
I am glad I don't do multi drop to convenience stores any more although it was an interesting learning curve that's for sure.

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Tuesday 20th June 2017
quotequote all
So today was my interview with Travis Perkins for the HIAB position.

Ironed my shirt, updated my CV and headed off, I think it went alright the guys words were "you get experience from doing the job, its whether or not you fit in here that matters" which I thought was great of him, I felt quite relaxed on the interview and felt it went well.

Got a call this afternoon and they have offered me the job!! I start on Monday! (today being Tuesday) So I'm carrying on with my tipper work this week and will then start a proper, permanent, salaried job next week!

Im absolutely over the moon that I have managed to get a HIAB position without the '2 years experience' everyone wants and without having to lie my way in.

I will be working the grab unit, this is a set of Jaws on a crane mounted to a lorry, my HIAB ticket covers me for Hook, but TP are going to supply the training required for me, they also offered me a salary slightly higher than what was advertised, I do feel that this salary is not inline with what a HIAB driver should be earning, but its enough for me to be comfortable and its not bad for a new starter, Maybe in a years time i can look for something else but I think I will be quite happy here!

bigwheel

1,618 posts

214 months

Tuesday 20th June 2017
quotequote all
Congratulations. You'll be amazed what a grab can do, snatching bundles of timber as well as the usual big bags and bricks. However, when you get to the home delivery where the parked cars block you from positioning the truck next to his garden and he says "Ah mate, just lift the bricks over my car, I'm sure it'll be alright."
Sooner or later it will not be alright. DO NOT BE TEMPTED. The customer will not bung you a tip when you smash his pride and joy.
He will be chuffed to bits though when you suggest lifting 5 tons of big bags over his fence where he thought he was going to have to hand shovel and barrow 5 tons of stone chips or sand the length of his garden from the side of the road!
And when you say to him that while you dangle the big bag over his site and get your knife out (the rope spanner is essential) and cut the bottom of the bag to spread it's contents just where he wanted it, he'll be pressing notes of Her Majesty's finest into your grateful, grubby mits.
When I did a Jewsons HIAB job for a few months some time ago, the empty big bags were throwaway with no deposit.

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

183 months

Sunday 25th June 2017
quotequote all
Congratulations and best of luck with the new job! I am rather jealous! Might have to sort my HIAB out for some of my CPC hours smile

Got an interview myself on Thursday with a local(ish) company driving a 7.5T wagon between their depos. Sounds like I'll need to get my FLT license sorted for it but I'll find out the situation during the interview. Seem to be getting smaller and smaller since I started, be back in a 3.5T van by Dec at this rate wink

Had a bloody long one this week, managed to just stay within my 60 hours this week (58.75) which wasn't too bad considering I'm on a 40 hour contract! They wanted me to do Sat as well but they had no chance!

They wanted me back in the yard by 5 on Friday but there was a clusterfk in the yard first thing so I was an hour later than planned leaving then I had to tank it for 3 hours to get the flooring to site, the lads on site were struggling to get the job done on time and they STILL hadn't sent enough flooring frown As knackered as I was I stayed with them until they had finished which meant by the time I'd done the 3hours back to the yard it was gone 8pm!

Ahh well back to it at 7 tomorrow and big job in Shrewsbury to take it down. 1 team is 2 nights boarding and we are taking 3 18T wagons up there in the morning to start dragging it back! Glad I have 2 days off next week I can tell you!

callmedave

Original Poster:

2,686 posts

145 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
quotequote all
How did it go today Carmadgaz?

This week has been a bit all-over-the-place

Started Monday with doing my induction, which comprised of me sitting in front of a computer and watching videos on how to pick something up off the floor and all that bks!

Tuesday and Wednesday were training, I already have HIAB with hook but as we use grab I had to basically do the whole course again but for grab.

Wednesday afternoon I went out in a little Mercedes tipper for a few drops. No problems there, but today I went out in my truck on proper drops! I loved it. In and out the lorry, dropping the loads, getting forklifts or using the HIAB or handballing it off. We use this 'epod' system, it's pretty good, it's a daily check sheet/run sheet/ sat nav all in one little phone size unit. I have a Garmin in the cab too which works pretty well.

Ive really enjoyed today, chatted to customers, seen loads of the country side had music on and generally had a good time. I did manage to snap my crane retaining strap, we have a ratchet strap just for the crane when in transit, I forgot to undo it, lifted the grab up PING-CLONK. Had to humbally ask for a new one, but it was greeted to mickey taking rather than a telling off so all is fine.

I know I have at least two drops nearby tomorrow then another on whitestable so that will be a nice long run. I topped up the tank today so ready to go once I get in the yard tomorrow.

I will get some pictures up of my truck (which I love!) once I had a chance to clean it up a bit, it's a bit grubby!! smile

Toot toot!!!

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

183 months

Friday 30th June 2017
quotequote all
Glad to hear and update thumbup . New jobs are always like that for a few days while you get shown the ropes though (or is that just in my experience lol)

Think it went alright but I'll find out by this time next week. Also spotted a TP job like yours in the next town over from here so applied to that as well.

Job is basically shunting in either a 5T Iveco daily or a 7.5T Eurocargo and unloading with forks (FLT training will be given smile ) . Not ideal but it's better than what I've got. May also ask on Monday if I can move over to the PalletTrack side of the business, I know he is calling out for drivers too.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new role, it breaks the day up a little when you have drops (even if it's only 5min like in the tippers) which I quite like.

Snapping a strap isn't the end of the world, bet you aren't the first (and won't be the last) to do so. They've straightened out the bumper I bent the other day smile



What shiny truck have you got then? I'm always jumping between wagons but I had this little beaut on Wednesday smile



truck71

2,328 posts

172 months

Friday 30th June 2017
quotequote all
Good to see a couple of new entrants to the industry enjoying it and having a positive approach- it's not all doom and gloom.

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

117 months

Friday 30th June 2017
quotequote all
carmadgaz said:
Glad to hear and update thumbup . New jobs are always like that for a few days while you get shown the ropes though (or is that just in my experience lol)

Think it went alright but I'll find out by this time next week. Also spotted a TP job like yours in the next town over from here so applied to that as well.

Job is basically shunting in either a 5T Iveco daily or a 7.5T Eurocargo and unloading with forks (FLT training will be given smile ) . Not ideal but it's better than what I've got. May also ask on Monday if I can move over to the PalletTrack side of the business, I know he is calling out for drivers too.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new role, it breaks the day up a little when you have drops (even if it's only 5min like in the tippers) which I quite like.

Snapping a strap isn't the end of the world, bet you aren't the first (and won't be the last) to do so. They've straightened out the bumper I bent the other day smile



What shiny truck have you got then? I'm always jumping between wagons but I had this little beaut on Wednesday smile

Do you find that having that large Union Flag on the back of the cab is a bit, well, awkward at times?

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Friday 30th June 2017
quotequote all
Muck away tippers may turn around in five minutes, but the less end of the job includes a lot of waiting.

My advice at this juncture: slow down. Look more. Give yourself a chance.