First step to becoming a HGV driver
Discussion
Hi Rob
For all the faff of doing the medical and theories you may as well just do the C. Especially as an Atego is closer in driving manner to a C (as mentioned previously most C1 tests are just done in uprated 3.5T vans).
Difference between a BE / C1E / CE trailer test is something I'm currently learning... CE training is significantly more expensive than BE for a start (my BE cost around £500 a few years back). I've recently done the occasional bit of shunting around our yard with the artics. While the principal is identical it's taking more getting used to than when I started reversing the car trailer on the back of my Landie.
Again C1E is just going to be a 5T Sprinter type vehicle with the same trailer as a BE test . Don't know about cost on a C1E test.
For all the faff of doing the medical and theories you may as well just do the C. Especially as an Atego is closer in driving manner to a C (as mentioned previously most C1 tests are just done in uprated 3.5T vans).
Difference between a BE / C1E / CE trailer test is something I'm currently learning... CE training is significantly more expensive than BE for a start (my BE cost around £500 a few years back). I've recently done the occasional bit of shunting around our yard with the artics. While the principal is identical it's taking more getting used to than when I started reversing the car trailer on the back of my Landie.
Again C1E is just going to be a 5T Sprinter type vehicle with the same trailer as a BE test . Don't know about cost on a C1E test.
Thanks all for the feedback. On reflection I think I'll go ahead with Class C as it enables me to get a bigger lorry in the future... The Atego is a bit of a squeeze with it's payload weight and size, it would be nice to have a sleeping quarters in the future :P
I doubt I'll ever use a C+E, so on the trailer side I think I might just stick with the C1+E as it sounds more manageable.
I'll let you know how I get on! I'm hoping to get the Class C passed in the next two months, and then the trailer test sometime before the summer.
I doubt I'll ever use a C+E, so on the trailer side I think I might just stick with the C1+E as it sounds more manageable.
I'll let you know how I get on! I'm hoping to get the Class C passed in the next two months, and then the trailer test sometime before the summer.
I’ve finally got a start and had an induction day yesterday with a big national company doing multi drop Work.
Today was first proper day out on the road, worked 12 hours! Knackered tonight.
Really enjoyed it though, was in a 2009 Scania this morning and a bigger 2016 Volvo this afternoon.
Managed to knock a brick wall down so got that out of the way nice and early......
Today was first proper day out on the road, worked 12 hours! Knackered tonight.
Really enjoyed it though, was in a 2009 Scania this morning and a bigger 2016 Volvo this afternoon.
Managed to knock a brick wall down so got that out of the way nice and early......
Its Just Adz said:
I’ve finally got a start and had an induction day yesterday with a big national company doing multi drop Work.
Today was first proper day out on the road, worked 12 hours! Knackered tonight.
Really enjoyed it though, was in a 2009 Scania this morning and a bigger 2016 Volvo this afternoon.
Managed to knock a brick wall down so got that out of the way nice and early......
They can be long ol' days on multidrop. Some days I can be in the yard at 8 and done by 4. Other days I'm lucky to get back by 9 (if they send me up to the hub with overflow)Today was first proper day out on the road, worked 12 hours! Knackered tonight.
Really enjoyed it though, was in a 2009 Scania this morning and a bigger 2016 Volvo this afternoon.
Managed to knock a brick wall down so got that out of the way nice and early......
Hehe happens to the best of us bud. Unfortunate on the first day but don't let it set you back. Walloped the bumper 'round 90deg on the newest lorry on our marquee fleet and one of our lads is constantly bending his wagon on tight driveways and lanes :/
GC8 said:
‘Managed to knock a brick wall down’?
I think that you need to slow down, take more care and understand the level of observation and concentration that you have to maintain.
I know, it made me think! Apparently the wall gets rebuilt quite a lot so it’s a common occurrence, not that that’s an excuse. I think that you need to slow down, take more care and understand the level of observation and concentration that you have to maintain.
Couldn’t see it in mirrors and didn’t appear on camera until I noticed a few bricks falling.
Oliver47 said:
I know it would be better to create a new thread but still as there are so many experienced HGV drivers out here, I post my issue here. I am looking to get advice on the steps I should take to drive a forklift for a living. Should I find the cheapest certification business or pay more money for an advanced Forklift licence training ? Once I obtain the licence, will my lack of experience be an obstacle to land a good job? Any tips or anything that can help before I invest time/money in a forklift license?Thank you so much for any replies. I goodled but search didn't return any relevant results.
I would recommend looking for the sort of forklift jobs you want and see what level of training they are asking for. Then find local instructors who can train you appropriately.
Oliver47 said:
I know it would be better to create a new thread but still as there are so many experienced HGV drivers out here, I post my issue here. I am looking to get advice on the steps I should take to drive a forklift for a living. Should I find the cheapest certification business or pay more money for an advanced Forklift licence training ? Once I obtain the licence, will my lack of experience be an obstacle to land a good job? Any tips or anything that can help before I invest time/money in a forklift license?Thank you so much for any replies. I goodled but search didn't return any relevant results.
Forks are a piece of cake bud so I'd assume if you're competent enough to pass the assessment you'd have no trouble. There are many different types of FLT ans I'm not sure if you require a different permit for each type though...Been for jobs where FLT or HIAB have been required and they have said they would put me through if I hadn't already got it. May be worth trying it that way
Started a new job today.
It's the same as my last job (delivery driver for a builders merchants) but this one pays a little bit more.
Today was good, played with a new crane type, a FASSI, and while I had a few issues I can see that when I get the hang of it this will be a very capable machine!
The truck is a 26tonner 5yr old DAF CF with a 8 speed splitter box.
Gear changing is heavy and arkward but it's a bit of a peach if you get it right. Engine pulls well so it forgives a bad gear change.
Really enjoyed a new working environment today.
It's the same as my last job (delivery driver for a builders merchants) but this one pays a little bit more.
Today was good, played with a new crane type, a FASSI, and while I had a few issues I can see that when I get the hang of it this will be a very capable machine!
The truck is a 26tonner 5yr old DAF CF with a 8 speed splitter box.
Gear changing is heavy and arkward but it's a bit of a peach if you get it right. Engine pulls well so it forgives a bad gear change.
Really enjoyed a new working environment today.
Impressive machine, always like DAF's over others.
Last week my work gave me a day out to hitch a ride with one of our delivery drivers from a storage yard - DC. Absolutely loved it as a passenger in the driver's Mercedes Actros. Have now asked if I can get away from the desk and join the driver training program we have.
If not then there are a number of training schools nearby so I can go to one of them. Would it be worth doing the whole thing in one go or just getting to 7.5t stage? It didn't seem like that many hours training to get to the HGV stage.
Last week my work gave me a day out to hitch a ride with one of our delivery drivers from a storage yard - DC. Absolutely loved it as a passenger in the driver's Mercedes Actros. Have now asked if I can get away from the desk and join the driver training program we have.
If not then there are a number of training schools nearby so I can go to one of them. Would it be worth doing the whole thing in one go or just getting to 7.5t stage? It didn't seem like that many hours training to get to the HGV stage.
GC8 said:
I drive an asphalt tipper: a 32 tonne monster and possibly the most difficult to manoeuvre vehicle type (8w).
Looking at that makes me shudder - what a horrible thing to try to drive through a town centre. Awful.
I do miss the 8 wheelers some days Looking at that makes me shudder - what a horrible thing to try to drive through a town centre. Awful.
The rear overhang on that 18Ter (Iveco?) has got to take some getting used to
. Be in the hedge half the time on some of our routes! 
I do enjoy mucking about with the crane. It's physical work as you are up and down on the bed, plus sometimes it's just quicker to handball 10 lengths of timber than it is unpack the crane, get the legs out etc etc.
It's still 'multi drop' in a sense as can do upto around 12 drops a day but mostly I'm doing maybe 6-8 drops.
I'm finding with this company that's it's a good balance of driving/unloading time. The days go quick and i feel like I've earned my wage at the end of the day, which I'm proud about.
It's still 'multi drop' in a sense as can do upto around 12 drops a day but mostly I'm doing maybe 6-8 drops.
I'm finding with this company that's it's a good balance of driving/unloading time. The days go quick and i feel like I've earned my wage at the end of the day, which I'm proud about.
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