First step to becoming a HGV driver
Discussion
Ha ha, nice one, Leggly, pleased for you 
Does that mean the the new business is doing well? Or that you really, REALLY hated driving trucks? 
Just done me medical and sent off the application to reclaim/re-instate my old class 2.
Doing the last day of CPC next week.
Digicard being sent away for next week.
Been offered a job. Accepted.
Not sure I want to do this again after a 30 year layoff, but anything is better than 73 quid a week, innit.
Does that mean the the new business is doing well? Or that you really, REALLY hated driving trucks? Just done me medical and sent off the application to reclaim/re-instate my old class 2.
Doing the last day of CPC next week.
Digicard being sent away for next week.
Been offered a job. Accepted.
Not sure I want to do this again after a 30 year layoff, but anything is better than 73 quid a week, innit.
leggly said:
egor110 said:
Are they advertising your old job or getting agency staff in ?
I'm in the south west and we've got staff here Royal Mail trained up to class 2 and don't use !
They usually use agency to fill in but they get the same pay as Royal Mail drivers after 12 weeks I think. Pertemps are the main agency at the Severn Beach RDC. I’m loving not driving artics anymore by the way.I'm in the south west and we've got staff here Royal Mail trained up to class 2 and don't use !
Here ya go, mate.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just to save you a bit of time hanging around, and I´m here anyway,
About halfway down is where Mr Leggly first posts.
Have a good day
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just to save you a bit of time hanging around, and I´m here anyway,
About halfway down is where Mr Leggly first posts.
Have a good day
egor110 said:
Have you properly retired or just left R.M / changed jobs ?
I've been Ill health retired due to bowel surgery, (not as serious as it sounds). I would have been looking to get out anyway, given the amount of legislation, traffic, and general state of the industry, I've had my fill. Thirty years was long enough. We're moving 600 miles north for a quieter life in Sutherland, probably doing an Air B&B type of thing on our new property to milk some of NC500 cash off the tourists. Along with Rocket spotting by the looks of it. 
Edited by leggly on Sunday 22 July 14:46
StevieSpain said:
Ha ha, nice one, Leggly, pleased for you Does that mean the the new business is doing well? Or that you really, REALLY hated driving trucks?
Just done me medical and sent off the application to reclaim/re-instate my old class 2.
Doing the last day of CPC next week.
Digicard being sent away for next week.
Been offered a job. Accepted.
Not sure I want to do this again after a 30 year layoff, but anything is better than 73 quid a week, innit.
You'll piss it Steve. My concern is that the old specialist jobs (asphalt scheme, concrete scheme and brick wagon) are now being slowly taken over by parasites like Wincanton and Eddie Stobart and formerly well-paid jobs are now going to £8:75ph drivers with lots of agency staff used to fill the eternal void, so even these will be the preserve of Johnny Flip-flop on NMW soon... Does that mean the the new business is doing well? Or that you really, REALLY hated driving trucks? Just done me medical and sent off the application to reclaim/re-instate my old class 2.
Doing the last day of CPC next week.
Digicard being sent away for next week.
Been offered a job. Accepted.
Not sure I want to do this again after a 30 year layoff, but anything is better than 73 quid a week, innit.
GC8, Thanks.
I hear ya man. Was offered a job with WIncanton, did a bit of reading up, politely declined.
My ten years experience at throwing concrete around in the 80s has helped me get this job. 600 week take home, salary though, 45 hour week, plus every other Sat half day.
Leggly, shame you retired mate, you looked lovely in red
I hear ya man. Was offered a job with WIncanton, did a bit of reading up, politely declined.
My ten years experience at throwing concrete around in the 80s has helped me get this job. 600 week take home, salary though, 45 hour week, plus every other Sat half day.
Leggly, shame you retired mate, you looked lovely in red
StevieSpain said:
GC8, Thanks.
I hear ya man. Was offered a job with WIncanton, did a bit of reading up, politely declined.
My ten years experience at throwing concrete around in the 80s has helped me get this job. 600 week take home, salary though, 45 hour week, plus every other Sat half day.
Leggly, shame you retired mate, you looked lovely in red
The uniform matched my eyes beautifully I hear ya man. Was offered a job with WIncanton, did a bit of reading up, politely declined.
My ten years experience at throwing concrete around in the 80s has helped me get this job. 600 week take home, salary though, 45 hour week, plus every other Sat half day.
Leggly, shame you retired mate, you looked lovely in red
GC8 said:
Ahaaa... A fixed day rate for a nominal 45hr week. There will be talk of swings and roundabouts - sadly the swings are usually broken and the roundabout only goes one way. Still £600 isn’t bad: what sort of work Is it?
Concrete mixer. 7-5 weekdays
every other Sat 7-12
I did a s
tload in the 80s on a concrete mixer. 5 years at least (I lied in the last post ). But I DO know concrete delivery.. They liked that, in the phone interview.
Yeah, I hear ya about the swings and roundabouts. I´ll use me noggin and see whappen
Edited by StevieSpain on Wednesday 25th July 22:35
Ahh ok GC8, I see what you want "What kind of work is it"...
Ok, basics, every trip out from the plant, is a truck full of concrete to deliver to customers.
You don´t get a planned itinerary of the day. you just know if it´s busy or not. Batcher/Manager will say "Loads on today lads, plenty of bonus!"
Sure, you can go look at the work sheet but it means nothing to you, as a driver. I mean, you can see that Mr Jones at 13 Acacia Drive, Hammersmith, wants 3 metres at 3 inch slump at 09:15, but you can also see that Farmer Jones wants 8 metres of semi dry at 10:00. 20 miles away.
Yáint gonna do em both, so that´s where your second driver kicks in.
After that whoever gets back to the plant first gets loaded up for the next job.
And the day runs like that.
Go and do a drop. Return to base.
Back up under the chute, drum on fast spin, fill up water tank, upstairs for delivery note and info. Batcher drops a shed load of ste into your drum.
Downstairs to truck, up the ladder at the back, look in, check wetness of load, adjust wetness, slow down drum to just ticking over, down ladder, off you jolly well go.
Usually, after 5 loads have been done, you get paid a bonus per load. Mebbe 2-3 quid a shot. SO if I did 8 loads a day I would get an extra 6-9 quid for the days work.
I´ve knackered meself just typing it, not sure I want to go and actually do it
Ok, basics, every trip out from the plant, is a truck full of concrete to deliver to customers.
You don´t get a planned itinerary of the day. you just know if it´s busy or not. Batcher/Manager will say "Loads on today lads, plenty of bonus!"
Sure, you can go look at the work sheet but it means nothing to you, as a driver. I mean, you can see that Mr Jones at 13 Acacia Drive, Hammersmith, wants 3 metres at 3 inch slump at 09:15, but you can also see that Farmer Jones wants 8 metres of semi dry at 10:00. 20 miles away.
Yáint gonna do em both, so that´s where your second driver kicks in.
After that whoever gets back to the plant first gets loaded up for the next job.
And the day runs like that.
Go and do a drop. Return to base.
Back up under the chute, drum on fast spin, fill up water tank, upstairs for delivery note and info. Batcher drops a shed load of s
te into your drum.Downstairs to truck, up the ladder at the back, look in, check wetness of load, adjust wetness, slow down drum to just ticking over, down ladder, off you jolly well go.
Usually, after 5 loads have been done, you get paid a bonus per load. Mebbe 2-3 quid a shot. SO if I did 8 loads a day I would get an extra 6-9 quid for the days work.
I´ve knackered meself just typing it, not sure I want to go and actually do it
Well, that´s me 5 years CPC done. Whew, 5 weeks indoors in this heatwave!
The trg company, I think, was feathering it´s own nest a bit seeing as how the trg was funded by Govt.
They tacked on a NVQ 2 in Road and Passenger Vehicle Driving, padded out with Customer Care stuff (Bus company providing the CPC course).
Then allocated just one day a week for the next 5 weeks for CPC, 35 hours in total.
Can´t fault the actual trainers, 2 blokes, chalk and cheese, but both very good at the job.
Yup, it´s done now.
Medical form and re-instatment of me Class 2 forms sent to DVLA last week.
I expect CPC card to arrive within 10 days. SO probably about the same time coming back.
Next: Tacho card.
Can´t apply online for a first card, gotta have form 779D/BL from a post office. DO any post offices within 2 miles have any? Do they ****
"We don´t have any call for those, sir"
"Well, obviously you do"! pointing to myself.
Had to order a box full from DVLA. I´ll use one and leave the rest with the Trg company (They´re paying for it btw )
Had a call from concrete company, job is still there. They seem ok to wait for a man with experience, Their words, not mine
I´ll believe it when I´m sat in the cab though.
I just need somewhere to live now and the jobs a good un.
Laters, my amigos.
The trg company, I think, was feathering it´s own nest a bit seeing as how the trg was funded by Govt.
They tacked on a NVQ 2 in Road and Passenger Vehicle Driving, padded out with Customer Care stuff (Bus company providing the CPC course).
Then allocated just one day a week for the next 5 weeks for CPC, 35 hours in total.
Can´t fault the actual trainers, 2 blokes, chalk and cheese, but both very good at the job.
Yup, it´s done now.
Medical form and re-instatment of me Class 2 forms sent to DVLA last week.
I expect CPC card to arrive within 10 days. SO probably about the same time coming back.
Next: Tacho card.
Can´t apply online for a first card, gotta have form 779D/BL from a post office. DO any post offices within 2 miles have any? Do they ****
"We don´t have any call for those, sir"
"Well, obviously you do"! pointing to myself.
Had to order a box full from DVLA. I´ll use one and leave the rest with the Trg company (They´re paying for it btw
)Had a call from concrete company, job is still there. They seem ok to wait for a man with experience, Their words, not mine
I´ll believe it when I´m sat in the cab though.
I just need somewhere to live now and the jobs a good un.
Laters, my amigos.
Nope, sorry mate, you can´t. If I was changing some details, then yes I could.
If you´re renewing or applying for a first card, then you gotta get the paper in the post.
This form can only be used by existing GB tacho card holders and EU/EEA or Northern Ireland drivers who hold a tachograph record at DVLA. If you do not hold a record or are applying for a renewal you must use form D777B available from gov.uk/dvlaforms.
When you follow that link you can only order a pack of em.
If you´re renewing or applying for a first card, then you gotta get the paper in the post.
This form can only be used by existing GB tacho card holders and EU/EEA or Northern Ireland drivers who hold a tachograph record at DVLA. If you do not hold a record or are applying for a renewal you must use form D777B available from gov.uk/dvlaforms.
When you follow that link you can only order a pack of em.
StevieSpain said:
Nope, sorry mate, you can´t. If I was changing some details, then yes I could.
If you´re renewing or applying for a first card, then you gotta get the paper in the post.
This form can only be used by existing GB tacho card holders and EU/EEA or Northern Ireland drivers who hold a tachograph record at DVLA. If you do not hold a record or are applying for a renewal you must use form D777B available from gov.uk/dvlaforms.
When you follow that link you can only order a pack of em.
I applied for my first tacho card in April, I printed off a single form and sent it in. Annoyingly, they only accept cheque or P/O. However, after expecting a delay, I posted the envelope at 06:00 Monday, and received the new card on Thursday. Those were the facts as of April, are you saying it’s changed since then?If you´re renewing or applying for a first card, then you gotta get the paper in the post.
This form can only be used by existing GB tacho card holders and EU/EEA or Northern Ireland drivers who hold a tachograph record at DVLA. If you do not hold a record or are applying for a renewal you must use form D777B available from gov.uk/dvlaforms.
When you follow that link you can only order a pack of em.
Form D777B CAN be used for your first card application, contrary to the DVLA notes below the link. If you open the PDF of the form, the very first line asks you to tick the box if it’s your first application for a card.
Edited by normalbloke on Saturday 28th July 16:31
A strange day today, but I think I came out on top. Mebbe.
Lemme explain.
How important is all this licence and CPC and Digicard stuff?
If you don´t have ALL of the above in your hand, plus a pair of steel toe capped boots, you will NOT get through the front door for a job interview.
Regarding the application for digicard.
Now, this is a bit strange. It is not a requirement of any Post Office to carry these application forms (Digital Tachograph). You eother download it from the DVLA website and print it out, or...OR...you order a box full from DVLA.
Why the **** would you order a boxfull I hear you say.
Well, It´s because the PDF on the DVLA website says that THIS form is not the one to use for the first time application fora digtal tachograph card.
This is not true, this is, in fact, a lie.
It is the one you want, download it, print it out, and apply.
But when I went to order just one application form? I found I couldn´t and I HAD to order a pack. Ok, gimme. not bothered.
So, I downloaded the PDF from the webby thing to a memory stick and took it into my trg school today (I finish the course tomorrow, apparently) and asked if I could print it out and send it off from there.
Well, seems like the office manager (who said he would authorise a cheque for 32 squids) is on holiday this week. What?
He´s been off for two weeks and only came back for a day? Now he´s off for another week??
And he did NOT mention this to me last friday when we talked about this.
Does he not realise how bloody important this is?
Stew, breeaathe.
Ok, I´m fine now, thanks
So, I´m gonna print out the application form and let the Office manager fund it and send it...next week?. .....I dunno.... a week is a long time to wait. I have a firm job offer on the concrete wagon, 42k top line, 600 a week in me bank, as long as I have all my st in my hand. A digicard is part of my st..
To be continued, if you´re interested.....
Lemme explain.
How important is all this licence and CPC and Digicard stuff?
If you don´t have ALL of the above in your hand, plus a pair of steel toe capped boots, you will NOT get through the front door for a job interview.
Regarding the application for digicard.
Now, this is a bit strange. It is not a requirement of any Post Office to carry these application forms (Digital Tachograph). You eother download it from the DVLA website and print it out, or...OR...you order a box full from DVLA.
Why the **** would you order a boxfull I hear you say.
Well, It´s because the PDF on the DVLA website says that THIS form is not the one to use for the first time application fora digtal tachograph card.
This is not true, this is, in fact, a lie.
It is the one you want, download it, print it out, and apply.
But when I went to order just one application form? I found I couldn´t and I HAD to order a pack. Ok, gimme. not bothered.
So, I downloaded the PDF from the webby thing to a memory stick and took it into my trg school today (I finish the course tomorrow, apparently) and asked if I could print it out and send it off from there.
Well, seems like the office manager (who said he would authorise a cheque for 32 squids) is on holiday this week. What?
He´s been off for two weeks and only came back for a day? Now he´s off for another week??
And he did NOT mention this to me last friday when we talked about this.
Does he not realise how bloody important this is?
Stew, breeaathe.
Ok, I´m fine now, thanks
So, I´m gonna print out the application form and let the Office manager fund it and send it...next week?. .....I dunno.... a week is a long time to wait. I have a firm job offer on the concrete wagon, 42k top line, 600 a week in me bank, as long as I have all my s
t in my hand. A digicard is part of my st..To be continued, if you´re interested.....
Yes, I see your point, and I totally agree with it.
If I had 32 in the bank I would sort it today.
But,.what if...you´ve been unemployed/signed on, since last November. 73 pounds a week.
And have 15 pounds in the bank. It´s not really do-able.
On the plus side, my lovely woman at Hackney Job Centre has authorised me to get some work boots, and some work jeans.
If I had 32 in the bank I would sort it today.
But,.what if...you´ve been unemployed/signed on, since last November. 73 pounds a week.
And have 15 pounds in the bank. It´s not really do-able.
On the plus side, my lovely woman at Hackney Job Centre has authorised me to get some work boots, and some work jeans.
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