Becoming a HGV driver?

[bristolracer]

I'm starting this journey.
I did an assessment with an instructor yesterday. He says I've got to break some car habits,and I'll be fine.
Medical Tuesday and then I can send off for my provisional and the course can begin.
Been quoted £1695 plus test fees

[bristolracer]

I'm starting this journey.
I did an assessment with an instructor yesterday. He says I've got to break some car habits,and I'll be fine.
Medical Tuesday and then I can send off for my provisional and the course can begin.
Been quoted £1695 plus test fees

[Its Just Adz]

£1695 x 3 is a lot!

Good luck with it, keep us updated.

[bristolracer]

How did that happen?
Let's hope it's not a prophecy of the amount of tests to come !

[mercedeslimos]

951TSE said:

mercedeslimos said:

I did the D first and have been working on the coaches and buses for 3 years now. Did the C rigid recently and going to do my C+E before I make any decisions, but the coach company I work for are top class, no st work and look after you even if the pay isn't top money - I'd take lower money any day over bigger money and a big pain in the arse every day.

Just out of interest for you once you pass your C+E you'll have the category D+E, nope I've not found a use for it either but I'm sure there is one.

My advice to any potential new HGV driver would be to also add subcategories such as HIAB, Moffett, and possibly ADR, if you add on these extras then you'll be more attractive to agencies which is a good place to start as you can experience various types of driving jobs before settling on the particular branch of the HGV driving that you want to follow for your career.

Yeah I found that out recently too, never expected the D+E but it gives you B+E, C+E and D+E apparently. Handy. I often see the many UK and Continental registered coaches with trailers attached for the luggage (especially the 90-seater double-deck luxury coaches which only have small luggage lockers above the engine and gearbox instead of a huge locker below the floor) - this would require a D+E, as would an articulated bus though they are few and far between now. There's a few in a city about a hundred miles away that do a route out to the university - they need the capacity and the old city walls mean low bridges that you aren't getting a double decker through.

[fttm]

bristolracer said:

I'm starting this journey.
I did an assessment with an instructor yesterday. He says I've got to break some car habits,and I'll be fine.
Medical Tuesday and then I can send off for my provisional and the course can begin.
Been quoted £1695 plus test fees

Did mine with Peter Lane Transport in Avonmouth a very long time ago , are they still operating nowadays ? Just curious

[bristolracer]

fttm said:

Did mine with Peter Lane Transport in Avonmouth a very long time ago , are they still operating nowadays ? Just curious

Im in North devon these days, so Im going to be using a company in Exeter.

[fttm]

Fair comment , I was going by your user name . Western Canada for me so little knowledge the shenanigans back home . Best of luck

[bristolracer]

fttm said:

Best of luck

Thank you

[D1on]

bristolracer said:

I'm starting this journey.
I did an assessment with an instructor yesterday. He says I've got to break some car habits,and I'll be fine.
Medical Tuesday and then I can send off for my provisional and the course can begin.
Been quoted £1695 plus test fees

Is that £1695 for Class 2 and Class 1?...

[bristolracer]

D1on said:

Is that £1695 for Class 2 and Class 1?...

The requirement for a class 2 pass before doing class 1 has been dropped owing to the driver shortage. I will be doing a straight to class 1 course.

[Carlososos]

bristolracer said:

D1on said:

Is that £1695 for Class 2 and Class 1?...

The requirement for a class 2 pass before doing class 1 has been dropped owing to the driver shortage. I will be doing a straight to class 1 course.

Just for complete clarity. Your training for a artic licence straight from a car licence for £1695? I’m looking at doing the above so great to know.

[bristolracer]

Carlososos said:

Just for complete clarity. Your training for a artic licence straight from a car licence for £1695? I’m looking at doing the above so great to know.

Plus vat, plus test.
I have paid £55 for a medical, and the school did an assessment which cost £60. From the assessment they quoted the above

[towser44]

Passed my Class 2 last week after just 2 days training (Friday and Tuesday). First time I'd sat in a lorry was the Friday and passed first thing Wednesday morning. Class 1 training and test booked for December now :-O

[MadMullah]

I've just passed my class 1 today. It was a guy from the military who was my assessor.

Took the test around Kirkham. Tight roads and lots of country roads. A few minors here and there. The fact I'd been driving class 2 for 3+ years helped me alot.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

bristolracer said:

then I can send off for my provisional and the course can begin.

I sent off for the provisional on 5th October. About 3 weeks ago I got a further health questionnaire, presumably due to some prescribed medication, to which I responded by return of post.

Still waiting.

[Canon_Fodder]

Ashley Neal's youtube channel is worth a look as he's just going through the HGV training / learning process (his normal content is as a driving instructor)

[Glenn63]

MadMullah said:

I've just passed my class 1 today. It was a guy from the military who was my assessor.

Took the test around Kirkham. Tight roads and lots of country roads. A few minors here and there. The fact I'd been driving class 2 for 3+ years helped me alot.

I did mine at Kirkham about 8 years ago there are some naughty tight turns that I bet catch a few out even when they’ve been practicing the route. I actually got a minor for driving to slowly on one of the country lanes!

[MadMullah]

Glenn63 said:

I did mine at Kirkham about 8 years ago there are some naughty tight turns that I bet catch a few out even when they’ve been practicing the route. I actually got a minor for driving to slowly on one of the country lanes!

My normal area is Atherton so i'd been driving around there. too many A-roads there. the instructor did take me around kirkham area the day before but it was good because i didnt relax during my whole drive time.

i actually got a minor for speeding. i would've got a major but the assessor said that i'd recognised i was in a different speed zone and slowed down early enough to not warrant a major

[Sammo123]

Having become thoroughly sick of my job I've started looking into becoming an HGV driver. Looking at the costs involved I'm going to have to do it in two parts. I think I'll do my Class 2 and find myself a job and then as and when I can afford it I'll sort the rest.

Looking at a couple of local companies the price seems to be around £1800 to go from car to Class 2. Don't know if this is expensive or just the going rate.