Thinking of having a go at my HGV licence - Any pointers?
Discussion
dowahdiddyman said:
Right lets get something straight right away, it`s a good job if you don`t mind long days,13hrs usually, don`t want a decent home life. The people who say on here who say the money isn`t that good being only 10-12 quid an hour are oh so wrong, try finding many drivers on 12 quid an hour, try about 8 and you`ll be more on the mark with many earning a lot less.
There are good driving jobs but don`t expect to get anywhere near them without a lot of experience, it`s catch 22, you need experience but to gain it you need a job, so if you get a first job earning much above 7.50 an hour you`ve done well. Just remember that there are a lot of unemployed drivers out there at the moment.
Don`t get me wrong there are good jobs, I enjoy my truck driving job and couldn`t imagine doing anything else now, which the more I think about it the sadder I get.
Seriously if you are going to spend that sort of money doing some training go for something else.
Sorry but at the moment the truck driving game is on it`s butt.
True: the £10-12/hour I was quoting is/was my experience of agency C1 night rates. IIRC the likes of ND are paying something like £8/hr for dayshift supermarket RDC work.There are good driving jobs but don`t expect to get anywhere near them without a lot of experience, it`s catch 22, you need experience but to gain it you need a job, so if you get a first job earning much above 7.50 an hour you`ve done well. Just remember that there are a lot of unemployed drivers out there at the moment.
Don`t get me wrong there are good jobs, I enjoy my truck driving job and couldn`t imagine doing anything else now, which the more I think about it the sadder I get.
Seriously if you are going to spend that sort of money doing some training go for something else.
Sorry but at the moment the truck driving game is on it`s butt.
Well, due to a slight change in work circumstances just before Christmas, and given the current job market, I decided to change tack and go for my LGV C+E.
So far I have with ease sorted my digicard, medical, provisional licence, passed my theory test, completed four days of training and passed my C test last Thursday. (I am not required to pass parts 2 & 4). Booked in for my five day artic course & test Mar 5th. Can't wait!
Up until two weeks ago, I'd never driven a split box before. But thanks to my ex army instructor, who showed me not only how to drive an 18 tonner confidently to a pass, but also took the load off as to how to apply for and book in all that was required, it is, I have to say been an absolute breeze. Thanks Jim!
My tip is find yourself a good instructor who makes it happen, then you won't mind the expense so much.
So far I have with ease sorted my digicard, medical, provisional licence, passed my theory test, completed four days of training and passed my C test last Thursday. (I am not required to pass parts 2 & 4). Booked in for my five day artic course & test Mar 5th. Can't wait!
Up until two weeks ago, I'd never driven a split box before. But thanks to my ex army instructor, who showed me not only how to drive an 18 tonner confidently to a pass, but also took the load off as to how to apply for and book in all that was required, it is, I have to say been an absolute breeze. Thanks Jim!
My tip is find yourself a good instructor who makes it happen, then you won't mind the expense so much.
Thanks, there's plenty of agency work out there, and many placements lead to permanent positions, because so many companies prefer to recruit full time employees this way. According to who you speak to, there is a significant to a massive lack of drivers out there, and it will only get worse with the CPC being a mandatory requirement by 2014.
Yep that as well.
I'd like to get my LGV licence just for the challenge / fun of doing it. Would not want to do it as a job. I wonder how much interest "Eddie Stobart Trucks & Trailers" has created, with people phoning up to get their LGV licences hoping to be driving a shiny artic full of rally cars in to Europe?
mattdaniels said:
I'd like to get my LGV licence just for the challenge / fun of doing it. Would not want to do it as a job. I wonder how much interest "Eddie Stobart Trucks & Trailers" has created, with people phoning up to get their LGV licences hoping to be driving a shiny artic full of rally cars in to Europe?
No change to the amount it was before they aired it according to the training schools I am in touch withI drove vans and small lorries for a living back in the 80s, on my car licence which I got in 1982 so what is this CPC that is being mentioned?
My current business is dying so was thinking of getting back into driving and as I also drove minicabs and started my Knowledge back in the 80s, I thought that I'd apply to the PCO again but the medical says no heart conditions (I had a heart attack in 2009 but fine now) so would this be the same for the goods vehicle medical?
One more question, I'm in SW London so any recommendations on driving schools in the area?
Many thanks cheers.
ETA I have just looked it up so that would be done along with the training for the test but not needed up to 3.5 tonnes.
My current business is dying so was thinking of getting back into driving and as I also drove minicabs and started my Knowledge back in the 80s, I thought that I'd apply to the PCO again but the medical says no heart conditions (I had a heart attack in 2009 but fine now) so would this be the same for the goods vehicle medical?
One more question, I'm in SW London so any recommendations on driving schools in the area?
Many thanks cheers.
ETA I have just looked it up so that would be done along with the training for the test but not needed up to 3.5 tonnes.
Edited by croyde on Monday 23 January 11:06
You will need a medical to get your provisional licence and probably have to declare your previous heart condition, but worse case, if you can pass the tread mill test etc, you should be fine.
The good news is, like me, because of when you passed your test (pre '97) you only need parts 1 & 3 to gain your licence.
You will still need to have completed 35 hours CPC tuition by 2014 though, but there are no tests involved for it, and I would imagine most employers will pick up the tab for this. If not, it's about £600 approx.
The good news is, like me, because of when you passed your test (pre '97) you only need parts 1 & 3 to gain your licence.
You will still need to have completed 35 hours CPC tuition by 2014 though, but there are no tests involved for it, and I would imagine most employers will pick up the tab for this. If not, it's about £600 approx.
croyde said:
I drove vans and small lorries for a living back in the 80s, on my car licence which I got in 1982 so what is this CPC that is being mentioned?
ETA I have just looked it up so that would be done along with the training for the test but not needed up to 3.5 tonnes.
The LGV/PCV driver CPC is required for anyone driving LGVs (vehicles over 3.5 tonnes)COMMERCIALLY (not privately) after 09/09/2014ETA I have just looked it up so that would be done along with the training for the test but not needed up to 3.5 tonnes.
just passed my LGV theory test, and i am currently booking the hazzard perception.Looking for a carrer change as there are changes a foot at work and ill be more office based.
Been driving 7.5t for a good 6/7 years some full time and some part time/ office work, im not deluded in knowing that it ll be hard work getting a job and then be hard work and long hours. But i prefer long hours out on the road than long hours in the office.
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