Lorry driving / getting HGV training as a career move?

[VolvoT5]

I'm looking to change direction, has anyone done this, if so is it a route worth going down? Looking in my area it seems starting wages are around £10 an hour but with experience that can increase by 50 to 100%.

There are lots of intensive training courses advertising and prices seem to vary from 2k to 5k. The categories on offer are confusing, but c+e looks like the one to get? Although the cynic in me assumes these courses must be churning out a lot of new drivers on the promise of 25k starting salaries.

No idea whether this is a sensible or viable move really. Being super tall I don't know if I would even fit in a cab anyway. I assume the job is quite lonely work as well, although as someone who prefers my own company that could be a good thing. And it looks like there might be the chance to go self employed, either as an owner driver or otherwise.

Does anyone do truck driving for a living, if so what is it like and would you recommend?

[VolvoT5]

truck71 said:

C+E is where it's at- you will be in demand immediately (provided you're not in the middle of nowhere) and 25K is a starting point. Many companies now offer training which you then pay back over time once qualified (you need a driver cpc as well). Try here http://www.merlinsupplychain.com/

You will fit in a cab.
It's lonely (and stressful in cities) and no longer the "free experience" it once was.
Self employed is an option.
I did it 23 years ago and it kick started a career.

How has your career unfolded now?
25k sounds like a decent starting point. I've looked at other driving jobs such as van delivery, taxi or bus, but the money looks crap and they seem to combine all the worst aspects of driving (inner city, start/stop and dealing with general public).

I'm realistic, I don't have an 'open road, free spirit' vision of driving. But with HGV I would assume distances between stops would be longer and drop points would be dealing with business customers rather than the general public. Or am I completely naive?

I can get in 3.5t Merc box van and I assume the lorry cabs would be bigger still. Main concern is legroom being just shy of 6ft 6. I read that some modern vehicles are automatic now - must make life easier?

[VolvoT5]

gus607 said:

Retired last year after 41 years
I loved the job until about ten years ago, but nowadays the job is crap.

I'm only glad I'm not a new starter these days !

Any particular reason(s) why it is crap these days?

[VolvoT5]

phil-sti said:

Are you looking for days/nights or tramping? You need to remember you may struggle to get on with some companies as soon as you pass your test as you have no experience. You can learn with Eddie Stobart and get a position once finished.

My understanding is that day driving is most popular but tbh I'm very flexible as I have no kids or commitments.

[VolvoT5]

I've been looking into this in more detail and it looks like 3.5k to qualify class 1, and that is assuming not needing to take multiple retests.
I can't find any companies willing to take on trainees for HGV. There are some bus companies advertising locally but I don't see the appeal in bus driving and having to deal with elements from the Jeremy Kyle show on a daily basis.

The other issue is it seems like a catch-22 with a lot of the jobs advertised demanding 6 - 24 months experience.

Any further thoughts?

[VolvoT5]

Imprezaboi555 said:

That was where I looked and that was the general consensus.

I've been surfing trucknet as well and yeah it is a big upfront investment and from what I can tell most of the jobs available to newbies are agency or stty lower paid stuff. But then again there are quite a few stories from guys that started out that way and are now with permanent jobs earning a reasonable living. So I'm not sure it is all bleak..... although the new driver section of trucknet appears to be sponsored by a training provider so they do have an incentive to get positive stories up there.

I remember a few years ago there was an explosion of construction type training courses advertised in this area due to local redundancies and I think a lot of guys got ripped off paying for tiling and plumbing courses with the promise of 30k incomes. Of course in reality the jobs just weren't there for inexperienced guys with no contacts plus all the migrants undercutting everyone on top.

My concern would be that HGV training isn't the latest training con..... although there do appear to be driving jobs advertised so there is some demand at least.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 26th January 19:03