I know driving on the road is a bit different to being on the track, but those were the things I loved! I used to really enjoy being alone in the cab, even though music etc wasn’t allowed.
And the breakdowns added a bit of excitement. Especially when you were being pushed back to the depot, down the steepest hill on the network by a tram 20 tonne lighter than you using a coupler that had previously broken during tests and a bloke in the back cab manually ready to try pump the air into the brakes if we broke free
I’m planning on having a complete change but I have no idea where to start especially since I’m not really smart enough to get into uni and picked the complete wrong thing in college.
Oh yeah I’ve seen a fair few YouTube vlogs on the subject, shows the good, the bad, the ugly.
I’d decided just before the pandemic that I wanted to crack on and do it once I hit 40. I’ve hit that target so it’s time to get on with it. Just so happens the pandemic has kind of helped, given you can just go straight for class 1. I’ve already found the company I’ll be using, they put you in a rigid to start with, to get used to the larger size and then move on to the big beast after X amount of hours
Just one small thing to consider as a new HGV driver (and I’m in no way trying to put you off) is that a lot of employers will not take on inexperienced drivers (I never have properly found out why), so you may have to look at agency work.
That said, unless agencies have changed in recent times, it is a very good way to gain the experience and also gives you some freedom to work when and where you want to.
Tbf I’ve looked at a lot of vacancies lately to see what’s what, most will take on new starters now, they’ve not for much choice at the moment which is a good thing.
It’s generally down to insurance, they have to pay out more instance premiums for a less experienced driver. Or there insurance provider specifics hell no we won’t cover that person.
Again that’s changed a fair bit and the crisis means they’ve had to adapt.
I doubt that’s the only reason but it’s one I’ve heard from a few directors of haulage companies when they’ve been interviewed.
Until I re-read @Dan5’s post I thought exactly the same
Fortunately, driving can be a very varied career depending on what exactly you are driving
(even if the basics of getting a vehicle and it’s contents from A to B are essentially the same)
How’s the change of career going? I’m going through a not-quite-midlife crisis and one of the things I thought of was trying to train up as a bus driver to ensure I have a skill that’s desirable at home and abroad. The CPC seems a bit daunting though, and I’m not sure if I’m a good enough driver
Just had thoughts last few weeks of a job change, have worked in same retail job since I was 18, 18 years ago now. Had looked at open university degrees but this thread has opened my eyes again, lot more jobs and training options than a degree.
It’s been a journey for me over these past few months! I think my problem was because I’ve practically stayed in the similar types of work (customer based roles) I wanted something completely different! I tried SEN teaching (assistant) for a bit, but after I got attacked in a school in Harrogate by some pupils! I decided it’s not for me. So…I have my Arriva bus assessment next week. Isn’t life strange how things work out?
Degrees can be valuable, especially if you do it in a field that’s in high demand – I was never interested in those fields (advanced STEM subjects, IT, medicine) but still persuaded to do a degree. So now I have a mountain of student debt and a piece of paper in some drawer somewhere which never got used.
If I could turn back the clock I’d have trained as a plumber, electrician or joiner. They’ll always be needed.
I’ve waiting for a date for my practical, deposits paid and that, it’s likely going to be around November / December time. I did all the theory in April, used a couple of apps to learn it all, felt like never ending scenario after scenario.
Thanks! How many hours of practice do you get before the practical exams? What’s average? I don’t suppose there’s a way to try driving something like a bus/lorry before one commits?
You can do as many hours practice as you like. When I booked mine I gave it 2 weeks from the date I booked to give plenty time to go through the apps and mocks several times over. Prob a good 30 hours or so.
I think you can arrange to go on ride alongs but you’d not be able to attempt it without having a provisional hgv license. Prob best to ring a few schools to see what they can offer
which is a good thing.
