I’m sure you’ve seen and responded to many similar requests previously, but i’m currently in the process of thinking about a radical career change from working as a civil servant to going into the haulage game.
I’ve undertaken some basic research already so i’m aware of the training available, the load boards for one off jobs and legal requirements to set up such as needing an operators licence and registered centre etc as well as some of the different load types and required licences.
I guess I’m just after some insight into the industry to help me make an informed decision. I’m not afraid of hard work or putting the hours in to reap the rewards, and don’t expect to turn over a substantial profit in the immediate to short term, but would start small (myself and a truck) and grow slowly in the first five year period adding more trucks and drivers to the fleet if/when the work is secured.
My obvious concern is leaving a rather secure and decently paid job (with good benefits) and stepping into the unknown into the haulage industry, will the rewards be there? It’s not all about money (although this is a very big motivational driver for me if you pardon the pun) but I find there’s something very appealing about doing a hard days work on the open road opposed to sat in an office all day.
So other than general comments and advice, I guess one of my burning question is, how do you guys secure mid-long term contracts directly with customers?
Any/all constructive advice would be really helpful and appreciated here.
El Deano:
I would advise going into it as an employee first of all.
You wouldn’t want to be spending big money setting up to hate it.
Also could try agencies to get a feel for different types of work.
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Hi, yes was thinking that, I have been informed that a fairly local company are looking to take on new drivers, put them through the training and have a repayment model over 3 years, have been told the salary is around 30k+ (which I thought was very generous) but not sure what conditions are pinned to that i.e. hours / shift patterns etc.
I was going to look into this as my ‘apprenticeship period’ to learn the ropes etc.
I was like you, a number of years behind a desk for the local council (21yrs) but just had enough of it, particularly the job I was doing it was effecting me mentally and with efficiencies (job cuts) there was no hope of a transfer like I’d done 3 times previously. I started years back as a van driver and wanted to get back on the road. Took my C then C+E. I was supprised to have a few job offers, I took one were a friend worked he’s been there 3 years so must be ok. I’ll be honest with you, money is worse than my council job although I do take home more, the reason, the hours you’re going to have to put in. Currently doing about 56-60 a week and early starts as well. I could’ve got a better hourly rate but the yard is 6/7 minutes from my house and that’s worth more to me(home at 5:30pm ish). I’m in the lucky situation where my mortgage is small and not big outgoings. Mentally 10 times better, physically tired at the end of the day BUT I can now sleep at night and according to my wife, daughter and family I seem really happy again. Try and secure your own funding for your license 0% credit card if needs be(pay it off) and you won’t be tied to any firm, that way if you don’t like the job you can try another trucking firm.
It’s a big career change, I did similar many years ago from an office job into haulage, so I wouldn’t even think about going alone until you have a bit of experience in the industry and a few contacts.
Haulage is a broad term, within that there are many types of haulage, there is your standard curtainsider work, fridge work, containers, flatbed, bulkers, low loaders, abnormal, car transport, prestige car transport and probably a few more, each have their specialists and rates and customers, you need to get to know how that works in whatever area you end up in.
My advice give it a go, but have an exit plan. I’ve known many people from various backgrounds who’ve taken to the job, I’ve also known many who’ve got out of it as quick as they could
One final point, if you end up running a decent size haulage operation you’re going to be in an office and basically on call while any of your trucks are on the road and that can be 24/7 and it’s unlikely you’ll be getting that well paid for it.
Be suspicious of anyone offering to pay for your training. You could well be tied into a job you’re unhappy in. If you’re well paidvat the moment invest iin training yourself. You’ll be able to choose a trainer YOU like not one they find cheaper. Betting on yourself will help with finding a first job too.
Guys thanks a lot for your input. It’s quite reassuring that there are others who have found themselves in the same situation / predicament as myself.
Completely understand about the additional hours, and if the company expands I’ll be back in the office, I guess my outline plan is to work the long hours now whilst I’m young and healthy enough to bringing home a bigger salary than I do at present, if after learning The ropes as an employee and I take to it and want to go solo then I can also do this for a few years whilst I build a brand and reputation. As I get a little older I can then make the transition back into the office if the company proves to be successful and expands as I’d hope.
What are the current challenges drivers / hauliers face at the moment? And is there any early inclination how Brexit will affect the industry?
Enquiry1981:
What are the current challenges drivers / hauliers face at the moment? And is there any early inclination how Brexit will affect the industry?
The biggest problem with Brexit at the moment is that nobody knows what the Governments plans are, not even the government it would seem, this is giving many industries major problems for planning for the future.
The one sure fire future problem for transport, Brexit hard soft or indifferent, is going to be congestion.
How things have changed in the last 20 years, we’re currently putting a sticking plaster on the problem by the so called ‘smart motorway’ scam, smart it isn’t because by the time they have finished enough extra people will have entered the country to put us back exactly where we were before they started.
No these people arn’t themselves necessarily on the road but their needs have to be serviced which does mean further road movements.
What the next 20 years will bring is anyone’s guess, but clearer roads and less congestion won’t be featuring.
Who is the OP really? We started with 2 garanteed thread winners
Who pays for training
And
Beginner to owner driver
Now we’re into
Brexit
Congestion
And next it’ll be
Automation.
Is the OP a pop corn vendor??
Errr hi - not picked up on the popcorn vendor joke sorry, so feel free to explain the punchline.
My enquiry regarding brexit was purely to try and establish how the industry may look in the next 10-20 years. Understand nobody has a crystal ball but was just looking for some opinions from those who are currently in the industry. I don’t think that was an unrealistic question to post?
Brexit has been the underlying theme on some LONG threads on this site. There is as much diversity of view points as at any (insert non PC rant here) wedding.
Hence the need for popcorn as ‘the usual suspects’ steer off in ever widening swerves across all three lanes of the topic until the ‘moderators’ with flashing blue lights direct the whole convoy into the layby beside Billy’s Bar.
You’ll get the idea.
Type Brexit into the search function on this forum and settle down for a long session. When it’s happening live some entrepreneurial members sell popcorn, and some even pose as Newcomers to stir up some interest!
Read enough on TNUK and you’ll probably decide that trucking ain’t for you.
If you’re half sensible anyway.
Edit. Assuming you wouldn’t want to end up like us?
Enquiry1981:
Guys thanks a lot for your input. It’s quite reassuring that there are others who have found themselves in the same situation / predicament as myself.
Completely understand about the additional hours, and if the company expands I’ll be back in the office, I guess my outline plan is to work the long hours now whilst I’m young and healthy enough to bringing home a bigger salary than I do at present, if after learning The ropes as an employee and I take to it and want to go solo then I can also do this for a few years whilst I build a brand and reputation. As I get a little older I can then make the transition back into the office if the company proves to be successful and expands as I’d hope.
What are the current challenges drivers / hauliers face at the moment? And is there any early inclination how Brexit will affect the industry?
First, steer clear of tie in deals on training. Peter Smyth has a good reputation for a reason.
Secondly don’t think of running your own truck until you have a couple of years driving behind you.
Thirdly, as muckles says, you’ll make less money than you think. It took me nine years to stop being the poorest in my firm, and another four before I became the best paid.
Haulage almost always sells itself on price, ergo making a living is a hard slog.
There have been many threads on the owners operators board about setting up on your own, might be a good idea to look over there.
Thank you Albion, some sound advice for sure. I’m not arrogant enough to think I can come in as a complete novice and run a successful company without learning the nuts and bolts first.
I have enough savings behind me to go through the learning including adr and hiab should I choose to go down those paths but If someone was prepared to fund my training to gain a commitment of work for a set period of time of which I’ll learn invaluable experience then I thought it was worth considering as a win-win situation.
Im still scratching my head regarding how haulage companies actually obtain mid- long term contracts though. Do they go out for tender to be able to ‘bid’ for, advertised on websites or do you get approached through word of mouth?
There’ll be quite a few threads explaining why some of the training deals are not as good as they seem. And people better placed than I to comment.
How do you get contracts. It was 8 years before I got my first one. In short, I started with vans, luckily got some work from a new plastics trunking firm and they were my base, got backloads from a few freight forwarders, the rest was ad hoc work from a number of manufacturers and somewhere in the first four or so years got a 7.5. 8 years later I got my first contract, in fact still my only one, (I’ve been going 26 years)the rest is ad hoc, but been with me for years. Now running artics along with the smaller stuff.
That doesn’t answer your question really, but you got a history lesson! BTW, my driver is not money, it’s independence, so I’ve never been interested in turnover or getting to be a big firm, I’ve ditched firms I haven’t liked.
Thanks again Albion. I think my main motivation is similar to yours, independence and the open road, although I’d be a bare faced liar if I said money wasn’t important. I have a young family (& another on the way), I’m under no illusion that this will turn me into a multi millionaire - I do need and want to provide a comfortable living for my family.
Another hot topic we haven’t yet touched on is
‘Work/Life Balance’ that often raises a few hackles. Road transport workers often work long and unsociable hours. Hopefully you’re already aware of that. As newcomer you may find yourself starting on the less well paid, more antisocial hours, end of the spectrum. A couple of years experience, a little luck, and willingness to get past the crap, and you may do well. Work opportunity, both typeand availability depends on geography. If you’re near a container port, refinery, or whatever those will be an obvious employer. When you get out on the road talk to and listen to other drivers. Don’t believe all you hear however. Talking to others you may find out a vacancy on a good company before it’s public knowledge. On smaller companies especially a personal recommendation is worth gold. Bigger companies and smaller ones tend to have different ‘atmospheres’ or ‘work ethics’. If you really want to learn about the industry you may learn more at a smaller company- somewhere that appreciates it when you get on the forklift to get loaded yourself while the boss is on the phone. When you help restack a pallet rather than say ‘not my job’. Bigger outfits may make for an easier life, but would you learn as much there?
Some with young families fo well, but many find the hours away too much of a sacrifice. As ever we’re all individuals with different circumstances but this a common problem.
When you first get your license the main opportunities will be ftom employment agencies, again LOTS of threads on them. And lots more on agencies pushing drivers to go self employed. Albion has written very clearly on another thread why this is generally a bad idea.
Anyway, licence first and when you can drive, navigate, tip and load while dealing with unhelpful customers, reply to unnecessary phone calls politely, deal with minor breakdowns quickly and cheaply, for 60 plus hours every week, have a satisfying family life, with lots of energy and time to spare you’ll be ready to consider starting up on your own.
Good luck!