Am I to old and are these realistic expectations?

Driving a dust cart for a local council is a good place to start.

It’s easy work, and unlike many HGV jobs the hours are sensible.

No 15 hour days on the dustcarts.

You might even be able to work just Monday to Friday.

Do shop around the agencies for the best rates, as some might be paying up to £18/hour now that there’s a driver shortage.

Only accept PAYE and by law they have to give you holiday pay. Holiday pay might be 1 days holiday pay for every 9 days worked. So £18/hour would work out to £20/hour if you include the holiday pay that gets accrued.

Avoid umbrella payment schemes, as that’s a tax fiddle which could leave you exposed to back taxes, interest, and fines.