Dazzybee:
I am wondering how hard it is to get started, you hear of driver shortages then see posts where people have taken ages to get work after passing due to employers wanting experienced drivers.
There is plenty of work out there but as a new driver with zero experience you have to accept that you cannot be too fussy about what you do to begin with.
Is it a case of getting experience by working for agencies to start with?
If no other choice agency work is better than nothing. Lots of variety but expect to get dropped in it at the deep end. If you lack confidence and are looking for some hand holding probably not the best route.
What is the industry like for hiring practices, are there proper contracts with stated hours etc as opposed to zero hour contracts.
I’ve had not issues with this.
What about pay, has it increased.
Pay has not really been a consideration for me, once I have 12 months experience I will worry about it more. From what I’ve seen agency pays best but is not consistent (in theory) Trampers, night drivers, day drivers in that order, I would say about £5 difference between agency and day drivers. However even on a low hourly rate if your slave master is working you 70 hours a week the weekly pay is quite good.
If there is a shortage what’s the cause, low pay, unsociable hours, cost of getting the licence.
From my limited experience as a new driver.
1, Every company seems intent on getting you to tramp. I’ve refused twice and been offered an alternative, benefit of the driver shortage I guess (also being in the financial position to refuse their first offer).
2, Every company seems intent on working you as many hours as is legally possible. While you can only drive 9/10 hours a day you can also sit on a loading bay waiting for that ■■■■ green light for another 5/6 hours 
Thanks
I guess it will be depend a lot on where you live. I’m on the Norfolk coast, bit of a dead end with no big RDC’s or distribution hubs. This is my personal experience over the past 6 months.
I did 3 weeks 7.5t work with agency while waiting for my Class 2 training/test.
On my first day doing Class 2 work with agency (day after passing test) I was offered a permanent position by the company the agency put me with working lates/nights. I agreed to work for them until I passed my class 1.
On the day of passing my Class 1 test I approached a new driver friendly refrigerated transport company. They wanted me to tramp, I refused but offered to work nights instead. Ended up doing night trunk runs 5 nights a week. Couldn’t have asked for a easier introduction for Class 1 driving, dropping a pre-loaded trailer to a site 3-4 hours away and bringing back an empty one. Obvious downside was working nights and having to commute 45 mins to work each night.
After 2 months of night work, I spotted a local company advertising for day drivers 5mins from my house. Gave them a call, obviously they tried to get me to tramp, I refused, and they offered Mon-Fri day work instead (refrigerated deliveries). I plan to stay here for 3-6 months by which time I will have completed my ADR and have 12 months driving experience which will hopefully lead to a tanker driving role in Autumn/Winter. Probably end up tramping (unless i get lucky again) but the pay should make it worthwhile.
