Go ahead get your licenses as its a must for the future, I agree with other posters to get involved with a haulage company to get your stepping stone.
I became a fitter when I left school passed all my nvq’s and worked for the biggest cowboy in Liverpool when he was up and running and I got valuable experience driving the wagons around the yard and other places, i used to go to a place 2 mile from the yard were the boss had a unit an all day at the age of 17/18 I used to shunt his trailers around tipping them on the ramps then getting the empty box off on the same estate, shouldn’t of done it blah blah but I did and got experience off it this helped in later years as said firm went bust and the other drivers all went to other jobs were we all stayed in touch, this got me a start in another place as a fitter were as time progressed the owner knew who I was and that I could drive and he paid for me to have a few lessons and my tests which gained me my class 1&2 which cost£900 in total for both, this benefited himself and myself were after a few months I sold the tools and went in the road at 21 which in theory had no legal experience or anything but he gave me the chance to shine and I did !
It a tough industry to crack with being young but some1 out there will give you a chance just keep on at it and your time will come, my chance came and I never looked back… Good luck
Thanks mate, will get my licences straight away if i can then i’ve always got them, i work in a garage on trucks and vans at the moment but the problem is it just doesnt seem to click with me so im trying to get out of it, even though mechanics is one of the best things to have, just a shame i cant get it to click…
ive was told by the owner of a large haulage firm here in Ireland that they would love to start young lads driving at 18 because they can train them to do the job the way that they want it done instead of experienced lads coming in with a lot of bad habits and trying to do the job their own way thinking that they know whats best but the only problem is the insurance companys don’t want to know unless your over 25 or at least have some experience as im sure you already know.
don’t think im trying to put you off because I was in the same position as you up until a few months ago only im a few years older and I must have contacted at least a hundred companys over the space of two years and eventually I got a break because I was in the right place at the right time and they were looking for a driver to start work the following week so what im saying to you is keep trying no matter how many times you get turned down and you will get a start somewhere.
jay0:
ive was told by the owner of a large haulage firm here in Ireland that they would love to start young lads driving at 18 because they can train them to do the job the way that they want it done instead of experienced lads coming in with a lot of bad habits and trying to do the job their own way thinking that they know whats best .
This is true as they come, I always say I was brought up into the job the wrong way as I followed in my dads foot steps aswell as starting my working life with a cowboy operator as back in the day when I was learning basics my dad ran day an night broke most rules in the book etc which makes me think it was ok to do so, I know it’s not ok but I won’t think twice of “getting it back the yard” wether it’s a defect or something were as most drivers and I have read it on here won’t take a truck out with a sidelight out ! I once ran up from tilbury at 11am back to Liverpool with no sidelights on the trailer due to a broken Suzy, most drivers would park up an not move, for my age of 25 am pretty old school which I think helps
Seriously it’s good to see a young un with their head screwed on right.
Get your licence then get on the phone ring anyone and everyone with a O Licence, someone will at least give you time of day and perhaps throw you out with an old timer. There’s always an opportunity if you’re prepared to work for it and you seem like you are willing to graft.
matizerSCANIAR480:
Im going to be getting all my licences in the next few months, should hopefully have saved enough up to get them all in one go as such.
Nothing like a bit of confidence eh? Ha ha!
Been saving nearly every penny up for the 2 and a half years, got it all in a savings account untouched ready for when im 18!
I know its a bit further but there is McBurneys up in Liverpool (Im guessing thats about 20 miles for you) but if your out all week that’s not a bad commute.
Try having a look at the role and duties of an aircraftman in the Reserves of 4624 Movements Squadron Brize Norton.
They train you in a freight enviroment to get fork lift,baggage conveyor,fuel tanker refueling,and lgv licences.
They pay travelling costs to training weekends.You can still have a civilian job and be a member of the Movements Squadron by law you can not be sacked if you are called out to be mobilised.
All the above would like great on a cv.You will be trained to work on Boeing 747 as commercial jets are rented out for tasking.Tristar.Hercules.Boeing C17 and Vc 10.
Once trained you could go anywhere in the world on a humantarian task for flooding or supplying supplies to an earthquake area.To Scandinavia to supply equipment for the Royal Marines and Special Forces artic training.
Conflict and war zones are included in the role.No experience needed to join 4624 based in Oxfordshire.Ring for an application form.
James Hall (SPAR) Fulwood start in the warehouse/forklift, loading/unloading, get to go out with exp driver at
weekend on deliveries. All done in one go.
There are jobs where youth (no family commitments) and enthusiasm are big assets, which may involve some truck driving: ie mobile exhibitions, entertainment, music, truck expeditions/tourism (Encounter Overland etc) to name but a few, but where truck driving is not the be all and end all of the job, but a licence is still a requirement.
Companies that do this sort of work are less likely to by hidebound by blanket restrictions like ‘no drivers under 25’ and more likely to look at you as an individual.
Dragoman do overland tours through Africa and Asia. You’ll be away for a month or two at a time and be expected to set up camps etc for the tourists but you’ll be driving 18 tonners in places most people would dream of going. They do take on inexperienced drivers, my cousin drove for them for a few years and they took him on with no licence, if you have the passion for travel then you stand a good chance. The pay isn’t amazing but the experiences and the places you go more than make up for that.
Dragoman have trucks converted to buses on overland trips.They go to Usa.South America.Middle East.Far East.Africa.Europe.
Trainees spend half a year in the Uk workshop then venture out with a trip leader.
Oasis is another overland firm.Give them both a call.Imagine telling your mates you are driving the Silk Route or circumnavigating Africa or South America and will be back in a year.
There are jobs where youth (no family commitments) and enthusiasm are big assets, which may involve some truck driving: ie mobile exhibitions, entertainment, music, truck expeditions/tourism (Encounter Overland etc) to name but a few, but where truck driving is not the be all and end all of the job, but a licence is still a requirement.
Companies that do this sort of work are less likely to by hidebound by blanket restrictions like ‘no drivers under 25’ and more likely to look at you as an individual.
Now I thought you had to leave a gap between doing C and C+E now, or have I missed something out?
For what it’s worth. I’m 23, and I’ve not put the money in yet as I really can’t see a decent job coming out of it, even though I got family already running trucks if needs be. Insurance for under 25s is madness these days.
It could be worth doing what I’m doing now, find somewhere using 3.5 Tonners to start. In my mind at least, it’s experience in the right direction.
as I followed in my dads foot steps aswell as starting my working life with a cowboy operator as back in the day when I was learning basics my dad ran day an night broke most rules in the book etc which makes me think it was ok to do so, I know it’s not ok but I won’t think twice of “getting it back the yard” wether it’s a defect or something were as most drivers and I have read it on here won’t take a truck out with a sidelight out ! I once ran up from tilbury at 11am back to Liverpool with no sidelights on the trailer due to a broken Suzy, most drivers would park up an not move, for my age of 25 am pretty old school which I think helps 
