7.5t Driver Demand

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hiya

Is there still much of a 7.5t driver demand now on non parcel delivery etc work now that the changed speeds has come in?

The reason I ask is I might end up with a job change :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :unamused: :unamused: unfortunately I don’t particularly want to go onto parcel delivery work…

I’m probably being too restrictive :frowning:

2

Oh well. 114 views and no replies :frowning: :unamused: :unamused:

3

I’ll keep you company. :slight_smile:

For the time being there seems to be a fairly strong demand for new 7.5-tonners going into the market. which would seem to indicate plenty of people have work for them.

In the medium term, however, the new speed limiter regulations, the inability to use the third lane of the motorway and the Driver CPC rules are sure to slow demand for 7.5-tonners, polarising the market to sub-3.5t vehicles.

Already the bodybuilders who are working on 3.5-tonners are telling me that their customers are looking for the same capacity on 3.5-tonners as they currently offer on 7.5t trucks. When the bodybuilders are able to give that sort of bodywork, then companies will find it very difficult to justify running 7.5-tonners in my opinion and will need to make a choice between a big van, thus avoiding O-licence and all the regs mentioned above, or go for a bigger rigid which can give more payload and volume than a current 7.5-tonner.

Long rambling answer to a short question…

4

Yes, thank you Andy :wink:

That was most informative. I have been out of Agency driving for about 4 years and although still doing 7.5t work its more, erm, specialised…

5

Try Jan Trans or C4 logistics

6

Saratoga:
Oh well. 114 views and no replies :frowning: :unamused: :unamused:

Well, I looked but didn’t reply because I didn’t have anything to add, as I don’t do much 7.5t work any more, having moved on to C+E.

I think there’s two competing things at work here:

  • The supply of 7.5t drivers is falling, because you don’t automatically get the entitlement any more. That would tend to make 7.5t drivers more in demand.
  • The speed limiter changes are making 7.5t trucks less attractive, so there are probably going to be less of them around. However, that’s only been in force for a year or so now, and as I don’t think they’re currently requiring retrofitting, I doubt it’s having that much effect yet.

Which is having more effect? I don’t know.

7

you could try palmer and harvey they do chilled on 7.5t and if you are a good boy they sometimes will upgrade your licence they are on A45 near tile hill

8

dox:
you could try palmer and harvey they do chilled on 7.5t and if you are a good boy they sometimes will upgrade your licence they are on A45 near tile hill

Ahh yes, I know them well :wink:

The Snow King too. I’ve had a stint there.

I suspect I’ll ease in gently having a couple a days a week on agency and see how it goes :wink: