Hello to all you amazing truckers out there. Didn’t know where to ask this originally but me thinks this is the place where all truckers come and go. Anyways I got my C1E back in 2002 courtesy of HM Forces although never driven a “proper” truck(shock,horror,awe!). To cut a long story short me and the Mrs are no more I’m 30 years old and yearn to get on the road again. Used to drive a 7,5T up and down the country delivering to major hospitals and such also have a bit of class 2 experience with the good old establishments known as agencies haha!
So I would like to ask seeing as I have been off the road for a while how do I go from here onto arctics/Wag and Drag? I assume it would go something like this, Medical->Class 1 refresher course>CPC Course then back to the agency work for some experience. I know I wont get arctic work straight off the bat I would just like to get the ball rolling so any advice to hopefully get me on the right track would be much appreciated!!!
Bliksem:
Hello to all you amazing truckers out there. Didn’t know where to ask this originally but me thinks this is the place where all truckers come and go. Anyways I got my C1E back in 2002 courtesy of HM Forces although never driven a “proper” truck(shock,horror,awe!). To cut a long story short me and the Mrs are no more I’m 30 years old and yearn to get on the road again. Used to drive a 7,5T up and down the country delivering to major hospitals and such also have a bit of class 2 experience with the good old establishments known as agencies haha!
So I would like to ask seeing as I have been off the road for a while how do I go from here onto arctics/Wag and Drag? I assume it would go something like this, Medical->Class 1 refresher course>CPC Course then back to the agency work for some experience. I know I wont get arctic work straight off the bat I would just like to get the ball rolling so any advice to hopefully get me on the right track would be much appreciated!!!
Many thanks
I must admit I cannot follow your questions.
You have a C1E licence but talk about driving Class 2 (C) and doing a Class 1 (CE) refresher. Just which licences do you hold?
(or am I missing something here?)
I have full C, CE,C1E all gained in 2002 so it’s been a while. I have a few years experience doing class 2 work through agencies and my previous job before it went under.
I would just like to know what would be the best way to get back into the driving world but as for class 1 work(big boys toys) I have no experience even though I hold the licence!
I have full C, CE,C1E all gained in 2002 so it’s been a while. I have a few years experience doing class 2 work through agencies and my previous job before it went under.
I would just like to know what would be the best way to get back into the driving world but as for class 1 work(big boys toys) I have no experience even though I hold the licence!
Hope this clears it up!
Ahah, much clearer now.
You hold a full licence so why would you need to do a medical? Likewise a ‘refresher course’, unless you think you would be unsafe driving without one.
What do you do…? Get out there job hunting. I had no LGV experience until I passed my C in January and my CE in February. I went and knocked doors and found work, both CE and C.
If you are unsure about driving a CE vehicle, try to find an employer with C and CE trucks who may start you in a C then give you a chance on CE.
At least you won’t come up against employers saying ‘minimum 2 years experience’ because you have held your licences for 10 years. The world is the mollusc of your choice so get on and good luck. Believe in yourself and don’t find problems that do not exist.
Alan
Thanks for the quick reply nice to see truckers helping each other out wish there was more of this going around. I would definately have to go for a refresher course for class 1 work anything else I am quite comfortable. At this moment in time I drive a 7T Merc box van delivering building supplies around the Northwest when I’m not driving I’m in the warehouse processing orders/dealing with customers. The time has come for me to move on as I cannot progress any further in the company so I figure might as well move onwards to something bigger and better.
Will not having this new CPC affect my chances of finding work or can I wait till 2014? untill it is mandatory? Still confused about that one. Thanks again and safe driving!
Bliksem:
Will not having this new CPC affect my chances of finding work or can I wait till 2014? untill it is mandatory? Still confused about that one. Thanks again and safe driving!
Assuming that you have acquired rights to LGV initial DCPC by passing your car test before 1997 or an LGV/HGV test before September 2009, you must complete 35 hours of periodic DCPC training by September 2014 to continue driving vehicles above 3.5t commercially.
In other words, waiting until 2014 is probably not an option, not least as courses will likely be full and prices increase as the deadline approaches. Unless you do the 35 hours of training by September 2014, you cannot continue in your current job driving the 7t Mercedes.
Bliksem:
Will not having this new CPC affect my chances of finding work or can I wait till 2014? untill it is mandatory? Still confused about that one. Thanks again and safe driving!
Legally, you don’t need it until 2014 BUT some employers are keen to see applicants have started the process.
You need to do 5 approved 7 hour modules = 35 hours total by Sept 2014.
However…
As the deadline approaches prices may rise and places may become harder to get due to people leaving it until the ‘last minute’. Also remember that bus drivers have to have theirs completed by Sept 2013 so there may well be a bit of a rush from next year on.
Alan
Think I am ok then as I got my car licence in Jan 02 and class 1 in May May 02. Have a few days off this week so will go to a nearby HGV school and ask around about the refresher course. Hopefully see some of the members here online might even post some pictures when I finally get behind a big rig.
Loads of info on here think I am going to make a cuppa in my man size mug and have a good read
If all you need is refresher course why not see if you can go and do an assesment at one of local training companies they will only charge you for the hour and be able to tell you if they think you need anymore , after about an hours drive I reckon you will be fine you just need to have a bit of practise to make sure your skills are still there an im sure they will be or have you got a mate than can take you out for the day ?
best of luck finding work as alan said you wont come up against the not having your licence 2 years crap but you will have to start organising your 35 hrs cpc why not upgrade your licence with adr as know that counts towards cpc and I think a full course gives you the full 35hrs and also will give you another string to your bow ■■
Jennie:
you will have to start organising your 35 hrs cpc why not upgrade your licence with adr as know that counts towards cpc and I think a full course gives you the full 35hrs and also will give you another string to your bow ■■
The most you can get out of a ‘full’ initial ADR course (Core, Tanks, Packages, Classes 2-6, 8 and 9) is 28 hours. The exams are part of the five days, which cannot count as training and therefore cannot count towards DCPC.
Some providers don’t have the Tanks module registered for DCPC, and some drivers opt not to take it. The maximum DCPC credit you get in that case is 21 hours.
Very few take (or need) the courses for Class 1 (Explosives) and Class 7 (Radioactive).
I was considering doing an ADR course there is a company in Leigh near where I work who are always advertising for drivers with ADR. A little voice is telling me to take a week off work(I’m owed a few!) and find somewhere that can combine the refresher and ADR course. Killing 2 birds with 1 stone and all that sounds good. P.S I can also rope and sheet that must count for something even if it is a few brownie points
Many thanks once again this week I will start the ball rolling.
