Hello Ladies and Gentleman,Guys and Gals etc,
Youve probably read this kind of thing before so please excuse me.On Monday(05/03/12)i was about to part with £2000 to one of the broker companies much maligned on this great forum.I am beginning to think i have been very lucky on finding this forum,as the guy who keeps ringing me up(broker)is promising me the earth once i have passed my tests.No problem in finding a job,clients waiting for drivers etc, you probably get the picture.It seems he may be telling me a few porkies if some of the threads on here are anything to go by,so firstly thanks to all who may have stopped me from making a complete howler.Secondly,advice please on wether i should still go for my licences(with a training school recommended on here of course).I am 47 yrs old and really struggling to find a job i feel i can be happy doing for the next 15yrs or so after being made redundant 11 months ago.I enjoy driving,am quite happy in my own company(lol) and have always yearned to be a truck driver.Not looking to make a fortune(seems thats a no -go anyway)just an honest living.Obviously my main worry is the no experience thing if i did manage to acquire my licences. I am based in Cardiff and jobs do seem to come up quite often(compared to other things im capable of)but would i even be considered with no experience behind me.I worked for the local bus company for 22yrs(not a driver)and regularly drove buses on test,shunting etc including the bendy buses so have some experience of the size of certain vehicles.Sorry for the war and peace sermon,but your thoughts and advice much appreciated.
Cheers Tony
Welcome
I think if you have your eyes wide open to the realities of the job and the work required to get a job, and you still have the enthusiasm to give it a go, then give it a go.
Your large vehicle experience will definitely benefit you.
If you have provisional on your license already, then book an assessment with a couple of local schools and see how you get on. You will at least get a feel for it and get an idea of the course length required.
You are not too old, as many have recently passed at a similar age and got employment.
And well done for not giving in to the brokers.
Thanks for advice and encouragement Dar1976.Must be a terrible piece ive written though,92 views and only you to make a comment!
Cheers Anyway Tony
I don’t think it was a bad post, bit of a wall of text though so a bit harder to read on a smart phone.
I’m forty three and I’ve been driving trucks since I was twenty five and I love doing this job. Having said that I don’t think I would like to start from scratch again now.
Our firm is happy to take on newly qualified drivers and get a driver like me to supervise and guide them until they find their feet.
I’m afraid to say the ones that struggle the most are the older drivers.
I think it’s the culmination of the stress of manouvering and reversing (when it is all still so horribly new) the long hours and early starts and the disrespectful attitude that drivers can suffer that takes it’s toll.
Reading TNUK will give you a bit of an idea about haulage but the best way would be to go to a local haulier or driving pal and ask if you can tag along to see what its like.
Good luck, whatever you decide
W
Thanks Alex,
The early starts,long hours and disrespect not a problem,got all that in my last job(lol).Although never even sat in a cab of an artic,feel confident i will be able to obtain the skills required to drive them,but, admittedly the reversing does hold fears!
Cheers Tony
I dont think age comes into it and at 47 your not old , us 40 somats are in our prime 
, if its something you have always wanted to do and you have the money then go for it i started learning to drive hgv at 39 after wanting to do it from a little girl just never had the funds or chance come up , then my hubby romantic soul he is paid for it for my 40th birthday and I havent looked back since has been all i dreamed of and more , had good runs , bads runs , challenging runs and wouldnt have it any other way i absolutly love being in a lorry , if its for you then go for it and good on ya for doing a bit of reasearch and avoiding the brokers good luck with whatever you decide and when (if) ya start ya training we all like a good diary on here and will help with any questions you have along the way we have all been in the same boat but that pass certificate at the end of it is well worth it
jx
Cheers Jennie,
Almost certainly going to go for it,so thanks for comments and advice.
Tony
First of all Tony, well done on escaping the clutches of the parasites you mentioned! With your previous experience driving larger vehicles I think you would adapt to the size issue without any problem. Where you might need some help is with those little habits that creep into our driving over the years, biggest concern I believe in most cases is not using mirrors enough. With that in mind it might be an idea to invest in a little training to iron out any of these wrinkles before starting the expensive business of LGV training. Maybe an IAM course?
You will come up against the two year rule but that is not insurmountable as a few on here have proved. You might even earn some decent money! I look forward to reading your training diary!
Thank you 44 tonne ton,
The encouragement is really pushing me forward now,so as soon as i get my licence back(change of address,nothing more sinister)i will be getting things moving.Will keep those interested, informed, of how im doing during training.
Cheers Tony