I passed my C and C+E back in 2006 but I’ve not driven an artic since my test and I’m now considering trying to get on with supermarket delivery’s. I have a dodgy back so need quite easy work.
Am I right in thinking supermarket deliveries would be no lugging stuff about ?
I think I would need an assessment, do you know what this involves?
I would do a refresher course on artic before hand but my big worry would be trying to get an artic in and out of some of these tiny supermarket yards with very little experience.
The reversing you do to pass the test doesn’t really give you the skills needed to get the truck in these places and I worry alot about not being able to do it.
I tried searching you-tube for tips on reversing but mainly came accross videos of drivers struggling and getting it wrong which has made me worry about it even more.
Karma:
I passed my C and C+E back in 2006 but I’ve not driven an artic since my test and I’m now considering trying to get on with supermarket delivery’s. I have a dodgy back so need quite easy work.
Am I right in thinking supermarket deliveries would be no lugging stuff about ?
When I did agency work in Asda it involved moving cages and pallets about. When I did a bit for Sainsbury’s there was very little as the store staff did all that sort of stuff.
“If you do something right no one will ever know you’ve done anything at all.”
There are 100’s if not 1000’s of videos on youtube of lorries getting stuck or hitting something. People only ever want to see or record someone ■■■■■■■ up. No member of the public or very few will stop what their doing to record a lorry reversing and doing a brilliant job of it as its just another lorry loading/unloading. However if they ■■■■ it up hit 7 cars kill a dog and get wedged between 2 trees it makes for “better entertainment”
I passed my C and C+E within the last month and I have yet to get work as I’m waiting on the CPC. However my motto is “learn by doing” by all means a re-fresher would do you good since you’ve not driven in so long, but I personally wouldn’t shy away from work on the basis of worrying I might mess it up. The truth is all new drivers are going to mess up on things like reversing, that’s how you learn.
I don’t know what supermarket jobs entail but I was told by a driver who used to drive for Tesco that it was the easiest job he’d ever done.
If I hear nothing then I’m doing a good job! It’s not for those people that need constant praise…
Just go do it, what’s the worst that can happen?? If the assessment starts going wrong just laugh it off and just say you must be having ‘one of those days’
Hi Karma, I can’t speak for all supermarkets as they all have their own ways of working. I drive for ASDA out of the Bedford distribution centre. I wouldn’t say we " lug things about " but it’s the drivers role to move pallets and / or roll-cages to the rear of the trailer or onto the scissor lift. Very easy, relaxed atmosphere, no stress involved. Yard access at stores is pretty good as a rule.
Agency drivers are given an induction by a driver who is trained and appointed to do so.
Employed drivers have a four day induction which is conducted by a driving assessor.
It’s good work albeit a tad boring at times but give it a go if you get the chance. 100% legal,well maintained units and trailers and no worries. Get as much practice reversing as you can as I know that lets a lot of guys down on assessment. They only expect you to reverse onto a normal bay in the depot.
Hope this helps.Good luck.
I drive for aldi and its very energetic , load ourselves and unload, collect empties from stores and 2 runs a night, eg:last night ran from depot in sheffield upto darlington, load self (40mins ish) first drop castleford, then unload and load wi empties (90 mins) run back to darlington then repeat 2nd drop was sheffield st marys and then back to our yard. started at 19.00 finished 08.30am.
But only you can be the judge and see if you enjoy it i do and im 3 months into the job and love it
Actually I am in the same boat as yourself. I last drove and artic early 2006 and that was for Llidls on contract through a little company. As per Aldi, it is a lot of manual work, load/unloading yourself etc. I gave it up then as I am an eletrical technician and wanted better money. I guess I missed it though. I did the Cornwall and Weymouth runs but also got bounced all over the place.
Anyway, I digress. I just did a short refresher of 4 hours and made specific requests to do reversing in to tight bays. This I did on the blind side as well. All clicked back in to place. As my instructor told me… ‘little and slowly’. This enables you to make corrections gentl. Everyone makes mistakes anyway.
I am in West Wick (Weston super Mare) and used (Karl) Dynamic LGV Driver Training. £195 for 4 hours but it gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can still do it. Next to register next week for agencies.
I work for ASDA through and agency working from Normanton, Wakefield moving pallets and cages to end of trailer is the norm, assessment consists of coupling/uncoupling and reverse onto bay, pretty much most of the stores i have delivered to have decent accesss, but if in doubt always get out and take a walk around the yard i have done his many times just told the yard supervisor not been here before never had a problem better to do this than hit something and be filling out paperwork for the remainder of the day! Good Luck