Advice Needed...

hey all,

i’m new to this forum, have found it a big help so far.

a couple of months ago i decided to get my C licence, so i’ve taken my medical and i’ve passed the theory (60/60 and 65/75 HP :smiley: )

i was about to book my course with Denby in Lincoln, but i decided i would ring around a few agencys and employers first. i’ve been checking the local papers and jobcentre site to see how much work there is in my area, and there seems to be a lot (a few of the jobs also said no experience nessecesary as training would be given :smiley: )

anyways, the first guy i spoke to, at a place called PTS in stallingborough said i’d wasted my time as nobody takes on anyone under 25 (I’m 22) as it doubles their insurance excess. i’ve got no professional driving experience either.

after that i rang Driver Hire and spoke to a guy there, who said somebody would take me on soon enough…?

could anyone tell me the chances of getting work as a newly qualified, 22yo, C driver? i can’t really afford the course but if i can get work it’ll be worth it.

thanks a lot,
tim

Hi There and welcome to Trucknet.
The thing with getting a job is who you are - where you live and what you apply for etc.
It like asking how long is a piece of string.
To start with if you want to be a trucker you hasve to get the licence first and so its always a shot in the dark but if you wasnt to go for it then just jump in feet first.
In this part of Lincolnshire we know that Cat C Drivers are less in demand than C+E so it could be area that makes a difference.
We have been assured that the agency we work alongside will take all C+E drivers we can offer them but not Cat C as there is not much call for it around here but if your agency says they will give you a go then there mst be work in your area I reckon.

thanks for the reply Mothertrucker,

you reckon it’d be better off doing the C and C+E together in one go?

**:D :smiley: :smiley: Welcome Harrison_Grimsby :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:**

If you click the link in my signature it will lead you to an index where you can access a lot of info which may be of use to you :smiley: :smiley:

To book any LGV training I suggest the trainee-to-be, visits the training school, meets the head person(s) and has a quick look at the truck BEFORE parting with any money.

Using the site Search facility at the top of this page and putting the words TRAINING AND WHERE you wish to train may turn up some recommendations. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

GENERAL DRIVING TIPS BEFORE STARTING LGV C TRAINING

A number of LGV instructors, myself included, are finding that the general driving standard of many trainees coming to do their LGV ‘C’ course is not at a very high standard.
I have had a number who ‘THINK’ they are good but find myself having to go ‘BACK TO BASICS’ before they can really start learning how to handle a truck.
For the trainee this means wasted time on the course and that means that the trainee is paying good money to be taught how to drive again :exclamation:

There are a number of things that a driver can do before starting their first LGV training course to improve their general driving.

The obvious ones are to practise the DSA procedures, which could mean losing the rear view mirror, and then, every time to set off, doing the mirror, mirror, blind spot routine. Checking BOTH side mirrors before moving within the lane you are in, signalling or before the increasing & decreasing of your speed.

The less obvious is to practise forward planning — the THINKING bit.

A good way of doing this is to use your brakes a lot less than what you do at present — sounds daft but think about it — to use the brakes less then you will have to ease off earlier — to ease off earlier you will have to plan ahead more.
I don’t mean by changing down through the gearbox either as that will waste fuel.
A good example would be when approaching a queue of standing traffic, which is waiting for traffic lights to change or waiting to enter a roundabout.
The moment you see the queue, check mirrors and ease off in the gear you are in. let the vehicle slow down on it’s own, dipping the clutch as necessary to control any possible stalling. If the vehicle gets to the lowest gear speed (usually first gear) then engage that gear.
If, whilst easing off, you anticipate that the traffic is going to proceed, then engage the gear that will take you with them without rushing up to the rear of the queue.
You will be leaving a large area of tarmac in front of your vehicle when you ease off early. If another vehicle goes into the gap then re-adjust to accommodate it. If you curse at the vehicle that went into your forward space then decide if a few feet of tarmac is worth getting stressed over!!

When following other traffic, do you touch your brakes when they touch theirs? — If yes, then you are too close. Back off so that you can ease off without the use of brakes. Again, this requires a good deal of forward planning, which will be very useful when you drive a truck.

The general idea is to never stop but to keep moving forward even if at a very slow pace.

If you have to use the brakes then plan to use them gradually. Start by taking up the play of the pedal then resting the weight of your foot & leg on the pedal. That is then followed by squeezing down onto the pedal and squeeze down to a depth that will do the job during the middle of your braking so that you can ease off the pedal well before you actually need to come to a stop.

thanks a lot Rog, i’ve already read through most of the info you’ve put up, and it’s a big help.

is my age gonna be a problem does anyone know?

Harrison_Grimsby:
thanks a lot Rog, i’ve already read through most of the info you’ve put up, and it’s a big help.

is my age gonna be a problem does anyone know?

It will be an EXTRA problem but not one that cannot be overcome.
Driver Hire seem to be able to help in some cases and you have already contacted them :smiley: :smiley:
Use any personal contacts you have and see if they know of an opening somewhere - a lot of jobs are got by word of mouth.

Personally I would look at going for the Cat C then the C+E as soon as possible after it - but not to book them up together.
i would advise you to book the Cat C and get the course and test out of the way then see how you feel about going for the bendy.
If you are keen to get the C+E then book it up as soon as you can (When your new licence comes back with full C entitlement and provisional C+E) as you will still be in ‘test mode’ and stand a better chance of a first time pass.
Trouble with booking them both together its a big outlay to begin with and a lot of pressure after paying out all that money to get through both tests.
One at a time is much more relaxing and you dont feel you have taken on too much.
Good luck whatever you decide.

…by the way I dont think you should worry too much about the age thing.
There is always a problem with age.
You asre either too young and inexperienced - even though you have got the energy and the enthusiasm
or you are too old and past it - even if you have many years of tramping experience under your belt.
So its one of those on going probs sfor everyone one way or another.
Dont let it worry you and just go for it. The younger you are when you get the training the easier it is I think.

yea at ur age just get the c then c+e done straight away, i waited a year and kinda wish i did it straight away though i have it now.

getting work depends on the company etc, im only 22 myself, started driving class c`s when i was 21 and i od get plenty of work so really you shouldnt find it too difficult.

thanks for all the replys everyone, i’m definately gonna do the class 2 (test booked for the 27th :open_mouth: ) it’s something i’ve wanted to do for a while so i’ll give it a go.

i would like to do the C+E straight after but it’s just too much money, once i’ve got my class 2 sorted and hopefully have got some work, i’ll get it done asap.

thanks again everyone for the advice,
tim :smiley:

Harrison_Grimsby:
… so i’ve taken my medical and i’ve passed the theory (60/60 and 65/75 HP :smiley: )

:grimacing: CONGRATULATIONS on your theory test pass :smiley: :smiley:

Good score too. :wink:

Keep plugging away mate, the work will come if you persist. :smiley:

I don’t think your age will be a problem, seem to be quite a few drivers in their early 20’s. I’m 24 but was 23 when I started driving artics so it can be done, I did my C and C+E as soon as I could afford them purely to get the 2yr clock ticking, so worth doing both if you’re serious about driving for a good few years.