I have been a class 1 HGV driver since 1990 a few years ago now I lost my left leg due to bike crash I’m now back to full strength and can walk miles climb ladders passed my medical and was declared fit to drive lorries again since that I have applied for thousands of jobs got my cv on many job searching websites that have not had a single reply I guess there can’t be such a national shortage of drivers as they say.
Good to hear you’ve fully recovered - great news!
There certainly isn’t a “national shortage” of HGV drivers, and hasn’t been for a while. You do of course have the option of agency work, although it’s not for everyone.
However, depending on where you live, the best way is to walk into as many companies as possible and get your face seen, talk to them, and leave your CV with them.
All the very best of luck to you.
Hi mate, welcome to truck net. Sadly, there isn’t a ‘shortage’ of drivers these days. A lot of unemployed are turning to truck driving as a new idea.
It’s just some organisations that make out there is a shortage.
Glad to hear your doing so well, that really is quite an achievement!! Why not try some agencies? I think it’s more likely an insurance issue more than anything. I know a guy who was barred from a place for having a stookie!
Have you declared your amputation on your CV? I hate the word Disability because thats what a so called able bodied person calls it. Once a potential employer see’s anything like that on a CV they will automatically file it in the rubbish bin and you’ll get a dear John letter, for two reasons as I see it :
-
your a risk even though you are more than capable of doing the job its a stigma in employers heads and they have sweats at the thought of H&S
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Fear of been sued !! you slip getting into a cab or up onto a catwalk yet again a stigma in the head that an able bodied person wouldn’t have made the same mistake.
If you have put it down on the CV, take it off give yourself the chance of at least getting to the door. Good luck
oneleg:
I have been a class 1 HGV driver since 1990 a few years ago now I lost my left leg due to bike crash I’m now back to full strength and can walk miles climb ladders passed my medical and was declared fit to drive lorries again since that I have applied for thousands of jobs got my cv on many job searching websites that have not had a single reply I guess there can’t be such a national shortage of drivers as they say.
Certainly no shortage of drivers, some have even got one leg, it is not a bar to the job at all, but you may be better approaching a local company to you, showing them you can still do the job, a small family firm may be more accommodating than the DHL or Wincantons of the world. Fridge or Tanker work may suit you best.
It is a shame you didn’t lose your arm instead, you could have come in andy 
Are you back on a bike yet?
Its hard to guess folks job prospects when there location is top secret. However there plenty work about if you don’t mind agency. If your able then I can’t see why you should’nt have plenty work.
Do you even have to tell your prospective employer/interviewer you only have one leg? 
is it written on your cv? why? 
Thanks for all the replies I especially like the idea of going old school and just turning up on their doorstep I think I’ll start tackling this situation from a different angle many thanks
Do you even have to tell your prospective employer/interviewer you only have one leg?
only on a company application form but the wording is wishy washy, along the lines of ‘have you any physical disability that will effect you carry out daily duties’ or on a medical application form. Plus I’m guessing it would be on the driver codes on your driving license. Restricted to automatics code 78 , code 114, code 35.
oneleg:
I have been a class 1 HGV driver since 1990 a few years ago now I lost my left leg due to bike crash I’m now back to full strength and can walk miles climb ladders passed my medical and was declared fit to drive lorries again since that I have applied for thousands of jobs got my cv on many job searching websites that have not had a single reply I guess there can’t be such a national shortage of drivers as they say.
in which area of the country are you looking in mate
You might want to give the local jobcentre a visit and see what used to be called a Disability Officer.
They might be able to get some funding in place for a company to take you on.
Nothing ventured etc
Good Luck too
I’m in Bristol with reference to the earlier question Do I still ride a bike now I don’t but I have built a kit car since losing a leg which pictures on my gallery all speed and thrills fit bit less risk
As has been said, go see your local job centre, they’ll get you a job driving, their “Employment Reintroduction Assistant’s” or whatever it is this week, will help you no end.
I have a friend in a similar situation to you and they found her a perfect job in a couple of weeks!
Great advice I’ll get down there first thing tomorrow
oneleg:
I’m in Bristol with reference to the earlier question Do I still ride a bike now I don’t but I have built a kit car since losing a leg which pictures on my gallery all speed and thrills fit bit less risk
That car looks good, what engine is it running ?
a mate of mine lost his leg in a motorbike accident and he passed his class 1
he managed to get a job and was doing runs to spain so there is a chance you will get a job so good luck
it has a 2l raceline zetec with 250 bhp
oneleg:
it has a 2l raceline zetec with 250 bhp
That should do the job nicely 
Are people still using Hyabusa engines in you sort of car ? There was a little club around our way that
used motorcyle engines and they sounded really good guess you even better power to weight ratio .
I think Reed Boardall had a unit modified for one of their drivers, So dont give up hope, it just proves some firms are prepared to adapt and take on people less able bodied. Think id leave the box unticked on the medical, turn up and play it by ear .
Suffolk ReeferBoy:
oneleg:
it has a 2l raceline zetec with 250 bhpThat should do the job nicely
Are people still using Hyabusa engines in you sort of car ? There was a little club around our way that
used motorcyle engines and they sounded really good guess you even better power to weight ratio .
Think they’re all in SMART cars these days…
For question about disabled drivers, a lot of firms I’ve seen have disabled drivers, there’s a guy on the airport who’s wheelchair bound, truck must be adapted, was well impressed watching him do everything himself, bonding cord, curtains etc.
As others said, might be a case of lack of recent exp. / insurance rather than the disability, might have to do a bit of agency I’m afraid mate.