Passed my class 2 and CPC few weeks ago. Saw an advert for 18ton multi drop for a cash and carry. They advertised that experience was not necessary. Went to interview and got the job the next day (despite not having my cards through yet).
He said I had the HGV job subject to a 2 week assessment which I thought was a bit much. Anyway went with it and started as a drivers mate (getting paid £3 less than the hgv driving wage) last wednesday. I drove (with the main driver watching over me) all Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday and will be driving all day tomorrow (it’s full time about 10 hour shifts). The drives went well and the driver couldn’t fault it.
I was told at the start it will probably be just before Christmas I’ll get my own lorry and start driving by myself which has now moved to after Christmas.
My question is am I getting used over Christmas or is this a normal experience for a newbie driver? Also I’m lugging the cages about off the back/on the back so do you think the driver is saying to the manager I’m not ready so he can just chill in the passenger seat? I kind of expected a couple of days assessment but not 2 weeks surely? Surely a driver can assess how someone drivers after a day?
Don’t know what to do as I just want to get driving and earning decent money and feel like I’m being held back for no reason at all… The hardest thing about it is parking when dropping off at shops but that will come with remembering and experience. I actually quite enjoy it but prefer my own company.
nurburg340:
Passed my class 2 and CPC few weeks ago. Saw an advert for 18ton multi drop for a cash and carry. They advertised that experience was not necessary. Went to interview and got the job the next day (despite not having my cards through yet).
He said I had the HGV job subject to a 2 week assessment which I thought was a bit much. Anyway went with it and started as a drivers mate (getting paid £3 less than the hgv driving wage) last wednesday. I drove (with the main driver watching over me) all Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday and will be driving all day tomorrow (it’s full time about 10 hour shifts). The drives went well and the driver couldn’t fault it.
I was told at the start it will probably be just before Christmas I’ll get my own lorry and start driving by myself which has now moved to after Christmas.
My question is am I getting used over Christmas or is this a normal experience for a newbie driver? Also I’m lugging the cages about off the back/on the back so do you think the driver is saying to the manager I’m not ready so he can just chill in the passenger seat? I kind of expected a couple of days assessment but not 2 weeks surely? Surely a driver can assess how someone drivers after a day?
Don’t know what to do as I just want to get driving and earning decent money and feel like I’m being held back for no reason at all… The hardest thing about it is parking when dropping off at shops but that will come with remembering and experience. I actually quite enjoy it but prefer my own company.
Stick with it,you’re getting some much needed experience under your belt,albeit at a reduced rate of pay.A 2 week " assessment " does sound a bit excessive,just see how it goes after Xmas.And keep us posted
nurburg340:
Passed my class 2 and CPC few weeks ago. Saw an advert for 18ton multi drop for a cash and carry. They advertised that experience was not necessary. Went to interview and got the job the next day (despite not having my cards through yet).
He said I had the HGV job subject to a 2 week assessment which I thought was a bit much. Anyway went with it and started as a drivers mate (getting paid £3 less than the hgv driving wage) last wednesday. I drove (with the main driver watching over me) all Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday and will be driving all day tomorrow (it’s full time about 10 hour shifts). The drives went well and the driver couldn’t fault it.
I was told at the start it will probably be just before Christmas I’ll get my own lorry and start driving by myself which has now moved to after Christmas.
My question is am I getting used over Christmas or is this a normal experience for a newbie driver? Also I’m lugging the cages about off the back/on the back so do you think the driver is saying to the manager I’m not ready so he can just chill in the passenger seat? I kind of expected a couple of days assessment but not 2 weeks surely? Surely a driver can assess how someone drivers after a day?
Don’t know what to do as I just want to get driving and earning decent money and feel like I’m being held back for no reason at all… The hardest thing about it is parking when dropping off at shops but that will come with remembering and experience. I actually quite enjoy it but prefer my own company.
It’s a start , so stick with it as just having passed your driving test work is hard to come by, get some experience then decide on what’s next. If you quit it will be even harder to find a good job .
Whilst there can be the possibility that “you get quietly dropped in January”,
I would suggest that there is such a driver shortage in C2 multidrop at present, that everything going on is sincere. The “two weeks approval” is not really much different from “have an interview, but don’t actually start for a couple of weeks” in terms of how much work you get. They are dead keen to take on any driver adept enough not to smash the kit up, and get the job done essentially.
The pay rate on the other hand - by rights you should be on the full rate from the moment you are “solo”. If there is any dithering on single-digit hourly rates, then that would then suggest they are indeed looking to “use” you.
The going rate for multidrop is, right now, probably the highest paid agency work available for C2 - especially around London, where C2 get paid more than Artic drivers do in the provinces.
I’m surprised the Christmas rush for agency drivers is taking a different turn to usual this year. I’ve seen adverts around for actual full time posts - rather than the usual “sign up with so-and-so agency” if you like…
If you’re doing the driving and they are happy that you’re capable of doing the job you should be getting the drivers pay rate, tell them you’re happy to wait until after Christmas to have your own lorry but think that you should be paid the rate for the job you’re doing.
In other words I think they’re probably taking the ■■■■.
Well they made it quite clear that while under the assessment I would be getting £6.70 the once I go solo it’ll be increased to £9.70 then an extra £1 an hour 6 months after that.
I don’t want to upset anyone by asking for drivers pay when I’m clearly still under assessment… I was just worried they were dragging out this assessment until they don’t need me rather than just saying I’m a drivers mate as they know I’ll just leave.
nurburg340:
Well they made it quite clear that while under the assessment I would be getting £6.70 the once I go solo it’ll be increased to £9.70 then an extra £1 an hour 6 months after that.
I don’t want to upset anyone by asking for drivers pay when I’m clearly still under assessment… I was just worried they were dragging out this assessment until they don’t need me rather than just saying I’m a drivers mate as they know I’ll just leave.
That is indeed a possibility ! but what have you got to loose ? its not like you have anything better on offer but as i said after xmas i would be have the conversation
I agree that you should be paid the rate you agreed to while on assessment, but will the rate be going up after the two weeks or when you get your own lorry ?
If you get the promised rate of pay after the two weeks that’s fine, if they expect you to wait for the increased rate until you get your own lorry that’s an entirely different story.
nurburg340:
Well they made it quite clear that while under the assessment I would be getting £6.70 the once I go solo it’ll be increased to £9.70 then an extra £1 an hour 6 months after that.
I don’t want to upset anyone by asking for drivers pay when I’m clearly still under assessment… I was just worried they were dragging out this assessment until they don’t need me rather than just saying I’m a drivers mate as they know I’ll just leave.
That is indeed a possibility ! but what have you got to loose ? its not like you have anything better on offer but as i said after xmas i would be have the conversation
Haven’t got anything to lose and yes I’m gaining experience but I want to get the driving years experience under my belt asap and not put down on a cv I was a drivers mate but I will stick it out till after Christmas and see what happens. I am hopefully wrong about all this.
tachograph:
I agree that you should be paid the rate you agreed to while on assessment, but will the rate be going up after the two weeks or when you get your own lorry ?
If you get the promised rate of pay after the two weeks that’s fine, if they expect you to wait for the increased rate until you get your own lorry that’s an entirely different story.
I’m under the impression it increases once I go solo.
Have you asked how the assessments going ? I’d have expected full feedback and me personally would ask for it so 'I could reflect on improvements ’ say whatever you need but get the feedback and put them on the spot as to why they think you need to stay where you are. Then you can make an informed decision of taking piddle or not
nurburg340:
My question is am I getting used over Christmas or is this a normal experience for a newbie driver? Also I’m lugging the cages about off the back/on the back so do you think the driver is saying to the manager I’m not ready so he can just chill in the passenger seat? I kind of expected a couple of days assessment but not 2 weeks surely? Surely a driver can assess how someone drivers after a day?.
Sounds like you are being used otherwise you’d be on full money from day 1…but stick with it, like everyone else is saying.
Well I asked the manager about it yesterday and he said he hasn’t had a chance to speak to the driver yet (even though the driver said yesterday that he spoke to him about it on Wednesday) so don’t know if it’s the driver or manager.
I’ll give them till Wednesday as that is when my 2 week assessment is up. If they mess me around then I’ll leave.
nurburg340:
Well they made it quite clear that while under the assessment I would be getting £6.70 the once I go solo it’ll be increased to £9.70 then an extra £1 an hour 6 months after that.
I don’t want to upset anyone by asking for drivers pay when I’m clearly still under assessment… I was just worried they were dragging out this assessment until they don’t need me rather than just saying I’m a drivers mate as they know I’ll just leave.
Thats a good rate for class two stick with it, you will learn a lot from the chap who is with you ie when you are doing drops were to go who to see. and dont forget always be nice to the forklift truck driver because they will be buggers for you if you upset them
Well spoken to the driver he said my driving is fine but next week he will teach me the paperwork and invoicing then I’ll be on my own the week after… Whoo finally.
