I used elgv at ancoats, great firm had no problems, got a full time job after passing cpc so happy days. Only been at it a couple of months and i love it.
biker10:
666D4m13n:
I trained with Paul @ Hindley Green and I thoroughly recommend him. Granted his trucks aren’t the newest but the manner in which he teaches you make up for that no end.thanks for this, I think I will do an assessment with him in a couple of weeks or so maybe even end of next month I want to get as much info as possible. Good to hear some positive feedback on him!!
Mention that I (Damien) recommended him… as I intend to complete my Class 1 with him in the near future, I’ll use that as a bargaining chip 
I would book an assessment with him asap as he’s always busy and it may take a few weeks to get booked in!!
Good luck either way!!
Best of luck biker, like you said its personal choice, you say you love driving, well give it a bash then. Make sure you obviously have your provisional licence before you book your assessment drives, and go with a couple of companies. If you go with peter smythe you get 10% off if you quote you are a trucknet user. The hours itself can be long, class 2 not so much its normally job and finish, but you have to go through some ■■■■ jobs to find a good one, it just takes some time. Driver shortage?, hell yes there is the government were actually contemplating training up drivers due to the shortage about 6 months ago!
An queries or any questions you want to fire at me don’t hesitate to drop me a pm.
antogoof:
I used elgv at ancoats, great firm had no problems, got a full time job after passing cpc so happy days. Only been at it a couple of months and i love it.
will take a look at these thanks 
666D4m13n:
biker10:
666D4m13n:
I trained with Paul @ Hindley Green and I thoroughly recommend him. Granted his trucks aren’t the newest but the manner in which he teaches you make up for that no end.thanks for this, I think I will do an assessment with him in a couple of weeks or so maybe even end of next month I want to get as much info as possible. Good to hear some positive feedback on him!!
Mention that I (Damien) recommended him… as I intend to complete my Class 1 with him in the near future, I’ll use that as a bargaining chip
I would book an assessment with him asap as he’s always busy and it may take a few weeks to get booked in!!
Good luck either way!!
will do no problem cheers
ash 001:
Best of luck biker, like you said its personal choice, you say you love driving, well give it a bash then. Make sure you obviously have your provisional licence before you book your assessment drives, and go with a couple of companies. If you go with peter smythe you get 10% off if you quote you are a trucknet user. The hours itself can be long, class 2 not so much its normally job and finish, but you have to go through some [zb] jobs to find a good one, it just takes some time. Driver shortage?, hell yes there is the government were actually contemplating training up drivers due to the shortage about 6 months ago!
An queries or any questions you want to fire at me don’t hesitate to drop me a pm.
cheers thanks for that will give you a pm if theres anything!
joeyd:
I started driving full time 11 years ago at age 38, and its the best career move I ever made.Despite all the gloom merchants you will read on here I have a good job and enjoy it, money isn’t brilliant but not bad either - I take home around £450 pw for doing 4 days a week (no nights out, no silly o’clock starts). I do a couple of collections (open doors, drink coffee while someone loads me) and a couple of deliveries (open doors, drink coffee while someone unloads me) a day. Hardly hard or stressful work
The 2 year thing is not definite either. My place has just taken on drivers with zero experience having just passed their test.
You will probably have to do some crap jobs at first but thats just the way it works
As to whether you will enjoy it, who knows ? Some people love driving, others (as you have read) hate it.
Also best to remember that although there might be 10 -20 people posting on a forum that the job is crap, there are hundreds of thousands more doing the job every day without feeling the need to post about it
similar age to me then! You do sometimes wonder if your too old for a change even at 35 lol
again just a quick thanks to everyone thats took the time to comment Im sure you get another newbie every day/week so it must get boring
Going to get my hazard and theory up to scratch now then book in for an assesment make sure its what I want then get the theory out of the way.
No 35 is not too young to change. Biggest thing once you have your licence, is attitude. We took on two lads 23 and 24 about 18 months ago and they’ve both turned out well, just straightforward, decent drivers. A lot of people wouldn’t have given them a chance, we did and it’s been good for us and hopefully for them. i don’t think we pay badly, earnings are somewhere around 30 - 36k depending on how much you want to work.
As for the shortage, the numbers apparently reckoned to be: 600,000 drivers needed, 35,000 go every year due to retirement/ill-health and only 18,000 drivers take their test. Obviously there are European drivers coming in, but it seems the shortfall is going to continue.
If anyone feels a bit anoraky, this makes interesting reading:
micros.swindon-college.ac.uk/sit … _final.pdf
Cut to page 13, 14, 15, not the most popular profession 
Agree with Dipper Dave completely.
albion:
No 35 is not too young to change. Biggest thing once you have your licence, is attitude. We took on two lads 23 and 24 about 18 months ago and they’ve both turned out well, just straightforward, decent drivers. A lot of people wouldn’t have given them a chance, we did and it’s been good for us and hopefully for them. i don’t think we pay badly, earnings are somewhere around 30 - 36k depending on how much you want to work.As for the shortage, the numbers apparently reckoned to be: 600,000 drivers needed, 35,000 go every year due to retirement/ill-health and only 18,000 drivers take their test. Obviously there are European drivers coming in, but it seems the shortfall is going to continue.
If anyone feels a bit anoraky, this makes interesting reading:
micros.swindon-college.ac.uk/sit … _final.pdf
Cut to page 13, 14, 15, not the most popular profession
Agree with Dipper Dave completely.
Really nice to see companies taking on newly qualified people. We all need that chance! Excellent wage too right now my salary is around £24,500 so if I can get anywhere near that for a start I would be happy, I am looking at the possibility I may have to continue to do catering on the side if not. I will be looking at further training after this so hopefully I will become a good investment for company at some point in the future. I see you are from salford, I live in Eccles Salford, currently work in Carrington so small world as they say maybe one day I can give you a shout.
You’re just down the road! Unfortunately this depot we only run up to 7.5s, artics down South - sorry.
Way I look at it, you can get good and bad drivers with and without experience. I think the big firms are loosening up a bit and taking on more newbies, but smaller firms where the boss is more hands on I think are more likely to understand the hoops you have to jump through when you start out and give you a chance.
Good luck!
I only started driving hgv at aged 40 mate so don’t let your age put you off, I love it after years of been self employed it was great to go to work and get paid for the hours you do, you’ve got plenty of firms around you just have a drive around and have a look you’ve got Trafford park at one side of the 62 and Haywood on the other, I only ever wanted to do class 1 and went straight in for that after passing class 2, had a couple of weeks wait in between so did a couple of days class 2 and hated it, all multi drop pallet network stuff it wasn’t for me so just focused on my class 1, passed that and started work straight away for my next door neighbour while waiting for my assessment and start date to come through.
Yes I was lucky to have a neighbour that could offer such a role and wow glad he did such a learning curve
Trucker Ed:
I only started driving hgv at aged 40 mate so don’t let your age put you off, I love it after years of been self employed it was great to go to work and get paid for the hours you do, you’ve got plenty of firms around you just have a drive around and have a look you’ve got Trafford park at one side of the 62 and Haywood on the other, I only ever wanted to do class 1 and went straight in for that after passing class 2, had a couple of weeks wait in between so did a couple of days class 2 and hated it, all multi drop pallet network stuff it wasn’t for me so just focused on my class 1, passed that and started work straight away for my next door neighbour while waiting for my assessment and start date to come through.
Yes I was lucky to have a neighbor that could offer such a role and wow glad he did such a learning curve
Not too worried now regarding age after hearing all the comments on here so that’s good. would like to do the class 1 too. I intend to do as much as I can and give myself the best chance. I talked to one lad today who dropped off our delivery he had a bad day, 20 drops started at 7am and finishes at 7pm but only gets paid till 6pm. I`m sure this happens a lot its just something I have to accept will be a likely hood for a while at least on class 2 unless I get lucky.
biker10:
Hi everyone and before I start big thanks to any positive help which is much appreciated. I have and will be continuing to read the many posts on here about the industry. I am very glad I have found such a place. As the title suggests im 35 wife and kids usual story. I have been in catering believe it or not since 18. I don’t have to tell you the hours, shifts and pressure that’s involved in that lol. I love driving having my car and motorbike licence ect. I understand a HGV drivers life is not chilling out listening to the fav radio station getting paid £30,000 like the papers will tell me. I am on here for support and guidance. I am guessing if I go ahead I most likely will be doing the worst of the jobs due to no experience and pay will be low. I live in Manchester so I guess even though I have a ton of questions can I ask a couple of basic ones and please note I have looked at some previous posts prior to this.From what I have read here there is no national shortage so is there work out there for newly qualified drivers?
What sort of starting pay can I expect? I have heard many say minimum wage/only part time hours ect.
Good place in Manchester for training? ( i understand this maybe a question for another section, I have seen the other section briefly and used the only one connection for Manchester that I can see and emailed them).
I must say I am a bit downhearted with some posts I have seen as they are a bit of doom and gloom and people who ask me about becoming a chef I could say to run for the hills but everyone is different and what one person hates another may like.once again many thanks and please dont stone me guys lol
This is my first post on this forum after reading it for the last month or two.
Im in a VERY similar situation to yours but without the wife and kids. I have a mortgage to pay though so need some stability and skills that are in demand. I do like spending time at home though as i have lots of pets but i wouldnt mind the odd night or 2 away.
Im also 35 and i work in the Butchery industry which to be honest ive grown to hate as ive been doing it since i was 16. Im currently bringing home around £320 for a 47 hour week though im not really changing my career for the money to be honest.
I love driving and ive managed to get the cash to go for my hgv license. Ive got all 3 theory tests booked for 3 weeks time so ive just started revising now. Also ive got an assessment drive booked for 2 weeks time to decide if this is defo what i want to do for a living.
Im excited and a little nervous but its not as scary as being stuck in a job i hate for the rest of my life.
If i manage to get my class 2 before xmas then ill defo be going for my class 1 in the new year all being well but it depends on whether i pass my c class first time or not.
I have been beavering around with LGV’s over the last couple of years. 42 years old now.
Which is good for a beaver. I would stay away from very old beaver though folks.
I’m 41 and learning, partly as it’s something I’ve always wanted to pass and partly to perhaps get casual work and maybe full career change ina few years. I might be too old by then but I will always regret it if I dont 
Good luck young 'un!
GhostRider17:
biker10:
Hi everyone and before I start big thanks to any positive help which is much appreciated. I have and will be continuing to read the many posts on here about the industry. I am very glad I have found such a place. As the title suggests im 35 wife and kids usual story. I have been in catering believe it or not since 18. I don’t have to tell you the hours, shifts and pressure that’s involved in that lol. I love driving having my car and motorbike licence ect. I understand a HGV drivers life is not chilling out listening to the fav radio station getting paid £30,000 like the papers will tell me. I am on here for support and guidance. I am guessing if I go ahead I most likely will be doing the worst of the jobs due to no experience and pay will be low. I live in Manchester so I guess even though I have a ton of questions can I ask a couple of basic ones and please note I have looked at some previous posts prior to this.From what I have read here there is no national shortage so is there work out there for newly qualified drivers?
What sort of starting pay can I expect? I have heard many say minimum wage/only part time hours ect.
Good place in Manchester for training? ( i understand this maybe a question for another section, I have seen the other section briefly and used the only one connection for Manchester that I can see and emailed them).
I must say I am a bit downhearted with some posts I have seen as they are a bit of doom and gloom and people who ask me about becoming a chef I could say to run for the hills but everyone is different and what one person hates another may like.once again many thanks and please dont stone me guys lol
This is my first post on this forum after reading it for the last month or two.
Im in a VERY similar situation to yours but without the wife and kids. I have a mortgage to pay though so need some stability and skills that are in demand. I do like spending time at home though as i have lots of pets but i wouldnt mind the odd night or 2 away.
Im also 35 and i work in the Butchery industry which to be honest ive grown to hate as ive been doing it since i was 16. Im currently bringing home around £320 for a 47 hour week though im not really changing my career for the money to be honest.
I love driving and ive managed to get the cash to go for my hgv license. Ive got all 3 theory tests booked for 3 weeks time so ive just started revising now. Also ive got an assessment drive booked for 2 weeks time to decide if this is defo what i want to do for a living.
Im excited and a little nervous but its not as scary as being stuck in a job i hate for the rest of my life.
If i manage to get my class 2 before xmas then ill defo be going for my class 1 in the new year all being well but it depends on whether i pass my c class first time or not.
well good luck to you mate too, just revising at the minute, will sort out my theory and Hazard first then try an assessment drive, stupid question do i need my provisional HGV to go for my theory test? I’m thinking not until I actually start physically driving?
spacemanZ10:
I’m 41 and learning, partly as it’s something I’ve always wanted to pass and partly to perhaps get casual work and maybe full career change ina few years. I might be too old by then but I will always regret it if I dont
Good luck young 'un!
having looked at the pros and cos I think at the very least its worth getting the licence, I think I will actually enjoy it but I wont know till I actually do it so here goes!
Cheers buddy. Looking at my theory tests booking letter it says nothing about brining a provisional with me,only my photocard license,so im assuming you dont need a provisional for the theorys. Someone on here will no way more than me though obviously.
I made sure to have my provisional first though so i knew i passed the medical and i dont want to waste time after ive passed the theorys,want to get straight into practical training asap.
Hi mate, I also live in Manchester and can’t recommend Enterprise enough for training, all top people and very good training.
Once you’ve passed give me a pm and I’ll get you a job straight away.
I drive tippers out of Cemex in Salford.
Cheers