Just passed my Class 1 last week, and looking for work. Either Class 2 or 1, the problem I have got is THAT word “experience” I haven’t got any in either, only brief commercial vans… I used to work in the motor trade.
Its a bloody nightmare out there at the minute, I was made redundant (still unemployed)javascript:emoticon(‘:twisted:’) so thats when I decided to try & do something to help me for the future and took my Class 1 training. I have wanted to get into the haulage business for a while, and I really want to make a career out of this. I have been round to loads of driving/recruitment agencies registering for work, and at the minute am just praying to get even some temporary work.
Anyway I would just be very grateful, if anybody could pass on some helpful advice to me?
My tip for you is to keep plugging away with the agency route, but ask for assignments in vans and/or 7.5t, rather than LGVs…
Once your face fits with the clients and they see that you’re reliable and flexible etc, some clients might ask you whether you can drive larger vehicles.
If you approach the problem in this way, it might just be beneficial to you…
Yeah mate as DieselDave pointed out, go into agencies with an open mind, dont just think right i only wanna drive class 1 and get paid the earth for it, some people I know have that attitude and agencies don’t like it. If you show your flexibility to them in the first instance once they know they can trust you in terms of turning up, not working dodgy, not crashing etc then they will open other avenues up to you. Good luck and remember you ain’t the only one in the “newly passed/no experience cant get a job” boat! So you ain’t struggling along on your own chap
If theres a Manpower where you are you might get some Royal Mail work from them, just try all agencies and parcel delivery outfits as well.There are more of us than motors to keep warm in.Good luck.
alamcculloch:
If theres a Manpower where you are you might get some Royal Mail work from them, just try all agencies and parcel delivery outfits as well.There are more of us than motors to keep warm in.Good luck.
not before xmas he wont, unless he has a security check done int he last 12 months on him.
the trouble you’ve got is that there are exp drivers out of work. personally i’d be going around companies offering to do abit of work for free, ideally going out double manning with another driver, tell them you’re prepared to work days, nights, weekends and at very short notice (so long as you are!) or even just ask to ride shotgun. if the latter happens pick the drivers brains big time as next time you might have to do it on your own! if you get a few companies letting you do abit of work for free, then you now have some exp!! and the companies know who you are, so next time they get stuck for a driver your name is on the ring round list. just make sure you get paid this time!
This has been covered before,Please dont go down that road those who need their jobs will have no respect for you A.K.A.abrick through your car windscreen.
Riding shotgun with a friend or relative is o.k. ,but the bosses are bad enough without encouragement.
well done on your pass m8, does open doors after a while, i agree with rog
go into agencies and take any shift/vehicle they will offer you.
takes time but it does get slightly better, be flexiable, i.e short notice, phone calls in the wee hours of the morning when a driver has called off for a 0500hrs start
alamcculloch:
This has been covered before,Please dont go down that road those who need their jobs will have no respect for you A.K.A.abrick through your car windscreen.
Riding shotgun with a friend or relative is o.k. ,but the bosses are bad enough without encouragement.
i dont see how offering to do a few free shifts will put anyone out of work, as in someone rings in sick or drive a hire motor to do an extra run, all it means is the agency isn’t going to get rung up for a driver, as the company doesn’t need one, as they’ve sorted themselves out, which is what agencies are there for, supply a driver when a company needs one.
Cheers for all the replies people, I am trying to take it all on board.
Anyway I am just posting to say I had my “New updated licence” come through the door Saturday morning, excited and pleased - I take it out of the envelope and noticed straight away them useless t0$$3rs at DVLA have not put the new category C+E on it at all!!!
Futhermore I passed car back in 2002 Category B - this date has now changed to 09/12/08 - the day I passed artic C+E!!! Bloody useless are these people on drugs?!!! I phoned them up straight away and I got a lovely welsh accent of - “No Mr Russen we have no record of you passing C+E.” Yes I was pleased… Then got a load of tosh about them not receiving my test certificate (which the test examiner sent off for me) this is ■■■■■■■■ as you get two copies one to keep and one is sent off to DVLA with your two part licence. So If this was’nt sent then why had my licence come back from Swansea 2 weeks later, have these people got eyes? Anyway now trying to get it all sorted, all I want to say to people as you already know, double check your licence after you send it off and double check it again, its common sense but thats what we’re up against with these muppets… I’m not the first person this has happened to and I wont be the last… DVLA MUPPETS!!! RANT OVER…
Hi kenz, WELCOME. 
well done