Considering driver career

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi, new to forum.

I love driving and am seriously considering starting a career in driving but have zero knowledge or experience within the trade. So here I am looking for some insight into the job itself and the honest opinions of drivers themselves of lorry life. Below are a few questions and I’d be very grateful if anyone could help. And of course any more info would be greatly welcome!

What type of character/qualities are needed?

Pros and cons of the job?

Away from driving what would I be expected to do?

How much mechanical knowledge do you need?

How to I start a career with no experience? Where to look?

Hours of work to expect? Weekend work?

Is it wise to go out and pay for the licence/s myself?

Anything else I should consider?

2

Rincewind_:
Hi, new to forum.

I love driving and am seriously considering starting a career in driving but have zero knowledge or experience within the trade. So here I am looking for some insight into the job itself and the honest opinions of drivers themselves of lorry life. Below are a few questions and I’d be very grateful if anyone could help. And of course any more info would be greatly welcome!

What type of character/qualities are needed?
Strength of mind, there are a lot of things on the road that will test you, you have to rise above it all

Pros and cons of the job?
Pros- You get paid to watch the world go by, you get to visit all sorts of places, meet all sorts of people
Cons - Its a stressful job, you will meet people who are not very nice, experience the worst of Britians roads and their users, pay is crap for a good while until you have experience unless you are extremely lucky or know someone already in the industry

Away from driving what would I be expected to do?
Keep track of your own hours because the office will likely mess it up, be able to assess a load and how to secure it

How much mechanical knowledge do you need?
Depends on where you go. Go to a big by the numbers company and the most you will need to know is how to call a fitter out, go with a smaller company and you’ll be expected to be able to at least change a bulb or two.

How to I start a career with no experience? Where to look?
Get your licenses then go pound the pavement, hit up the industial estates. If you see a truck in their yard go in and ask to speak to the TM, explain your situation. Its a lot better than randomly firing off CV’s

Hours of work to expect? Weekend work?
Again depends on where you go, some places its max hours, 5 days on 2 off. Others run by 4 on 4 off. Transport is a 24/7 365 day operation, there is always weekend work

Is it wise to go out and pay for the licence/s myself?
I highly doubt a company would pay for your licenses as a greenhorn, even less if you aren’t even working for them yet. Best option is save up and do them yourself. That way you aren’t beholden to anyone.

Anything else I should consider?

3

Thanks Radar19, much appreciated. So overall you’d recommend starting a career in lorry driving? Considering going forklift licence/work first then going in for the LGV/HGV licences (after a lot of saving!!)

4

It’s doubtful anybody is going to pay in excess of £2500 for your licences. That’s something you would have to square with and deal with yourself.

Hours can be unsociable and long, but you can earn a decent wage by putting those long hours in. It depends what you’re looking to get out of lorry driving.

Character qualities don’t really matter. Perhaps having a thick skin? Some people don’t care much for truck drivers, especially in this country! We’re classed as a pain in the arse!

I’ll echo what Radar mentioned for the pros and cons.

Aside from driving, you’re responsible for the load. So overseeing/helping with loading the vehicle, unloading/discharging your load, accounting for your drivers hours, etc etc.

Once you have the licences, you can go around all local companies and ask if they need drivers. Ultimately though, unless you know somebody who works somewhere that’s willing to blag you a job, you’ll have to rely on the uncertainty of agency work.

Good luck with your potential career!

5

Characteristics : pulse
Pros and cons : you’re not stuck in a shop/warehouse/factory/office with knobheads, you will be doing something that only the ppl who do it know what it’s like. Depending on the nature of your particular job it can be enjoyable and satisfying.

Usually long unsociable hours, traffic, away from family, disjointed routine, irregular start and finish times, unhealthy, dangerous, hourly pay not much different from tesco/McDonald’s
Sitting waiting, poor conditions/treatment. Ad infinitum

away from driving: again depending on particular job, could involve unloading pallets etc.

Mechanical knowledge : usually none. Most firms have good maintenance provision for their fleets.

Hours: up to 3×15 and 2x13 hour shifts a week ( more is possible )
Most firms expect a willingness to work the odd Saturday.

Pay for own License?: no idea

I don’t want to be a party pooped on the job after all I am still doing it (no choice ) but don’t be deluded by watching stobart on tv.
Bottom line is some driving jobs are more civilised than others, I’ve only ever done brutal stuff because I want max hours for max cash.

6

I did FLT before driving LGV’s.

About as valuable as Jimmy Saville’s autograph.