Im currently applying for a job which will involve continental driving. Something I have never done before.
Have to admit the thought of it is a bit daunting even though im a fairly confident driver.
This is definelty what I want to get into though, and having been driving three years now I feel im ready.
Just wondering how you all got into European work, and how you coped with your first trips away etc.
Were you nervous? How long did it take to get into the swing of it etc.
First of all,if this is really what you want to do,I hope you get the job.Have a look at the stickies on here(sorry,Brit Pete 
) Research your route carefully,and don’t be afraid to ask.Nobody was born with the ability to do European work perfectly-everyone has had to do it for the first time.Learn some basic phrases in French,German,Italian or whatever depending on where you hope to go to.As has been said here before by some very experienced people ‘The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask’.Best of luck.
I was lucky when i started in 1992 after 20yrs diving uk.I started for a family owned com with 7 trucks.My first trip was to criel in northern france.At this time customs had to be done but the boss sent me with another driver,both of us tipping and re loading at same places.I like you was a bit nervous at first but i tell you no lies it was the best move i made,e/thing better than over here,roads mainly a lot quieter,parking better and mostly free,treated like human being not like dog on lead,go for it. i hope you enjoy.As for an up to date view you will have to rely on others as ive been ret injured 10 yrs,good luck.
regards dave.
Once you’ve done it a few times, you won’t enjoy driving in the UK ever again. As mentioned, most of the roads are empty for vast stretches. Most services are clean, pleasant places to park. No-one gives the coffee bean salute. Take your time and enjoy. Hope I’m over again this week. Only went to France Monday for one overnight. 
Stay legal and dont be pushed into doing “just a little bit more”!!! 
Otherwise it could get VERY expensive!!! 
Well, I might not be too good example. I was born in Poland and I was driving small vans there and arround. Than I moved to UK, drove lorries here for few years and now I am back to driving vans all arround Europe, so I might say that for me it’s just “back to normal”
this is what i want to do . i am the same thinking its a bit daunting .got 15 yrs uk experience, at this time in my life its going to be the best move for me as i live on my now after divorce its better to be away . i used to do nights in uk and am finding it hard now going back to days never mind the traffic on days so i think euro will be the best move . all the best mate sean
its been said before i know but drive on the right 
Have fun,relax,enjoy the scenery,you get paid to look at views that a bus company charges a fortune for.When the old bill stop you,always open your drivers door,smile politely,dont swear,as Davina Mccoll keeps telling us,most european police and customs speak fluent english. Dont forget your 28 days attestation activity form if you have no tachos for the last 28days,it cant have any handwritting or biro on it,do online.There is a stickey for that on Trucknet. Take a snow shovel,dont worry about snow chains,ive never been controled for them in Italy,Spain,Portugal,and France,if it gets bad,they will park you up,but will fine you if you decide to move on. My first trip was a naive one,i had no clue,and panicked a lot,a trailer to collect at Newhaven docks,with the trailer legs down too low,it took half an hour to get hooked up.Ran down to Lisbon with an idiot,we only stopped once for a loo break,and after tipping a Ford factory near Azumbuja near Lisboa,i threw away the CMRs out the window,as an owner driver,my boss told me i may not get paid,i did get paid,but had to wait a while,did say i was naive.I grew up fast.
If you can take a bike with you,for the 24,45,and 66 hour weekly rests that will stop you getting bored,who wants to be awoken every 30 mins by our eastern european cousins charging up their batteries to power up the sputnik sattelite DVD,laptop,TV,Comet warehouse inside their cabs,while you can escape the French autoroute to ride the country lanes and explore.They will sit all of the weekend with the curtains shut,they are away all year.Be carefull in Euskadi and the Navara regions of Spain,the fines are high there,thats the Basque area.
If you going to Germany,they have a new law for load restraint,some goods are exempt,best to ask Brit Pete,he will advise you what is best,Belgium has this law too for restraining with ratchet straps,corners on the top of heavy cargo must be protected against chaffing.If you ratchet strap your doors at night to stop thieves breaking in,a point is,how long would it take to escape the cab if it caught fire,due to a faulty night heater,or the wagon next to you going up in flames.If transiting Austria,they have 24 hour control points on both sides of the autobahns.For Spain,you will need two warning triangles in case of breakdowns,one in front,and one at the rear of the vehicle,and you must wear Hi-Viz jacket too,i knew a driver that got fined for no Hi-Viz when he stopped for a wee.
Go Box toll collect machines are available 24 hours for Austria,you buy the box,activate it,light flashing sequences,add your axles,etc,then it will deduct about 0.39 cents per kilometre as you pass under the gantry.Fine for not having one is 400 euros.Brit Pete will advise the best way,and has info on Germany and their toll system too.
Hi the jammer.good luck to you.it’s not the best time of year to start riving international but if you use a bit of common you will be ok.don’t be afraid to ASK,everyone had a first trip[mine was in 1972].remember ANYWHERE in europe can be subjected to sudden snowblizzards with snowfalls up to a foot and temps down to min 20,even as far south as madrid,rome and athens.so be warned.take plenty of warm clothes,food and warm blankets.you can ALWAYS get stuck,sometimes in the middle of nowhere so be prepared.also,contrary to what was mentioned here,many countries,especially round the alpine regions now oblige you to carry snowchains and if you dont have them can force you to buy a set.
get a set and learn how to fit them[it’s not hard]and just by putting chains on you can save youself a lot of aggro and time.learn how to put them on BEFORE you go away.preferably at the yard,maybe in the workshop in the warm.and get some warm gloves and boots.i live now in swedish lappland and we have had about 15ins of snow in the last week with temps down to min 30c.try to make sure that you have good tyres.take care.mike
Some great advice there guys. The thought of driving on quieter roads would be a welcome change.
Was on the phone with this company and have to go for interview next week, so ill find out a bit more about what the runs will be etc.
Im keeping my fingers crossed because this sounds like the change that could make me fall in love with driving again.
Thanks for all your help.
who are you hoping to get a start with ? not that many going out to europe now. by the way would you have an arsenal top or a liverpool top over a seat ?
glenman:
by the way would you have an arsenal top or a liverpool top over a seat ?
neither
that was not a question for the general masses,just that poster and you knew that. 
glenman:
General masses decided to stick his oar in anyway 
so is that your full title, “General Vascoingles Masses” ?
glenman:
so is that your full title, “General Vascoingles Masses” ?
he prefers it if you call him “generalissimo” or better still “el caudillo”
welshboyinspain:
or better still “el caudillo”
only acceptable if uttered meekly from a kneeling or prostrate position
welshboyinspain:
he prefers it if you call him “generalissimo” or better still “el caudillo”
Not until he has his profile on a Peseta coin or banknote .Francisco Vasco??. It could happen though.SCARY.