After gaining my PCV License earlier this year, I have decided that driving a bus isnt for me. Its not the driving, the early starts or the long hours I dont enjoy, its the passengers, handling money, issuing fares, running to time etc etc that I am not enjoying.
Originally, I wanted to do my HGV License but was put off by the high fees. However, I am now determined to gain my license and am looking for a decent training school within the Cheshire/Merseyside area that people can reccommend highly? I have my CPC qualificaion card after passing my PCV license and looking at this I have CPC status for Class C and Class C+E until September 2014. Therefore I only need to do my theory and pratical to gain my license, is this correct?
Can anyone please advise whom is a creditable training company? I spoke to Truk Warrington yesterday about gaining my license. Unfortunately, the guy I spoke to came across as a bit of a salesman like many agencies out there who take all of your money, train you up and then promise you the earth. He said ‘I dont understand all of this nonsense being sprouted about by people saying there is no work for new drivers. I can get you a job tomorrow as there is tonnes of work’. This statement worried me as i already know it can be challenging to get a job when newly qualified.
Can anyone give me some guidance please? I wouldnt have thought it would take me too long to become accustomed to driving a HGV as I have been driving a bus since March this year so therefore I shouldnt need too much training?
Top blokes instructing, business owner is an LGV driver and I think a qualified HGV mechanic… They do the lot from minibuses, B+E to C+E ADR, CPC, HiAB, FLT etc etc. DAF CF’s 4over4 manuals in both rigids and C+E.
I speak from experience of training with them and have no financial connection with them whatsoever.
Top blokes instructing, business owner is an LGV driver and I think a qualified HGV mechanic… They do the lot from minibuses, B+E to C+E ADR, CPC, HiAB, FLT etc etc. DAF CF’s 4over4 manuals in both rigids and C+E.
I speak from experience of training with them and have no financial connection with them whatsoever.
Try and find one attached to a haulage company you might then be able to progress into their employment, I passed with Bassetts at Tittensor Staffs they where great never looked back,
Hi I done my c+e training with Truk Warrington in September. They train you in Bolton, little bit of traveling but certainly worth it, reasonable price and good professional instructors, just ask them for an assessment if your unsure tho, regards them getting you a job afterwards? When I was there they had posters in thr office from various agencies for new drivers but thats all they arnt a broker or agency themselves,
Yes finding a start is difficult and if they have some contacts use them
Either way talking from experience it is hard to get that start to proove yourself and you will have to be determined and be ready for alot of knockbacks but stick at it and it will pay off
Finally only use a training school your comfortable with. Hence the assessment drives before booking wwith anyone and keep away from brokers
Top blokes instructing, business owner is an LGV driver and I think a qualified HGV mechanic… They do the lot from minibuses, B+E to C+E ADR, CPC, HiAB, FLT etc etc. DAF CF’s 4over4 manuals in both rigids and C+E.
I speak from experience of training with them and have no financial connection with them whatsoever.
Hmmmmm the user name is a bit suspicious
I assure you i am not connected with the company. The wink wasn’t intended to indicate otherwise. If I do my ADR (considering it toward CPC) I would use them again.
I agree you need to be comfortable with the trainers and place you are using. Travel around and speak to a few and get a feel for it. That way you’ll pick the right place…probably!
After gaining my PCV License earlier this year, I have decided that driving a bus isnt for me. Its not the driving, the early starts or the long hours I dont enjoy, its the passengers, handling money, issuing fares, running to time etc etc that I am not enjoying.
Stu, Widnes.
I have to say you seem to have the same view i had the last time i drove a bus/coach . The job would be fine without the passengers but thats not possible .
I remember like it was yesterday the last time i drove one , i think it was 1997/98 and i haven’t been near one since and i have no intention of ever doing so . The only reason ive still got my licence is that it was renewed when i had my medical , if it hadn’t have been i’d have let it go , P.S.V is not for me … Horrible job .
Funnily enough i was having a nosey in my kitchen draw a couple of weeks ago and found my drivers badge a T key , i thought they’d long gone …
You could have saved a lot of money by coming on here and asking what its like being a bus driver, its quite frankly ■■■■! You need to have some serious mental issues to do it long term why do you think they never stop advertising on the back of buses.
You should cake walk your C test if you’re confident on the buses, training companies will try and say 4/5 days+test tell them you want 1/2 days just to get a feel for the truck then test. With you passing your pcv so recent your bad habits should be minimal.
Give Mark Thompson a ring he owns http://www.hgv-training-northwest.co.uk/contact-us and is based in Hale road Widnes I done a refresher course with him top bloke always busy which is a good sign .
Graham
mattecube:
Try and find one attached to a haulage company you might then be able to progress into their employment, I passed with Bassetts at Tittensor Staffs they where great never looked back,
FTS Hatswell in deeside have training vehicle on some of their trucks might be worth a call, no idea if it is just in house training, or training for anybody.
Only a quick hop down the m56.
I have to say guys, thanks for all your posts, really appreciate it. So I need to pass my Class 2 test before I can do my Class 1? I will give a few of them a call the next few days and go from there…
What sort of fees am I looking at to do my Class 2 with test?
RSTurbo50:
I have to say guys, thanks for all your posts, really appreciate it. So I need to pass my Class 2 test before I can do my Class 1? I will give a few of them a call the next few days and go from there…
What sort of fees am I looking at to do my Class 2 with test?
Guy’s
It is £115 for test but depends on how many lessons you need really but as you have been driving a bus ( dont mention this mind ) you may not need many
An assessment drive might be worth while then some charge some are free
ACCENTP97:
Give Mark Thompson a ring he owns http://www.hgv-training-northwest.co.uk/contact-us and is based in Hale road Widnes I done a refresher course with him top bloke always busy which is a good sign .
Graham
Done my Class 2 and Class 1 with Mark hes a good guy.
