Hi all, after many a day, week, month and year contemplating Going for my HGV. After talking the wife round that it will be a good idea, I’ve finally decided to do it!
Had my medical done last week and passed with a clean bill of health (£56 for 5 mins! Should’ve been a doctor instead!) Sent my licence off for my provisional now my head is stuck in the theory book and getting concerned with how much I need to learn, foolishly thinking I could turn up and walk it!
Have decided on using Caroles Training in Corby, any stories I should know about? Its my Class 2 I’m going for with the plan that in a year or 2 getting my Class 1.
I’ll keep you all updated, if anybody is interested! Lol
Rick80:
(£56 for 5 mins! Should’ve been a doctor instead!)
Thought I heard on the Radio this morning, that those ‘Leeches’ get around £1500 (yes Fifteen Hundred Pounds, One Thousand Five Hundred pounds, One & a Half Grand) for one night on call out !
Well considering the base GP salary is £86k that doesn’t shock me in the slightest
So when I see a doctor or GP moan about poor pay, they get the middle finger!, my ex girlfriend was a nurse, trained nhs staff in manual handling, 27k a year… for teaching people how to pick things up. Come on you have got to be kidding me!
Had my assessment drive yesterday, after filling myself with nerves about the size of it, gears etc, etc and being full of man flu. I wasn’t feeling that “up for it”
Met up with the instructor as planned, “into the drivers seat then” she said. Instantly I was filled with fear! She talked over the gears, 4 over 4…huh?
Off we went, slowly…very slowly! A few bad gear changes, and trying to go into reverse whilst moving forwards. I settled into it in the end and started to relax and feel more comfortable. Rush hour driving through a little town in a L plated up truck which, understandably, nobody wanted to be behind, so I had the obligatory last minute lane hoppers which kept me on my toes.
Got back to base after a incident free run, reversed back upto her trailer, again slowly but incident free! She says I will have no troubles with the traning and the test. She also said it was one of the best assessment drives she’s had for quite a while! Made me feel pretty good about myself, and has now taken away the fear of tackling something completely alien to me!
Course booked for 29th July, just gotta pass my theories and Mod 2 first
Hi Rick, just be prepared for the fact that it is very difficult to find work once you have got your licence, as nearly every employer wants you to have 2 years experience, or have held your licence for 2 years for insurance purposes. I’m wishing I had done a little more research into the actual job market before spending the money I did.
I’m not wanting to put you off, just saying that it will be difficult to find work, unless you have already found a firm that has said it will take you on, once you have passed.
Braveheart1984:
Hi Rick, just be prepared for the fact that it is very difficult to find work once you have got your licence, as nearly every employer wants you to have 2 years experience, or have held your licence for 2 years for insurance purposes. I’m wishing I had done a little more research into the actual job market before spending the money I did.
But you had a job, as a newbie, on a probationary period - so it’s perfectly possible to newbies to get work. The outcome of that period is another issue altogether.
I took the decision to drive a 7.5 after passing mine, kept my nose clean and my wagon straight, lo and behold, as soon as someone on hols, I was banged on the insurance and handed the keys. Drive 'em all the while now, and still not had my licence a year.
Braveheart1984:
Hi Rick, just be prepared for the fact that it is very difficult to find work once you have got your licence, as nearly every employer wants you to have 2 years experience, or have held your licence for 2 years for insurance purposes. I’m wishing I had done a little more research into the actual job market before spending the money I did.
I’m not wanting to put you off, just saying that it will be difficult to find work, unless you have already found a firm that has said it will take you on, once you have passed.
Happy learning.
I don’t even have my heavy goods license and I already have a job for when I do gain it…and no I dont work for daddy or kiss arse I gained the job because i was enthusiastic about the haulage industry and knew what I wanted. The TM saw this and gave me that chance, and when I get my license I shall be a ‘priority’ to get out on the road. So not meaning to ■■■■ on your cornflakes but it is possible, you just have to look hard enough.
as to the OP i wish you luck in the training && the job search!
Thanks for all the replies, luckily there are a couple of companies around here that do take on newly qualified drivers…
ANOTHER UPDATE
This week I have taken…and PASSED my theories and CPC mod 2 (just scraped through!!!) so really happy and can’t wait to get started on my practical now!
Was wondering how the driving works in with your full time job. Do you just tell them what you can work and they’re happy with that?
Currently contemplating doing the same but was a bit concerned lack of experience once passed and only being able to work certain days would go against me.
now my head is stuck in the theory book and getting concerned with how much I need to learn, foolishly thinking I could turn up and walk it!
