Having had my HGV training back in February, I regretfully failed two tests. However, my next test is on the 20th May (with a couple of hours training the day before and 2 hours training on the day) in an automatic (was happy training on a Daf 4 over 4 but figured it’s one less thing to worry about on the 3rd test). In the meantime, I have been working p/t driving a 3.5 tonne long van delivering bread around Norfolk, Cambs & Herts. This has given me invaluable experience doing multi-drops and I go to premises both small (pubs) and also huge depots.
I have also got my tacho card and completed my 35 hours periodic CPC training (my, that was a fun week in the classroom 
) so when my boss decides that the orders need to go in a 7.5 tonner rather than a van, I am all ready to jump in & go. Business seems to be brisk and having just moved, part-time works suits me. The only bugbear is the hours - often starting at 0300-0400 but at least I finish by 1100 at the latest. I’m happy with my progress to date and I’m hoping that my multi-drop experience will be useful when I graduate to trucks. It also helps to understand the systems that are used in depots (signing in, unloading with forklifts etc) that again will be useful later on.
So, my message is simple - you don’t have to rush in and jump straight from cars to trucks. You can also take a slower route - it’s all good experience 
