Getting that truck driving fix

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
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Hi everyone. So I’m after some suggestions given my situation, but before I begin, apologies if this is in the wrong area, I couldn’t see anywhere else suitable to post it. Sorry for a fairly large post but I wanted to give some background so you understand where I’m coming from.

So some background information on myself for context: I live in the UK, East Anglia and I’m currently working full time as a web developer. I’m 19 years old. I’ve been bought up around trucks and I’m very passionate about it, my father is a truck driver and I used to spend most of my school holidays with him in his truck until his most recent job and when I began working full time. I decided to become a web developer as it’s something else I was interested in, I’m good at it and it has quite good future job security (currently not a massive chance of a robot taking my job!).

However, I really want to experience truck driving, my issue is I don’t know how I can do this. I do not want to quit web developing due to the reason mentioned above and the chances of a large amount of driving jobs being taken over by self-driving vehicles are increasing and inevitable. So I’m after suggestions on how I could maintain my current job but also get that truck driving fix? I’m very aware of what comes with truck driving through experiencing it with my father and from what I’ve seen. I’m also aware someone of my age has a significantly lower chance of getting employed due to insurance etc and I would be willing to wait until I’m 21. I’m not even sure if this is possible but I’d love to see what everyone thinks. Many thanks and any questions please ask!

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Get your licences, apply to an agency, drive one or two days a week. Pretty much it.

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I wouldnt let the onset of self driving trucks put you off, I think that will be a long way off yet and drivers will still be wanted for quite a while yet.

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Twoninety88:
I wouldnt let the onset of self driving trucks put you off, I think that will be a long way off yet and drivers will still be wanted for quite a while yet.

I did always think about how long it will take for self-driving trucks to take over. I can’t see, at the moment, self-driving being able to work with all of these different pick-up and drop offs, all of the things truck drivers come across and so on. I guess another option is specialising in an area such as oversized loads, again, I can’t see that being taken over anytime soon. Cheers for your reply mate.

norm:
Get your licences, apply to an agency, drive one or two days a week. Pretty much it.

I guess that’s the only way I could do it maintaining my current job if of course, they let me. I’m not familiar with agency driving, my father never worked for an agency so I don’t have him to bounce questions of but is hiring a driver for 1-2 days work likely? I’m also going to more than likely have to wait until I’m 21 to significantly increase my chances of getting a job. Thanks for the reply!

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The sooner you get your licences the easier it’ll be for you to blag experience in the future. Some agencies work on a rule of 2 years holding licence required. You can pickup weekend work so 1 or 2 days a week is no big deal.

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If your dad’s been a trucker driver for a while, he might have a contact or two in the industry. Just like any other job, who you know counts for an awful lot. As far as agencies go, if you’re not desperate for work (bills and mortgage etc.) then just register, tell them what you’re prepared to do, and wait for the phone to ring. As far as experience is concerned, the ‘must have two years eperience’ is not quite as important as it once was.
You’ll probably start off on the very worst jobs, the ones that no one else wants. But if you get through that, show you’re keen, do a good job and don’t smash the trucks up, you’ll find the better work coming your way.
Good luck with it all.
Cavey.

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One step at a time.
Step one: Get your license.

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you could look at joining the territorial army, then they pay you to learn and drive, which can be all over the world,

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Technically - step 1, find £3000 for your licences as your better off having both even if you only use class 2.

One thing you might want to watch is tax as second job is likely to have full rate tax from my understanding, but for occasional work it not an issue.

Might be able to find someone who’ll let you out as a drivers mate initially? Could be an option for getting in for when you get the licences and will prove your more serious to them for a chance.

Oh and don’t quit the day job…I did same job for years and pretty sure web design was better.

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My lad gets his fix from playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 on the computer. He is only 14 though. :smiling_face:

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Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

Captain Caveman 76:
If your dad’s been a trucker driver for a while, he might have a contact or two in the industry. Just like any other job, who you know counts for an awful lot. As far as agencies go, if you’re not desperate for work (bills and mortgage etc.) then just register, tell them what you’re prepared to do, and wait for the phone to ring. As far as experience is concerned, the ‘must have two years eperience’ is not quite as important as it once was.
You’ll probably start off on the very worst jobs, the ones that no one else wants. But if you get through that, show you’re keen, do a good job and don’t smash the trucks up, you’ll find the better work coming your way.
Good luck with it all.
Cavey.

I have a couple companies in mind because my father used to work for them, I guess mentioning him would help. His current job wouldn’t work as he drives petrol tankers, I wouldn’t be willing to go through all the training and what, not for a weekend job. Ah I’m glad you mentioned that about experience, it did always seem like it would be difficult to get a job if most required that ‘two years experience’. I guess the only outstanding issue is my age! Cheers mate.

trevHCS:
Technically - step 1, find £3000 for your licences as your better off having both even if you only use class 2.

One thing you might want to watch is tax as second job is likely to have full rate tax from my understanding, but for occasional work it not an issue.

Might be able to find someone who’ll let you out as a drivers mate initially? Could be an option for getting in for when you get the licences and will prove your more serious to them for a chance.

Oh and don’t quit the day job…I did same job for years and pretty sure web design was better.

Yeah, I better get saving if I wanna do it soon! Honestly and it might sound stupid, I don’t have the mind set that I wanna do it for money (obviously wont work for free) but more because I think I’ll enjoy it, at least I hope so haha. Yeah there’s no chance I’m quitting my current industry. Thanks for the reply.

Blue Blood:
My lad gets his fix from playing Euro Truck Simulator 2 on the computer. He is only 14 though. :smiling_face:

Hahaha, not going to lie, I have played the ■■■■ out of that game. But don’t worry, I know there’s lot’s more to trucking in real life!