Hi folks,
I’m new to the forum so “hello” to all.
I did want to ask for some advice/views if possible.
I am hoping to become an LGV driver and in the process of sorting the medical etc. Basically I’m at the first step. My plan is to do my class C then the C+E not long after.
I’m 43, from Birmingham and currently a very disallusioned police officer needing a change.
My main question to members is…am I mad for taking the plunge? What are my chances of getting work as a new driver? I understand that I will have to take a lower salary, especially as a newbie.
In short I am hoping that some experienced folk on here will give an honest opinion and/or advice as it’s potentially a big step for me.
Totaluk:
Hi folks,
I’m new to the forum so “hello” to all.
I did want to ask for some advice/views if possible.
I am hoping to become an LGV driver and in the process of sorting the medical etc. Basically I’m at the first step. My plan is to do my class C then the C+E not long after.
I’m 43, from Birmingham and currently a very disallusioned police officer needing a change.
My main question to members is…am I mad for taking the plunge? What are my chances of getting work as a new driver? I understand that I will have to take a lower salary, especially as a newbie.
In short I am hoping that some experienced folk on here will give an honest opinion and/or advice as it’s potentially a big step for me.
Thanks in advance
Steve
Welcome
Well as a disillusioned copper you wont be surprised with the ■■■■ you’ll be fed as a driver .
As for training i’ll leave that to the trainers who’ll be along.
Getting work : well that depends on how much effort you put into getting a job its not easy but then it ain’t hard if you look hard enough.
you should never work for less pay just because your a Newbie why should you you’ll have the same licence as anyone else you’ll be doing the same job as everyone else . Don’t sell yourself short .
Tacho regs learn them … there are a few good people on here that are sharp on them Coffeeholic Tachograph and Rog , Rog tends to get things a bit complicated at times but he’s still good…
Enjoy, join in and never worry about sounding a right ■■■ by what might sound a daft question , if you don’t ask you’ll never know …
It’s a surprising move from the police. But folk make career changes for all sorts of reasons. As far as getting a job goes, there’s always those who say it just wont happen. It’s more realistic to say that you will work as long as you don’t think its’ £700 in a shiny new Scania. Many start with tippers or skips.
Having said that, plenty of newbies walk into half decent jobs straight away or after little time.
Your age is in your favour; there is no question that younger drivers can struggle more because of insurance restrictions. But you’re old enough to be mature and sensible without being old and knackered.
If you need any help with the training process, you can phone me or pm and I’ll help you as much as I can.
If you’re thinking of becoming a lorry driver my advice would always be to get the licence then do some driving jobs through agencies on your days off, the grass always seems greener on the other side ec’t ec’t.
Doing some agency work on your days off will give you an opportunity to test the water before before taking the plunge.
At age 43 I assume you passed car test before 1997 so that will mean that you will not need to do initial LGV driver cpc but it will mean that you need 35 hours of periodic dcpc before 09/09/2014 to drive commercially after that date
As you have LGV C1 (assumption above) then you can do periodic hours now
check to see if the LGV training school of your choice has periodic hours approved for their practical training - if they have then it easily possible for a little extra cash to get at least 28 hours for the C and then CE training
Check out the link below in my signature as well as all the other stickies near the top of this forum
Also read other recent posts from newly passed members to get a realistic idea of the newbie job market
At last, an opportunity to give a policeman some ‘advice’ (in return for all the ‘good advice’ I have received over the years.
As Pete said, we make career changes for various reasons so I will not say do it or don’t do it. Do your homework and think long and hard before making this decision. Even then, there is no way of knowing just what the job entails, but at least you will have some idea.
I have ‘cautioned’ (ooh, I am enjoying this) several people about moving into HGV driving - the drop-out rate amongst new drivers is quite high, mainly because jobs can be hard to get the jobs they do get aren’t what they expected. For a newly qualified driver it can be very tough.
As I said, do your homework, think hard and, if you still go for it, good luck.
I’d say always try and get a start with a small general haulage outfit, there you’ll learn more in a couple of years than a lifetime doin crap agency work for supermarkets
I left the Police and became a lorry driver. Did my Cat C last August and my C+E in September, been in full time employment since October driving Class 1.
Some people think I’m mad giving up my career as a Police Officer after 17 years. Truth be told, I’ve never been happier. Best thing I’ve done in a long time.
I too left the police and I’m now a truck driver. I didn’t leave through choice mind you, lets just say the professional standards team were involved! Anyway I wanted to try and find another job where the money almost matched up again and there are certainly HGV jobs about where that is achievable. How long have you been in the police for? If you are really unhappy then I’d say leave. You can get work as a newbie, its just a bit harder. I passed my tests last sept/oct and I’m now in a full time class 1 job paying very good money.
benbailey81:
I too left the police and I’m now a truck driver. I didn’t leave through choice mind you, lets just say the professional standards team were involved! Anyway I wanted to try and find another job where the money almost matched up again and there are certainly HGV jobs about where that is achievable. How long have you been in the police for? If you are really unhappy then I’d say leave. You can get work as a newbie, its just a bit harder. I passed my tests last sept/oct and I’m now in a full time class 1 job paying very good money.
I know all about PSD I’ve been in the police for 11yrs. I’ve been unhappy for quite sometime now, it’s definitely at the point where I need to look at getting out. It’s affecting my home life now.
I’ll definitely take it on board. I won’t be making any rushed or rash decisions as having commitments I couldn’t afford to give up my current job first and then take a chance on getting a job driving.
I had done just shy of 11 years too. Its been almost 3 years now since I left and I would imagine the job has changed loads in that time but it certainly changed so much over the time I was in. If its affecting your home life then I would definitely think about something else.
My advice would be take your tests while still in the police. Get both class 2 and 1 on your license then start to look about. You’re right what you said. You don’t want to make a quick decision then find yourself unemployed.
newmercman:
I would first make sure my pension was going to be as high as possible and put in enough to ensure that.
After that, live your dreams
Thanks for the advice, hopefully the dream will become reality. I do agree about the pension, however it’s another factor in my decision to leave the police (among other reasons) as the pension that I would have been getting after 30yrs is now going to be obliterated by the government. It will be a case of paying even more in to get a hell of a lot less back.
you’ll have the same licence as anyone else you’ll be doing the same job as everyone else . Don’t sell yourself short .
I’ve been in the police for 11yrs. I’ve been unhappy for quite sometime now, it’s definitely at the point where I need to look at getting out. It’s affecting my home life now.