Basically I’m not sure what to do next (unexperienced Class 1 & 2 licence holder).
Looking forward, my plan for April is getting a bike licence sorted out, to give me more options when getting to a job (cheaper, can avoid traffic jams better, thus cutting down time allowed for commute).
But beyond April I don’t know. I am currently in a job, which is good. Options:
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quit this job, and just get my hands dirty by being available to employment agencies? That way I could hopefully get some 7.5T experience, maybe even Class 2 experience fairly soon.
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move to a bit nearer to London / the South East, I’m in the sticks here but I could get a flat for a couple of months where more jobs are.
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stay in my current job but hopefully get lucky and land a Class 2 job (Class 1 unlikely).
I failed a Class 1 assessment recently on a blind side reverse, feels like I blew my chance to get stuck into artic work. I’m leaning towards just quitting and getting stuck into temp work, this way when I apply for jobs I can at least say I’ve been out in a Scania XYZ, done deliveries, done the tacho etc, I’d be more likely to get given a chance.
Seriously have another think,take a look at this site or the back of the truck mags to see drivers who have years of experience out of work.
If you have a job at the moment then christ you are one of the lucky ones no matter what you are doing and to be honest chap,if you give that up on the hope of agency work (and they will give you false promises and yes the work may be there…for a week or so,until another new one on the books comes along and they want to keep him sweet) then more fool you.
I don’t wish to call you a fool as I dont know you but it would be a foolish thing to do if you get my drift.
Can you not keep your job and do a bit of agency?
As regards failing your assessment on a blind side reverse…unless a huge percentage of the drops are blind side then your assessor was (A)a bit of a ■■■■ really or (B)in a position where he can afford to be really picky.
Your next assessment probably wont ask you to do that so dont sweat it.
Listen,didn’t wish to seem harsh so good luck with whatever you do.
Im with ShropsBri in that you have a job at mo and believe me thats a godsend at mo , stick with it a bit longer and see if an agency can give you a days work at weekend keeping in with hour regulations you could do a saturday or sunday every two weeks as you say even 71/2 tonne to gain the agencies trust that you are reliable if you explain you only want weekend work to agency they will still sign you up and a class 2 or 1 job might come up if someone dont turn up for whatever reason and your there to fill the gap 
good luck
Jen x
Hi mate
As your probably aware, its very hard to land a job if you have little or no experiance. Agencies are very reluctant to take on inexperianced drivers (unless their desperate) and a permanent job is hard to find as there are alot of experianced drivers looking for work too.
Im 23 and did a bit of agency work and got myself around haulage companies with cv. got alot of knock backs but now have a full time hiab job. Its hard but not impossible.
Have a good read through this forum before you make any big decisions. All depends where you live too. I live in south east, making finding a driving job a bit easier though.
Whatever you choose, best of luck
ben
I think you are all correct, it would be silly to quit my job just to go temping, I suppose when you’re in work you get in a ‘comfort zone’, and forget about the recession and other folk who can’t even get a job to start with.
Working at the weekend would be ideal… the cost of the commute wouldn’t bother me in the slightest, I’d love the experience and learning from mistakes.
I work a 40 hour week Mon-Fri, so legally I could only drive part time once every two weeks (I think)
Week 1 - work 5 days > Drive Saturday > take shortened 24 hr rest
Week 2 - work 5 days > must take extended rest
BUT I do have holiday left, so by wisely booking half days off work (Monday morning, for example) I could get around this, I’ll have to do some calculations!
I have another question on my mind, how useful are weekend temp drivers to the agencies? Are they handy because the regular drivers on their books are taking their weekend rests, or are weekend drivers a pain in the arse because of wrangling over what hours can be worked.
Weekend work is fairly plentiful depending on where you are. Don’t tell the agency you’re working Mon-Fri. Lie to them like they will most likely lie to you and say you do Mon-Wed! Problem solved.
Where are you based??..It always amazes me how many people dont put their location when looking for work or help with something!!
foresttrucker:
I think you are all correct, it would be silly to quit my job just to go temping, I suppose when you’re in work you get in a ‘comfort zone’, and forget about the recession and other folk who can’t even get a job to start with.
Working at the weekend would be ideal… the cost of the commute wouldn’t bother me in the slightest, I’d love the experience and learning from mistakes.
I work a 40 hour week Mon-Fri, so legally I could only drive part time once every two weeks (I think)
Week 1 - work 5 days > Drive Saturday > take shortened 24 hr rest
Week 2 - work 5 days > must take extended rest
BUT I do have holiday left, so by wisely booking half days off work (Monday morning, for example) I could get around this, I’ll have to do some calculations!
If you want to do it by the book then it all depends on what time you finish your regular job on Friday and what time you start on Monday. You may even be able to make those hours back after you finish work at night in the week,maybe.
Post up your start/finish times during the week and if you ask Coffeeholic nicely,I’m sure he will steer you right.
He’s your dude for this as I’m sure it will take his mind off his co-driver-Mad Max.
Thanks for the input everyone. I’m just outside Bournemouth.
Hours are 9am to 6pm Mon-Fri, 40 hr week, and never a problem to book the morning off work at short notice.
