I passed my c+e a year ago and been driving bendies pretty much constantly ever since. I’ve done the unexpected night out, blind side reverse round a trailer, been pulled by VOSA, driven tankers (non hazardous), curtains and box trailers, done bobtail runs, run out of working AND driving hours, got lost in London, damaged a trailer and truck (not at the same time), argued with transport manager, customers and other road users (think that was the same time), sat for hours in an RDC for no discernable reason and delivered everything I can think of, including kitchen sinks!
So, barring striking a bridge or rolling a truck, what do I have left (if anything) to do before I can lose my “newbie” badge?
It’s all in your head lol
As soon as out on own your no longer a noob [emoji3]
As soon as you stop damaging stuff, getting lost and realising it’s pointless arguing with the manager.
Then on your second day… 
Your always a ‘newbie’ when you stop being a ‘newbie’ it’s time to take your career in a different direction you will have become bored.
Captain Caveman 76:
I passed my c+e a year ago and been driving bendies pretty much constantly ever since. I’ve done the unexpected night out, blind side reverse round a trailer, been pulled by VOSA, driven tankers (non hazardous), curtains and box trailers, done bobtail runs, run out of working AND driving hours, got lost in London, damaged a trailer and truck (not at the same time), argued with transport manager, customers and other road users (think that was the same time), sat for hours in an RDC for no discernable reason and delivered everything I can think of, including kitchen sinks!
So, barring striking a bridge or rolling a truck, what do I have left (if anything) to do before I can lose my “newbie” badge?
Sounds like my type of guy, never just do anything to fit in, do it your way.
Every time you go to a new area, every time you have an awkward load to strap down, every time you encounter a problem your learning, every day in this job is a school day, all you have to back you up is experience 
Drift:
Every time you go to a new area, every time you have an awkward load to strap down, every time you encounter a problem your learning, every day in this job is a school day, all you have to back you up is experience
In others words every day is a school day, and if you go a day without learning something new its a waste of a day, no matter old you are
nightline:
Drift:
Every time you go to a new area, every time you have an awkward load to strap down, every time you encounter a problem your learning, every day in this job is a school day, all you have to back you up is experienceIn others words every day is a school day, and if you go a day without learning something new its a waste of a day, no matter old you are
I wouldn’t say it’s a waste of a day, you could be getting drunk… 
but it keeps you on your toes 
Tell ya the most valuable (and time saving) lesson I learned when i first started driving (milk) tankers… when the computer says it’s full, it’s ■■■■■■■ full. And when the boss / other driver / random muppet tells you you’ll get an extra 500L in… no, you bloody well won’t, it’ll come ■■■■■■■ out the top 
And you’ll spend AGES cleaning the ■■■■ up.
So now, when computer says no, not a drop more goes in
nightline:
Captain Caveman 76:
I passed my c+e a year ago and been driving bendies pretty much constantly ever since. I’ve done the unexpected night out, blind side reverse round a trailer, been pulled by VOSA, driven tankers (non hazardous), curtains and box trailers, done bobtail runs, run out of working AND driving hours, got lost in London, damaged a trailer and truck (not at the same time), argued with transport manager, customers and other road users (think that was the same time), sat for hours in an RDC for no discernable reason and delivered everything I can think of, including kitchen sinks!
So, barring striking a bridge or rolling a truck, what do I have left (if anything) to do before I can lose my “newbie” badge?Sounds like my type of guy, never just do anything to fit in, do it your way.
Unlike when I park when I WILL do anything to fit it in! Still do it my way though. (Isn’t there a song abouy that? )
CC - You missed two things for your list. Taking a dump in a carrier bag, and peeing in a lucozade bottle!
Chris1207:
Tell ya the most valuable (and time saving) lesson I learned when i first started driving (milk) tankers… when the computer says it’s full, it’s [zb] full. And when the boss / other driver / random muppet tells you you’ll get an extra 500L in… no, you bloody well won’t, it’ll come ■■■■■■■ out the topSo now, when computer says no, not a drop more goes in
Ha ha, sounds like you’ve got the same management we’ve got, the trailers carry 26 pallets, but they often try to get 30 or more on board, even though you can’t double a lot of them up, or they arrange loads on the four wheelers that are obviously too heavy with the mudguards scrapping the ground.
■■■■■■■:
CC - You missed two things for your list. Taking a dump in a carrier bag, and peeing in a lucozade bottle!
I always have a traffic cone in the cab if I need a dump, just need to make sure I have it the right way up!!
Drift:
As soon as you stop damaging stuff, getting lost and realising it’s pointless arguing with the manager.
Then on your second day…
LOl that is so true
■■■■■■■:
CC - You missed two things for your list. Taking a dump in a carrier bag, and peeing in a lucozade bottle!
And ■■■■■■■ against the wheel in a lay-by, that’s when you know you’re a real trucker
No longer a Newbie when you have missed the Herald by two minutes, or been the one on the left on the balcony, know the colour of the boat house doors.
And been fined two grand for not winding the trailer legs.
Driven an Erf Twin splitter.
no matter how long you do the job there will always be something different cropping up , you never stop learning . does that make us all eternal newbies ■■?
been driving hgvs now for 26 years,got bored after the first ten years ,unfortunately I know nothing else,all my hgv is to me now is a way of earning a wage[like most of the hgv drivers]I absolutely hate it now but like I say I know no other way of earning a living
■■■■■■■:
CC - You missed two things for your list. Taking a dump in a carrier bag, and peeing in a lucozade bottle!
I have to do both at the same time as one wont come without the other, could really do with 4 hands sometimes 
your always a newbie lol