Has anyone got any advice as to how or where you get a class 2 driving job once you’ve passed your tests. I’m in derbyshire and have rung at least a dozen places now only to be told… You need 2 years experience to work here.
So I guess my question is, does anyone know of anywhere in my area that does take inexperienced drivers, or where I can obtain this magical 2years experience.
From a downheartened newbie 
I take it you didn’t do your research before you got your licence?
There are millions of threads about this…
rob1985:
I’m in derbyshire and have rung at least a dozen places now…
You need to visit them in person and make a good impression. I got a permanent full time job straight away after passing my tests. How? By putting a bit of effort into it. Get in your car and go speak to people face to face.
How far are you from Mansfield?
That’s a bit harsh but your man is right,if you have a flick through some of the older posts you will find a lot of lads and lassies in the same boat so it’s nothing you have done wrong fella.
All you can do is keep knocking on doors,small family firms maybe a better bet.
Also be prepared to drive anything,even if it means a ■■■■■■.I know you have passed your test and want to use it but this way they will get to see what you are like and more likely to move you up the chain.
Keep your gloves and kit in the boot of your car just in case.
I hope Jennie and Dean look in here as they have been in your position not long ago and they will be the best ones to advise you on agencies and such.
Good luck,it’s going to be hard but people are doing it.
Hi there , I wish I could give you the magic solution to getting a job , unfortunatly its a lot of shoe leather needed , and write up a cv go into all the companies that have trucks which im sure you have already been doing and keep going back dont let them forget you , one day someone will need that run done now and you could be in the right place at the right time , a lot of luck is needed , the agencies will prob offer you 7 1/2 first but take it then as your reputation as a reliable driver gets hold that lucky brk may happen and you will be able to prove your worth on the class 2 and then more will come , you will be able to get some experience for when a full time position comes up , its demoralising at first but when that first run comes in it makes it all the sweeter , and if you go by some of the posts recently a lot more newbies are getting that first run so hope is out there ,
good luck and keep at it
jen x
Jennie:
Hi there , I wish I could give you the magic solution to getting a job , unfortunatly its a lot of shoe leather needed , and write up a cv go into all the companies that have trucks which im sure you have already been doing and keep going back dont let them forget you , one day someone will need that run done now and you could be in the right place at the right time , a lot of luck is needed , the agencies will prob offer you 7 1/2 first but take it then as your reputation as a reliable driver gets hold that lucky brk may happen and you will be able to prove your worth on the class 2 and then more will come , you will be able to get some experience for when a full time position comes up , its demoralising at first but when that first run comes in it makes it all the sweeter , and if you go by some of the posts recently a lot more newbies are getting that first run so hope is out there ,good luck and keep at it
jen x
Can’t really add much to that. It is all about getting out there, bouncing off the knock backs, and that chance will come. Adding CE to your licence makes you more employable. It may seem like you are throwing good money after bad but it is surprising how much more seriously employers will take you.
Best of luck in your search.
Agencies or family firms are your best shot for initial experience as the other have said.
Dean
A lot of good advice as already been given in previous posts. Like Jennie and Dean (and you now) I was in the same position back in January. Like them, I am speaking from very recent experience.
Get out there and talk to potential employers and make an ‘impression’. Make friends with them, ask their advice, show an interest in them and their business. Try to put yourself in their position; what would you like to see in a new employee? Presentability, persistence, reliability, common sense, honesty. Keep a record of what sort of reception you got, what the person is like, what they said, what you talked about. Then get back there 3-4 week later and remind them that you would still like to work for them. Talk again about their business (and whatever you previously learned about them). Make it PERSONAL. Tell them why you would be a good employee: you live close by, responsibilities (family to support, etc), available at short notice, will work unsociable hours, etc.
Dean’s point is a good one. Seriously consider getting your Class 1. It does (to a degree) set you apart from the crowd. Here are some of the reasons:
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Many companies run class 2 and class 1 vehicles. They are much more likely to choose a driver who can move between the two when required. In their position, which would you employ?
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There are more class 1 vehicles on the road than class 2 yet there are more class 2 drivers than class 1.
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There are a lot of class 2 drivers who had their training paid for by the Jobcentre or a redundancy scheme. Some of them are ‘drivers by default’ and don’t have the passion to drive that the person who paid for his/her licence has. A class 1 shows you have INVESTED both time and money in YOURSELF.
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A class 1 licence implies a greater degree of skill and professionalism. You will come across as a more valuable employee.
Personally, my first job was a (pretty poor) class 1 job, but I know most new class 1 drvers start-out driving a class 2 and move up later. I now have a decent job, usually driving a class 2 but occasionally on class 1.
I did not get any work at all until I had passed my class 1, although I must admit that any work at all is hard to find here in the North East.
Bloody hell. I have just re-read this post and it sounds like a lecture! That really is not intended, you have just picked a subject that I had a steep learning curve with.
Finally, Positive Mental Attitude - nothing beats it. I look forward to your forthcoming post that begins, “Yeah, yeah, yeah - got a job”.
Good luck,
Alan
keep smart , keep at it, don’t ■■■■■■■■, and i twill all work out, i was working class 1 within 2 weeks of passing my test, within 6 months i was on farm feed bulkers, and now I’m doing exhibition work and music events, hard work and perseverance mate
Wow, thanks people, your advice and expertees is much appreciated and I’ve picked up a few good tips in just these posts alone.
I think I’m gonna re-do my cv, brush myself down and start again with a new frame of mind.
In the meantime, if any of you hear of anything going in the derbys / notts area please give me a heads up.
Thanks again to all who have posted so far. 
How far from Mansfield are you?
There’s a thread on some here where I showed my CV in a mini-size version to give an idea of what I had to do. I’m 18 and in Class 2 work but it’s clear that you didn’t do your research in to the industry and what the job situation would be like for a newbie - you will also have to phone A LOT more that a dozen companies, you’ll probably ring at least a hundred before you get anywhere.
Sam Millar:
…you will also have to phone A LOT more that a dozen companies, you’ll probably ring at least a hundred before you get anywhere.
Or you could just get off your arse and visit three or four in person. It takes more ■■■■■■■■ to do it that way rather than hiding behind a phone. Some of us have got it, others haven’t, but the results are generally better.
Sam. Don’t be so harsh. It wasn’t so long ago when you were in that position and struggling to take the advice and criticism.
Yes it’s fair to say that times are hard with the LGV job market but things are easing 
I’m not after giving you a lecture. Just some friendly advice.
(It’s easy to look down when you already have a foot on the ladder)
dar1976:
Sam. Don’t be so harsh. It wasn’t so long ago when you were in that position and struggling to take the advice and criticism.Yes it’s fair to say that times are hard with the LGV job market but things are easing
I’m not after giving you a lecture. Just some friendly advice.
(It’s easy to look down when you already have a foot on the ladder)
It was slightly different, I was brought up around the industry and knew what I was getting into, despite this I still done research and knew it would be hard and massively frustrating. But can’t help but feel people really should be doing some research on what they’re spending their hard earned money on…you don’t have to look far to realise that as a newb then you’re going to be very hard come by for a job.
As a matter of fact I’ve been offered two placements today. 
work is indeed picking up, even for the newbs!
Hi rob1985
I can only really echo what other people have said. Best thing you can do is get out and see companies in person. That way they can see whats on offer as apposed to just a voice on the end of the phone.
Im 23 and apart from a few agency jobs when i first started, my previous full time driving jobs i got throught visiting in person.
It will be hard mate, especially as a new driver. Get your CV sorted proper, look smart and get out there mate. There are places that will give you a go and wont be too bothered about age etc…and this doenst mean the firm is a bit dodgy.
All the best
Ben
Cheers guys.
Ive gotta say however, I did do a bit of digging before I entered into all this, perhaps just not enough. I love driving and got my b licence just 2months after my 17th birthday. Since then I’ve driven all sorts of vans over the last 9 years.
Sure I’ve probably being a little naeive in thinking I’d walk straight into a job, I suppose I thought that after one hell of a process to obtain your class 2 licence this alone would be enough to get started. Obviously there are places out there that do take newbies, otherwise nobody would have a job.
At the end of the day however, I am still learning and that’s why I put up my original post, to learn all the tricks of how to get that elusive 1st job from people like yourselves who were once in the position I now find myself in.
So, thanks again for everyone’s posts, they’ve all been a help to me and any advice can only be good advice.
How far are you from Mansfield?
About 3 or 4 miles from mansfield, not far really.
Try pinxton industrial estates, plenty o hauliers around, I know my place is pretty much full but there’s places like Taylor’s and others around
Taylor’s take on newly qualified class 2 drivers for trunking on nights. Best time to go would be late on a Saturday afternoon when they’re struggling to cover the runs for that night. There’s a good chance you’ll get a start there and then.