Not enough people know how to use maps so well done to the OP for having the balls to ask.
I think there is a lot to be gained from finding your way around using a map. I have had Sat Nav fitted in various cars for around 14 years and I still don’t fully trust them! They are good for local knowledge but I prefer to plan a route with a map and have the Sat Nav for the last part of the journey. 
Maybe I was wrong. I thought I was taught map reading at school? I did go to a small country school, you know the kind that is now shut!
Recently went on a day out with my daughters school, a walk around Loch Trool. Most of the kids could use a map and compass. Must admit I was impressed.
I often use an ordnance survey map to find my way around at work, so I gave a spare map to one of the lads i work with and he didn’t know how to use it, yet he has been driving years pre satnav.
Depends on the map…but the principles are similar for all maps really.
A map designed for road transport is relatively easy. But not easy to read when actually driving, so write down road numbers and the places en route to refer to as you progress. You also need to have far more detailed (A-Z) maps for the area you are delivering in.
A combination of map (I use both a truck atlas and Google Maps) and sat nav will give you the best results, as long as you use the nav with common sense.
Good luck!
is this thread for real? 
and 22 replies discussing the best ways to use said maps. what the hell has the world come to ffs. anyone that cant pick up a map and know exactly what it “means” and how to use it should be put out of their misery and most certainly not handed the keys to anything with an engine in it. unbelievable. 
the final proof that the industry is dominated by thick c[zb]s.
0a.:
is this thread for real?
I spect you were born with a class 1 were you? Never needed any training? Shut the ■■■■ up with your ■■■■■■■ moaning.
It’s ■■■■■ like you that sum up what’s wrong with the industry.
As long as you’re alright ■■■■ everyone else. NO!! It’s about helping people who are where we all once were.
OP the Ordinance Survey have a really good smart phone app that allows you to view maps of any area (starting with the area you are in) without buying them.
Bloody handy if you are totally lost but have phone signal. I’ve used it once following a case if brain fade.
I opened the app it showed me where I was and after about a minute I was off again and found my tip (very remote farm which wanted 10 loads of planings tipped in the middle of no where) so without the app (my sat nav just said driving off road) I wouldn’t of found it and the following would of happened
Job stopped because no tip
Bollocking issued
No 2 grand for my boss (just for the planings)
No 200 quid for me
Loads of blokes and kit stood up and likely a black mark against us on the whole contract
So it’s very handy. Free to use and they charge pennies for maps which cost fortunes
Well done on the op for asking (I’m presuming it wasn’t a wind up). I always have my sat Nav on, as I find it handy for not only navigation, but for time and distance to the end location and also for speed cameras. I don’t trust it completely though. I have loads of maps from doing distance work but not as easy to carry when in a different unit or firm each day.
As for people not being able to read maps, some just don’t get it. My ex wife could never understand why I was reading a map upside down.
I’ve not had much experience using maps either. I’ve recently purchased a Philip’s Navigator Atlas for about £10 and it’s an excellence bit of kit.
It has a super-clear scale (1.5 miles to 1 inch), truckstop guides, town and city plans, bridge heights, weight limits, width limits and speed camera locations.
You definitely won’t go wrong with getting this, as it also has a route planner section.
Tipper Tom:
0a.:
is this thread for real?I spect you were born with a class 1 were you? Never needed any training? Shut the [zb] up with your [zb] moaning.
It’s [zb] like you that sum up what’s wrong with the industry.
As long as you’re alright [zb] everyone else. NO!! It’s about helping people who are where we all once were.
Well said Tom, the guy comes on asking for advice instead of bumbling around getting it wrong and gets two ■■■■■■■ know-all pricks, Oa & cattle wagon man coming in on their high horses because they know everything! Pair of pricks
Rat67:
Tipper Tom:
0a.:
is this thread for real?I spect you were born with a class 1 were you? Never needed any training? Shut the [zb] up with your [zb] moaning.
It’s [zb] like you that sum up what’s wrong with the industry.
As long as you’re alright [zb] everyone else. NO!! It’s about helping people who are where we all once were.
Well said Tom, the guy comes on asking for advice instead of bumbling around getting it wrong and gets two [zb] know-all pricks, Oa & cattle wagon man coming in on their high horses because they know everything! Pair of pricks
It’s more that he was trying to stop being the kind if driver most of the whingers on here moan about. Blindly following the sat nav with no idea and actually develop as a driver and they still call him a ■■■■
Thanks for all the posts guys, I wanna make sure I go into the job with the right knowledge
Frost89:
Thanks for all the posts guys, I wanna make sure I go into the job with the right knowledge
good luck and well done for asking. Ignore the likes of oa and cwm smart arse idiots. But just like in the real world, you will always have those that like to belittle.
Frost89:
I have a local map of my county that I used to use to deliver cars when the nav wouldn’t work so I can find a specific street when I’m in the area, but really if I was going to have to drive a longer distance and rely on a map I’d end up getting lost or taking a wrong turn.
So he can already read a local map but a bigger one is a little too frightening, sounds like a wind up.
Truckbling:
Frost89:
I have a local map of my county that I used to use to deliver cars when the nav wouldn’t work so I can find a specific street when I’m in the area, but really if I was going to have to drive a longer distance and rely on a map I’d end up getting lost or taking a wrong turn.So he can already read a local map but a bigger one is a little too frightening, sounds like a wind up.
Or perhaps he’s used to the town names and places in the local map which helps him use it but hasn’t ventured further afield and doesn’t have the same points of reference
happysack:
Frost89:
Thanks for all the posts guys, I wanna make sure I go into the job with the right knowledgegood luck and well done for asking. Ignore the likes of oa and cwm smart arse idiots. But just like in the real world, you will always have those that like to belittle.
Not so much as “Oa” and myself belittling the initial enquirer ,…but exactly what has “Frost89” been doing throughout
his earlier learning years ? Surely his basic common sense could have been put into practice BEFORE he embarks on
a driving career. Did he never consider picking up a road atlas or road map to learn basic navigation for his (future) benefit ?
Far too many of the (now) younger generation rely on computers/mobile phones/satnavs instead of utilizing their brain.
How does “Frost89” think the older generation of long distance drivers , -and there`s many of them here on TNUK - , managed
to find their way around the country in the pre- motorway age ? A box full of maps , and a functioning brain led the way !
Did “Frost89” not even learn anything from his parents when he was of the inquisitive age ?
We are all born with a brain , and also the ingredient called common sense.
Memo to “Rat67” : I do not know everything as you say ,… and will always follow advice from those who have
greater knowledge and experience in the subjects of discussions.
Thank you ,
cattle wagon man.
P.S. I do hope that “Frost89” successfully navigates his journey without any further problems.
0a.:
is this thread for real?
I have a map here. It’s a CAA map, used for VFR flying.
Would you understand how to use that and know exactly what it means? 
CWM,
Surely you’re moaning about frost89 doing exactly the opposite in of those you complain about using electronic aids.
Ok yes perhaps he ought to of been able to gather this information in a different manner but what’s wrong with using this resource?
You’re attitude toward this poster is ridiculous. No one was born with the knowledge you and I have. We all learned along the way.
From your posts I assume you’ve been driving since god was a boy but if you remember back to the dim and distant before you knew all you know now surely you would of welcomed this resource to aid your learning. I know I would.
A fool learns from no one a wise man from everyone.
Tipper Tom:
CWM,Surely you’re moaning about frost89 doing exactly the opposite in of those you complain about using electronic aids.
Ok yes perhaps he ought to of been able to gather this information in a different manner but what’s wrong with using this resource?
You’re attitude toward this poster is ridiculous. No one was born with the knowledge you and I have. We all learned along the way.
From your posts I assume you’ve been driving since god was a boy but if you remember back to the dim and distant before you knew all you know now surely you would of welcomed this resource to aid your learning. I know I would.
A fool learns from no one a wise man from everyone.
^^Wise words^^
Truckulent:
0a.:
is this thread for real?I have a map here. It’s a CAA map, used for VFR flying.
Would you understand how to use that and know exactly what it means?
Nope. But I suspect there is somewhere (perhaps a forum) I could ask and receive the knowledge without being slagged off (perhaps not this forum).
Or perhaps I could ask the Johnny Know-alls on here as they were clearly born knowing everything about everything and have never asked for help in their lives, oh no wait perhaps that’s what they want us to believe.