Hi I’m new to the forums, I was wondering if its realy worth taking as a career. I’ve allways loved trucks and been round them as my great uncle owns his own haulage company, I’ve drove his renult magnum around the yard (I’m only 16 at the moment) to the power washer and I loved it! I just wan t advice is it realy worth taking, but I know I would enjoy being out on the road and driving because its all I’ve ever wanted to do. My uncles bussiness will of gone bust by the time I’m able to drive due to fuel prices rising so I wouldn’t have an almost definate job.I know I’m over 5 years away but just want advice. Thanks for the help guys much apreciated.
Loads of people will tell you it’s a waste of time and money. I’m not going to get involved as, being a trainer, I’ve clearly got a vested interest.
But can I just tell you that you can do all your classes of LGV (HGV as was) at 18 - no longer 21. You will need to pass your car test first.
It may be a good idea to try and get work within the industry - doing anything. It will give you more idea and maybe a step towards a job.
All the best, Pete 
Treat it as a hobby from now till you’re of age, learn about the trade as much as you can while you can, if you still want to do it full time when you’re old enough then by all means do so.
BUT, in the meantime work hard as you can at getting the best education you can, if you have a knack for a subject type, then specialise in that and get as high in your speciality as you can.
Look, trucks will always be there, despite the naysayers telling us that they’ll be computer controlled by then, even if you go off to pursue another career path altogther, there would be nothing to stop you getting your licence and doing some part time shifts for pleasure and a bit of extra money.
Try not to be only qualified as a truck driver, if thats what you want to do for the rest of your life when your old enough to know then thats great, i’ve been doing it since aged 17 on vans and small lorries and progressed to the big stuff at age 21.
I’ve made a good living because i had a lucky break in my early 30’s and got onto fairly lucrative work, luckily my health has held and i’ve stayed in good work and now in my autumn years am reasonably well off.
BUT, this has come after years upon years of very hard graft, 70+hour weeks year in year out and never taking a sick day off and never failing to go to work.
There are others who have worked as hard as me who haven’t maybe planned things so well, peed their money up the wall and are now coming up for retirement without a pot to pee in.
OK so retirement is a long way off for you, you are yet to live, to have a family if you want and all the other things that go with a full life…to make a good living on the trucks means putting 2 weeks worth of work into every week, thats always been the case, i see no reason for that to change.
Don’t go into truck life with a rosy view of some romantic cowboy type lifestyle, that couldn’t be further from the truth, it can give you a decent living but you won’t be rich, but on the other hand you won’t be stuck in front of a keyboard al your life or have to kiss some bods back side or play golf with some suit to get on up the corporate ladder.
Its your life, enjoy it and make of it what you will, just hedge your bets for career choice, make sure you have more than one choice.
Oh and before you look for the right woman to share your life with, take a tip, look east and south young man…latin/oriental/meditteranean and other exotic girls make wonderful life mates, they have good loyal hearts… 
Thank you very much guys, you’ve given my great advice and information which I will be keeping with me for a long long time 
Thanks again! I realy apreciate your time for replying.
But remember that it is not a career it can be a way of life
As has been said work hard at school & get another qualification if you can just enjoy being in your great uncles yard & helping him as & when you can learn the whole of the transport industry if you can with him
You never know his business may still be around if a few years time & he may be able to take you on in some role maybe think of doing a business course so you may be able to take over in time
You are still very young & dont have to make a decision as yet as thing can & do at times change
Have a good look round the forums as there is some good info on here
Yes its worth it. If its really what you want to do do everything in your power to make it happen. I get lots of messages from chaps who watch my videos and always wanted to drive trucks but didn’t and now in their middle age regret it massively. Follow your dreams and don’t listen to other drivers moaning and you won’t go far wrong. I wish you good luck young man.
your right luke! ive passed my class 2 few months now and wanten to do my class 1 soon, never thought id ever want to be driving trucks for living, should of did it sooner,im 31 years young and always always loved driving, so perfect job for me, as luke says kid if its what you want to do, follow your dreams! p.s keep vids coming luke! keep up good work your legend
I’m 19 and currently drive Class 1 refrigerated lorries. I got my Class 2 and 1 when I was 18 so only a new holder of about 8 months. It’s a hard struggle to get your licenses, it’s also a harder struggle to get a job. I can’t really give you any more advice other than what the other’s said here.
animal mentioned, it’s not just a job it’s a way of life and she’s very true in what she’s saying. When I first started on Class 1, it was on a basis of when the company needed me, and it was often on very short notice. Example, last time I was out driving Class 2 on agency, I had just done my 2 hours that I needed to, and luckily the company phoned me when there was enough time to be able to have a 9 hour rest, (as you need between shifts) and then get up at 7pm and go and start another 12 hour shift or so, (only about 9 and a half of that is driving though!) by the time I had got back home I was very tired and slept most of the day and got up and started all over again at 7…
I suspect I’m only sleeping as much because I’m new to it and I will gradually get less tired, but I know my limits and when to stop.
As Pete mentioned, you only need to be 18 now to drive the biggest of the big here but honestly, the best thing that you can do now is just stay on these forums and pick up EVERYTHING that you can because you’ll need it.
Thanks again guys for giving me great advice! It feels very strange that I would be able to drive an artic next year as I’m 17 in december. Allthough I will not be likely to go for it because it would probaly be almost impossible to get a job at 18 beacause of ensurance and no experience unless my uncle lets me drive for him but I don’t see why he would when he has perfectly good drivers:o. It’s definately what I’m wanting to do! anyway thanks again.
Nothing to stop you going & getting your licence tbh yes it can be hard especially with all the other drivers looking for work but somebody has to get that job
Yes with lack of experience & the insurance can be a lot harder but a few have proved that it can be done & you never know what is going to happen re regards your uncle what happens if 1 of his drivers goes sick or decides to leave for whatever reason
No stop being so negative & just do it
Yep I am being your mother & telling you off
Go for it, if you dont like it you can always do something else. It isnt easy at first, you have to work hard to climb the ladder and you’ll probably do things your not very comfortable with but you’ll get a break at some point and you’ll be glad you stuck with it. If you get offered a driving job take it, anything doesnt matter what it is or who its for, try going on for a “less professional” company because you’ll learn very, very quickly!
in answer to your question yes (if its what you want to do ? )
same sort of story for me dad was a lorry driver caught the bug as a kid driving round with my hero , never took the plunge until I was 40 and wish id done it earlier but due to financial commitments , bringing up a family mortgage etc never had the spare cash to take my tests , you are young enough to save and do your tests and even if you dont use them straight away if the dream is still there you have them to use , good luck to you my 16 yr old is only intersted in his xbox hasnt got a clue what he wants to do lol
jx