Is this realistic?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

I really want to drive a truck for a living and have done for some time but I’ve never taken the plunge before as I have a reasonably well paid job with good holidays so with a family and a mortgage to consider, I just stayed where I am. I work as a secondary school teacher but we’ve been back a week now and I’m already completely hacked off with it and I just can’t see me sticking it much longer. I have three broad questions I want to raise here:

  1. What can I expect to earn driving a truck? Loads of places seem to make rather wild promises but I suspect they’re not being entirely honest.
  2. What is the availability of work? Again, loads of places are making wild claims that may not be entirely accurate.
  3. Is this a career I could realistically move into at my age?

I will be 48 in December, I’m in decent health, I am well educated (Honours Degree), I’m totally honest and reliable and I have a clean licence for both cars and bikes. I don’t mind spending some nights away from home and I don’t mind dropping some income for a while but I do need to be able to meet the bills obviously.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

2

Welcome

I started at 50! I drive through agencies on my days off whilst gaining some experience and seeing if it will work for me before I take the plunge and leave my current job.
You may find the long hours a bit of a shock, especially comparing it to school terms etc. Pay wise I think you may well earn less than you do now full time.
I always wanted to drive lorries but took a long time to get round to it. Why not work through and gain your licenses and drive on school holidays where you can. That way you should get an idea of whether it is for you and provide an alternative to focus on away from schooling (also gives you another bow string should the teaching go t**s up) :wink: . To train up to, and achieve, C+E will cost you in the region of at least £2K if you pass everything 1st time (it did for me anyway!)

If you should decide to take the plunge, make sure you avoid training brokers. Do your homework (pun intended :smiley: ) visit a few training companies in your area, check out rates, have a few assessment drives (usually free)and have a good nose through this site, it is packed with good advice, training stories, 1st runs etc.

Personally…I love it, i’ve made some big gaffs (only passed C+E at beginning of July) but look forward to being out and about on my own. Each day is a different adventure!

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.

tazbug

3

You’ll be looking at between 400- 500 perweek take home for 60+ hrs a week and lots less holidays no pension etc as for work youl haveto do done really rubbish jobs when you start out unless you get lucky and hardly see your family

Sent from my HD7 T9292 using Board Express

4

The good thing with teaching is you could probably easily walk back into it if you didn’t like driving. But depends if you can cope with lesser income for a short time.

I would agree do your learning during school hols…once passed do Saturdays and school hols…that will give u better feel for the industry…or if u can afford it leave full time and do supply teaching for part week and the rest do driving. Trust me I had same urges to drive…luckily I already had licence…so I started to do weekends where I could, that was enough to keep my urges at bay…and lastly it’s not an easy industry to work in from my experience

5

If you have been in a profession the transition might be hard, It is blue collar grunt. In the current climate management and agencies treat you like expendable ■■■■ even more if your a rookie. Driving something that you could never afford to own or drive and putting more in the fuel tank daily than you take home per week, is the pay back. I do it because for some strange reason I like driving the bloody things, if I could stop that urge then my HGV nightmares could be ended. :laughing: It’s a kind of self inflicted condition.

6

Good advice above, get your licence if you want to then do the job as a hobby, at weekends and the extended holidays you now :wink: :smiling_imp: enjoy…sorry, us envious of your hours and holidays? er yes… :sunglasses: …however not envious of you having to try to keep some sort of discipline with a room full of other peoples ill mannered brats…

Sooner you get that licence the sooner you’ll have the magic 2 years under yer belt.

Don’t be in a rush to pack the teaching in, you will probably be like the vast majority of us and have to start right at the bottom and it will be a serious culture shock, you might find it works for you as a part timer and just do it as a paying hobby, if you really enjoy it you can gradually go full time.

Earnings, full time anything from 18k right up to 55k depending on the hours, type of work and graft you put in and whether you specialise onto cars (usually the best paying but hard graft with most companies) or tanks for example.

7

Depends where you live as availability for work it can vary in areas

You not to old trust me as has been said dont give up the day job yet but you can drive during your hols as remember driver have hol as well & some firms like to have a driver they can rely on to cover this & if you find you like it can do supply teaching & driving that may suit you

You will almost certainly take a pay cut & be working longer hour

BTW there is no driver shortage just a job shortage but it is the same with everything atm

8

I believe one of the ‘rules’ of teaching is:
Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Tell them it.
Tell them what you have told them.
…so…
I am going to tell you to think VERY carefully about this.
Think VERY carefully about this
I have told you to think VERY carefully about this.

If you still really want to be a professional driver then good luck to you; follow your dream. Your age is of no importance - I started at 60.

What you get is this:
a. Initially, membership of a large group group of unemployed drivers.
b. The opportunity to chase dozens of jobs, mostly without even the courtesy of an acknowledgement.
c. Probably the opportunity to work for £6.50 to £8,00 an hour for an agency or company that considers anyone who has been with them more than three months to be a soft touch.
d. The pleasure of watching the sun-rise and the sun-set, often on the same day.

but once you are established you may well achieve…
e. Substantially less income than at present.
f. Job insecurity.
g. Less time with your family.
h. A boss with 5% of your education who knows that he knows everything.

For many too drivers out there, that is the reality.

I know if I had an honours degree and hated my job I could find another one a ■■■■ sight better than LGV driving.

So, while you are thinking, read these forums (see, no knowledge of Latin so I don’t know the plural of forum - is it fora?).
You will see there is a surplus of drivers right now and it is getting worse.

Still want to do it? If so, my suggestion is (apart from having your bumps felt)…

Presumably you passed your test before 1997 so will have a C1+E category. Why not try for some 7.5 tonne work to see what it is like? There is usually an increased demand on the run-up to Christmas. You will need a digital tachograph card and a knowledge of permitted working and driving hours.

Whatever you do, good luck. But take off any rose-tinted specs before you go for it.

Alan

p.s. Did I mention, “Think VERY carefully about this”?

(Slartibartfast designed continents - how many LGV drivers do you know who are as well known as him? :smiley:
Again, good luck).

9

This all sounds like good advice and makes a lot of sense. I can drive a 7.5 tonne truck and have done a few times with no difficulty whatsoever. I will contact some agencies about this. The work itself seems fine and I feel OK about spending some nights away from home, though the wife may not share this view. Another possibility I thought of was driving coaches as the job has many of the things that attracts me to HGV, though I don’t think it pays quite as well.

10

Slartibartfarst42:
This all sounds like good advice and makes a lot of sense. I can drive a 7.5 tonne truck and have done a few times with no difficulty whatsoever. I will contact some agencies about this. The work itself seems fine and I feel OK about spending some nights away from home, though the wife may not share this view. Another possibility I thought of was driving coaches as the job has many of the things that attracts me to HGV, though I don’t think it pays quite as well.

It pays about the same or a bit more you also sometimes get tips on coaches but never as a lorry driver

As a coach driver your meals tend to be a lot less as you get a voucher to spend in the MSA you have safe parking the cargo unloads itself

11

Great advice from Alan, couldnt put it better myself not to insult your intelligence but driving Hgv.s for a living it not all driving into the sunset with your arm out of the window with the radio on to a distant place its hard long work and getting harder, we are coming up to the winter months and having snow and ice on the ground makes no diffrence to the haulage game you are still expected to get your head down and arse up and get there so next time its a foot off snow on the ground and the school closes think youself lucky because that does not happen.
I your still intrested you could try like its been said and try some 3.5ton stuff on a agency to test the water before you spend a barrow load of bills on an Hgv i come across a lot of GREENHORNS :confused: in my job and most are agency or newbies and to be honest some i would not trust to sit the right way round on the bog , you sound like a cleaver bloke and possible the adventure is more off a pull than the job its self.
Put your degree to better use because looking at the state of the youth today we need all the help they can get.
Good luck anyway sorry if i sound depessing but i wish i would have choose another path.
BIG AW

12

Excellent replies (especially Alan’s) which would be difficult to usefully add to. The figures sound about right, along with the job insecurity.

For what it’s worth I started this year at 54. Have done quite a few miles now as an agency driver on milk tankers, trunking, day and night work mostly in artics as that’s what I wanted to drive. Now working for a local firm through an agency. Night shifts start at 6pm, usually last 12 hours, mostly motorway driving, Wiltshire up to Doncaster or Widnes so lots of the same motorway. £10.50 an hour, so can be nearly £600 a week before deductions. 60 plate trucks, double deck curtainside trailers, had three days with my own truck following another driver to learn the paperwork and procedures and how to strap down the loads etc.

Alternatively I have had some day shifts, start at 5.30 am, again 12 hours, £8.50 an hour, driving a scania rigid, doing 4 or 5 drops anywhere south of Nottingham, lots of building sites with difficult access and ill tempered foremen with no tolerance of novices… and in this case no training! Having survived a week of it the firm are now going to give me a weeks training on the basis that as I survived I might be worth the time.

I was a partner in a firm of solicitors so when I quit I could pay off my mortgage and have a small private pension. Kids are grown up. So I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve got a safety net. The ■■■■ you get is a bit of an eye opener, Redrorry puts it better than I can, the hours are long and with 12 plus hour night shifts I just work eat and sleep all week, but I get a buzz out of driving a truck that I never had as a solicitor!

13

If your wife is supportive just go for it, dont grow old wondering what it would of been like to drive a massive truck!

I put a dairy up of a normal day for me yesterday, i live in the truck all week but will give you an idea of what to expect.

14

You look to be thinking of quite a career change. Are you really ready for the privations of wagon driving ?

Maybe the life of a coach driver might be a more conjucive to a new career. We have a neighbour who spends his time working/on holiday. The only downside is the weeks and weekends away, though he has the option to take his wife with him.

Do you think that a drivers life will be stimulating enough for your educated mind. There are plenty of us that have been to Uni and have licences. I keep my licence current in case my IT career gets cut short on me.

As much as my advice is that this is a young man’s career, if you have the urge to go driving then try it. If it’s not for you, then at least you can rest knowing that you gave it a try.

15

OnlyAlan:
I believe one of the ‘rules’ of teaching is:
Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Tell them it.
Tell them what you have told them.
…so…
I am going to tell you to think VERY carefully about this.
Think VERY carefully about this
I have told you to think VERY carefully about this.

If you still really want to be a professional driver then good luck to you; follow your dream. Your age is of no importance - I started at 60.

What you get is this:
a. Initially, membership of a large group group of unemployed drivers.
b. The opportunity to chase dozens of jobs, mostly without even the courtesy of an acknowledgement.
c. Probably the opportunity to work for £6.50 to £8,00 an hour for an agency or company that considers anyone who has been with them more than three months to be a soft touch.
d. The pleasure of watching the sun-rise and the sun-set, often on the same day.

but once you are established you may well achieve…
e. Substantially less income than at present.
f. Job insecurity.
g. Less time with your family.
h. A boss with 5% of your education who knows that he knows everything.

For many too drivers out there, that is the reality.

I know if I had an honours degree and hated my job I could find another one a ■■■■ sight better than LGV driving.

So, while you are thinking, read these forums (see, no knowledge of Latin so I don’t know the plural of forum - is it fora?).
You will see there is a surplus of drivers right now and it is getting worse.

Still want to do it? If so, my suggestion is (apart from having your bumps felt)…

Presumably you passed your test before 1997 so will have a C1+E category. Why not try for some 7.5 tonne work to see what it is like? There is usually an increased demand on the run-up to Christmas. You will need a digital tachograph card and a knowledge of permitted working and driving hours.

Whatever you do, good luck. But take off any rose-tinted specs before you go for it.

Alan

p.s. Did I mention, “Think VERY carefully about this”?

(Slartibartfast designed continents - how many LGV drivers do you know who are as well known as him? :smiley:
Again, good luck).

this ^^^^^^^

I am also a teacher, albeit a self employed one, and if I were you I would heed the above advice - it is the most sense I have read on here in a long time.

Driving can be decent but in general you will work far longer hours for far less money. The wage structure sounds right but remember - far more LGV drivers earn around 18K than earn around 55k…

Depends what you want really. I drive when it suits me - and that fits in well with my other commitments…just don’t pack in the teaching until you’ve given it a go first! :wink:

Incidentally the plural of forum is forums or even fora…as forum is a word of Latin origin. :grimacing:

16

Truckulent:

OnlyAlan:
I believe one of the ‘rules’ of teaching is:
Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Tell them it.
Tell them what you have told them.
…so…
I am going to tell you to think VERY carefully about this.
Think VERY carefully about this
I have told you to think VERY carefully about this.

If you still really want to be a professional driver then good luck to you; follow your dream. Your age is of no importance - I started at 60.

What you get is this:
a. Initially, membership of a large group group of unemployed drivers.
b. The opportunity to chase dozens of jobs, mostly without even the courtesy of an acknowledgement.
c. Probably the opportunity to work for £6.50 to £8,00 an hour for an agency or company that considers anyone who has been with them more than three months to be a soft touch.
d. The pleasure of watching the sun-rise and the sun-set, often on the same day.

but once you are established you may well achieve…
e. Substantially less income than at present.
f. Job insecurity.
g. Less time with your family.
h. A boss with 5% of your education who knows that he knows everything.

For many too drivers out there, that is the reality.

I know if I had an honours degree and hated my job I could find another one a ■■■■ sight better than LGV driving.

So, while you are thinking, read these forums (see, no knowledge of Latin so I don’t know the plural of forum - is it fora?).
You will see there is a surplus of drivers right now and it is getting worse.

Still want to do it? If so, my suggestion is (apart from having your bumps felt)…

Presumably you passed your test before 1997 so will have a C1+E category. Why not try for some 7.5 tonne work to see what it is like? There is usually an increased demand on the run-up to Christmas. You will need a digital tachograph card and a knowledge of permitted working and driving hours.

Whatever you do, good luck. But take off any rose-tinted specs before you go for it.

Alan

p.s. Did I mention, “Think VERY carefully about this”?

(Slartibartfast designed continents - how many LGV drivers do you know who are as well known as him? :smiley:
Again, good luck).

this ^^^^^^^

I am also a teacher, albeit a self employed one, and if I were you I would heed the above advice - it is the most sense I have read on here in a long time.

Driving can be decent but in general you will work far longer hours for far less money. The wage structure sounds right but remember - far more LGV drivers earn around 18K than earn around 55k…

Depends what you want really. I drive when it suits me - and that fits in well with my other commitments…just don’t pack in the teaching until you’ve given it a go first! :wink:

Incidentally the plural of forum is forums or even fora…as forum is a word of Latin origin. :grimacing:

Cheers Truckulent you learn something on here everyday all i need to do now is drop that quote in a conversation :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :unamused:

17

I have a professional qualification and am also a holder of both C&E and D licences .
Personally I would not even consider switching from my present role to driving for a living
Reasons .

a. While money is not everything current role pays about three times the hourly rate of a driver ( it was necessary to study extensively and do many sets of exams .)

b. Working a 12 hour shift and being confined to a cab does not appeal to me . ( have worked 15 hour shifts in a bakery during college breaks so not afraid of hard work )

c. Not very impressed with shower / food facilities at the motorway services .

d. Currently I have control over my life and know what tasks must be achieved on a day to day basis . ( over time these tasks vary - makes the role more interesting )

e. Unloading in the rain / freezing cold . How many people enjoy this ?

f. In most roles make a mistake and little will happen to you . Driving a lorry you must have absolute concentration all the time. One mistake and you could be out of control and end up killing either yourself or a number of other people .

g. As it is comparatively easy to obtain an LGV licence pay will always remain low . ( the pay structure does not award the risks involved )

h. In my current role CPD ( must do 35 hours annually ) the training is free , most drivers have to pay for their own CPC .

My advice - stick with teaching - you also have an excellent pension scheme .

However , if you are happy to accept a substantial pay cut and work long hours in difficult conditions the choice is yours .

Good luck in whatever decision you make .

18

Use the word “delivery” and see if it still conjures up the same images, this is all a company are interested in the truck and driver are secondary. If a company has nice trucks it’s usually for the sake of public image and that costs money, so bean counting cuts are usually made in the drivers pocket.

The only reason to get glassy eyed about delivery driving is that it beats the dole or it beats the dole and you can’t stand working closely with “colleagues” (me) :smiling_imp: :lol.

I trunk and listen to the radio, it suits because I don’t like working in close proximity to others, not because I don’t like others just don’t do the “group” thing. I’m probably OCD by nature and like the fact that I can earn and feel “secure” by rinse and repeat. I couldn’t stand multi drop, busy towns and trapped like a rat or that’s how I felt.

Would still prefer to be doing ADI work as I had full control and self employed. That was until the government sponsored recession knocked it into touch for the time being. If your looking for freedom and control and who isn’t then you will find modern technology has ruined the “open road” ideal.

Just the thoughts from someone who thought truck driving would be an “easy” option. :wink: :laughing:

19

N.I Express:
I have a professional qualification and am also a holder of both C&E and D licences .
Personally I would not even consider switching from my present role to driving for a living
Reasons .

a. While money is not everything current role pays about three times the hourly rate of a driver ( it was necessary to study extensively and do many sets of exams .)

b. Working a 12 hour shift and being confined to a cab does not appeal to me . ( have worked 15 hour shifts in a bakery during college breaks so not afraid of hard work )

c. Not very impressed with shower / food facilities at the motorway services .

d. Currently I have control over my life and know what tasks must be achieved on a day to day basis . ( over time these tasks vary - makes the role more interesting )

e. Unloading in the rain / freezing cold . How many people enjoy this ?

f. In most roles make a mistake and little will happen to you . Driving a lorry you must have absolute concentration all the time. One mistake and you could be out of control and end up killing either yourself or a number of other people .

g. As it is comparatively easy to obtain an LGV licence pay will always remain low . ( the pay structure does not award the risks involved )

h. In my current role CPD ( must do 35 hours annually ) the training is free , most drivers have to pay for their own CPC .

My advice - stick with teaching - you also have an excellent pension scheme .

However , if you are happy to accept a substantial pay cut and work long hours in difficult conditions the choice is yours .

Good luck in whatever decision you make .

I’d find working behind a desk very boring.

20

I confess it does seem like a huge move away from teaching; going from having worked with other people all my life to largely being on my own. The thing is, although I’ve always worked with others and always worked with the public, I’m actually a natural loner. I’m perfectly content with my own company and to be honest, a lot of the appeal of driving is that I will spend time by myself. Ultimately, my decision will mostly be driven by economics. I earn just over £30k now and there’s a limit to how much I can drop because of my existing financial commitments. I figure I could survive on £25k and maybe a little bit lower but I think that once it dropped below £23k things would get too difficult and from what I can gather, driving wages may not meet that level. I’ve looked at trucks and coaches but each has its problems. The trucks seem to potentially pay a bit more and I see more jobs advertised but lots don’t seem interested until you’ve got at least two years experience and I’d be away from home a lot more with a lot of heavy cargo to unload. Coach driving seems a bit more ‘civilised’ in comparison and the operators seem a little more willing to take you on if you’ve just passed your test and the cargo largely unloads itself but there doesn’t seem to be the same amount of money available and that’s a real problem.