Good luck with it GavT if that is what you want to do but as you have said you are in a secure job which you wont leave just yet this is poss a wise move but you could just sit on your licence until you feel it is right for you to go for it
Remember that drivers can work long hard hours for little reward & dont expect to be home all the time
if you don’t do it gav you’ll always have that niggle in the back of your head of what if …?
LGV training isn’t cheap , but at the end of the day it’s just money & don’t put off all the low paid stuff, sometimes it’s the low paid awkward drives that give some of the best experiences.
Not all low pay jobs are bad companys ,i’ve had low wages & a brilliant job , but i’ve also had good money on awfull jobs
same as any industry, you start at the bottom & work up, thats the type of experience you gain & future employers will always advertise for experienced drivers
bottom line mate you might pass & give it a go & not like it , but at least you’ll know
good luck with what ever you decide
You will all know that I’m a trainer - so that will account for my biased view!
But, it is a fact that we have very little problem with drivers getting work. In fact, we have many examples of new drivers going out, putting themselves about, and securing good, regular work.
In addition to this, we currently have two agencies willing to take new drivers. OK, agencies have their ups and downs, but they are most definitely a way to get experience very quickly on a variety of vehicles on different types of work.
With the onset of the driver cpc there are drivers who are saying that they’ll give up before they do it. That’s a massive help for the newbie who will be cpc qualified and so ahead of the experienced driver.
The industry is moving on; it behoves us all to move with it or get left behind.
My belief is that the majority of new drivers will get work subject to :
Interviewing reasonably well
Personal grooming (yes, this is more important than many people realize)
Nothing nasty on the licence
Being prepared to start on the bottom rung
Not expecting £700 a week in a shiny new Scania
Getting out there and letting people know that you want to work for them
It’s not as easy to get work as it used to be - but it’s improving all the time and work is there for those who go and find it.
I wish all newbies all the best with their training, tests and job search. Pete 
hi gav,read threads with interest and as one of peters passes 
i am one who put himself about and secured a well paid job with a local company,maybe i was lucky but i have always said you make your own luck,best advise is go for it ,glass half full is my way of thinking mate cheers.Carl
Pete,
Great post and, as a newbie myself i think youve hit the nail on the head there.
Paul
I just want to thank you all for the replies, both good and dare i say it 
bad. But mostly thanks for all the words of encouragement, as a rather indecisive person at the best of times it has helped me to read that it is not all doom and gloom and that while it may be hard, it is not impossible to find work, thanks everyone 
Not a bad post just not what you wanted to here this is reality & a difference of opinion but can be balanced
I can only offer my experience. Passed cat C in 2006 in Norfolk, started getting agency work but it was a bit hit and miss then got a regular job driving a rigid in Suffolk. Then moved to Bedford to do a non-driving job for a bit then when that had run it’s course signed up with driving agencies there who kept me pretty busy through 2007. Another spell doing other things, then moved to Northants this year. Now an experienced class 2 driver I had absolutely no probs getting rigid work through agencies, despite the economic problems. This was encouraging enough to make me take the risk of doing my C+E. Since passing in August I’ve pretty much be driving artics most days and sometimes have a choice of work at reasonable rates, despite the lack of experience.
My work attitude is to do everything that’s asked (paperwork etc.) and behave in a way that I would expect of someone who worked for me.
I think what I’m saying is that to an extent you will get out what you put in, but also a lot depends on the job market for drivers in your area. I would say It has been worth it for me overall.
Go for it, see it as a investment for the future.