Hoping to be sitting class 2 exam this March and then Class 1 hopefully not to long after but I’m questioning myself now if I should go for it I’m in full time employment 17 years as a bus driver but need out I’ve just turned 43 and trucking is what I believe I want to do. I live in Glasgow area so I know there’s plenty of work going but reading online job adverts most employees want 1 years experience as standard for applying for job are there jobs out there for new passes and would I be expected to work for buttons I’m currently on 12 pounds a hour would new starts be expected to drive for much less than this. Cheers
You will be looking at about £9-£10 hr. Newbie or seasoned.
Doubtless your £12 an hour is a flat rate for all hours worked, Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays, overtime/extra shift.
I’ve been there and tried it - but not for long.
Try and get on with a right firm who do pay overtime rates and you won’t notice the difference in your wage.
That’s insane not what I’m wanting to read 
12 quid is a flat rate but no matter the hourly rate I’ve still got the no experience problem im guessing 17 years of busing it doesn’t count for much.
Unfortunately,there is usually only one way in life to gain experience of everything and that is to get out there and do it.You have experience of driving a large rigid vehicle which is good but none of higher longer articulated vehicles.You have no knowledge of the different types of loads or the different ways of securing them and the road haulage industry has a very poor record in training up newbies of any age.The best I would suggest once you have gained your C + E is to try different types of work with a reliable agency if there is such a thing.Best of luck.
There are firms that take on new passes, I have done. Overtime after 8 hours, easy work, though the hours are all over the place some weeks.
Glasgow, my impression is that it isn’t great rates of pay up there.
£12 ph■■? Your normal/average rate would be nearer £10, and that’s coming from below!!
I couldn’t tell you one firm up here who’s paying £12 an hour for work that would be open to a newbie.
You could get a start there’s plenty of work around Eurocentral but not at the rate you want.
Plenty of places will say they want experience, ignore all that and go chap doors. Get your face seen, you’ll get a start. There’s an abundance of companies near Glasgow.
I was told I would never get a start and there was no point trying, everyone but everyone wanted 2 years experience. 3 days later and I had my choice of 7 jobs.
A.
Adonis.:
Plenty of places will say they want experience, ignore all that and go chap doors. Get your face seen, you’ll get a start. There’s an abundance of companies near Glasgow.I was told I would never get a start and there was no point trying, everyone but everyone wanted 2 years experience. 3 days later and I had my choice of 7 jobs.
A.
This. Very much so.
In fact the more places you actually pay a visit to the more offers you’ll find which sounds obvious if course but it’s basically a ‘put the legwork in’ and you’ll come up trumps as opposed to just looking and taking the two year experience as gospel and not trying to alter that.
Bigdee:
That’s insane not what I’m wanting to read
It might count for something, but with all due respect not a huge amount. Much would depend on what type of bus work you were doing, if the majority was urban routes then the only bonus points you might get is being able to deal well with idiots!
I’d stick with the buses, the grass won’t be greener once the novelty has worn off.
Your on £12ph now with your feet under the table, guessing your home everynight and not working excessive hours. Union? Employee benefits? If you do earn more on the wagons it’ll only be through longer hours. Trust me, when your stuck on a bay in some dive 13hrs into your shift & nobody cares, you’ll be wondering why you bothered.
Thanks for reply’s they help, reading that it’s not the best of jobs once your feet are in the door I’ve had a few people say the same it’s probably a 50/50 split of people saying go for it or stay where u are. I currently do 4 12 hour shifts and are paid 40 hours for this is this the same in trucking game are you only paid for time driving and are these stories of 15 hour days a reality or is it a rare bad day. I guess I just want to know what to expect as a new driver working long hours doesn’t put me off I actually think long distance trunking is my ideal job( no public) but what should I expect will it be part time jobs from agency to agency chasing down a wage to start with or full time hours will not be a problem it’s a big jump walking away from a safe full time job I guess the more advice I receive the easier the decision. Cheers guys.
Bigdee:
Thanks for reply’s they help, reading that it’s not the best of jobs once your feet are in the door I’ve had a few people say the same it’s probably a 50/50 split of people saying go for it or stay where u are. I currently do 4 12 hour shifts and are paid 40 hours for this is this the same in trucking game are you only paid for time driving and are these stories of 15 hour days a reality or is it a rare bad day. I guess I just want to know what to expect as a new driver working long hours doesn’t put me off I actually think long distance trunking is my ideal job( no public) but what should I expect will it be part time jobs from agency to agency chasing down a wage to start with or full time hours will not be a problem it’s a big jump walking away from a safe full time job I guess the more advice I receive the easier the decision. Cheers guys.
If you do 4 x 12 hours and get paid for 40 @ £12.00 per hour, you are on £10.00 per hour NOT £12.
As others have said, doubtful that you will improve on £10 per hour. Stay doing what you are mate, no strapping your load in the rain. No trying to close curtains in the howling wind. No sitting for hours doing sweet fa.
Unless you don’t like your wife. If you don’t, truck driving is great, you can even sleep in them overnight for an extra £20.
eagerbeaver:
If you do 4 x 12 hours and get paid for 40 @ £12.00 per hour, you are on £10.00 per hour NOT £12.As others have said, doubtful that you will improve on £10 per hour. Stay doing what you are mate, no strapping your load in the rain. No trying to close curtains in the howling wind. No sitting for hours doing sweet fa.
Unless you don’t like your wife. If you don’t, truck driving is great, you can even sleep in them overnight for an extra £20.
Strapping a load? Curtains? Rain? Sounds ghastly, aren’t there some sort of peasant class to do those tasks?
A.
Unless you don’t like your wife. If you don’t, truck driving is great, you can even sleep in them overnight for an extra £20. My god they pay u to sleep in truck as well were do I sign up. Thanks for reply it’s a tough choice because without knowing what the trucking game is like working with the public is a nightmare Im struggling big time I’ve hit a brick wall dealing with them.
I wouldn`t bother, no one likes you and now they have camera vans that cant nick you in the dark.