Well, my nice cushy IT job is over, now looking to put my licence to good use. Have registered with a couple of agencies, and have an induction with Ocado at Dordon next week for Class 1. I’ve got a general idea of what goes on with assessments but if anyone has any tips please let me know!
Turn up on time take your license with you and tacho card and a hi viz,smart work trousers boots and your work bag in the car just in case.
Usually form filling in and an assessment drive,couple uncouple and reverse onto a bay,take your time the assessor wants a steady safe drive nothing flash just safe,ask if your not sure about anything.
If your close to Dordon there’s Bhs in Atherstone Aldi on Holly lane industrial estate by the black swan pub as well or euro car parts are always after class 1 or norberts tamworth side of the M42. And I think bristan far end of the industrial estate by euro car parts.
Bhs do take new starters class 1 that’s where I started Julie runs the agency in tamworth but buggered if u can remember the name sorry
Jeff.
Thanks for the tips. I’m in Birmingham area so might look up the others you mention.
Well done binned a cushy IT job for Lorry driving now the fun really starts and you can enjoy life 
Looking forward to it, love the driving, and being out and about. Shame about the money!
An update on my induction - it wasn’t just a couple of hours with as assessment - it was straight into a shift! Good thing I brought my bag!
Was kinda pleased there was no assessment, although when I got dropped in the deep end I started to stumble, had to keep asking other guys about this and that. Didn’t help that they allocated the wrong trailer at first! I was struggling so much at the depot I was beginning to think about handing the keys back and calling it a day 
Glad I persisted though, once I got out on the open road, it felt brilliant. This was with a double decker reefer - on my first shift!
There was more trouble ahead though - approaching the destination, the instructions seemed to clash with a low bridge warning. So I pulled off and struggled to find somewhere to stop and check the maps. I REALLY struggled to find the place. I called the office, and eventually figured that I can ignore the low bridge sign as I should turn off beforehand. Wish they’d mentioned that! All in all, with the late departure, I was seriously late getting there. Came back to base, was supposed to do another run, but there was no chance. I kept aplogising, but the staff there are absolutely brilliant, very understanding. Even took me back for another shift (today). This went a lot better, was in tandem with another truck, so got some guidance.
Hoping they’ll have me back for more, beginning to like this!
Well done mate! 
Sounds like you enjoyed it and they are happy with you!
Crack on! 
Evil8Beezle:
Well done mate!Sounds like you enjoyed it and they are happy with you!
Crack on!
I think “happy” might be a bit extreme, tolerating me, perhaps . They appear to be desperate for drivers.
No fun being limited to 53mph, but it makes the drive easy - you just stay in lane 1 forever. Unless you catch up with a Tesco wagon.
Well done on finding work so soon, the shortage must be hitting, some are aware my cat c is on hold due to terminal illness in the rankings, but I rang my local brake brothers to explain and show interest for later, once we have had the funeral I will be looking at giving a months notice on my current water board job,
They said no Drama have a trial drive 11th September, and let us know when your notice is worked and when you would like to start ■■? Obviously going to see them 28-800 per annum 1 in 5 Saturdays, with any extra Saturdays at overtime rate. Fully aware it all depends on a good drive.
Watch out for the .
" I want you to stop on the left somewhere" request
If you get that by all means stop but make sure it’s a legal stop ie not on yellows or where the roads a tad narrow 
We had a tester that had a favoured spot that looked like a pull off but it was just a dropped kerb to some clear ground.