I was wondering if anyone new of companies in the area that might sponser me. Preferably tankers! I was there back in June and absolutely loved it there. Also had a blast driving around as well. Especially the roundabouts lol. Another question is is it that difficult to get into BP or Shell as a driver? Thanks for any input
I’d imagine you have somewhere in between little and no chance tbh,for a company to put you through your HGV plus ADR plus train you to actually do the job and get your driving to a standard where they can trust you to take out a tanker full of fuel would probably cost them somewhere near 10k,why would they bother when they could easily advertise the job and get plenty of applicants that already have all the above?!
Blunt but true.
ckm1981:
I’d imagine you have somewhere in between little and no chance tbh,for a company to put you through your HGV plus ADR plus train you to actually do the job and get your driving to a standard where they can trust you to take out a tanker full of fuel would probably cost them somewhere near 10k,why would they bother when they could easily advertise the job and get plenty of applicants that already have all the above?!Blunt but true.
And fair…
It’s not going to happen unless the MD of the company sponsoring you, is your parent!
Sorry!
Petrol tankers are ‘dead mans shoes’ jobs that require years of experience and a lucky break to get into.
Sorry, but as said above I would forget tankers for the moment.
You very occasionally can get a company to put you through C+E if you already work for them, have cat C, and they have artics and prefer to promote from within. It usually comes with a contract to reimburse the training costs if you leave within a certain time frame afterwards.
Basically you will probably have to save up and find a way of getting Cat C as a way in, unless you get extremely lucky.
th2013:
Petrol tankers are ‘dead mans shoes’ jobs that require years of experience and a lucky break to get into.
Sorry, but as said above I would forget tankers for the moment.You very occasionally can get a company to put you through C+E if you already work for them, have cat C, and they have artics and prefer to promote from within. It usually comes with a contract to reimburse the training costs if you leave within a certain time frame afterwards.
Basically you will probably have to save up and find a way of getting Cat C as a way in, unless you get extremely lucky.
Thanks for all the info and for being blunt as well. I kinda figured as much with the petrol driving jobs as it’s the same way over here. I do have almost 25 years with hazmat tankers but unfortunately for me it’s in New York. So basically I’ll have to start from scratch if I do make it over there which really isn’t to big of a deal to me. What license would I need to go for to drive hazmat tankers? Thanks again for everyone’s help
Evil8Beezle:
ckm1981:
I’d imagine you have somewhere in between little and no chance tbh,for a company to put you through your HGV plus ADR plus train you to actually do the job and get your driving to a standard where they can trust you to take out a tanker full of fuel would probably cost them somewhere near 10k,why would they bother when they could easily advertise the job and get plenty of applicants that already have all the above?!Blunt but true.
And fair…
It’s not going to happen unless the MD of the company sponsoring you, is your parent!
Sorry!
Lol… Thanks for your help!
ckm1981:
I’d imagine you have somewhere in between little and no chance tbh,for a company to put you through your HGV plus ADR plus train you to actually do the job and get your driving to a standard where they can trust you to take out a tanker full of fuel would probably cost them somewhere near 10k,why would they bother when they could easily advertise the job and get plenty of applicants that already have all the above?!Blunt but true.
You make to much sense! I was hoping my experience alone might get me in a door somewhere. So any ideas for me? Thanks again
There is a company called s j bargh not to far from Preston about 30 mins. But they run milk tankers. Not what you want but they might give you a start. If not pm me I know my firm would take you on. The works easy enough mainly rdc and wholesalers, they offer a variety of shift patterns. Probably about an hour away from Preston but if your tramping that won’t matter
Think you need to look into this in more depth DanMarino…Can’t see you gaining employment with a yankie commercial licence due to possible insurance requirements, lack of experience on UK roads, plus you go to undertake the DCPC before you can legally drive for commercial purposes…
I’ve thread this link in for you…as a visitor you can drive a car or motorbike for but that’s about it
Swampey2418:
Think you need to look into this in more depth DanMarino…Can’t see you gaining employment with a yankie commercial licence due to possible insurance requirements, lack of experience on UK roads, plus you go to undertake the DCPC before you can legally drive for commercial purposes…I’ve thread this link in for you…as a visitor you can drive a car or motorbike for but that’s about it
Thanks for the feedback Swampey2418! I do realize that my license doesn’t mean Jack over there but I was hoping my 25 years experience might! All with tanks… Do you by any chance know of a reputable place to get some lessons to work towards my HGV? Around the Preston area? Appreciate any input!
deltawing:
There is a company called s j bargh not to far from Preston about 30 mins. But they run milk tankers. Not what you want but they might give you a start. If not pm me I know my firm would take you on. The works easy enough mainly rdc and wholesalers, they offer a variety of shift patterns. Probably about an hour away from Preston but if your tramping that won’t matter
I really appreciate you taking the time with your response! I will PM you
Dan
If you followed the link then you can drive a car or motorbike as a visitor for up to 12 months… but as it states you cannot drive a truck/lorry /wagons what ever you want to call them…
after a period of 186 days of continuous residence you could exchange your US licence, but would need to take a theory test and a practical test in a car only entitlement in order to be issued with a UK driving licence for cars only… then you would need to add the provisional entitlement of class2 HGV.
go through the training…ie medical, hazard perception test, Driver DCPC course with driving & of course the driving test, once passed the provisional entitlement for class 1 will be added…
then it would be case of more training with a class one, followed by yet another test…once passed your entitlement to drive tractor and trailer combinations…
As far as driving tankers, you would need to do an ADR course… so I hope you got deep pockets… How much have you budgeted for this ?
Swampey2418:
DanIf you followed the link then you can drive a car or motorbike as a visitor for up to 12 months… but as it states you cannot drive a truck/lorry /wagons what ever you want to call them…
after a period of 186 days of continuous residence you could exchange your US licence, but would need to take a theory test and a practical test in a car only entitlement in order to be issued with a UK driving licence for cars only… then you would need to add the provisional entitlement of class2 HGV.go through the training…ie medical, hazard perception test, Driver DCPC course with driving & of course the driving test, once passed the provisional entitlement for class 1 will be added…
then it would be case of more training with a class one, followed by yet another test…once passed your entitlement to drive tractor and trailer combinations…As far as driving tankers, you would need to do an ADR course… so I hope you got deep pockets… How much have you budgeted for this ?
Swampey2418
Thanks so much for the info! That’s what I was looking to know. I would have a few thousand US dollars budgeted. But I’m thinking for someone like me it wouldn’t take as long nor as much money involved. But I could be wrong. As far as the link you have sent me I have seen that so I have an idea of what I’m aloud to drive with my Yankee license. Thank you for that link! As far as driving around the UK roads I don’t think I’ll have to much trouble being I earned my wings along time ago running around NYC lol. But hey that’s par for the course and a learning experience! I mean I don’t have to drive tankers right away I can always lead up to that.
Dan,
Did you see this thread in the main forum?
Slightly related to your situation…
Just making you aware, as I don’t recall you posting on it.
Evil8Beezle:
Dan,Did you see this thread in the main forum?
Slightly related to your situation…
Just making you aware, as I don’t recall you posting on it.
Thank you! Evil8Beezle, looks like I’ll be starting out small before messing with the big boys lol… Which really isn’t that big of a deal. Thanks again
No worries pal, i didn’t realise when you started the thread, you were an experienced driver who just needed the UK/Euro licences. As I’d have changed my advice a bit…
Don’t worry about the big boys (if you’re talking about the main forum) it’s Carryfast you have to worry about! 
I think Dolph (in the thread I posted), had quite a shock when he was instantly engaged by him in a long draw out European history debate!
But that’s carryfast! He LOVES the debate! 
Evil8Beezle:
No worries pal, i didn’t realise when you started the thread, you were an experienced driver who just needed the UK/Euro licences. As I’d have changed my advice a bit…Don’t worry about the big boys (if you’re talking about the main forum) it’s Carryfast you have to worry about!
I think Dolph (in the thread I posted), had quite a shock when he was instantly engaged by him in a long draw out European history debate!But that’s carryfast! He LOVES the debate!
Evil8Beezle,
I see that he does lol… One thing I’m not on here for is that. But I do enjoy reading the back and forth. As far as the Big Boys I was talking about the combination truck trailer like I drive over here. I would just get my license for the small truck then work my way up. Sounds like the easiest approach. But I do really appreciate all that you gave said. Would you happen to have an idea how much a license for a small truck would cost me?
DanMarino:
Evil8Beezle:
No worries pal, i didn’t realise when you started the thread, you were an experienced driver who just needed the UK/Euro licences. As I’d have changed my advice a bit…Don’t worry about the big boys (if you’re talking about the main forum) it’s Carryfast you have to worry about!
I think Dolph (in the thread I posted), had quite a shock when he was instantly engaged by him in a long draw out European history debate!But that’s carryfast! He LOVES the debate!
Evil8Beezle,
I see that he does lol… One thing I’m not on here for is that. But I do enjoy reading the back and forth. As far as the Big Boys I was talking about the combination truck trailer like I drive over here. I would just get my license for the small truck then work my way up. Sounds like the easiest approach. But I do really appreciate all that you gave said. Would you happen to have an idea how much a license for a small truck would cost me?
By small truck i guess you mean class C, Rigid vehicles (up to 32 tons, I think!)
Well by the time you have had the medical, get the provisional, take lessons, do test, do DCPC, etc… you are probably looking at about £2000.
But that can be brought down to say £1600 if you don’t need many lessons.
Evil8Beezle:
DanMarino:
Evil8Beezle:
No worries pal, i didn’t realise when you started the thread, you were an experienced driver who just needed the UK/Euro licences. As I’d have changed my advice a bit…Don’t worry about the big boys (if you’re talking about the main forum) it’s Carryfast you have to worry about!
I think Dolph (in the thread I posted), had quite a shock when he was instantly engaged by him in a long draw out European history debate!But that’s carryfast! He LOVES the debate!
Evil8Beezle,
I see that he does lol… One thing I’m not on here for is that. But I do enjoy reading the back and forth. As far as the Big Boys I was talking about the combination truck trailer like I drive over here. I would just get my license for the small truck then work my way up. Sounds like the easiest approach. But I do really appreciate all that you gave said. Would you happen to have an idea how much a license for a small truck would cost me?By small truck i guess you mean class C, Rigid vehicles (up to 32 tons, I think!)
Well by the time you have had the medical, get the provisional, take lessons, do test, do DCPC, etc… you are probably looking at about £2000.
But that can be brought down to say £1600 if you don’t need many lessons.
Evil8Beezle,
Yes class C that sounds about right. So between 1600 and 2000 pounds I can handle that! Once again I really appreciate your help and if your ever in NYC look me up! I’ll be in Preston over Christmas and I’ll do some more research when I’m there.
No worries pal, all the details of what is involved to get a UK licence are in ROG’s Training Tips in the Newbie section (here)
Thanks for the offer to look you up, but all my spare money will be saving for C+E (Articulated) licence! Nice thought & offer though! 
best of luck pal!