Hi everyone
First of all i like to say im new to this forum but been reading it for a while,
Im intrested in becoming a class C driver and been trying do as much research as i can, im umployed for while so money tight so been trying to take this as serious as i can…
Im at the stage of just needing get medical done to send off to dvla
im excited but im scared at the same time.
The thory test im not to worried about, i kinda like getting my head into things like that.
The CPC Module 4 Training seems to leave ablank look on my face, is there a site i can maybe look at understand fully what it is?
I live in plymouth and am looking at using torpedotraining.co.uk for my training, as anyone ever used them? reason why im thinking of using them is the truck looked newer and cleaner than other training schools i seen driving around, i’ve followed a few i came a cross while driving around to watch how they take turns etc… is that silly way of looking at it? i know no truckers and closers i been to truck is having them in front of me and behind me on the road …
i’ve been using flairtraining.co.uk/universi … ltacho.htm to try and understand how the tacho works, its really good as i get use the tacho kinda like the game but im not there yet, still blank face…
Is there much work in plymouth/southwest area for new drivers? i understand that getting foot in the door is not easy and the learnt that there is not shortage of drivers as all the training sites seem to like to talk about.
what other pointers can anyone else give me, any advice welcome…
sorry for long 1st post and thankyou for your time
New_me:
The CPC Module 4 Training seems to leave ablank look on my face, is there a site i can maybe look at understand fully what it is?
The flair site has the questions for mod 4 and a link to that is in the mod 4 sticky in this forum
For mod 4 the vehicle being used for it is taken to the practical test centre and the test is done in the test centre with no driving involved
You will get asked questions such as - please show me how you would check for hidden drugs or stowaways on this vehicle ? - then you demonstrate checking for them - the flair PDF shows all the possible questions
There is also the possibility of the examiner asking where you would place say a load of palletised paper on the vehicle and what you would secure them with … you might answer …straps …they will then ask you to demonstrate the use of a ■■■■■■■■ the demonstration trolley which is fitted with chains straps ropes and a restraining bar - you will ignore all but the strap because that is the one you have been asked to demonstrate
the demonstration trolley is on site already as part of the DSA equipment
Your instructor for mod 4 should go through all this with you before going to the mod 4 test - if they dont then there is something seriously wrong
Paying much more than about £50 for a medical means you got stung !!
learnt that there is not shortage of drivers as all the training sites seem to like to talk about.
Not seen many proper training schools that say that … brokers = yes !!
First off, I wouldn’t worry about filling your head with how to operate a tacho at this moment in time. Don’t try running before you can walk.
Anyway, you are in a better place for work than most people in the south west. I would say, the best place of all in fact. Probably with the exception of Exeter, but certainly better than where I am (near St Austell, Cornwall). Whatever you do, don’t go with a broker. Once you’ve found a couple of training schools, make sure you actually go down to the trainer’s premises and even get a free assessment drive first. All the decent training schools will do it. Steer clear of any that can’t or won’t offer one. There are plenty of previous threads on the forum that give great advice for newbies so have a good mooch around!
I was also just wondering if you have tried to get the course paid for by the Jobcentre, as you’ve been out of work for so long? It has been a way for some of us to get the LGV licence in the past, but I guess it’s just down to luck. If you’re in the right Jobcentre at the right time, if they have any funds left in their budget etc. You would stand a fantastic chance if you actually had a company offering you a job if you had the licence by the way. I was lucky, as I had been made redundant from working at the AA (only in an office/call centre) and having done a lot of driving work before joining the AA I fancied getting my cat C licence but didn’t have the funds. After several months of being unemployed and not finding any jobs, I approached my local Jobcentre at the time and after a while I got the funding for it. Although, I was told that I would only get the funding for one shot at the theory test and one shot at the practical test. But despite that added pressure, I actually passed both first time. (I wish I was as successful with my original car test, and PCV then cat C+E tests in later years. It would have saved me loads a dosh! )
All the very best with it, enjoy it and keep us all posted.
LJA:
I was also just wondering if you have tried to get the course paid for by the Jobcentre, as you’ve been out of work for so long? It has been a way for some of us to get the LGV licence in the past.
My GF is on ESA ( Employment and Support Allowance ) which im joint applicant so saddly they offer me little help, they understand that i badly want to work but tell me im not on there radar to work, i think is due to figures, im a hidden stat to them, sad i know but i will ask, it can never hurt so thankyou for your advice…
This is in part why im trying to go down this training route, this way i can help my self and pray something good comes from it, i’ve always had big respect for tuck drivers, i will often move my car knowing it could block a delivery or let a truck out at around about that is finding it struggle to find clear space.
I like that this is not serials box licence and it has to be earned
New_me:
My GF is on ESA ( Employment and Support Allowance ) which im joint applicant so saddly they offer me little help, they understand that i badly want to work but tell me im not on there radar to work, i think is due to figures, im a hidden stat to them, sad i know but i will ask, it can never hurt so thankyou for your advice…
No probs. Well, I had heard that anybody with disabilites got better treatment when it comes to getting courses paid for them etc, so if you have anything you suffer from now or in the past, you could always mention that too. When I went to my Jobcentre to try for funding, I was actually asked that, and the only thing I had in the past was when I was a child I suffered from asthma. But I hadn’t had any kind of asthma attack since I was about 13. Of course I didn’t say that. I just said that my doctor could confirm that I had asthma attacks when I was younger - They never even asked for proof of this either! I do remember actually saying that I wasn’t just looking for hand outs and that, if I got the funding I would be more than happy to pay the costs back over a period of time. Of course this was nearly 10 years ago now, but you never know. I got the cost of mine and they didn’t ask for me to pay anything back either.
Welcome to the forum mate, can I just say your doing the right thing by doing your research first there is a lot to be done im a class 2 driver going to be starting my class 1 soon I passed my class 2 about a year ago and I must say to you finding work as a newly qualified driver is very very hard, you need to be able to sell yourself very well im very good with interveiws I dont get nervous in these situations and I know im lucky as some people struggle with this with that being said when I passed my class 2 i had just been made redundant from my factory job and it took me 5 months of begging to get a opportunity to drive and from what I can see thats fairly quick as most employers will say you must have held your class 2 for at least 2 years due to insurance be prepared for lots of knock backs dont take it personally just keep going and you will get a break… I could write pages of advice mate there is so much I could say if youve got any questions P/M (personal message) me anytime and ill be happy to try and guide you through the process as it can be a bit daunting when your new to it all… before I end my post if you p/m me your email ive got all the questions and answers for the module 4 practical test and ill happily send it to you just some quick points
BE CAREFULL WITH TRAINING COMPANIES THERES ALOT OF RIP OFFS OUT THERE DONT JUST PHONE GO THERE AND ASK FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT DRIVE AND ASK LOADS OF QUESTIONS
£50 is about right for the medical
Agencies are your best bet to get work when your a newly qualified driver
Be prepared for lots of leg work when youve passed dont get put off by people not wanting to know when your asking for jobs
Be prepared to learn lots fast its pritty intense lots to take in, in a short amount of time listen to what your instructor is telling you and correct it as fast as you can the longer you make mistakes the more they become habits
As I said theres just to much to write down so if theres anything you want to know please p/m me and I check on here daily so youll get a quick reply alright mate
I filled out forms and was going to ring up to book/pay for medical tomorrow
But sadly some fool in my area that i live and put nails in everyones car tyres, i have 1 in each tyre with 2 flats grrrrrrrr so sadly i need sort that first. a case of living on toast but i see what i can sort out down local scappy…
second like to say thanks for the idea for asking the jobcentre for maybe help with funding but learning lot from net and on here that it can take long time to get a your first job i don’t want to ask taxpayer to pay for something thats going leave me in the same place i am in now, going try to get any job that might help me fund this dream my self.
apart from few set backs im going to go full steam a head, learnt so much lately and want this so dam bad, will update soon with how im getting on
You’d be wise to check the Class 2 driving work availability in your area before committing to the training (and that doesn’t mean asking training companies who will always tell you “yes” because it’s in their interests to do so). Newly passed drivers in the country’s hotspots for driving work are really struggling to find any. Cornwall doesn’t have an abundance of hauliers and there’s a high probability that you could be waiting months or even years before finding any regular work.
Rob K:
…Cornwall doesn’t have an abundance of hauliers and there’s a high probability that you could be waiting months or even years before finding any regular work.
New_me:
…i don’t want to ask taxpayer to pay for something thats going leave me in the same place i am in now, going try to get any job that might help me fund this dream my self.
Like I said mate, you can always do what I did and simply ask to get the funding then offer to pay it back over a set period of time? Just a thought.
Rob K:
…Cornwall doesn’t have an abundance of hauliers and there’s a high probability that you could be waiting months or even years before finding any regular work.
What makes you think he’s in Cornwall Rob?
Had it showing as his location yesterday. Or maybe I was looking at you by mistake, wouldn’t surprise me as I seem to be going daft these days. Anyway he says in his OP that he’s in Plymouth so it’s near enough as there’s no jobs there either.
Anyway he says in his OP that he’s in Plymouth so it’s near enough
i live less than 10 mins walk from Tamar Bridge so im very close, best both worlds
as there’s no jobs there either
Jobs in my area are there, depending where im looking but looked at 6 yesterday which i think two being permanent, catch is need experience, i have rang some agencies saying got class C ( which i dont have ) to see what they could offer for new driver, they said they got some work at moment but the client is looking for experience but they do offer new driver work when its not asked for… not often sounded by her tone
So im going to go ahead and look for normal work for mean time but still do my licence and slowly try and get my foot in the door.
LJA:
Like I said mate, you can always do what I did and simply ask to get the funding then offer to pay it back over a set period of time? Just a thought.
im speaking with the jobcentre tomorrow and will ask, it be fantasic if they could help, im just so bored with sitting at home and the 2 years experience is scaring me a little, im thinking of just getting help into any work and funding licence while working and looking to get the LGV experience while holding down normal job■■?
Rob K:
Had it showing as his location yesterday. Or maybe I was looking at you by mistake, wouldn’t surprise me as I seem to be going daft these days. Anyway he says in his OP that he’s in Plymouth so it’s near enough as there’s no jobs there either.
Haha. Yeah, mine shows Cornwall so chances are you were looking at my location.
Now what d’ya mean there’s no jobs in Plymouth. How do you know that? I have been offered work there, but it’s just a tad too far for me to travel unless I moved there permanently, and I am not going to jump into the fire having only just jumped out of the ■■■■ frying pan, so it seems!!
LJA:
Like I said mate, you can always do what I did and simply ask to get the funding then offer to pay it back over a set period of time? Just a thought.
im speaking with the jobcentre tomorrow and will ask, it be fantasic if they could help, im just so bored with sitting at home and the 2 years experience is scaring me a little, im thinking of just getting help into any work and funding licence while working and looking to get the LGV experience while holding down normal job■■?
Well, don’t worry too much about the 2 year experience nonesense. All employers put that, but soon realise they aren’t living in the perfect world and soon change their tune when they have jobs they need doing and not enough employees!
I think it’s fair to say, the majority of us on this forum have done work (or at least been offered work) despite not having that 2 years experience the employers say is a requirement. I managed to get a full time job within weeks of getting my class 1, and before that, I never had any trouble with getting work after I got my class 2 licence either (although, that was through agencies).
A lot of it depends on being in the right place at the right time. The trouble is, we all need to clone ourselves, so we will be in that right place at the right time!
…
I do remember actually saying that I wasn’t just looking for hand outs and that, if I got the funding I would be more than happy to pay the costs back over a period of time. Of course this was nearly 10 years ago now, but you never know. I got the cost of mine and they didn’t ask for me to pay anything back either. 
Newly passed drivers in the country’s hotspots for driving work are really struggling to find any. Cornwall doesn’t have an abundance of hauliers and there’s a high probability that you could be waiting months or even years before finding any regular work.
Anyway he says in his OP that he’s in Plymouth so it’s near enough 
