Hi Everyone
I am an old driver coming back but very much feel like a new one again lol
I have 23 years HGV driving experience with many wagons up to Class 1 all in the Army and oh for a few years whilst posted at Catterick I did weekends at RB for a few extra quid.
When I left the forces which was 11 years ago I went a different direction and left the trade behind, now as needs must I am returning and getting back behind the wheel.
A lot has changed over the years, actually a heck of a lot especially with all these automatic trucks which is not an issue lol
To prepare I have done the following
- CPC completed and gain my card
- ADR completed in packages and tanks (to give me other options)
- Digital tacho card
- Did a days refresher behind the wheel HGV 1 and it was like riding a bike , it all comes back quickly.
Reading a lot of posts and views on YouTube it is clear the Professional driver is not regarded highly as once he was, which is very saddening. Some of the pay offered is shocking (hopefully this is set to change) and the treatment many have received from management and planners they work for rises my eyebrows.
So to get my feet wet gain I am looking to go with an agency first , so any advice would be appreciated on good ones and who to avoid, also any company’s to avoid working for if you are allowed to say.
I am in Leicestershire , Melton Mowbray, Loughborough area
I have also looked at the Avail driver App , has anyone used them ?
StefanW:
Hi Everyone
I am an old driver coming back but very much feel like a new one again lol
I have 23 years HGV driving experience with many wagons up to Class 1 all in the Army and oh for a few years whilst posted at Catterick I did weekends at RB for a few extra quid.
When I left the forces which was 11 years ago I went a different direction and left the trade behind, now as needs must I am returning and getting back behind the wheel.
A lot has changed over the years, actually a heck of a lot especially with all these automatic trucks which is not an issue lol
To prepare I have done the following
- CPC completed and gain my card
- ADR completed in packages and tanks (to give me other options)
- Digital tacho card
- Did a days refresher behind the wheel HGV 1 and it was like riding a bike , it all comes back quickly.
Reading a lot of posts and views on YouTube it is clear the Professional driver is not regarded highly as once he was, which is very saddening. Some of the pay offered is shocking (hopefully this is set to change) and the treatment many have received from management and planners they work for rises my eyebrows.
So to get my feet wet gain I am looking to go with an agency first , so any advice would be appreciated on good ones and who to avoid, also any company’s to avoid working for if you are allowed to say.
I am in Leicestershire , Melton Mowbray, Loughborough area
I have also looked at the Avail driver App , has anyone used them ?
Welcome back,
It’s drivers market if working agency so suit yourself basically.
Up to you days you work start times,
Enjoy
Probably the best time to come back, you will easily pick up work via any agency at the moment whereas a couple of months ago not s much. Good luck.
Yes it is a good time, so fill your boots on the agencies…can’t help you who to avoid agency wise.
Whilst the rates for temp drivers and some full timers are being raised as the so called driver shortage story heats up, i’d be on the lookout soon as you can for a full time position and i’ll give my reasons for this.
The driver shortage story is reaching media hysteria level, wouldn’t surprise me one bit if our puppet leader DePfeffel and the rest of the borg shift the immigration requirement goal posts to allow immigrants from Lord knows where to come here with HGV licences to fill the shortfall, in which case those agency rates that have gone up can go back down again just as quickly, in which case the ful time position would be safer bet long term.
Search “HGV Class 1” on indeed.co.uk
This allows you to spot the agencies in your area, such as pertemps in Leicester.
pertemps.co.uk/contact/branch-locator/
If you want agency work, there’s no need to apply for jobs on indeed. Just make a note of the agencies and search for their contact details on google.
There are reviews for agencies on indeed. I would avoid agencies that don’t have any reviews as that would indicate that they are very small and they may do a phoenix before paying you. Limit yourself to big agencies that have a long track record of trading, not some fly by night merchant.
Avoid any agencies who advertise Umbrella even if they also offer paye. Umbrella is a tax fiddle which could leave the driver with big penalties in the future, just like some IT contractors have been hit hard years after the event.
StefanW:
Hi Everyone
I am an old driver coming back but very much feel like a new one again lol
I have 23 years HGV driving experience with many wagons up to Class 1 all in the Army and oh for a few years whilst posted at Catterick I did weekends at RB for a few extra quid.
When I left the forces which was 11 years ago I went a different direction and left the trade behind, now as needs must I am returning and getting back behind the wheel.
A lot has changed over the years, actually a heck of a lot especially with all these automatic trucks which is not an issue lol
To prepare I have done the following
- CPC completed and gain my card
- ADR completed in packages and tanks (to give me other options)
- Digital tacho card
- Did a days refresher behind the wheel HGV 1 and it was like riding a bike , it all comes back quickly.
Reading a lot of posts and views on YouTube it is clear the Professional driver is not regarded highly as once he was, which is very saddening. Some of the pay offered is shocking (hopefully this is set to change) and the treatment many have received from management and planners they work for rises my eyebrows.
So to get my feet wet gain I am looking to go with an agency first , so any advice would be appreciated on good ones and who to avoid, also any company’s to avoid working for if you are allowed to say.
I am in Leicestershire , Melton Mowbray, Loughborough area
I have also looked at the Avail driver App , has anyone used them ?
Haven’t looked at how far it is from you but DHL Dunelm in Leicester are certainly on the look out for full time drivers.
PM me if you want more info
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Igloo recruitment at Hinckley was a agency I did alot of work for and didn’t have any problems. They do work all over Leicestershire so they maybe worth a call.
Staffline I work for at the moment, they have work everywhere. Never get cancelled and no problems with money. I would look on their site to see if any work in your area.
Thanks everyone , very much appreciated with the advice