New C+E Driver and new to Truck Net

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
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Hello everyone, I joined Truck Net because it seems to be a very good place for information and help.

I passed my Cat C at the end of October and Cat C+E at the end of November, both at Featherstone. Passed my last CPC test (Mod 4) the day after my C+E test.

Got all my cards through the post just before Christmas (Drivers license, CPC and Digi tacho). Thought I’d enjoy and celebrate over Christmas and New years. I’ve now started the job search, I live in Halesowen. So I’m looking for work in the West Midlands.

Previously worked as a Bus driver for 10 years. Wanted a better job though and better wages.

I’ve bought the Phillips truckers road map. It was £19.99 but it should be very useful with road weight limits, bridge heights and truck stops. Might have to get a blue tooth headset for my phone. Considering getting a truck satnav too, to be used with the road map and not be totally reliant on it though.

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New year…new start for you,well done on your passes :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: good luck & welcome…Happy Trucking :smiley: :smiley:

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Lee84:
Hello everyone, I joined Truck Net because it seems to be a very good place for information and help.

I passed my Cat C at the end of October and Cat C+E at the end of November, both at Featherstone. Passed my last CPC test (Mod 4) the day after my C+E test.

Got all my cards through the post just before Christmas (Drivers license, CPC and Digi tacho). Thought I’d enjoy and celebrate over Christmas and New years. I’ve now started the job search, I live in Halesowen. So I’m looking for work in the West Midlands.

Previously worked as a Bus driver for 10 years. Wanted a better job though and better wages.

I’ve bought the Phillips truckers road map. It was £19.99 but it should be very useful with road weight limits, bridge heights and truck stops. Might have to get a blue tooth headset for my phone. Considering getting a truck satnav too, to be used with the road map and not be totally reliant on it though.

So why become a lorry driver :question: :question: as wages are poss worse than a bus driver oh & all those years driving a bus count for no experience in the lorry driving world

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Congrats Lee :smiley:

All the best in getting work. :wink:

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Congratulations on the passes :smiley:

Maybe keep your current job and try and get experience here and there with agency’s etc, might get a lucky break on the run up to next christmas?

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Work tends to dip februaryish time, hopefully it’ll pick up a bit after then, just keep on trying 'til you get something, & good luck :smiley:

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Welcome

and congratulations on the pass , hope that lucky break is soon for u

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Cheers Bonnie lass, James, Tarrman and Jennie :smiley:

Hi Animal, I choose to become a lorry driver because I believe it’s something I will enjoy. I enjoyed the training greatly. I would prefer it was just me and the truck, without having to worry about passengers.

There are some very nice passengers, who are friendly and chatty. However there are many that are abusive, try to get on without paying, fight each other, smoke drugs at the back etc. The daily 930 pensioner argument. A bus full of school kids isn’t very fun either.

You have mystery passengers who sit there watching your every move waiting to report you. Never had a bad report myself, but it does add to the pressure your under. You will get sacked for being 3 mins early, yet they don’t time the routes properly. You pull over for 5 mins if your a bit early and people get restless.

No matter how nice you are, people have a general dislike for bus drivers. You say good morning and some of them give you a dirty look.

A bit of a rant and moan I know lol. Basically fed up of dealing with the general public. I know a few miserable old bus drivers, who are pretty bitter and sick of there jobs. But can’t change because they have no other skills and feel they are to old to try or be bothered to. Thats not going to be me, thats for ■■■■ sure.

Every truck driver I’ve spoke seem to be a lot happier in there jobs. I personally feel gaining my C+E is a step up. I don’t expect it to be all sunshine and roses, but I think I’ll like it more than my last job. My mate has just completed his first 3 months as a trucker and he loves it.

As for wages I was on £8 an hour. No more for Sat, Sun or nights. I’ve seen cat c advertised for about £8ph with more for nights and weekend. Cat C+E between £9-£13 increasing for nights and weekends. Plus more for ADR.

New year and a new career and intend to make the most of it.

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Where are you with that kind of wage :question: no disrespect but the average here is £7.00 C £7.50 - £8.00 CE this is company btw not agency

Please dont believe all what agency tell you btw

Not a prob rant away was just asking as I am a nebby ■■■■■ as well

But I couldnt be doing with all them people tbh

But at least the cargo unloads itself while on buses :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

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I’ve been looking on websites such as Easy as HGV. Been looking in the west mids. I thought some of the wages looked a bit too good lol.

Most seem to be advertising between £9 to £11. Seen a few for £8 and £8.50 though. Maybe they mean £9 day and then £11 for weekends and nights. Probably have to take a lower rate as a new driver though.

Yeah best part about the bus job was the load walking on and off lol.

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Lee84:
I’ve been looking on websites such as Easy as HGV. Been looking in the west mids. I thought some of the wages looked a bit too good lol.

Most seem to be advertising between £9 to £11. Seen a few for £8 and £8.50 though. Maybe they mean £9 day and then £11 for weekends and nights. Probably have to take a lower rate as a new driver though.

Yeah best part about the bus job was the load walking on and off lol.

Hate to say but Easy as LGV are just a broker for training nowt more

Here most of it is flat rate look at REAL jobs & company

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Yeah I’m going to have to spend a lot more time searching and ringing around. Hopefully I’ll catch a break sooner or later.

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Local yellow pages & find out the local haulage company in your area

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hi Lee

look on a website called Indeed , (google)

you put in your dets and what area you are in , how far your prepared to travel and emails you available jobs , most are agency to be fair but might get you that first lucky break ,

Nightfreight , dhl etc all have depots in the midlands go in and have a word with someone , you never know :wink:

The two ive mentioned above definatly take newbies as I have worked for both without 2 year experience :bulb:

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Thanks for the info Animal and Jennie. I’ll definitely give the yellow pages and the Indeed website a try.

It’s also very valuable to know which companies will take newbies. Thanks very much :smiley:

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Lee, you could try Hingleys, it’s all steel work … Best thing to do is go down to Hayes Lane, Lye, see if you can get to speak to Ray Hingley, Smashing bloke, explain that you’re new but willing to learn… see what he says. Costs nothing to ask. Let me know what happens if you do see him. :wink:

Good luck with the job hunt.

Oh and Robert Wiseman dairies at Droitwich will take on newbies. Most likely shop deliveries to begin with, but if you can get on and prove yourself, you could get a move onto the tankers it that takes your fancy.

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best idea is to go knocking on doors, put yourself about a bit

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Hiya Lee congratulations on your passes matey!! I dont live too far from you, heres a few companies you could try mate; Adam Jones (halesowen) Andyfreight (lye, stourbridge) Hales Freight, Thornleigh Freight (oldbury) a bit further a field are; Mainline Haulage (willenhall) Blakemores (willenhall) Poundland (bilston) Tooles Transport (droitwich) Hickmans of Kidderminster, Stan Robinson (stafford)

All the best mate let us know how you get on ar kid!

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Cheers for the advice Kate, tripe-tango and smiiiiith. I’m really glad I joined this site :smiley:

I put my CV on the Indeed website earlier and emailed my CV to DHL and Nightfreight.

I’ve got some more companies to try now thanks to Kate and smiiiiith. I’ll give the job center a try on Monday too.

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No worries Lee, If you do like the sound of Haulage then Adam Jones or Andyfreight are nearest to you. I worked at Andys for 2 years, I liked it but others may say different! Alot of hours and usually 2-3 nights out per week. Transport Manager leaves you alone most of the time mate and its fairly easy work. Only left to take job in the NHS. If you do like sound of Andys pop down there, only in Lye. Let us know how u get on mate