I passed my c+e test on 11/01/13 I’m finding it so hard to get a job, not even the agencies are helpful, I know most companies want 2 years experience because of insurance but surely someone will take me on. How are we meant to get experience if nobody will give us a chance. I’m in the Spalding area and willing to travel 25 miles to the job and willing to do days, nights, tramping. I just hope I get the chance soon.
Hi
I am 43 yr old female and having same issues . I have tried everything from sending my C.V to transport MAnagers to offering to work free for a month to get trained up to each companies standards… It’s crazy that no one will give us new drivers a break . It’s getting to the stage I will hang banners on bridges 
Markhlm:
I passed my c+e test on 11/01/13 I’m finding it so hard to get a job, not even the agencies are helpful, I know most companies want 2 years experience because of insurance but surely someone will take me on. How are we meant to get experience if nobody will give us a chance. I’m in the Spalding area and willing to travel 25 miles to the job and willing to do days, nights, tramping. I just hope I get the chance soon.
You’ve had your licence for 5 days so don’t hold your breath…
In all honesty all you can do is keep at it. This time of year can be hard for experienced drivers to get a job let alone a driver with less than a week behind them.
You just have to be in the right place at the right time in your situation so get yourself around all the hauliers you can find. Research on Google and get out there. You will find they generally don’t respond to emails (with the odd exception), you need to get out there and sell yourself.
Someone in your area will be along soon to put you in the picture. Don’t work for nothing (any employer than will allow you to do this will crap on you from a great height in the end.) and be smart, polite and prepared to work at a moment’s notice.
Good luck!
Midget blade:
HiI am 43 yr old female and having same issues . I have tried everything from sending my C.V to transport MAnagers to offering to work free for a month to get trained up to each companies standards… It’s crazy that no one will give us new drivers a break . It’s getting to the stage I will hang banners on bridges
Are you stupid? Work for free , why is it that driving is fast becoming a minimum wage occupation, don’t ever lowrr your worth
Almost everyone struggles first year but just keep calling . Oh and hope for snow , lots of lost loads and big demand on agency work
dont work for nowt
but nothing wrong in riding shotgun for the experience
so who do you know in the trucking game
driver, boss, office bod, cleaner
anyone basicallly that can give you an introdution to someone who matters
It’s a ruthless game.
I found I was getting no where so I just started lying and then got a start 
You may have to start at the bottom with van or 7.5 ton work to prove yourself, i believe they call it “paying your dues”, just because you pass an LGV test does not mean employers will beat a path to your door to offer you employment, persistence is the key. I was made redundant for the second time late 2011, after 8 months of unemployment 100+ job applications and 25+ interviews to get the job i have now, the monies not great and the job isn’t to be fair and i have a rake of transport qualifications, but it is full-time and permanent and will put me on till something crops up.
Welcome to Cameron’s broken Britain.
Yea I’ve sent application form to turners and fowler welch. Hope I get some good news back from them. I’ve also been told to try looking for shunting jobs round yards to start getting experience that way
Thanks for all ur replies and advice . I just thought offering to work for free would allow me to prove myself, I am too old to allow anyone to walk over me that’s for sure, my other problem is being a girl 
I do know ppl in distribution but again it boils down to insurance , wish I could fib but don’t the digi card get checked .
I have applied for van driving to class 2 but again I think it’s being a girl, which someone did mention to me in the driving profession , I do believe this as I get a lot of stick riding a fire blade
What would be my chances on shunting first , it’s so frustrating as I have always longed to be a lorry driver
turners have female drivers! you tried them?
This is possibly the worst time to be looking for a job.
Really should have done research into this. There are a million drivers for a few jobs and most have years experience. January is probably the worst time to be looking for a job as EVERYONE is after one.
Most agencies want you to have 2 years exp before they will even talk to you.
Thanks for that I going on the site to check it out .
Midget blade:
Thanks for all ur replies and advice . I just thought offering to work for free would allow me to prove myself, I am too old to allow anyone to walk over me that’s for sure, my other problem is being a girl
I do know ppl in distribution but again it boils down to insurance , wish I could fib but don’t the digi card get checked .I have applied for van driving to class 2 but again I think it’s being a girl, which someone did mention to me in the driving profession , I do believe this as I get a lot of stick riding a fire blade
What would be my chances on shunting first , it’s so frustrating as I have always longed to be a lorry driver
Sadly, all it will do is allow them to make more profit at your expense. They will have zero respect for you and then think all other drivers in future should do the same. Don’t do it. If you are getting the goods from A-B safely, you should be paid the same as anyone else.
The insurance thing is ■■■■■■■■. It’s a bit dearer to insure a new driver that’s all, not impossible. If they need you they’ll find a way, they always do.
Approach companies on a Monday morning. Especially when there’s bad weather (high winds,snow etc) as a few drivers will phone in sick rather than go out in that! Take all your gear with you and be prepared to work there and then.
Shunting is an option and will improve your reversing no end! Bottom line is keep at it and don’t give up. You will get a break in the end, but it could take time, especially at this time of year.
Thanks for the advice, I just keep sending c.v for now . I have been to lots of distribution centres but to no success . As you say just keep plodding on … 
Maybe it’s just me but I reckon that the type of company that would take any notice of your cv would invariably have a HR department and consider themselves a blue chip company. Tbh you probably have next to no chance of getting in there, the best bet would be to follow Truckulents advice and get your face seen at some of the more old school ‘proper’ transport companies. This time of year someone WILL call in sick and it’ll be a case of right place, right time. Accept the fact that you’ll not be getting the best wages or driving a Swedish flagship and use it as an apprenticeship if you like until you’re established.
You can always do what I and probably a lot of others did when we were starting and that’s lie a lot! Just make sure you’re convincing when you do it.
Truck driving aint rocket science and imo all most gaffers want is someone honest, reliable, doesn’t cause too much damage, doesn’t upset customers, and can think on their feet.
Good luck and keep at it. 
I think its a great shame when companies dont want to give training or experience to our own people, who have paid a lot of money, plus time to gain their C+E, when a lot of companies take foreign drivers who have merely driven a farm tractor to pass their test, then swapped it for a GB one.
Follow their ideas, and lie through your teeth, tell them you gained experience with (eg: Joe bloggs) who has just gone bust, then they cant check, give your mates phone number as another example ( pre warn him/her beforehand) if you want to work, you have to resort to these measures, sad but true, as there are a lot of drivers who come on this site, with the best of intentions, but get nowhere with regards to employment as a newbie. good luck
All I can say is don’t lose heart. Keep trying and your persistence will be rewarded. Don’t be picky about any non class1 work that comes your way either. Build up your rep as reliable and flexible, and sooner or later it’ll all come together for you. It’s all a bit different from when I passed my class 1 back in 2005, test passed Tuesday, out working Friday.
All the best to you anyway, and all the other newbies out there.
Lol you bad boys advising to fib lol but I do what it takes and wont give up , girls pretty much get what they want well I do …
Gonna get my c.v changed print off some go bang on some more transport managers doors
I will be a mother trucker before summer!,