Have been looking over this forum for 12 months or so while I went for my training and found it to be an excellent source of information - I passed my class 2 on Friday with 2 minors (pretty happy with that) and just need some help.
Now I have my license I am ready to work but have a few questions.
Do I need to wait for my license to come back before I can work?
How do I obtain a digital tachograph and is this a requirement to drive?
So I’m basically asking what I need to now start driving - I passed my CPC in December.
Have been calling round local transport companies to see if they have anything. They took my details but I think they are looking for people with experience which is understandable - I just need someone to give me a chance so I can get started. I have also filled out an application form for Travis Perkins.
My friends Dad owns a haulage firm who has a contract with Lafarge and said he should be able to get me the odd day and night which is good to start but I need something full time really - he is putting me in for an EPIC card which is needed for quarry work.
I live near Fenton in Stoke on Trent and wonder if anyone knows if any good companies I can call?
Appy for your digi card straight away. Did you get a copy of your pass certificate? If so, it’s the equivalent of your licence to prove your entitlement to drive.
m1cks:
Appy for your digi card straight away. Did you get a copy of your pass certificate? If so, it’s the equivalent of your licence to prove your entitlement to drive.
I have never known that to be accepted unless its working for the same company where you work already who already have a copy of your licence
Thank you for the replies, I will apply for my digicard asap.
I have my pass certificate yes, after speaking to various agencies it appears they need my licence with new entitlements.
Hopefully I will get lucky with an agency to start off with as I need to start somewhere although even some of the agencies I spoke to require experience.
mattyv33:
Hopefully I will get lucky with an agency to start off with as I need to start somewhere although even some of the agencies I spoke to require experience.
Probably because the insurers of their clients have made specific requirements
Hi never wrote on here before but passed class 2 last year and finally got my cpc and digi card. Signed on with an agency to get some experience. They needed to see my licence cpc card and digi card, I have since done a couple of shifts which is totally different from having lessons. I glad to say that there are some decent drivers who have helped me with good advice ie driving hrs working time regs and so on.
Matty,you are not far from Pets at Home off Stanley Matthews road and Gordon Banks road in Stoke near the stadium.
They could help with your class one as an apprentice scheme.
Not sure if Downtons have the work there or not?
If check the Vosa website under applications/decisions,it lists all the small to large hauliers in your area with an address.
Google the firms phone number.
Best to get a kit bag ready to go in case of a phone call.
So no time wasted in packing the bag.
For nights out,get two of what you need.
Keep bedding in the car and double up on personal hygeine stuff like shavers and dental care.
It is pain to keep going back and forth with kit from the house/truck back to house again.
Cab hopping is like this.Try Eures,Rapido and Gumtree job sites.
Congrats on the pass and good luck with the job hunt!
I have applied for my digi in advance of my practical - it’s not a requirement as you can do manual entries/use analogue tacho but you really need it asap.
As already mentioned you do need your licence though.
Approach tipper and skip firms. Try plant haulage firms or local builders merchants.
The national merchants like TP and Jewson will tend to use agencies but the smaller local firms will look at direct employment or self employed cover in my experience.
Some good advice there and something I will look into asap - the guy sorting out my EPIC card has 4 tippers and struggles for night work at times so hopefully start a few shifts then something more may come.
Applied and sent off for my digicard, my driver CPC card came through from the dvla this morning so that is a start, just need my licence now!
Approach tipper and skip firms. Try plant haulage firms or local builders merchants…
TT, I’m going for my class 1 & 2 soon and would love to get on the tippers, just really appeals to me. There are a few smaller firms around my area i’d like to try but realistically, would I stand a chance? I’m 46 with no exp of lgv, I do have PCV exp (I know, totally different ) but I’m not scared of work and willing to be flexible. BTW sorry for hijacking post
TT, I’m going for my class 1 & 2 soon and would love to get on the tippers, just really appeals to me. There are a few smaller firms around my area i’d like to try but realistically, would I stand a chance? I’m 46 with no exp of lgv, I do have PCV exp (I know, totally different ) but I’m not scared of work and willing to be flexible. BTW sorry for hijacking post
Hi. I’m not TT but I think I can answer this one. Traditionally tippers have been reasonably good for newly qualified drivers. I really don’t know why cos it’s not mega easy and they can bite! If you have CE you may well get a start on C. Your age is good. Old enough to be mature but not knackered! The PCV experience is valuable to some operators. Others totally ignore it.
BTW, in my youngers days (when we had pits and that stuff called coal) I drove tippers and enjoyed it. And I was an ex coach driver.
Good luck with all you do and I hope you and TT don’t mind me answering for him. Pete
I left the Army with 0 hours experience on civvy tippers. I rang around and someone took me on.
I was with him 5 years. Left. Went back. Stayed about 6 months. Went in fridges. Missing tippers.
Whilst tippers require a good deal of common sense and a good sense of direction I’d say it’s probably the easiest non agency work to find.
On the condition that you’re not worried that it’s not the cleanest job, it’s not the easiest job, you’ll get stuck ( I never did though), you’ll get moaned at and you’ll learn to drive very swiftly or you’ll be left for dead.
O/Ds on one of the Tarmac firms (LA Farge, Aggregate Industries etc) would be a good group of folk to approach for work. But there’s a lot of bull ■■■■ baffles brains on health and safety for those type if firms. Dress like a gimp drive slowly and blah blah
Muck away and smaller firms would also be wise and easier on the H&S front.
Cheers TT & Peter, sounds good not worried about it being a dirty job (bus passengers ), being moaned at (married ) and I’m not too short in the common sense dept. Seriously though, hard work, muck and moaning buggers never worried me so I think I’ll have a drive around the local firms on my day off and see what chance I’d stand after passing. Thanks again for your replies guys
I jest. You’ve more experience than I do and you’re far better placed as a trainer to answer rat’s question as you’ve no doubt seen newbies move into tippers more than I have.
I have nothing to add to my answer beyond saying that’s it shows great attitude for a 46 year old bloke to ask advice and work from it.
I’m sure you can still use a digi; you just need to take printouts each day to record what you have done (the tacho unit records regardless of whether there is a card inserted), same as you would if you lost your digi-card or had it stolen. It shouldn’t take too long for your digi to arrive.
not worried about it being a dirty job (bus passengers