I passed my class 1 and 2 all within a few months of one another back in 2015 - 2016. Paid a lot of money to do this.
I was fed up with my old job as a supervisor in a factory. Same bull ■■■■ day in and day out. So I fancied a change of career.
Now as a new pass driver we all know how hard it is to get your foot in the door. Especially matching anywhere near what I was on as a supervisor.
I would have to start at the bottom and take a huge pay cut. Then the majority of work offered is via agencies. They ALL lie just to get you on their books. Then offer you MAYBE 1 day here and 1 day there. That was no good to me back then. Bills to pay. Then there’s the old one where they keep telling you. Oh they need people with experience and have had their licence either 1 or 2 years. Demoralizing, I know.
So I put off the search for a new career. For the time being anyway.
Anyway, last year in October, I decided the factory job was enough. I threw a months sick note in, and after 2 weeks I drove to around 10 agencies. No points on my licence. Class 1. Had it for over 2 years. But no experience yet.
Straight away, I was offered work, multi drop carpets starting on class 2 to get some driving hours behind me. Paid the same rate as class 1. £12.75 An hour. I did this until Xmas shutdown. Then after Xmas this work dried up.
So after Xmas I drove to another few agencies and told them I only want class 1 work. Within a couple of days the phone calls started. I am now getting agency work every day, and weekends. So now I have experience in class 1. I still spent a lot of time applying for jobs, through CV library, and was offered an assessment and interview with Wincanton, Heinz factory in Wigan. 5 hours long. I got offered the job and start the 5th February as class 1 driver.
My point here is, you have to do a lot of leg work, driving around, and online applications. Believe me at first makes you feel a bit demoralised but just keep applying.
Now in the last few weeks, believe me it is daunting showing up at new places and being given a set of keys and some paperwork and being told this is what you’re doing today. I don’t think some people realise that you are a new driver. I never like to show that this is all relatively new to me. At first you do worry are you going to get it right and not ■■■■ things up.
My advice is definitely speak to other drivers. Most are very helpful and friendly and have great advice. I’ve met some top blokes on my limited travels. My reversing isn’t the best in tight spaces but is definitely improving. This is the one thing on my mind constantly when on my way to drop off a load.
So for all you newbies, get a cv on cv library because apparently a lot of calls I get, do actually say they found my cv on this site. Make sure you get to a few agencies, I spent a week driving to a lot in my surrounding areas. Accept class 2 for the driving hours. Don’t give up.
Good luck guys. There is work, but like I said, I started at the bottom and now the only way is up.
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