After clocking up 60-70k miles per year on the motorways in an estate car for 20yrs as a sales rep (I know, I know! ), I have taken steps to a new career in lorry driving, something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid!
Heres where I am at.
-I have completed my 35 hrs CPC so have my DQC card.
-I have my digi card. I already had C1 on my license (grandfather rights)
-Ive done my medical and have just sent off my license to DVLA for my provisional.
I’ve been offered 7.5t work for a local company (through a friend of a friend!) and I can start next week!
Crap pay but I figured it gets my foot in the door with a local haulage company (not an agency & not multidrop!), It’ll give me good tacho / driving hours experience before i move onto the bigger stuff later this year.
I have been recommended a good local company (Northants) to get my Class 2 training done… I plan to do this once I have been out in the 7.5 a few months ( Am i allowed to mention 7.5 on this site?! )
Sounds like a plan Jamie
The 7.5 ton experience will put you in good stead for moving up to the Class C
And remember 7.5 - Class 2 - Class 1 - MIRRORS ! MIRRORS ! MIRRORS !
Clunk:
Many people have started out on 7.5 ton, so I can’t imagine there being an issue with mentioning it.
Thanks Clunk, I guessed it would be ok, its just that after a few visits to this forum I never see anyone mention 7.5t and thought maybe they wernt considered as ‘trucks’ ! Dont get me wrong I want to move onto class 2 asap!
7.5 ton is the best stepping stone to lorry driving and that’s been the case for the last 40+ years, not only the obvious handling and size but more importantly you’ll find out if the life suits you before spending out all that dosh.
7.5t is still enough to get you into trouble. Believe you me. (First day, first driving job. Multi-drop around Birmingham for Nightfright. Mary mother of god…)
As for your plan, sounds good as. Fact it’s not multidrop sounds good, as nearly all 7.5t-Class 2 work is multidrop (2 or more. Though I consider 3+ to be multi, and 1-2 just regular. 0 is hometime)
I start tomorrow, leaving the depot at 6am in a 7.5t to following another driver with a single drop to Nottingham. Will be a bit daunting as I havnt driven anything bigger than a Transit for 6-7 years! Not even sure whether its auto or manual ! Oh well I like a challenge!
