Thing is your not really inexperienced if your a bus driver already, at least you are used to driving big vehicles…
Some supermarkets will give you a shot if you have the right attitude.
Don’t know your area at all so can’t help there.
If i were you I’d stick on you current job, sign up with 1 or 2 agency’s but be very clear of your availability & don’t listen to the sob stories that they will throw at you just to get you to cover a shift.
The reality if you work full-time 5 days a week then it means you can only do a shift every other week. If that’s a Sat or Sunday you will get something but it might take a few months. Just be patient.
MeatCannon:
The fact that there was supposed to be a shortage of drivers.
The so called “shortage” was a shortage of drivers that happily work for wages, only sufficient to provide for a family, if the family lives in a former communist eastern european country.
You passed at the start of the month and are surprised that you’ve not been offered anything?
Most companies, especially any worth actually working for, will have a recruitment process that takes the best part of a month between posting an advert and actually employing someone.
By the time they’ve filtered through applications, done interviews, possibly driving assessments (even more likely if taking on newbies), and in some cases even a medical.
Keep applying and something will come up, but be patient and realistic. This isn’t the best time of year to be looking, and preference will likely be given to those with more experience, but just keep at it, and in the mean time try and get some agency work under your belt. It will get you experience, but could also see you get a foot in the door somewhere
My pennys worth. Im not an employer but if I was and wanted experience i would of thought that i would be looking for someone that has a driving record that shows me they can manouver a large vehicle with goods on board with out causing mayhem or damaging to the vehicle or load. you have that if you have driven buses for 11 years. Your load is one of the worst it can talk back and complain if you make the slightest mistake. Admitedly buses dont tend to bend. Have you pointed this out to them?
Have you tried going for class 2 work i know you have a shiny new licence that you have probably paid good money for but it is a step in the door and i have known companies taken on new pass class 2 but not class 1. Once in the door let it be known that you have a class 1 licence and there will come a time where they are short a driver and you can step in maybe.
Have you tried applying for a shunting job. Even if you dont pull them on the road you will get massive amounts of reversing practice and to my mind the first and last bit of the journey is the hardest as you are manouveruung in tight spaces in the yard or around the town to get to the yard/rdc/drop.
Being negative here, the government didn’t lie, there was a lot of fuss in the press and it became a story, that’s what the press do. Hours were changed because of covid circumstances. Never blame others for your own mistakes.
Being more positive , you could try smaller companies. Depending on the work they do they could well need night men and they can be more relaxed about the experience side if the boss is a bit more boots on the ground and been a driver himself.
Why do you think the UK Government sold you a lie,like you have said your to specific on what you want to do
Unfortunately “newbies” more often than not have to start at the bottom and take what ever comes along,no good trying to dictate what conditions etc etc you want to work,it don`t work like that for “newbies” in transport
Agency looks to be your best option either that stay where you are.
msgyorkie:
As I have said in the past…so called driver shortage with so called big paydays have attracted people who do not understand the nature of haulage and the many stupid rules and hoops to jump through. Blinded by the promise of big money
Should stay on the buses mate this job is garbage anyway
the job i have now pays more than 99% of any truck driving jobs, and i only do 37 hours.
MeatCannon:
Hi all. Newbie to the forums here. So it seems i was sold a lie by the UK government. I went in for my class 1 hoping for a change in jobs but all the jobs i have been applying for aren’t interested unless I have experience. But how do you get experience if nobody will take you on. I am quite specific in what I need so maybe that is the issue? I want to start at tea time(ish) but I don’t want tramping. I think most work for me would be trunking? Anyway if anybody knows of any companies in West Yorkshire that take on new passes for an evening shift then please could you point me in the right direction. I have held a bus license for 11 years but i don’t think that will count for anything will it? Thanks in advance.
Conor:
I get a text on a Monday or a Tuesday asking me for my availability the following week and I get work to suit. I do 3 or 4 days a week, one guy does Mon-Wed, one does Thurs and Fri, one does Fri only but will do the odd extra here and there from time to time.
Sounds very much like the Agency I drive for, Your not on the Docks too by any chance?
I don’t want tramping. I think most work for me would be trunking? Anyway if anybody knows of any companies in West Yorkshire that take on new passes for an evening shift
Don’t tell me, you also want to be finished by 10pm so you can be read the kids bedtime stories
You are not in a position to dictate where you will work and conditions, such as working hours, as a new driver going full time. You take what you can get. Best bet is to do agency work here and there where your rota allows, build up your experience, and then after a couple years, you can jump ship with that experience and go full time on a contract that suits you, as you will have experience and be more employable.
MeatCannon:
Hi all. Newbie to the forums here. So it seems i was sold a lie by the UK government. I went in for my class 1 hoping for a change in jobs but all the jobs i have been applying for aren’t interested unless I have experience. But how do you get experience if nobody will take you on. I am quite specific in what I need so maybe that is the issue? I want to start at tea time(ish) but I don’t want tramping. I think most work for me would be trunking? Anyway if anybody knows of any companies in West Yorkshire that take on new passes for an evening shift then please could you point me in the right direction. I have held a bus license for 11 years but i don’t think that will count for anything will it? Thanks in advance.
Hi all. Just an update. DHL contacted me today to go for an interview. Fingers crossed. Thanks for all the advice given it has all been taken on board.
lolipop:
Why do you think the UK Government sold you a lie,like you have said your to specific on what you want to do
Unfortunately “newbies” more often than not have to start at the bottom and take what ever comes along,no good trying to dictate what conditions etc etc you want to work,it don`t work like that for “newbies” in transport
Agency looks to be your best option either that stay where you are.
That scam only works so long as the mugs go along with it.Generally if you take the crap you’ll stay on it.
I don’t want tramping. I think most work for me would be trunking? Anyway if anybody knows of any companies in West Yorkshire that take on new passes for an evening shift
Don’t tell me, you also want to be finished by 10pm so you can be read the kids bedtime stories
When I worked for dx/ night freight , we started 17.30 & were done by 23/23.30, Grantham - Heywood distribution , Grantham - Gloucester ( downtowns yard ) , Grantham - Basildon, all tri changes
So the job the lad wants is out there , though depends if he will have a 15 min break dropping tri , 30 min whilst picking it up !! , & if he’s one of those for doing the speed limits would of probably been midnight when he got back !!
msgyorkie:
As I have said in the past…so called driver shortage with so called big paydays have attracted people who do not understand the nature of haulage and the many stupid rules and hoops to jump through. Blinded by the promise of big money
Should stay on the buses mate this job is garbage anyway
the job i have now pays more than 99% of any truck driving jobs, and i only do 37 hours.
So why would you want to drive a HGV?
It’s something i’ve always fancied doing. I love driving. To me happiness is more valuable than money.
