I’m 23 and have held a c + e for 2 years, c for just over 2, c1 + e for 4 and a c1 for 5
I don’t see many that much younger than me but it’s always nice when I do.
I’m 27, been doing this over 5 years now. It’s still a rarity to meet someone my sort of age or younger.
It doesn’t bother me, age is just a number, but the younger guys tend to be more upbeat and positive. I just don’t want to be around people who moan about everything, or don’t know how to smile. Life is too short.
Still getting talked to like an idiot everywhere I go, particularly now i’m doing agency work, but i’ve long got used to that. It keeps expectations low, so it’s very easy to make yourself appear good 
You can’t tell a lorry driver anything, especially an old one, so I don’t bother to correct them when people talk to me like I don’t know one end of a lorry from the other. Let the driving speak for itself.
Class 1 simply sounds better than SEA-PLUSSEE 
, so I don’t think it will ever go out of fashion, even if it is technically meaningless.
thelorryist:
I have a lot of respect for the “old boys” and listen to tips they pass on. Enjoy the tall tales of the “good times”
You’ll get over that. The more I meet, the less time I have for them. Most of the tall tales are just that.
I’m genuinely grateful for all the people of experience who have helped me over the years, there have been quite a few and helped me out a lot, but it’s a minority, i’ve met far more negative, stubborn or rude drivers, who insist on giving out their own brand of bad advice or moaning endlessly about how bad everything is.
It’s a shame in life that the bad ones tend to stick in the memory longer than the good.
I work very hard NOT to be like that.
Would like to see more young guys get into this, it would be nice to feel that just sometimes you aren’t battling on your own.
Muckaway:
A nice 19 year old lass has got my Foden. A top banger racer for those into that sport (Stacey her name is). Caught her reading “Fifty Shades…” the other day and she’s single
Is she hot? Guess i’ll have to be hanging around Standlake a bit more.
I think the profile on Trucknet must be fairly young with it being ‘all that modern internet thing’ as I don’t see anything like the numbers of youthful artic driver this thread would suggest there are.
26 on Monday, been driving trucks for about 5 years 
…
SwedishSteel:
26 on Monday, been driving trucks for about 5 years
And still gets stuck in fields lol( i have the picture to prove lol)
the big un:
We have a 19 year old lad on our firm and he has the cleanest artic and trailer on the company.In all honesty he is a cracking driver too
When did the age limit drop from 21 ?
In most states here the limit is 21 and over but some states have exceptions, I sometimes have a delivery at a dairy in Lima PA and chat with a kid who is 18, he drives a KW and pulls a 45 ft milk tanker, he is permitted to drive CDL A but cannot cross a state line… As PA is probably bigger than thr British mainland he can still get about.
del949:
Most RDC driver’s waiting areas still look more like the TV room in an old folk’s home.
OUCH!!!
And the YOUNG ones will be THERE ONE DAY TOO! 
It’ll never happen to me! 
Whoever said “young ones do more” or to that effect; Is that work harder or fly about everywhere?
Wild Goose; Yeah she’s quite nice. Doesn’t look like a butch lezza or Jeremy Kyle guest.
I’m 27 and been driving for 4 years now 2 years on wagon and drag 6 months on plant for the last year I’ve been tramping on general haulage!
I am here: maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.312290,-3.464813
Pat Hasler:
the big un:
We have a 19 year old lad on our firm and he has the cleanest artic and trailer on the company.In all honesty he is a cracking driver tooWhen did the age limit drop from 21 ?
In most states here the limit is 21 and over but some states have exceptions, I sometimes have a delivery at a dairy in Lima PA and chat with a kid who is 18, he drives a KW and pulls a 45 ft milk tanker, he is permitted to drive CDL A but cannot cross a state line… As PA is probably bigger than thr British mainland he can still get about.
Pat it dropped to 18 couple years back keep up old man
I’m 26 and have had my own wagon since November last year.
Started at 21 doing nights leading Birds Eye peas from field to factory in Hull. Was on nights on a 6 wheeler and it was a right cushy job. Everything planned to the minute from when the peas were tipped into the tank to what time you should arrive at the factory. We usually got about 60mins to do a 45 min run with the longest drive from field to factory being about 72mins.
From there it was the step up to an 8 wheeler on quarry work, another cushy job! Started by covering holidays and absolutely loved driving a variety of wagons, including the brand new scania I got when the driver called in sick the morning it was delivered! That job became permanent and as the wagons were based close to the quarry (about 45mins from home) the boss gave us all a banger each to travel to work in and we were paid from leaving home to getting home! Passed my Class 1 in the December but didn’t make the step up till the following July.
My first job on artic was a bit of luck really as I didn’t have the problem a lot of young people with no experience have, it was for a mate of my dads on a bulk tipper. Got a freshly sprayed and sign written 06plate XF, absolutely loved it! I quickly went from local runs to all over the country and out all week! Doing the farms and the tight country lanes that go with it was the best learning curve for me and I believe if you can do that job ok you will be fine with pretty much any artic job.
For those of you still awake this is my last paragraph (I think)!! Took the plunge and went on my own last November at the age of 25. Exactly the same job as I was doing as an employed driver but now with the added stress that goes with running your own! I’m happy to say so far so good with this venture, now is by busiest time with the harvest so I’ve survived the quietest time on bulk! Anyone who says there is no money to be made as an owner driver is either lying or isn’t trying hard enough in my opinion. Fair enough it won’t make me a millionaire but it will always make a living. Spry for this being an essay I just got carried away with how I got into driving!
Matt
xfmatt:
I’m 26 and have had my own wagon since November last year.Started at 21 doing nights leading Birds Eye peas from field to factory in Hull. Was on nights on a 6 wheeler and it was a right cushy job. Everything planned to the minute from when the peas were tipped into the tank to what time you should arrive at the factory. We usually got about 60mins to do a 45 min run with the longest drive from field to factory being about 72mins.
From there it was the step up to an 8 wheeler on quarry work, another cushy job! Started by covering holidays and absolutely loved driving a variety of wagons, including the brand new scania I got when the driver called in sick the morning it was delivered! That job became permanent and as the wagons were based close to the quarry (about 45mins from home) the boss gave us all a banger each to travel to work in and we were paid from leaving home to getting home! Passed my Class 1 in the December but didn’t make the step up till the following July.
My first job on artic was a bit of luck really as I didn’t have the problem a lot of young people with no experience have, it was for a mate of my dads on a bulk tipper. Got a freshly sprayed and sign written 06plate XF, absolutely loved it! I quickly went from local runs to all over the country and out all week! Doing the farms and the tight country lanes that go with it was the best learning curve for me and I believe if you can do that job ok you will be fine with pretty much any artic job.
For those of you still awake this is my last paragraph (I think)!! Took the plunge and went on my own last November at the age of 25. Exactly the same job as I was doing as an employed driver but now with the added stress that goes with running your own! I’m happy to say so far so good with this venture, now is by busiest time with the harvest so I’ve survived the quietest time on bulk! Anyone who says there is no money to be made as an owner driver is either lying or isn’t trying hard enough in my opinion. Fair enough it won’t make me a millionaire but it will always make a living. Spry for this being an essay I just got carried away with how I got into driving!
Matt
Good on you! I would love to become an owner driver eventually, I have most things in place (parking, Cpc ect.) I’m just lacking the funds, and with a newborn now here, family is taking priority. It’s still on the cards though!
If you have any words of advice I would love to hear them matt.
Francis
I’m 27 been doing drivin jobs 4 10 year now, artics since I was 21 (and a bit)… Used 2 luv bin the youngest in a company, but I know 1 or 2 lads younger than me now… Problem is every year I keep gettin older… Not a good look! Lol
del949:
Most RDC driver’s waiting areas still look more like the TV room in an old folk’s home.
OUCH!!!
i reckon that’s right , it’s why i chucked the tramping job in and i realised i was one of the old folks . good luck to the young uns , we all had to start somewhere and everyone deserves the chance
the big un:
lankyphil:
I’m 25, been driving for just over a year now.the big un:
in fact i think we have some new starters in the next couple of weeks who are quite young newly passed drivers.My boss likes new pass drivers as he can train them his way as they usually dont come with the attitude of us old boysWe’ve got some apprentices just been sent back to the training centre, apparently they’re treating the wagons like boy racer cars etc, deemed not yet suitable by their mentors…
Our drivers come in one at a time and spent time with there trainer but they are straight into there own wagon and play follow the leader.The trainer will have a say in wether they are suitable to run on there own.
We do exactly the same, some of us ‘oldtimers’ suggested it to the boss and he went with it.
Our ‘younger drivers’ are a credit to the firm and I’m proud to have them as colleagues.
BTW I’ve only got nineteen years in.
Most of the guys at my age and exprience have never done roping and sheeting on a regular basis and have only been to Europe on their holidays.
You’ll know who they are though, they are the ones with all the BS at your nearest RDC…
W
I’m 25 had my class 1 for 3 years, not seen another girl my age except for the lass who crashed a few months ago. Getting insurance is a nightmare.
Hoping I’ll be a lorry driver this time next year if all things permitted and booking my theory test on the 1st of September so I’ll be 1/4 of the way there… I’ll hopefully be passed my test before christmas though. Hoping to be driving lorries before I turn 20 next year, hoping even more to be working where my Dad works. But only time will tell 
Cheers
Jonny
28 next month been driving lorries 2 years on class 2. In full-time employment 8-5 job I enjoy it even although money isn’t great. Would take class 1 but don’t want to be out of work for 18 months like I was when I got my class 2 because no one gives you a chance
We have a handful of young drivers at work, a couple of new guys started this week both under 30 and have a 22 year old who is a decent worker. I’m only 35 been driving for 6 years so not exactly old myself.
The job needs young drivers and my TM gives newbies a chance, which is great as it’s hard to get a start.