Hi
I am new on here so i thought I would introduce myself. I am from County Durham in the Northeast.
I have always liked the idea of driving something bigger than my car. I have drove around the country in my current role. My cousin drives HGV’s for a living and has always said that I should go for my licences if it is something that I want to do.
So this year that is what I am going to do.
Looking at this forum, has already give me some good advice and I hope that it won’t be too much asking questions in the future
Hi and welcome!
My advice is to read this
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=44667
And there’s number of training diaries to read!
What ever bothers you just shout out!
Good luck!
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Any questions - fire away.
All the best, Pete 
vtsadam:
Hi
I am new on here so i thought I would introduce myself. I am from County Durham in the Northeast.
I have always liked the idea of driving something bigger than my car. I have drove around the country in my current role. My cousin drives HGV’s for a living and has always said that I should go for my licences if it is something that I want to do.
So this year that is what I am going to do.
Looking at this forum, has already give me some good advice and I hope that it won’t be too much asking questions in the future
But what do you no about the job? working maybe 84 hours a week for NMW your cousin may be lucky and have a good job you might not. You don’t say what you do now but compare the hours, wage and conditions before paying for your license.
You are just down the road from me if you really want it then no reason why not but do have a good look round & see what the job entails there are some company in your area not sure if they take newbies on or not
Depends who your cousin works for as well
It wont be easy as a newbie not sure of your age but that may go in your favour
Have a look at the training companies around go & speak with them see which 1 you like before parting with any money as it not cheap & may take a while to recoup what you have spent depends on age & when you passed your car test as depends if you have grandfather right or need the initial cpc
If you have a good look round this site it can give you most of the info
I am currently a Retail Merchandiser which is only paid at NMW and means that I go away very early on a Monday (normally about 3am) and don’t get home until very late of a Friday night, I may only work 40 paid hours a week but they is loads of hours of submitting paperwork which generally happens in my own time. Plus having to spend ages booking accommodation and ensuring that other member of staff know when I will be picking them up.
I was thinking of this because I would be able to at least be able to be at home on a evening ( I know they may be times i have to stay away), but I think be at home spending time with my daughter earning what could be a better wage than I am now is better than not seeing my daughter all week.
I know that they will always be negitive comments, but the reason I signed up to this forum is to get advice.
I will have to do my cpc, as I past my test in 2003, and I have 3 years experience of driving around the country ( yes this is in my car). But I bet it more experience than some people who have trained to drive a class 2 and over.
vtsadam:
I am currently a Retail Merchandiser which is only paid at NMW and means that I go away very early on a Monday (normally about 3am) and don’t get home until very late of a Friday night, I may only work 40 paid hours a week but they is loads of hours of submitting paperwork which generally happens in my own time. Plus having to spend ages booking accommodation and ensuring that other member of staff know when I will be picking them up.I was thinking of this because I would be able to at least be able to be at home on a evening ( I know they may be times i have to stay away), but I think be at home spending time with my daughter earning what could be a better wage than I am now is better than not seeing my daughter all week.
I know that they will always be negitive comments, but the reason I signed up to this forum is to get advice.
I will have to do my cpc, as I past my test in 2003, and I have 3 years experience of driving around the country ( yes this is in my car). But I bet it more experience than some people who have trained to drive a class 2 and over.
Hi vtsadam, 
Having read your post, it’s no wonder that you’re looking to change your job. 
I’d say that almost any LGV driving job would see you at home a bit more often that you are at present.
I’d also say that you’ll likely be a bit better paid.
It’s also likely that you won’t have to do anywhere near the amount of organising and admin that you do at present.
There are a couple of downsides to being a newly qualified LGV driver, but I think these are outweighed by what you’ve already written on here.
Good luck, and please don’t forget to ask if you think there’s any info you might need. 
All the best marra, im from the northeast. I start my C training a week on monday with a test on friday in Darlington. Ive got no experience of driving, had a little go of a C lorry last year but other then that im trying ■■■■ hard to get through this and prove my doubters wrong. This message board has been a great help to me. Regards