I’m a newly qualified HGV (class 1) it’s been about a 2 month since I’ve passed, wasn’t expecting it to be easy getting on the job market but hitting brick walls left right and centre, I’m in the Surrey Guildford/Woking. Any help and advice would be really really appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Poundland take on new drivers if theres a depot near you.
But saying that with recent news probably be job losses but worth a try even to just get bit experience
Thanks for your reply edd, I will take a look.
Best Regards.
Don’t give up, apply for everything and anything…and you will succeed.
ANYTHING, just to get a bit of experience.
How old are you?
If you are already in full time work, try getting on agency at weekends to get a few miles under your belt. Be careful of being legal with rest periods of course.
I am surprised if there are no jobs at all in your area. Even if adverts say “Experience Required” ask anyway.
@grumpy_old_man says “take anything” and that makes sense. Do not put yourself “above” driving a rigid. It is all experience that will be a step nearer your ideal job.
Getting a foot in the door is difficult, but keep at it. Good luck.
In me mid 40s I’ll bear that in mind thanks for your advice.
I with a few agencies at the moment, but a lot of the companies they deal with still require the experience which is what the agencies tell me.
Of course I won’t give up but it’s a right battle.
Took me a year ,applied for loads mate . It will happen just be patient
Used to be a firm on Dunston airfield did 2 man white glove (furniture) deliveries. Might be a way in. Sorry can’t remember the name but was next door to Top Gear studio.
Thank you, I will keep going. All the best.
Sound like patients is the key. Glad to hear you got somewhere.
As an afterthought I would say forget the Class 1, that will come later by natural progression. You’ve got your ticket, drive anything with a tacho, and then you can saay “I’ve got experience”
Most of us older fellas started on the bottom rung of the ladder and then gradually worked our way up.
Me ?? a 4 wheel Commer tipper, then one day an 8 wheel Atki tipper (regular driver rang in sick) old Fred Chappell said “get yerself off with that Brian”…“I’ve never driven anything like that Fred”…“Well now’s your chance to learn, get yerself off with it”. A few months after that and Brian was driving Class 1.
Don’t try to run before you can walk
As above try get job doing class 2 at somewhere that has class 1 trucks as well.
Make it known you have class one and are willing to step up as cover or holidays.
Is easier to get class 2 work with no experience
Great advice Brian, Looks like I’ll have to learn how to walk again.
Find a s hitty agency, one that takes on new passes. Be prepared for crap work for a bit but its all experience. Then move onwards and upwards. Also just lie about experience aswell. If you’re any good you’ll be fine
Thanks, might have to do a little fibbing here and there. Quite a good very observant competent safe, quick to learn individual, so I would be ok, but I understand more experience and learning means becoming better than my newly qualified self. Cheers for advice.
Beware telling fibs.
All of your driving experience (or lack of it) is recorded on your tacho card. Some/many/most companies will download that before giving you a test drive to ensures you are legal to drive their vehicle.
Maybe “blagging it” used to work, but now? You may be seen as unreliable before you even turn a wheel.
As a newbie a decent company will give a bit of lee-way to you. Tell them you are experienced you won’t get so much when you mess up or need advice.
I would say be honest. Others may disagree.
Thanks for your advice, definitely taken on.
how about hiring a 7.5t with a tacho?
That’s a super idea, is that aloud. Will I still even need the experience to hire? Would it be a question? That the hirer would ask?