I just passed my cat C+E and am so relieved. It is part of a grand career change plan, so the wheels are still on…so to speak.
I was taught by Clive at J Coates (St Albans) - fantastic guy, calm, friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. They used some rather beaten old Mercedes trucks well overdue a service and with stiff slap-over gearboxes, but I’m not complaining as it got the job done. Another advantage of J Coates is that they put driving training courses towards CPC, leaving me with only 7 hours to fill before September.
It has been a fun week messing around in a big truck, very different to my Class 2 experience (with a different instructor) which was not fun at all. Nevertheless, in both instances I got through and passed Class 2 and Class 1 first time. Good job J Coates.
Next step is to jack in my office job and go hunting for driving work. Oh boy…
It is easy to locate small to large transport firms in your area.
Just do a search on the DVSA or VOSA website under decisions and applications pages.
Try local farmers/builders merchants/cement mixers/milk tankers and parcel pallet firms.
I just passed my cat C+E and am so relieved. It is part of a grand career change plan, so the wheels are still on…so to speak.
I was taught by Clive at J Coates (St Albans) - fantastic guy, calm, friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. They used some rather beaten old Mercedes trucks well overdue a service and with stiff slap-over gearboxes, but I’m not complaining as it got the job done. Another advantage of J Coates is that they put driving training courses towards CPC, leaving me with only 7 hours to fill before September.
It has been a fun week messing around in a big truck, very different to my Class 2 experience (with a different instructor) which was not fun at all. Nevertheless, in both instances I got through and passed Class 2 and Class 1 first time. Good job J Coates.
Next step is to jack in my office job and go hunting for driving work. Oh boy…
Congrats ORC.
I’m doing my CPC with Coates at St.Albans,only got one more module to do,thankfully
ORC:
Next step is to jack in my office job and go hunting for driving work. Oh boy…
NOOOO don’t jump ship that quick … ease yourself in with weekend agency or local firm doing sat loads for them till you have something a bit more perm…
If you work mon to fri in a perm job then try 1 day every other weekend on the driving unless you are very lucky to get a full time perm contact on the driving
Congratulations, well done. Feels great doesn’t it!?
I would echo those sentiments, there’s so much to remember out on the road, its exhuasting going from an office job to twelve hour days , fun, yes! But so tiring. If you can ease into it it just gives you chance to take it all in and find your feet befire putting youtself under too much pressure
A Mon-Fri office job counts as “other work” as I understand it, so I don’t see how I can fit in the 45 hour weekly rest doing weekend driving. I also imagine it might be tough finding anyone to take on such an infrequent driver.
I’m going to have to quit the job first as I’m on 3 months’ notice, and no-one is going to hang around that long for me. With Christmas coming up I’m hoping for a break in the inexperience trap, and the CPC deadline might create driver shortages and some desperation amongst trucking firms as some drivers hang up their keys.
I plan on avoiding multi-drop work if I can, I’m just too old for that. My ideal is tramping if I can get it, or trunking if necessary. A combination of internet applications and door knocking is what I expect to be doing.
I still have lots of questions - what to wear for door knocking and for interviews/assessments, do I need to get myself some safety boots, what to put on a CV given that none of my career is directly relevant etc.
All advice gratefully received, and thanks for all your help so far - much appreciated.
Congrats on the pass as others have said carefull before you jump ship.
One thing to think about before changing jobs your bodyclock wont take too kindly to be messed about its probably used to a set alarm call every morning then you decide to get up at all hours then do a more manual job than an office job.
All jobs are stressful and office jobs are in a different way (had to put that or have The Missus after me lol).
Your bodyclock will get its own back its a shock to the system 5 days 5 diff start times end if the first 5 days you wont know which way is up.
Hard to say, depends on your area. I work in an office three days a week and I try to drive for two, doesn’t always work as I am not guaranteed two days driving, just if I’m needed. I could probably get more now that I’ve a few miles under my belt but I’m happy to take it slow as it’s a massive learning curve.
Smart casual with work boots to hand in case you are offered a test drive. Some will say suit etc but having been a TM years ago myself it never made any odds to me, provided the applicant was clean and tidy(ish) it was more about attitude.
It is other work but you could legally do every other Sat now.
I’m not great on stamina but I was shocked at just how much more energy I needed to start with, and mostly of course because it was all new to me so takes longer, more effort. I constantly double check stuff which again takes longer but until my confidence is at a level where I can, if not keep up with the rest, I can at least feel like I’m getting it right first time then I can’t really consider full time.
If you’re sure it’s what you want, get the ball rolling but do use the time in between to get any practice or early experience in. best of luck with it, it is great fun
I’m thinking about sounding out a few agencies to see if they could provide me with work on a limited number of days in the week and see if I can negotiate my hours back on a part-time basis to two or three days a week. Even driving two or three days a week still counts as “experience”, right? And after two years I am then out of the trap regardless of whether I drive full-time or part-time.
Any recommendations on suitable driver agencies around the Bucks/Herts/Milton Keynes area?
Personally I wouldn’t bother with agencies, just drop your cv round to as many transport offices as possible with a note on saying when you’re available (ie, every other Sat/Sun) etc.
I’ve noticed an upsurge in demand of late, people are busy and with so many off on their summer hols cover is needed!
RPL MK (01908 318383) will take in Newbies & part time (I think) (personally I would never work for them) money is rubbish & the hours are long, but it will get you some experience.
Thanks. I’ve spoken to Driver Hire already but they’re a bit sniffy about lack of experience and want me to do Class 2 for a while. However, I’m talking to another couple of agencies who were making positive noises on Class 1 - I’m waiting to hear back from them both. I might give RPL a ring if the agencies let me down.
ORC:
Thanks. I’ve spoken to Driver Hire already but they’re a bit sniffy about lack of experience and want me to do Class 2 for a while. However, I’m talking to another couple of agencies who were making positive noises on Class 1 - I’m waiting to hear back from them both. I might give RPL a ring if the agencies let me down.
Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
WH Barley, 01908 227222, Wolverton, MK, are always looking for drivers, class 1 & 2, but they need experience, I do the class 1 assessments & I had to refuse one last week, had no confidence whatsoever, he hadn’t driven an Artic since passing his test last November in Romania.
I’ve noticed a few drivers, especially newly qualified, tend to keep their foot on the throttle, when approaching roundabouts, junctions & bends, then brake at the last minute trying to impress the assessor with their ‘inexperience’.
Just a bit of friendly advice-Lift off well before the hazard, use the engine brake & gears, the wagon will still keep rolling & you can be planing you route through it without having to stop most of the time. (Free advice, brought to you from Viking Industries, Training Division)
I would be willing to train potential drivers, if they paid me right & gave me the time to teach them, most newbies could pick it up in a few days. I reckon 5 days max’ Baby Sitting would see you doing most of our work with all the load securing, reversing, route planning, Taco & WTD Hours, safe & efficient driving etc.
I see your local so I’d be interested to hear how you get on with the other agencies.
your further advanced than me though as ive yet to start the class C training but have my theory test on Friday so can hopefully then get something booked.
Good luck with all the tests and training honk, it is a lot to go through but once you emerge as a Class 1 (or 2) driver at the end then they can’t take it away from you.
One agency has managed to secure an assessment for me, the other I’ve not heard from at all. I’ll see how the assessment goes and take stock after that.
On Monday I did my last CPC module so that is my 35 hours all in. I assume I just wait and I’ll get my DQC through the post in a week or two…
[EDIT - Now Thursday and DQC arrived today, only 3 days after finishing 35 hours]
Meantime, last Friday I went for my driver assessment at a logistics company about 15 miles from home. My assessor was a great guy, very friendly, kind, considerate and patient. The written tests (road signs, driver hours, H&S etc) went well, the open road drive was good and I avoided hitting any kerbs, people etc. The depot was a bit tight and busy, and I was rubbish at reversing as I’ve never done anything except the carefully scripted and rehearsed ‘S’ reverse for the driving test.
No matter, today the agency called me and said I’ve got the job…I start in a week or two.
Only a temporary position, but part-time to fit in nicely with my other work commitments, a large national company so safety in numbers I reckon, promise of support and training in the early weeks until I get the hang of it, and a decent fleet of new Volvos which put my training Mercedes Axor to shame.
I don’t see how it could have turned out much better for me really. There’s definite signs of driver shortages which have helped, of course, so the time is right for newbies entering the industry at the moment. The two year experience trap looks to have disappeared for now, so good luck to you all, and keep the faith…there’s opportunities out there to be had.
Hi ORC
Although you live in a different area to me your posts have relieved me from some stress…I just starting the process and going for first medical next week so way to go yet but am too wanting to give up my per office job because i hate it now. I live in Leicester so anyone else who is fairly new to the industry with any advice welcome.
btw ORC - good luck with the new job and congrats
It is part of a grand career change plan, so the wheels are still on…so to speak.
