Personal appearance while driving a truck

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
81

I make an effort to look/smell clean and tidy. I’ve been doing agency work for the past 9 months and the biggest drawback for me, is never feeling clean.

Take a wet wipe to the steering wheel of any fleet motor, and it’ll come off black. It’s enough to make you gag.

I cannot get my head around anyone who would do a trailer change/open curtains etc, without wearing gloves, and then get back in and smear their dirty hands all over the steering wheel and controls. I am admittedly a bit OCD with things like that, but drivers, for the most part, seem to be quite happy being dirty and stinking. From my time in the forces, I’ve seen that it was perfectly possible to live a hygienic existence even in the most horrendous of conditions (muddy hole in the ground etc) it’s simply about personal discipline. So yes, I think you can judge people based on the way they smell/dress, as if they cannot be bothered with looking after themselves, what else can they not be bothered with?

Having been predominantly a night driver, I think you see the worst of it. The people without the social skills to operate effectively during the day, and the hygiene to match. The long suffering wives of these people clearly do not want them at home, and who can blame them?

A guy above mentioned being suspicious of anyone who appears too clean, and that just about says it all. Being in a warm room full of drivers for more than a few minutes makes me want to gag.

I remember from my days tramping, that I would sooner crap in a plastic bag lined adblue container under a trailer than use any toilet facilities that have been frequented by lorry drivers, as they are just so disgusting that you feel like you need to be sterilised afterwards just to feel clean again. Same goes for showers, sooner a cold solar shower, stood between the unit and trailer, than get to learn of what the last driver did inside the showers at the motorway services. You come out feeling worse than when you went in.

You could simply not pay me enough money to tolerate double manning with anyone in this job.

For anyone who is slightly miffed about the reputation of truck drivers (Okay, so most of you old and bold types don’t care, but some of us face the next 40 years of doing this). I feel that the way we present ourselves is 90% responsible for it. Anyone who ever stands behind you in a petrol station queue, will know what you do, and base their judgement on the fact they are uncomfortable standing next to you. Then they will tell their friends.

82

WildGoose:
I make an effort to look/smell clean and tidy. I’ve been doing agency work for the past 9 months and the biggest drawback for me, is never feeling clean.

Take a wet wipe to the steering wheel of any fleet motor, and it’ll come off black. It’s enough to make you gag.

I cannot get my head around anyone who would do a trailer change/open curtains etc, without wearing gloves, and then get back in and smear their dirty hands all over the steering wheel and controls. I am admittedly a bit OCD with things like that, but drivers, for the most part, seem to be quite happy being dirty and stinking. From my time in the forces, I’ve seen that it was perfectly possible to live a hygienic existence even in the most horrendous of conditions (muddy hole in the ground etc) it’s simply about personal discipline. So yes, I think you can judge people based on the way they smell/dress, as if they cannot be bothered with looking after themselves, what else can they not be bothered with?

Having been predominantly a night driver, I think you see the worst of it. The people without the social skills to operate effectively during the day, and the hygiene to match. The long suffering wives of these people clearly do not want them at home, and who can blame them?

A guy above mentioned being suspicious of anyone who appears too clean, and that just about says it all. Being in a warm room full of drivers for more than a few minutes makes me want to gag.

I remember from my days tramping, that I would sooner crap in a plastic bag lined adblue container under a trailer than use any toilet facilities that have been frequented by lorry drivers, as they are just so disgusting that you feel like you need to be sterilised afterwards just to feel clean again. Same goes for showers, sooner a cold solar shower, stood between the unit and trailer, than get to learn of what the last driver did inside the showers at the motorway services. You come out feeling worse than when you went in.

You could simply not pay me enough money to tolerate double manning with anyone in this job.

For anyone who is slightly miffed about the reputation of truck drivers (Okay, so most of you old and bold types don’t care, but some of us face the next 40 years of doing this). I feel that the way we present ourselves is 90% responsible for it. Anyone who ever stands behind you in a petrol station queue, will know what you do, and base their judgement on the fact they are uncomfortable standing next to you. Then they will tell their friends.

I agree with all your points when I first started someone told me driving a lorry isn’t something people can see ie if your a brick layer and build a nice wall people can walk past that wall and say what a good job the builders done the customer can be happy with the way it looks and can recommend the builder to a friend. We just drive deliver and leave, no one can really say what a great job I’ve done and probably won’t remember me but if I turn up in a clean truck clean clothes and a bit off hair gel it atleast gives the impression I give a toss. That chat has stayed with me I’m a bit OCD at cleaning any way I like my home to be immaculate (u never know when someones gonna come round)and try to keep my truck the same a bit off dashboard shine and polish goes along way off making that customer you’ve just been to to want you to come back again instead off the smelly filthy sod with bits hanging off his motor that turned up before you.

83

WildGoose:
Take a wet wipe to the steering wheel of any fleet motor, and it’ll come off black. It’s enough to make you gag. drivers, for the most part, seem to be quite happy being dirty and stinking.

I remember watching an episode of Top Gear where they analysed general crap in a used car, there were traces of all, and I mean all, types of bodily fluids you can think of, and a couple of traces of solids, nasal AND ■■■■, so how many drivers have lived in your motor before you? lovely eh?

84

robroy:

WildGoose:
Take a wet wipe to the steering wheel of any fleet motor, and it’ll come off black. It’s enough to make you gag. drivers, for the most part, seem to be quite happy being dirty and stinking.

I remember watching an episode of Top Gear where they analysed general crap in a used car, there were traces of all, and I mean all, types of bodily fluids you can think of, and a couple of traces of solids, nasal AND ■■■■, so how many drivers have lived in your motor before you? lovely eh?

This is why its so nice to have a lorry from new and be the person to take the plastics off. No one but me has slept in my bed so far!

85

citycat:
Ok, before I start, it’s a genuine question and no offence is mean’t to anyone.

My wife drives past a large industrial estate and DC to and from her work. As the roads are quite congested in rush hour, she has to spend some time sitting in traffic and watching various trucks go past.

She wants to know why 95% of drivers in UK registered trucks that she sees look rougher than a badgers a**e. Unshaven, hair (if they have any that is) that hasn’t seen a comb, grimy hi vi’s, wooley hats, roll ups hanging out of the window, and front teeth missing as they leer down at her from their cabs.

She wants to know why they don’t look like Mark Dixon off that Trucks &Trailers, or like the blonde, blue eyed, twenty something hunk that stepped down from his Dutch registered truck (Heuvel Trans) while she was filling up with petrol. She said the expert way he handled his large nozzle as he fuelled up was a sight to behold, and she said even the female cashiers were drooling when he came in to pay, and spoke politely in faultless english with a ■■■■ dutch accent.

So chaps, bearing in mind that image is how the general public perceive you as a professional driver,do you yourself prefer a well groomed image and try to keep yourself looking as good as your truck? Or do you prefer the Compo - Last of the Summer Wine look, and like to wear a wooley hat and that well worn out tee shirt under your hi vi, and are of the opinion that the world takes you for what you are and f**k what they think of your appearance?

What are your views? I’d particularly like to hear from Switchlogic as he always seems to appear tidy in his videos, with his shirts always neatly hung up in his cab. What’s your view Luke?

Right, time to take cover !

Heuvel trans I would think spoke to the cashier in English with a hint of polish■■?
:slight_smile:

86

switchlogic:
No one but me has slept in my bed so far!

Not sure if you’re boasting or complaining Luke :wink: :laughing:

87

nearly there:
Citycat i really doubt your other half told you that she eyes up suitable drivers who she wants to smash her back door in

:smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

88

WildGoose:
I make an effort to look/smell clean and tidy. I’ve been doing agency work for the past 9 months and the biggest drawback for me, is never feeling clean.

Take a wet wipe to the steering wheel of any fleet motor, and it’ll come off black. It’s enough to make you gag.

I cannot get my head around anyone who would do a trailer change/open curtains etc, without wearing gloves, and then get back in and smear their dirty hands all over the steering wheel and controls. I am admittedly a bit OCD with things like that, but drivers, for the most part, seem to be quite happy being dirty and stinking. From my time in the forces, I’ve seen that it was perfectly possible to live a hygienic existence even in the most horrendous of conditions (muddy hole in the ground etc) it’s simply about personal discipline. So yes, I think you can judge people based on the way they smell/dress, as if they cannot be bothered with looking after themselves, what else can they not be bothered with?

Having been predominantly a night driver, I think you see the worst of it. The people without the social skills to operate effectively during the day, and the hygiene to match. The long suffering wives of these people clearly do not want them at home, and who can blame them?

A guy above mentioned being suspicious of anyone who appears too clean, and that just about says it all. Being in a warm room full of drivers for more than a few minutes makes me want to gag.

I remember from my days tramping, that I would sooner crap in a plastic bag lined adblue container under a trailer than use any toilet facilities that have been frequented by lorry drivers, as they are just so disgusting that you feel like you need to be sterilised afterwards just to feel clean again. Same goes for showers, sooner a cold solar shower, stood between the unit and trailer, than get to learn of what the last driver did inside the showers at the motorway services. You come out feeling worse than when you went in.

You could simply not pay me enough money to tolerate double manning with anyone in this job.

For anyone who is slightly miffed about the reputation of truck drivers (Okay, so most of you old and bold types don’t care, but some of us face the next 40 years of doing this). I feel that the way we present ourselves is 90% responsible for it. Anyone who ever stands behind you in a petrol station queue, will know what you do, and base their judgement on the fact they are uncomfortable standing next to you. Then they will tell their friends.

I do agree with everything you say but its begs the question as to why your a lorry driver.

89

robroy:

switchlogic:
No one but me has slept in my bed so far!

Not sure if you’re boasting or complaining Luke :wink: :laughing:

:slight_smile: I boot them out before they get a chance to sleep…

90

Coming from an office background I’m used to being well turned out at work, so I want to carry that on and present a good, professional image as much as I can. I’m also a bit OCD about general cleanliness and tidiness, so I’m interested to see what the future holds me for me in the world of driving - what trucks I get, what sort of state they’re in, and how well I can turn them around and make them habitable and clean. I will happily spend hours properly bottoming out my car or bike on a weekend - I find it quite relaxing - so I’m looking forward to the challenge when it comes to having a truck, and hope it will end up working in my favour when it comes to getting jobs and being in line for newer vehicles!

91

as an aside to this, I was wondering recently how you would get the bunk clean after taking over a truck from someone else. are the mattress covers removable/washable, and can you buy replacement mattresses if needs be? I suppose you could scrub seats with upholstery cleaner, but what about the bed?

92

Rob roy, you were not a real “Euro trucker” without a pair of cut off jeans to make a pair of shorts, that was the “look” back then, furry cow clogs are on the come back.!!! :sunglasses:

93

jase:
It’s part of my contract that I keep myself clean shaven

Ballocks!

94

Heuvel trans I would think spoke to the cashier in English with a hint of polish■■?

Amazed this thread is still going. No, my wife said it was definitely a Dutch accent. She said he looked like the lead singer from that eighties group Ah Ha !

95

Personally I can’t stand looking a mess. I hate wearing dirty/soiled clothes, mucky hi-viz, gloves soaked in diesel etc…ugh! I must be doing something right as the office don’t mind me being around when the “bigwigs” come visiting…I also really dislike having a dirty lorry. Mainly its the muck all over the tail-lift and controls that get me, but just the overall image doesn’t look good, especially for a firm delivering hotel linen and with the word “CLEAN” written down the side of the truck.