Today I have helped a local haulier out and done a days work for him. Driving a automatic FH Volvo it was a 5am start and a trip over the Pennines to Nelson to deliver a full load of chipboard.
After a cup of coffee and a browse on TNUK it was a ride to Preston empty to load up with Stella for a delivery to Doncaster I just managed to make my 12.30 delivery time.
So after a sandwich time to phone the transport office to see what next, it was a trip to Leeds to pick up a load of biscuits for the regular driver to deliver to Scunthorpe in the morning.
I can honestly say it made a refreshing change to training and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the road today.
So as the subject title says I like to think “I practice what I teach” which I hope gains me respect as a trainer.
Paul 
I think that’s a great idea, well done.
I know I’m more likely to listen to people who have experienced what they are teaching practically rather than just the theory thumbs up
Bet it was a lovely sunrise to boot!
TheMissus:
I think that’s a great idea, well done.
I know I’m more likely to listen to people who have experienced what they are teaching practically rather than just the theory thumbs up
Bet it was a lovely sunrise to boot!
Some good challenges including reversing on to bays, good fun
Back training tomoz 
lol!
Paul
Did you drive as if you were on test or did you drive like a lorry driver LOL
LGVTrainer:
Did you drive as if you were on test or did you drive like a lorry driver LOL
I was crossing hands 
but plenty of mirror checks (near side especially) didn’t hit a kerb all day 
Are things quiet in the training sector this time of year?
Judehamish:
Are things quiet in the training sector this time of year?
Can’t speak for any other trainers but things generally do get a little quieter.
Having said that I had a spare day today and where I live it’s massive with haulage and whilst having a beer on Friday night in my local pub I got talking to a mate of mine who is a local haulier and he asked me to cover this Tuesday as one of his drivers was off.
Two to train before xmas and diary getting full for January.
Can’t complain.
Paul
elmet training:
LGVTrainer:
Did you drive as if you were on test or did you drive like a lorry driver LOL
I was crossing hands but plenty of mirror checks (near side especially) didn’t hit a kerb all day
ROFL glad to see you’re human as well as a trainer!
I’ve heard loading bays when you have auto brakes for reversing (or whatever they’re called) can be a bit more than fun! 
Are things quiet in the training sector this time of year?
Aboslutely NOT!! We’re up to the eyes and employing more staff.
Bits of me wish I had time to go drive a lorry - but been there and done that so I’ll stick with what I am known for.
Pete
I always wonder how anyone can teach something they have never done themselves? Well done for getting a bit of working mileage under your belt. But can’t help thinking about the instructor on my DCPC course. He had never worked as a driver and it showed.
Do the people teaching not have to meet some sort of criteria or have some qualification??
A few years ago I taught ADR, I had to provide evidence of my experience working with and a knowledge of dangerous goods. My experience was that I had worked as a driver transporting dangerous goods while my knowledge was the fact that I was a qualified DGSA. I already had a teaching qual. All this was presented to City & Guilds. Do the current crop of DCPC trainers not have to do similar??
Do the people teaching not have to meet some sort of criteria or have some qualification??
To teach driver cpc, you have to have a teaching qualification as well as industry knowledge. Sadly, it’s too easy to get around this and there are plenty of trainers who know this works.
For practical driver training there is NO requirement to be qualified apart from holding the driving licence for 3 years. So what can happen - and it does - is that someone can hold a licence for 3 years (no requirement to drive), buy a rusty old truck, stick L plates on it and call themselves a driving school. They will then relieve you of your hard earned and have broken no rules.
So it’s well worth investigating qualifications before you part with your cash.
Pete 
elmet training:
Judehamish:
Are things quiet in the training sector this time of year?
Can’t speak for any other trainers but things generally do get a little quieter.
Having said that I had a spare day today and where I live it’s massive with haulage and whilst having a beer on Friday night in my local pub I got talking to a mate of mine who is a local haulier and he asked me to cover this Tuesday as one of his drivers was off.
Two to train before xmas and diary getting full for January.
Can’t complain.
Paul
Was a shock seeing Andy’s truck up on here as my Uncle used to drive for him before he passed away, as my dad and uncle knew him from when they used to work at Supercook in sherburn. Cool to see a trainer putting in a days graft 
The new lorry looks well as well
Cheers
Jonny
jonnytruckfest:
elmet training:
Judehamish:
Are things quiet in the training sector this time of year?
Can’t speak for any other trainers but things generally do get a little quieter.
Having said that I had a spare day today and where I live it’s massive with haulage and whilst having a beer on Friday night in my local pub I got talking to a mate of mine who is a local haulier and he asked me to cover this Tuesday as one of his drivers was off.
Two to train before xmas and diary getting full for January.
Can’t complain.
Paul
Was a shock seeing Andy’s truck up on here as my Uncle used to drive for him before he passed away, as my dad and uncle knew him from when they used to work at Supercook in sherburn. Cool to see a trainer putting in a days graft
The new lorry looks well as well
Cheers
Jonny
Jonny was your uncle called Ray?
The truck drove as a good as it looks.
I used to be a wagon driver for over 20 years until I went into training.
I got a buzz out of driving yesterday I will continue to do some more driving when I can.
Nice to be respected on here as a trainer who puts a shift in.
Paul
He was called Ray yes, He was my uncle/god dad. Been over a year now since he passed.
Glad you had a good day of it
Cheers
Jonny
jonnytruckfest:
He was called Ray yes, He was my uncle/god dad. Been over a year now since he passed.
Glad you had a good day of it
Cheers
Jonny
I knew Ray from my local the Wheatsheaf pub in Sherburn in Elmet which is full of truck drivers. I was shocked when he passed away.
Paul
Have you done your licences yet Jonny
elmet training:
jonnytruckfest:
He was called Ray yes, He was my uncle/god dad. Been over a year now since he passed.
Glad you had a good day of it
Cheers
Jonny
I knew Ray from my local the Wheatsheaf pub in Sherburn in Elmet which is full of truck drivers. I was shocked when he passed away.
Paul
A shock it was to us, I last saw him in the hospice at St Leonards which I somewhat knew then it would be the last time I saw him, just came unexpected at such a young age too. Never a dull conversation with him though,
And I haven’t done my licenses yet, still saving up but hope to get them done next year as I’m struggling to cope with my current job without losing my rag with some people 
. My uncle was telling me about you before I did my car license to get through my training. So it’s not going to be long before I look at lgv training schools. Just a waiting game at the moment
Cheers
Jonny
Peter Smythe:
Bits of me wish I had time to go drive a lorry - but been there and done that so I’ll stick with what I am known for.
Pete
TBH Pete as you know I run a small training company, unlike yourself who runs quite a big organisation so it’s obvious you wouldn’t have the time.
When I started my training company nearly 5 years ago I had very little training on to start so I had to keep driving to keep the bank account ticking over, other local companies I drove for were Eddie Stobarts, Sainsburys (wincanton group) and Meyer Timber.
Over the last few years the driving is getting less and less as the training side has got buisier.
I now have to ask myself do I expand the business or keep it smallish?
Decision made, I’m going to stay small (less stress) and incorporate it with the odd days driving from time to time.
As the saying goes “variety is the spice of life”.
Paul
Just done another driving shift today, it was an easy day just commuting between Sherburn and Leeds doing trailer swaps.
I still get a buzz out of driving but I get a bigger one getting customers through there truck test.
Wishing everyone a very merry christmas.
Paul
I’d love to be a trainer when I’ve held my licence long enough.
Doing the other work must give you a good insight into how the work situation is/how things are in the real world at the moment outside of “training land”
It’s all well and good having been a trainer for many years, but when a trainee asks about how you back a Wabco Opti-flow trailer onto a bay with the yellow wheel guides, or some other “modern” question, a trainer who has recent real industry experience must be a mine of information.
