Just joined the forum and I am new to all things HGV, but I am chatting with and looking over a HGV training company on Saturday. I have also booked my medical with my local GP for the licence application.
I am in my mid-forties and class myself as experienced in life as well as being mentally mature. I have been looking for a new career since moving from Birmingham to Mid Wales. In my past self-employed career I did spend a lot of time on the road. But since moving I have been in low paid work. But I need to start earning a decent/better wage.
So … If I pursue this course through to doing my C+E licences what is the chances of getting employment and what is a realistic income I can expect to receive when starting out? And after a year or so of experience? (As a yearly figure)…
I have read various postings that I might need to do some agency work to get experience and I guess that this will be on a self employed basis. If so what sort of income will this sort of work pay?
What are your view on:
With the tighter regulations and endless hoops you have to jump through to remain legal, will this drive up wages in the future?
What’s your thoughts on HGV driving in the future as a career?
The subject has been done to death - not surprisingly - with everyone having their own views and experience.
The prospects of getting work are generally improving as the economy recovers. (It follows that if people start buying stuff, then the raw materials to make the “stuff” and then the “stuff” itself all has to be shifted. And often this is by road.)
Money varies almost to the point of “how long is a piece of string” and I have absolutely no idea what the money and employment prospects are in your area.
I believe the remuneration is being driven up but very slowly.
I also believe that truck driving is a great career for those who aren’t afraid of putting the hours in and doing rough work to start with and without hopes of earning a fortune.
I can tell you that some folks earn in excess of £30k whereas others earn nearer £22k.
I’m pleased to note that you are visiting your potential trainer. I suggest you look around as the differences are huge. Don’t be swayed just on price or on fancy websites. Any site purporting to have 30 or 40 training locations is simply a broker and is to be avoided. Make sure you visit, look at the vehicles, meet the trainers and satisfy yourself that this is where you want to part with your hard earned. Take no notice of promises of finding work - nonsense.
You can be certain of a good standard if you use a DSA registered LGV centre. But there are other trainers who also do a good job.
Have u got any hgv license if not then u r talking at least 1 to 2 months just to pass UR first test then at least the same for each test there after if I’m right about 3 in total now cost on average £1000 for each training/test if u have the money go for it but it will take u at least 2 years b4 u can chose who u want to work for etc. Once u have it u will never find it hard to find work but it is long hours just to make a good wage
I Currently have C1+E … But rarely have I driven that class of vehicle.
Also not afraid of working long hours. Was self-employed for almost twenty years where I was available/on call 24hrs a day, 7 days a week for 51 weeks a year.
Bearing in mind that you can go from car licence to CE and have change from £3k (assuming no retests) I believe it’s a great investment. I have two daughters who are teachers. They both cost me tens of thousands in uni over several years. And now they earn just a tiny bit more than a reasonably well paid truck driver.
I know I’m biased - both as a trainer and as a father who has paid the bills - but I think that achieving both licences within 3 months of starting the process and for less than £3k stands up as a very good prospect.
I found it a good investment, cost me around a grand, 22 years ago (I was 32) & have never had any problems obtaining work. I was lucky in the early days because I had a lot of contacts who used me on a casual basis (fridges, flats & curtains)
As Peter says, it’s about £3k now, a lot cheaper than University & a lot less time learning.
I’m not sure what the money is like in Welsh Wales, but it’s probably not as good as South East England.
As a newby you might have to start with a lot of grafting, multi dropping & hand balling, but as you learn more & meet more people on the job, you will come across people who are looking for drivers, then you can start to climb the ladder.
Agency’s will promise you the world (beware !)
The best way to make good money is weekends & nights.
Peter Smythe:
Bearing in mind that you can go from car licence to CE and have change from £3k (assuming no retests) I believe it’s a great investment. I have two daughters who are teachers. They both cost me tens of thousands in uni over several years. And now they earn just a tiny bit more than a reasonably well paid truck driver.
I know I’m biased - both as a trainer and as a father who has paid the bills - but I think that achieving both licences within 3 months of starting the process and for less than £3k stands up as a very good prospect.
Pete
Your daughters may only earn a little bit more than a truck driver but how many hours are they doing to earn it.
To give you an answer regarding jobs in the area - I commute 140 miles each way to tramp for a firm in the Midlands. (Although this may change soon). This should give you an idea of the availability of high wages.
Also bear in mind they can pick from experienced drivers due to a bit of a captive audience.
There are a few firms about mid wales but tend to be towards the English border I.e Welshpool, Newtown etc. and will very often have some connection to agriculture/forestry but not always.
From what I have seen most work is in the low to mid £7 ish per hour mark (stand to be corrected by anyone with more knowledge).
I don’t know where in mid wales you are but my advice is look towards and over the border.
Rural areas are usually at the lower end of the pay spectrum, and in some areas can work against newcomers as locals are sometimes (but not always) preferred for a variety of reasons, whether thats the case in Mid Wales i wouldn’t know.
KJW21’s post spells the realistic pickings out perfectly with his mega commute.
