Hey folks im a fairly new trucker and im very much sat nav dependent I have 2 hgv sat navs and a powerful external charger incase the sat nav breaks or the 12/24V charger packs up or doesnt work I do have a hgv atlas but I dont use it very much I really want to build up my geographical knowledge so im not so dependent the sat nav has anyone got any tips or things to help me get a better understanding of the uk road network as I would really like to be one of these who can get all over the country without aid… thanks guys
Don’t use the sat nav, use maps, plan route, take in landmarks etc, or don’t worry about it 
Experience is useful and there’s only one way to get that. A decent trucker’s road map (e.g. Philip’s Navigator Trucker’s Atlas) with bridge heights etc. is often recommended, but I too find I can’t do without a satnav. I miss it even when I know where I’m going - there might be a diversion etc. though a decent map would be more useful in that instance. Avoid short cuts unless you have excellent local knowledge.
Have a good read of a road map 
Seriously though have a good read and learn how to use it properly. I like a sat nav to give me basic directions to where I want to go and use the map app on my phone to pinpoint my location. You should be able to pinpoint your location with a good paper map, look outside for the road your on, find it in the map index, find the page etc and the rest should be easy. If its a small road that may not be possible but stick to the main routes and you should be fine. Failing that get out and ask someone!
chuck the satnav in the bin else you will never learn anything .
All of the above will help with geographical knowledge . Sat navs seem to get a fair amount of negative comments on here when 9 times out of 10 you can use them with no issues whatsoever.
I personally just use the maps and standard navigation tool built into my iPad and if I’m unsure I double check on my Philips atlas. Saying this I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had to double check using an atlas.
Eyup, Im in the same boat, passed class 2 in november and just got a job driving for mallinsons just over a month ago, When i first passed i bought a snooper s8000 jobby and have depended on it, Its pretty good but it annoys me that i can follow the satnav and not really take in where ive been because i seem to concentrate more on where the satnavs taking me than the road names its taking me on, Im going to get a decent truckers atlas and plan my route with that and hopefully things will start sinking in a bit better. Brother (tashlad666) was on about he uses AA truckers atlas but i havnt come across one yet but seem to see plenty phillips navigator maps knockin about so that’ll probably have to be the one ill be getting.
Danny.
Learn your counties!!! 
Then at least when your looking at your paper work, you know what area to head for?
Try just using your sat Nav when you get to the town/city!!!
And like everyone said get a decent map!! 
When i first passed my test 20 years ago we didn’t have sat Nav
Just use to write my route down on a bit of paper, junctions/road no etc
or if you got directions off an old boy in the yard, it would be by landmarks or pubs lol !!!
Only had my licence about a year and my boss asked me if i was up for going abroad
and i had to find my way to Rome and back load Milan with no sat Nav
Don’t think i slept the whole trip!!lol 
was always looking at the map thinking i had took a wrong turn!!
Get a compass that might help
samstone90:
Hey folks im a fairly new trucker and im very much sat nav dependent I have 2 hgv sat navs and a powerful external charger incase the sat nav breaks or the 12/24V charger packs up or doesnt work I do have a hgv atlas but I dont use it very much I really want to build up my geographical knowledge so im not so dependent the sat nav has anyone got any tips or things to help me get a better understanding of the uk road network as I would really like to be one of these who can get all over the country without aid… thanks guys
Aha! So this was you then 
Ill give you a tip. The best thing to do is plan the journey by looking at a map and writing down directions and road numbers etc. Then check it with your satnav and it they both match then all is well. If they differ then look into it further and see why they differ. However its usually best to take the map option over the satnav!
A 2 Zs 
truckers atlas with bridge heights and common sense with using sat navs 
just remember as we DRIVE on the LEFT in this country, READ THE ROAD SIGNS ON THE LEFT! 
If you can’t get from A to B without a sat nav get a factory job.
^^^
Thank you all for your great posts ive got a phillips navigator and im going to start planning all my routes with it… I will take that sat nav with me as id be a nervous reck without it lol but again thanks for all the positive posts I really do what to be good at this and im willing to put the effort in to learn … and for those of you saying get a factory job F**k you… this is new to me ive only been trucking a few months and im not the best driver in the world I know that but im willing to put the effort in to try to be the very best that I can be im recognising my weaknesses and trying to improve
On them if thats not good enough for you then up yours …
If you know where your going the night before look the route up on Google maps and use the street view at the junctions, then you’ll drive along and go ‘oh I’m here, I’ve got to turn right after the blue house next’ etc. Don’t throw the sat nav away it’s the best tool esp the snooper but like others have said plot the route on the map as well.
There’s no quick way to learn your way around it comes with time but you’ll get there don’t worry
samstone90:
Thank you all for your great posts ive got a phillips navigator and im going to start planning all my routes with it… I will take that sat nav with me as id be a nervous reck without it lol but again thanks for all the positive posts I really do what to be good at this and im willing to put the effort in to learn … and for those of you saying get a factory job F**k you… this is new to me ive only been trucking a few months and im not the best driver in the world I know that but im willing to put the effort in to try to be the very best that I can be im recognising my weaknesses and trying to improve
On them if thats not good enough for you then up yours …
My only advice!!! dump the ******* PRATNAV. you will never learn anything if you rely on it. Anyone will tell you, even following someone else you don’t learn (I am speaking from 45 years exp.) Ok you’ll get it wrong at times (I still do) its not the end of the world to make a mistake. PS if you need coaching with roping and sheeting I wont charge a lot Regards Kevmac47
Thanks kevmac I totally agree with you been driving with the sat nav thinking ill pick it up from following it but you just dont so im going to start using my phillips navigator atlas and just keep the satnav in the glove box just incase I get really lost lol… joking apart I would love to find a experienced driver to tag along with on my days off I would help handball work for free and evan buy them a drink at the end of it but knowone wants to know they all say sorry we carnt because of insurance its gutting
the flying foden:
chuck the satnav in the bin else you will never learn anything .
Hiya …i’d listen to this man he’s done abit in his time… i’d say always take note of where your going
next time you do that trip try without the sat nav.do you know i could take you the same run i first did in 1973
starting in leek… leicester. welwyn garden city. stratford. night out shepards bush. slough. maidenhead.newbury.
poplar.stratford. bow. and load grey’.s back to leek third day.first time id drove a artic on my own first time i’d
been to london. with a crap map but managed quite well…phew
John
Fair play john Im impressed this is what I want to be like… like I said before I just want to be the best that I can be… I do agree the sat navs being condemned to the glove box for a bit lol thanks matey great post
study a map the motorway network are the arterys once you no where they start and finish everything else just comes off them