Evening all,
So for anyone who’s interested today I had my first taste of driving in the real world since passing my test, well an assessment day! And my word was it an eye opener. I got a call from a tipper firm on Friday to come in today for the drive.
I was there bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7am this morning, after having my license and digi card photo copied I was introduced to another Paul (easy enough to remember) who I was going to be with for the day.
Started off with him talking me through doing your walk round checks etc, then once that was done we had to go to the workshop to get a mirror fixed that had been damaged last week.
Only then was we finally on our way. To start off with Paul drove from the yard in Kirkby to a new hospital being built at alder hey. Once we got there we was loaded up with clay and had a short journey up the road to carr lane tip in Huyton (about 5 miles down the road), once we arrived Paul went over the dos and don’ts of driving on site…speed limits,using diff locks & who to know who to give way to!
At this point my head was spinning with the sheer amount of info I had to take in only for him then to tell my it was my turn! At first I was slightly nervous as last week I was driving an 18 tonne box wagon and now I was about to get behind the wheel of a 32 tonne 15 plate Volvo FMX 410.
After an hour or so I settled into it though and really loved every minute of the whole experience. The wagon was a full auto so pretty straight forward to drive! The most daunting part of the day was getting to grips with tipping the box up steep hills, remembering to bring your cover forwards and backwards and most importantly making sure the Back door is open before using any PTO!
Well, I won’t bore you lot any longer just thought I’d let yous know how I found my first day in the real world.
Paul told the transport manager that he didn’t see no reason why I couldn’t go out on my own…next time (fingers crossed all goes well) I’ll be following someone for the day.
The firm are Going to call me tomorrow to let me know if I was successful.
So yeah, that was basically my diary for the day! I could go on and on but I’ve bored everybody enough haha!
Well done mate. Were you taught to drive at excessive speed and wear a string vest?
Not boring at all! I drove tippers for a while whilst setting up the driving school and it’s a hell of a learning curve even when you’re already an experienced driver - so well done to you for getting it sorted so quickly.
Hope all goes well, Pete
eagerbeaver:
Well done mate. Were you taught to drive at excessive speed and wear a string vest?
Cheers mate! Haha no he just told me to take it steady and not worry about anyone behind me! Obviously I just made sure to always be making progress! He said some people don’t like the fact that at times you can be doing the same route over and over but hey it’s all experience to me so I’m not going to complain!
Peter Smythe:
Not boring at all! I drove tippers for a while whilst setting up the driving school and it’s a hell of a learning curve even when you’re already an experienced driver - so well done to you for getting it sorted so quickly.
Hope all goes well, Pete
Thanks Pete, yeah for sure it is! Didn’t realise how much was actually involved in it until today! So much more than just driving from A to B, got to grips with reversing into some right tight spots in sites where it’s not cones and poles to look out for, but pedestrians, dumpers whizzing round, the occasional steel gurder on the ground and bottomless pools of water to avoid getting stuck in! To name a few
Good on you Paul. Its nice to hear of positive opportunities for noobs.
Congrats of the first day! We deliver to the alder hey site as well. Tight a scotsmans wallet in there!
sinclair89:
Congrats of the first day! We deliver to the alder hey site as well. Tight a scotsmans wallet in there!
Thanks pal. Yeah it is very tight.
I know they pick up at the old tax office down by the docks. Loads and loads and loads of room there.
If you get the job keep us updated of your adventures!
I’m still pondering over a decision if they call me tomorrow mate. Got a full time job at the minute and from what a gathered today you initially get taken on as an agency on 6 week probation period, so my worry would be getting binned off after that 6 weeks!
It’s a hard one with having job security it the min
Oh btw spotmix have asked me to take my cv and license down for them.
I have picked up stuff from ccc kirkby if you get the job better get a stab proof vest and keep the tin hat on firmly the guys there are ■■■■■ and the fat useless guy in the office but congrats you had fun playing with the tipper have fun what ever you choose
Paul J:
I’m still pondering over a decision if they call me tomorrow mate. Got a full time job at the minute and from what a gathered today you initially get taken on as an agency on 6 week probation period, so my worry would be getting binned off after that 6 weeks!
It’s a hard one with having job security it the min
Oh btw spotmix have asked me to take my cv and license down for them.
You’ll have to take this chance at some point if you’re ever going to move to driving as a career, going to be some sort of probationary period with any new employer…
At least with a start through an agency, there’s a chance if you do get dropped, they’ll have some other work to put you on, that wouldn’t happen starting working direct for a company.
If you have a Missus, talk it over with her, having your other half on board with whatever you do will help enormously if something goes awry.
Paul J:
I’m still pondering over a decision if they call me tomorrow mate. Got a full time job at the minute and from what a gathered today you initially get taken on as an agency on 6 week probation period, so my worry would be getting binned off after that 6 weeks!
It’s a hard one with having job security it the min
Oh btw spotmix have asked me to take my cv and license down for them.
We have a probationary period and unless someone is a complete plonker, then sorted. Actually we’ve never not kept someone on.
Every new person to a job makes mistakes and especially as a new driver, just take it steady and ask questions if you don’t know.
Good luck whichever way you go.
BeardedBlunder:
Paul J:
I’m still pondering over a decision if they call me tomorrow mate. Got a full time job at the minute and from what a gathered today you initially get taken on as an agency on 6 week probation period, so my worry would be getting binned off after that 6 weeks!
It’s a hard one with having job security it the min
Oh btw spotmix have asked me to take my cv and license down for them.
You’ll have to take this chance at some point if you’re ever going to move to driving as a career, going to be some sort of probationary period with any new employer…
At least with a start through an agency, there’s a chance if you do get dropped, they’ll have some other work to put you on, that wouldn’t happen starting working direct for a company.
If you have a Missus, talk it over with her, having your other half on board with whatever you do will help enormously if something goes awry.
Thanks mate, that’s what I’ve been thinking! Going to have to take the chance at some point if I’m to get a start somewhere I guess!
i was offered a start with them when i passed my class 2 and there was no mention of agency. the fat guy in the office is proper dodgy, was dead cagey when i asked for him by name not realising it was him i was talking to. said he thought i was a copper till i told him id just passed me test.
but that aside give it a go its experience or go speak to b+m, they will pay for your class 1 if you have your 2 already
deltawing:
i was offered a start with them when i passed my class 2 and there was no mention of agency. the fat guy in the office is proper dodgy, was dead cagey when i asked for him by name not realising it was him i was talking to. said he thought i was a copper till i told him id just passed me test.
but that aside give it a go its experience or go speak to b+m, they will pay for your class 1 if you have your 2 already
I didn’t know b&m take on class 2 drivers?
Well Done mate, must be nice jumping straight into a brand new lorry 
Don’t scratch it lol!
they ran a few open days last year and on the advert it said if you have your class 2 they will train you up to class 1, didnt fancy it myself as i didnt fancy being tied to a firm for a year or 2 if i didnt like it. but ive been in there today and they are looking for drivers just give them a bell mate. whats the worse they can say
