Hi all.
Well, the last few months I have started my driving career. Earlier in the year I sent out lots of CVs, and went for a few interviews. All went well till I got the the experience part. Having none was a real stumbling block.
However, I went to one interview, and was offered a Class 1 job (with no previous experience in any form of driving). The plan was to put me on Class 2 for a couple of weeks, then move me up to Class 1.
Week one went great… That is until I broke my finger on the Saturday. DOH!!! 2 weeks on the sick, due to having to be splinted up. After that, I have been in Class 2, doing drops to industries, houses, farms, pretty much everywhere. This is (was) my steed.
Well, I got back to the depot yesterday, and was told “right, on Monday you are off out with Eddie (Class 1 driver) on locals, doing trailer swaps etc. And you will be driving, so look after his pride and joy.”
Needless to say, I am over the moon. I am really looking forward to it. I am nervous though, as this is the first time I have driven Class 1 since passing my test in 2013. I am sure I will be fine though.
So guys, wish me luck, and if you want to keep up-to-date with things, please look at my Facebook or Twitter pages in my signature below.
NB
Great post - Best of luck 
All sounds like it’s going to plan - all the best with it. Pete 
good luck mate
i started driving class 1s on monday and its been a steep learning curve and a really eye opener. luckily ive spent a few days in the yard doing a bit of shunting to try get me used to going backwards and a few days in the passenger set with a old hand, but even this didnt spare me the shame of thursday being unable to get it on a bay at great bear in skem. after about 7 or 8 attempts the forkie messing about with chep pallets infront of me, came and took the 1 pallet of returns off the back doors and put it in the bay for me. i was gutted driving out couldnt even bring myself to look into the cabs of the guys that had been watching.
made up for it friday with some top class shunting (ok average).
best advice i can give you is watch how the other drivers do it! watch the angles and distances they give themselves then try replicate them, take your time and get out and look!!!
1 last thing enjoy it and let us no how you get on
deltawing:
good luck mate
i started driving class 1s on monday and its been a steep learning curve and a really eye opener. luckily ive spent a few days in the yard doing a bit of shunting to try get me used to going backwards and a few days in the passenger set with a old hand, but even this didnt spare me the shame of thursday being unable to get it on a bay at great bear in skem. after about 7 or 8 attempts the forkie messing about with chep pallets infront of me, came and took the 1 pallet of returns off the back doors and put it in the bay for me. i was gutted driving out couldnt even bring myself to look into the cabs of the guys that had been watching.
made up for it friday with some top class shunting (ok average).
best advice i can give you is watch how the other drivers do it! watch the angles and distances they give themselves then try replicate them, take your time and get out and look!!!
1 last thing enjoy it and let us no how you get on
First time I ever drove a 26 tonner I was delivering eggs to Morrisons RDC in Wakefield. Took me about 8 attempts to get it on right as the bays were on a slope going away from the building even then I had to get someone to finish it as I was rolling too far forward so they couldn’t get the ramp on.
Thanks everyone (including Rog for his vote of confidence 
). I am looking forward to it. I’m bound to do rookie mistakes (forget to take reg plate off trailer, when reversing turn wrong way like I’m in a rigid, clip the odd curb, taking lots of shunts etc), but I am going to try and think positive, and not let anything get to me. We all had to start somewhere. I am sure, if the company did not have confidence in me, I would still be on rigids.
Many thanks
NB (Andy)
No one is born being able to drive class 1 out of the box.
Never feel intimidated by the other drivers sitting in their cabs sipping a mug of tea.
Takes time and practice. We have all been there, some forget that they were once too newbies.
Don’t be a ■■■■■ have a shunt was the advice that always served me well in the early days.
