toby1234abc:
Well done, the Hungarian Waberers firm sends 18 year old artic drivers all over Europe and TIR countries .
You can imagine getting the interview, come in next day with night out kit.
Pick up the wagon, leave Budapest for Portugal, reload Madrid for Stockholm .
Come home for Christmas .
Maybe not a good example Toby? Waberers seem not to be the “Industry Standard Bearers” in safety, and wages etc etc.
Update:
Still on the job-hunt after 7 weeks, with few leads. Whilst somewhat frustrating, its understandable considering my age and experience.
Best I’ve had so far was an assessment drive at Eddie Stobart Bellshill today, which I sadly failed. Having trained with an opti-cruise gearbox on both Class 2 and 1, my experience with manual trucks is very limited and 4 over 4 specifically is non-existant. It really knocked back my confidence and consequently resulted in a poor drive.
Elsewhere I’ve applied to an agency (NAS Recruitment) with no luck so far (Council need me to be 21 to drive bin lorries and a 7.5 ton job wanted 1 year experience) and NWH and JBT are both looking for 2 years experience. Filled in a form and sat down for a chat with SNT at their office, but they didn’t seem particularly keen. Still trying to get in touch with Pollocks (don’t seem to ever answer the phone), and Robert Burns of Broxburn have my details but I haven’t heard anything yet (will probably ring them again soon).
Any other recommendations? The assessor at Stobart suggested applying to as many agencies as possible, and whilst I intend too, I’m not sure if the agency route will be ideal since I work 5 days a week.
I don’t know where you live but if your near Hertfordshire Jack Richard and Downton I believe take on new passes class 1.
slapstick:
I don’t know where you live but if your near Hertfordshire Jack Richard and Downton I believe take on new passes class 1.
Well done me(!) I forgot to say I’m in Edinburgh so central belt of Scotland I’m afraid, thanks though, getting to the point now where I might actually consider moving down south [emoji52]
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ADR Network (an agency) advertise as taking on new passes. http://www.adrnetwork.co.uk/hgv-driver-jobs-in-livingston
I’ve never used them though, maybe give them a ring?
Tillicoultry Quarries are looking for drivers. Most likely class 2 but advert does mention articulated experience so maybe have some class 1 stuff. Tipper company’s often take on new drivers.
Alba1876:
ADR Network (an agency) advertise as taking on new passes. http://www.adrnetwork.co.uk/hgv-driver-jobs-in-livingston
I’ve never used them though, maybe give them a ring?Tillicoultry Quarries are looking for drivers. Most likely class 2 but advert does mention articulated experience so maybe have some class 1 stuff. Tipper company’s often take on new drivers.
http://www.tillicoultryquarries.com/vacancies
Thanks man, I’ll give them a shout! 
Tough break on having to do your assessment in a manual, but you need appreciate that in being a driver you need to be able to handle whatever keys are thrown at you. But don’t let it get you down… Yes you failed the assessment, but you did gain some experience! 
So keep at it pal, develop a limp if needed and go agency to build on that experience! 
Best of luck.
qwertyqatar:
Hi all!Been lurking on the forums for a while now. Happy to announce that I passed my Class 1 today with Scania in Newbridge, first time pass with only 1 minor. Big thanks to Rob and Billy, both fantastic quality instructors!
Just a callout to see if there’s any fellow “teenage” truckers on the forums. Being the ripe old age of 18 (19 by the end of the month
), I understand that getting my first job isn’t going to be plain sailing, and I’d appreciate the input from someone who’s been in a similar position. Any advice at all from everyone of all ages would also be appreciated, I might have passed the test but I’ve still plenty to learn!
(And a side note:- I know there’s plenty of folks on here who’ll bash me for getting my license at a young age. I respect your opinion, but in the end of the day, I’m a C+E license holder now. I’ve proven myself to be a competent driver capable of handling a HGV with the care and concentration it requires in order to operate it safely. I know I’ve many, many more miles ahead of me before I can even start considering to call myself an experienced driver, but I’ve definitely set my benchmark to start from. )
I passed my rigid at 18 and then artic at 19 mate. (20 now). Im from Glasgow and like you, I found it hard to get work. I knew a few drivers down south who put me onto agencies down there so I sorted out a temporary place down there registered with a good few and within about a week or so sorted out a job doing 7.5t multidrop ■■■■. ( this was after passing rigid). I just kept my head down, got the job done and didnt break anything until they could trust me a bit. After doing my class 1 I was put on artic work within about a month. So within about 6months of passing my class 2. Id personally recommend agency to start purely to build up experience - there are quite a few agencies in Glasgow but I couldnt tell you all of them, I know Blue Arrow and ADR both have places in Bellshill anyway. I know company guys that are younger aswell and they’ve only driven a few trucks doing the same sort of work and running to the same places. By doing agency I’ve worked with all types of trucks and different trailers and all types of different loads and been all over the country. You definitely have to be confident though because some places will just hand u a set of keys and a postcode that could be in a city centre, but I prefer it that way. You learn fast and build up lots of experience. Then if you would rather go down the company route you’ll have a better chance at being taken seriously and in turn maybe have more choice of employers. Also if you do go the agency route id recommend trying to get DHL assessed, once u have it you can virtually work in any DHL run site - there are 1000s - without them bothering too much about ur age. Hope it helps…?
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Evil8Beezle:
Tough break on having to do your assessment in a manual, but you need appreciate that in being a driver you need to be able to handle whatever keys are thrown at you. But don’t let it get you down… Yes you failed the assessment, but you did gain some experience!
That’s exactly right! And what I said to the assessor is that in the end of the day, if they asked me to take that wagon out with a load there and then I wouldn’t at all feel confident and it all comes down to confidence. He noted that whilst I managed to pick up using the manual by the end of the assessment, I was still very hesitant and failed to make sufficient progress.
CK500FH:
Id personally recommend agency to start purely to build up experience - there are quite a few agencies in Glasgow but I couldnt tell you all of them, I know Blue Arrow and ADR both have places in Bellshill anyway.
I’m yearning for some Class 2 experience so the agencies are who I’ll be pestering. My issue there is that I currently work Sunday to Thursday most weeks, so I end up with situations like this morning - ring me up looking for a driver today, just as I’m leaving for work… 
qwertyqatar:
Evil8Beezle:
Tough break on having to do your assessment in a manual, but you need appreciate that in being a driver you need to be able to handle whatever keys are thrown at you. But don’t let it get you down… Yes you failed the assessment, but you did gain some experience!That’s exactly right! And what I said to the assessor is that in the end of the day, if they asked me to take that wagon out with a load there and then I wouldn’t at all feel confident and it all comes down to confidence. He noted that whilst I managed to pick up using the manual by the end of the assessment, I was still very hesitant and failed to make sufficient progress.
CK500FH:
Id personally recommend agency to start purely to build up experience - there are quite a few agencies in Glasgow but I couldnt tell you all of them, I know Blue Arrow and ADR both have places in Bellshill anyway.I’m yearning for some Class 2 experience so the agencies are who I’ll be pestering. My issue there is that I currently work Sunday to Thursday most weeks, so I end up with situations like this morning - ring me up looking for a driver today, just as I’m leaving for work…
Tricky situation your in with your current work situation and lack of experience. A lot of agencies work on last minute cover etc so you’ll hardly get notice (although some may give you work for a week or two at a time etc). Most companies insurers basically add over 25 only into the policy.
Smaller companies may not want to pay the excess to get you onto there books etc. Some do take young drivers, Neil Williams had/has a driver training scheme for new cat c passes so not sure if you’ve looked into that at all, where by they will take you out and show you how the job (collection places/tips etc with a more experienced driver beside you), maybe share the driving, which is not a bad idea for a new start to avoid too many problems with them once they get out themselves.
Obviously if a firm offers you a trial you could always put some holidays in to see if suits you.
dave_k:
Some do take young drivers, Neil Williams had/has a driver training scheme for new cat c passes so not sure if you’ve looked into that at all, where by they will take you out and show you how the job (collection places/tips etc with a more experienced driver beside you), maybe share the driving, which is not a bad idea for a new start to avoid too many problems with them once they get out themselves.
Yeah, I sent them my CV into them. Said they weren’t hiring for their ‘driver academy’ currently but they’ll keep my CV on file for when they are
Just don’t put yourself in the same situation as that lad up in Bath - who got taken on by an unscrupulous employer knowing that someone at that age with no experience won’t know the truck he’s been given is a death trap.
As for the workplace, although I’m 30 everyone thinks I’m still 18 due to inability to grow facial hair/skinny git. “■■■■ off you old ■■■■” usually works when given with some laughter. If you’ve ever worked on a building site or in a garage, you’ll already know the score.
iomex:
Just don’t put yourself in the same situation as that lad up in Bath - who got taken on by an unscrupulous employer knowing that someone at that age with no experience won’t know the truck he’s been given is a death trap.
Yeah I read about that on here a couple of months ago. Definitely learned and know now what to look out for.
iomex:
As for the workplace, although I’m 30 everyone thinks I’m still 18 due to inability to grow facial hair/skinny git. “■■■■ off you old ■■■■” usually works when given with some laughter. If you’ve ever worked on a building site or in a garage, you’ll already know the score.
I guess I have that against me as well - Whilst two mates of mine (19 and 20) both have the ‘trucker physique’ shall we call it, I’m a skinny-dark-haired-clean-shaven-speccy ■■■■■■■ who plays piano AND I’m only 19, so about as far away from your typical trucker as you can get.
qwertyqatar:
iomex:
Just don’t put yourself in the same situation as that lad up in Bath - who got taken on by an unscrupulous employer knowing that someone at that age with no experience won’t know the truck he’s been given is a death trap.Yeah I read about that on here a couple of months ago. Definitely learned and know now what to look out for.
iomex:
As for the workplace, although I’m 30 everyone thinks I’m still 18 due to inability to grow facial hair/skinny git. “■■■■ off you old ■■■■” usually works when given with some laughter. If you’ve ever worked on a building site or in a garage, you’ll already know the score.I guess I have that against me as well - Whilst two mates of mine (19 and 20) both have the ‘trucker physique’ shall we call it, I’m a skinny-dark-haired-clean-shaven-speccy [zb] who plays piano AND I’m only 19, so about as far away from your typical trucker as you can get.
Yeah, I can totally see where the employers are coming from not wanting to take a chance on someone so young with no industry experience (despite showing a keen attitude to go and pass the class1). Most younger guys I’ve known or heard of who went and passed there test at 18 on the young drivers scheme or as quickly as they legally could are mostly haulage contractors sons or people involved in family businesses etc. Or at the very least someone who has been interested in the industry for a number of years owing to a family member being a driver, going away during school holidays with their Dad’s or Uncle’s etc and not blind to the industry and more than likely have a firm willing to give them a go lined up beforehand.
If your practically completely blind to the industry then i’m afraid at your age you will likely be in for a tough time getting something decent until you get experience which is a bit contradictory, but will be how it goes for you I think. Good luck and keep us informed.
Hi qwertyqatar. I’m in a very similar situation to you! 19 now, but passed when i was 18, going straight from class 2 to 1. As I work in a tanker rental company as a mechanic, they thought it would be a good idea to pit my through so I can pick up and drop off trailers, I did too!
Dalkeith transport almost always looking, from what I’ve heard they take on new passes. Are you looking for day work/shift work or fancy tramping?
As it goes I passed my class 2 in the October then didn’t drive till I done class 1 the following February. 2 weeks later I was on my way to Southampton tramping
stuart3h:
Dalkeith transport almost always looking, from what I’ve heard they take on new passes. Are you looking for day work/shift work or fancy tramping?As it goes I passed my class 2 in the October then didn’t drive till I done class 1 the following February. 2 weeks later I was on my way to Southampton tramping
I haven’t tried them yet but I might give them a ring. I like the idea of tramping and i’d be definitely interested, but I guess I’d have to give it a go before I can have an opinion
EDIT: Perhaps I won’t give them a ring. Seems they’ve gone out of business… 
As far as I’m aware they are still going but it’s palletways that owns them now
Its up to you of course, but I wouldn’t touch Dalkieth Transport, JBT, or Pollocks with a barge pole. Seriously pish company’s, there always advertising for a reason 
Have a search on here about them, especially the latter two.
Alba1876:
Its up to you of course, but I wouldn’t touch Dalkieth Transport, JBT, or Pollocks with a barge pole. Seriously pish company’s, there always advertising for a reason
Yeah my driving instructor told me to steer clear. Thankfully JBT want 2 years experience and Pollocks won’t answer the phone…