Hello all,
I am a new poster here, my real name is Mike which i have added to my signature to remind people and i am in my mid 40’s. I recently passed my car test first time just over a week ago, i had been driving for a fair bit so had some bad habits to get rid which was accomplished easily. I suffer with tarsal coalition in both ankles which is painful making jobs where i am standing or walking all day impossible to keep so always fancied being a delivery driver of some sort as think i can cope with being on and off my feet.
After passing car test i got a LGV/PCV theory test disc for £20 (the only money spent so far) so i could start practising that, ordered the D2 and D4 forms from DVLA and started looking into training to becoming a driver. I came across what i now know to be a broker website and initially believed the blurb about drivers being needed. I checked the government jobmatch website and got loads of hits which seemed to confirm the blurb but they were requesting people had experience, nobody wanted new drivers which for a job category that was lacking drivers didn’t ring true.
I wanted to find out how new drivers got work and came across this site in a search for truck driver forums and boy didn’t i like what i was reading when i first visited. It’s not your guys fault for shooting my dream down in flames, it’s the fault of the broker and agencies whose practices give people the dream by making it seem easier than the reality.
I’m not totally sure what i am going to do now, i’ll have to relax and think things through again though i have to find something at least where i can be on and off my feet. Fortunately i have found this site in the early days before any real damage was done like taking out loans thinking i can easily pay them off over a few years. If i do decide to go for the Class 2 now it will certainly be done after i have done alot more investigation to find out if it is going to be worthwhile and have an employer at the end of it and for that i thank you.
Yes, much better to go into something with your eyes wide open (rather than them being gouged out by some twunt broker).
Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly opportunities out there - and in fact, the industry as a whole is so very varied that it can cater for all types of people with all types of requirements, capabilities and ambitions.
At least now you have a more reliable source of real information to turn to.
I’d suggest taking your time and having a good look back through former posts - and if anything needs further explanation, or you can’t find a particular piece of information, feel free to ask and someone will help you out.
smackers:
I recently passed my car test first time just over a week ago, i had been driving for a fair bit so had some bad habits to get rid which was accomplished easily…
If you’ve just passed test a week ago how have you been driving a fair bit? Long time on a provisional [emoji57]
dcgpx:
If you’ve just passed test a week ago how have you been driving a fair bit? Long time on a provisional [emoji57]
Was that a bad habit [emoji3]
I was a bit of a naughty lad yes but it’s better to sort myself out eventually than never. Missed some good job opportunities in past which i really regret but have to move on living with my mistakes and not dwell on them. I had operation last year on feet which has gone some way to helping me be more mobile again, i am not wasting the life i have been given back.
Whether youve been “driving a fair bit” or not,in the eyes of employers youve only been driving a week since thats how long youve had your license. And attempting to get an LGV job with that limited experience is a non starter in my opinion. Its hard enough for a new pass to get a chance without a new car pass as well,if you know what I mean.
You might be better going for a van delivery job,then after you have a year or twos experience on the road trying for the LGVs.
Not what you want to hear I know,but thats my two cents anyway
I’d probably agree with you snowman but for the fact 19 year old kids are getting behind the wheels of trucks, the one that crashed in Bath back in Feb comes to mind.
It’s also a quite well known fact that the brain is not fully matured until around the age of 25 hence the youngsters lack hazard perception skills.
I’ll take onboard your opinion though, heck i may even take a Pass Plus to prove my worth there.
The short length of time you’ve had your car licence wouldn’t be noticed by an employer; they are more interested in length of time that you’ve had LGV.
Traditionally it’s been the case that folks ask for 2 years experience. This is becoming more fragile as there is well documented evidence of a driver shortage. This weeks’ issue of Commercial Motor (21/5/15) refers to it over an article of a page and a half. This is getting more and more an issue within the industry.
I had a meeting yesterday with a major employer to discuss the way forward for new drivers as they cannot recruit experienced drivers. They simply aren’t there in sufficient numbers.
BUT you still need to put in the effort and show enthusiasm. The way you present yourself is important together with determination. Simply sending off dozens of cv’s and waiting for job offers probably wont do it.
It’s reasonably obvious that most employers would prefer to hire experienced drivers. But they’re waking up and smelling the coffee. In other words, employers are fast coming to terms with the fact that they have to alter their criteria if they want drivers.
So all is not lost. I would suggest going for it but without going into debt unless there is a firm job offer at the end of it.
Hi Peter, thanks for advice and information, definitely food for thought. Pass Plus that i was on about i quickly realised was as much use as a chocolate fireguard and i don’t have money to waste.
I was considering a loan to speed things up, that was all as i have done an assessment of my savings, incomings/outgoings and tat around house that can be sold off and can afford to train for and take LGV test in next 3 months or so. I live within half mile of a large industrial estate where several transport companies are based and there are a good few more within 25 miles travelling distance plus there are a good few employment agencies i can enrol with.
I will seek information locally about employment opportunities etc with a new LGV licence, there is no particular rush at the moment for me.
