Hey everyone. I’ve been reading these forums for a few days now and the advice and help seems brilliant. All the info and help is great on here, think ive read all the info I can on here lol
I haven’t got a truck licence yet, but was really thinking about getting the C+E. I’m sure you can help me out with some little info.
I understand the myth about driver shortage etc, is it really hard to get a job when you have no experience. Although I’ve been driving larger units, like tractors with artic trailers for about 5 years.(not sure if that would help and I’m 32 too
How’s the pay these day, I’m not greedy but I’ve seen jobs for 7ph and that’s doesn’t seem a lot for you guys is the 56 hours still the law for driving, I’ve read about ppl doing 15h shifts.
I got my c+e in January and found it immensely difficult to get work. I contacted 90 companies and got 3 application forms. The company that gave me a job: the one my uncle works for which I didn’t realise operated trucks and therefore didn’t contact.
If you have tractor experience that might help but I’m sure a few will throw the 2 year experience needed at you.
Yeah I was a little concerned about the 2 year experience needed, I did read that agencies will give new drivers a chance, maybe that the best way to get started.
Good luck with the training if you decide to go for it. It is difficult to get a job with no experience, C + E especially but as said there are companies out there that will give you a go, ive just landed my first artic job after plenty of searching. But logically if nobody took on new drivers then there would be no drivers at all in a few years so dont give up if you struggle as there will be a job out there.
Andydan:
Wow that last link u posted is great. Bretts transport is just a few miles up the road from me.
Sounds a good event.
Book a place & talk to the people that are there ask all the questions you want they will give you there time then come back & ask questions try some things then you may have a better idea if it is really what you want to do before paying a lot of money out
Andydan:
How about pay? Is the a big difference in just doing day than doing nights?
That depends but not a lot of difference although you may get a night allowance but that is for the North East may be slightly different where you are
Andydan:
Hey everyone. I’ve been reading these forums for a few days now and the advice and help seems brilliant. All the info and help is great on here, think ive read all the info I can on here lol
I haven’t got a truck licence yet, but was really thinking about getting the C+E. I’m sure you can help me out with some little info.
I understand the myth about driver shortage etc, is it really hard to get a job when you have no experience. Although I’ve been driving larger units, like tractors with artic trailers for about 5 years.(not sure if that would help and I’m 32 too
How’s the pay these day, I’m not greedy but I’ve seen jobs for 7ph and that’s doesn’t seem a lot for you guys is the 56 hours still the law for driving, I’ve read about ppl doing 15h shifts.
I’ll adds some more soon, thanks ppls
Where you’re based in the East of the country you’ll be lucky to get £7/hr all hours on artics. And forget your 56 hour week. To make any decent money at it you’ll have to live in the truck all week Mon-Sat morning which will be mid 60s in hours at least and you can probably expect around £400 take home per week including expenses. Not a good trade to be coming into and you’ll find it doubly hard to find work where you’re based - expect to have to travel a long way. You could fall lucky and land something on your doorstep just at the right time but the odds are stacked against you I’m afraid. That’s the harsh reality of it.
Thanks robk. That’s the answer I was looking for, straight to the point and honest.
I was really hope that it would be more than that, u guys out there need it. My current job pays more per hour which is a shame. Guessing 9-10ph days for example is a long way off then
Andydan:
Thanks robk. That’s the answer I was looking for, straight to the point and honest.
I was really hope that it would be more than that, u guys out there need it. My current job pays more per hour which is a shame. Guessing 9-10ph days for example is a long way off then
9-10/hr you’ve no chance on PAYE unless it’s specialised non-run of the mill stuff. 8-10 is about what you get as basic on agency, but those are agencies in the work hotspots like Northants, not ones out in the sticks where you are. You’ve got a lot of immigrant workers where you are too which holds the driver wages down. Nearest big outfit to you would probably be Turners of Soham at Spalding(?) I’d have thought and their wages regularly get ridiculed on here.
If you actually ENJOY driving and WANT to truck drive for a living then go for it, you’ll get to where you want to be in the end, but it’s a long haul (excuse the pun) and you’ll have years of ■■■■■■ jobs and crappy terms and conditions first until you’ve get 12 months exp under you.
If you’re only looking at this industry because it seems like money for old rope and you don’t have any particular interest or enjoyment from driving then forget it, because you’ll quickly grow to hate all the BS that comes with the job (bad planning - can’t organise family life/commitments, very long hours, bad drivers, traffic, accidents, bad attitudes at delivery points, VOSA Stasi handing FPNs out for pathetic stuff, speed cams, ongoing costs (DCPC, digi card, licence renewals, medicals etc), to name a few).
If you actually ENJOY driving and WANT to truck drive for a living then go for it
… and DONT go for it if the above doesn’t apply! You’ll end up paying loads of money to learn something you’re not interested in and then wont get a job as the lack of enthusiasm will show through.
But …
If you actually ENJOY driving and WANT to truck drive for a living then go for it
As I’ve read on here, I can understand it not an easy journey. I don’t mind a challenge, I do enjoy driving and all that comes with it.
I was just trying to find out as much as I can, which you guys are doing so well )
I see you stated agencies, would full time employment make the pay better. We all have a family to keep I’m sure the perfect job would be days with nice pay, but I’m guess that’s not gonna happen.
