Been lurking here a while but thought I would post. I am possibly being made redundant over the next month or so and am thinking of getting into trucking. For some reason it really appeals to me, although I have no idea why really
Not a stranger to driving as have been doing 30-35000 miles a year with work, also have some van/7.5t experience. My first 7.5t was trial by fire, picking it up in Manchester city centre at rush hour, driving to mid Wales then having to reverse 30 meters up a 45 degree incline through a gateway that was a foot wider than the truck.
My questions really are, as money hopefully shouldn’t be a problem (redundancy payout) should I go for the full C+E straight away or just the C licence and try and get work and experience that way.
Not sure what I need for provisional either, already have c1 as I passed my test 20 years ago.
Also how is business at the mo, see a lot on here saying here is no work, but then lots of ‘driver shortage’ messages too
You will need a medical then need to do theory & HPT also 35 hrs periodic training before 2014
Find a training provider that you are happy with go for assessments at several before you decide
No driver shortage but there might be a job shortage just like every other industry if you think about it you will see this
Depends where you live as to what jobs are available some areas are better than others & just because a job is advertised it may be through an agency & all of the agency in your area will be advertising the same job
Your 7.5 t or c1 as it is now / van work count as zero experience with your Cat C or CE sorry to say
There are two schools of thought on it. You can do your C and then your CE a couple of weeks after, or you can get some C experience first and do the CE later. I personally did them back-to-back.
You will need to pass a medical to get your provisional entitlement (and send your licence to the DVLA) and you will have to pass the theory and hazard perception tests.
Your C1 gives you a ‘vocational’ licence so you will not need to complete the drivers CPC until 2014.
Reading the posts on here, work is hard to find right now, particularly before you have two years experience. Not impossible but difficult.
if you think about it you will see this