To those under the age of 25

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Be aware, there is not much work for younger people. I know most people coming into driving are in their 40’s already, but to those who aren’t be wary.

Some companies will ignore their 2 years experience limit, but not all. If you’re under 21/23/25 they will give you a flat no (obviously there are some that show interest), because of the insurance requirements. Even as an agency golden boy I was only doing 2 shifts a week.

Just be wary, and maybe do some asking around to see if anyone will give you a go if you pass.

Edit: Do not let the above discourage you. There is work, if you’re willing to take the ■■■■ with the sugar, and it’s a much better job than some. Take some CD’s with you and have yourself a little party in the cab. You can’t do that when you’re working on a till. :unamused:

Further edit: Went in for an agency assessment with Fowler Welch. I told the guy my age and when I passed (while in the cab) he phoned round the next level of management, they said “No age limit on our policy” another said “With the way drivers are nowadays we want to get any youngsters that are willing” or words to that effect. Went and picked up a trailer of a guy forced to do a night out by traffic, and one-shotted it on to the bay (still really pleased with myself :laughing:). So apparently yes, there is work out there. Maybe it’s just January. Maybe in April I’ll have more chance of getting on to a job I’m interested in.

2

htmldude:
Be aware, there is not much work for younger people. I know most people coming into driving are in their 40’s already, but to those who aren’t be wary.

Some companies will ignore their 2 years experience limit, but not all. If you’re under 21/23/25 they will give you a flat no (obviously there are some that show interest), because of the insurance requirements. Even as an agency golden boy I was only doing 2 shifts a week.

Just be wary, and maybe do some asking around to see if anyone will give you a go if you pass.

Radar is under 25 and so is Ash 001, yet both have full time jobs mate!
I appreciate that it may be harder, but that just means you have to put more effort in…
I guess it may be a bit different with agencies, as they can pick shift by shift who they take, and if there is an older and more experienced driver, you’re probably going to miss out.

P.S. Every driver is an agency’s “Golden boy!” :laughing:

3

Evil8Beezle:

htmldude:
Be aware, there is not much work for younger people. I know most people coming into driving are in their 40’s already, but to those who aren’t be wary.

Some companies will ignore their 2 years experience limit, but not all. If you’re under 21/23/25 they will give you a flat no (obviously there are some that show interest), because of the insurance requirements. Even as an agency golden boy I was only doing 2 shifts a week.

Just be wary, and maybe do some asking around to see if anyone will give you a go if you pass.

Radar is under 25 and so is Ash 001, yet both have full time jobs mate!
I appreciate that it may be harder, but that just means you have to put more effort in…
I guess it may be a bit different with agencies, as they can pick shift by shift who they take, and if there is an older and more experienced driver, you’re probably going to miss out.

P.S. Every driver is an agency’s “Golden boy!” :laughing:

Posted by the Golden Buddha him self :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

4

I think you will find that my ex still has mine in a jar somewhere! :laughing:

5

Actually 25 but only just. I got my current gig over a year ago now. Need to really get my Class 1 sorted soon.

6

Beezle was under 25 once, but you didn’t need a licence for a horse and cart!

7

NickW88:
Beezle was under 25 once, but you didn’t need a licence for a horse and cart!

I’d like to be under a few 25 year olds… :wink:

8

Evil8Beezle:

NickW88:
Beezle was under 25 once, but you didn’t need a licence for a horse and cart!

I’d like to be under a few 25 year olds… :wink:

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

9

I agree that it is harder, but there is definitely work out there for under-25s. Like said, there are a few on here who do have full-time jobs, so it shouldn’t be implied that it’s impossible to find work if you’re under-25. I can’t remember where I read it, and I can’t be bothered to source it at this time, but I’m sure I remember it saying that only 2% of the UK’s lorry drivers are under-25, and the average age of a British lorry driver is 51! :blush:

I’m 22, and I applied for a few jobs. In just one week, I’ve been offered Monday to Friday day work with a national haulage company, Monday to Friday tramping with a local company, and Thursday to Monday tramping with a regional firm. I was also asked to attend an interview and assessment drive for another local company. I do have quite a bit of experience with commercial vehicles and the transport industry, and I’ve been driving regularly after passing my tests, but I’m still 22. I can’t take the tramping at the moment, because of family and other commitments, but in the summer I would snap it up. :grimacing:

Personally, I’d say to ignore what it says on websites as being the minimum requirements for age and experience. Sometimes I think they just do it to avoid the absolute numpties, or to get out of having to give a bit of informal training. If they check you out, see that you’re OK, and that they’d trust you in one of their trucks, you’ll be fine. :smiley:

As for the agency lark, I get the impression that agencies drop themselves in it when it comes to age and experience minimums. When the agency is negotiating with the haulage company about what drivers they would like, they probably ask something like: “Do you want drivers with experience, or are you willing to take-on less experienced drivers?” It’s obvious that any haulage company’s reply will be: “Oh yes, only the most experienced drivers please.” The agency has to fulfil that, and that’s why I think there aren’t many opportunities for younger drivers with agencies, they don’t help anyone out. Although, I did see an agency which stated that if you have less than a year’s experience, you can do a day’s free course with them, and then you’re OK to go on any of the agency’s jobs. How true it is, I don’t know.

A few days ago I was talking to a fellow in the aviation industry, and he reckons their recruitment trends are the complete mirror-opposite of the haulage industry. Airlines want pilots as young as possible, straight out of training, so that their minds are fresh, they are in prime health, and they have a long career ahead of them. One airline will take on newly-qualified pilots as young as 19 years old! And they’re flying something carrying 200 people! Some airlines will also not recruit pilots over 35 years old! Aviation is a young-man’s game, haulage is an old-man’s game, it’s absolutely mental! :cry:

10

I’ve never had the age problem yet being 27 but have come across the lack of experience issue. Got my class 1 coming up and have been looking for work to give me a taste of what there is and concerned a little at the lack of, however this is the “quiet time” and I’ve never taken longer than 2 weeks to find a job so hoping that trend continues!

11

Another potential option is to be taken on as a warehouse/forklift / van driver or whatever other position is available at the company you want to work for and when they know you are reliable let them know you have the licence and want to drive the big rigs.

12

I got my class 1 at 18 and never had a bother anywhere. The rule was always thrown out the window.

So it’s absolute rubbish

13

Dude yes age is a stumbling block to permanent Jobs BUT it’s also down to how much someone puts into a job if you want to learn and are hard working firms are prepared to take a punt on a younger driver.
Insurance terms are flexible the same as companies are if they see you are willing,there are drivers at pound land under 25 which are hard working and work is out there don’t give up just coz of your age.

14

It goes without saying that as an under-25, you may have to take some of the less-popular work. I imagine most of the cushty, more comfortable day work is quickly snarled-up by the experienced lot, leaving the less-desirable stuff, such as nights, multi-drop, or tramping for us young 'uns. They never have to advertise the best jobs, because people are already after them. Unless you’ve got family or other personal contacts, you’ll nearly always have to compete against people with more experience, and more qualifications, and to an employer, an older person is a safe bet, and a young person is a risk.

A while ago, we were looking for a shunter driver at work, and put up a few advertisements. We only got three applications, and one of them only had a Cat C licence, so it was down to just two. One was a 65-year-old ex lorry driver, and the other was a 19-year-old lad, who’d spent the last year in the Army, and had accumulated a list of driving qualifications as long as his arm. I didn’t have a say in the issue, but the management went for the older fellow. A year on, the funny thing is that the old fellow is starting to cause a lot of problems. He has a bump nearly every shift, and his excuses for getting out of a job are hilarious. He told me the other week that his arthritis is that bad, he struggles using a manual gearbox! Last month he hit another firm’s truck with a snowplough, and his excuse was that he forgot it had a snowplough on the front! Far be it from me to laugh at the troubles of old-age, but the management took this fellow on, because on paper he had reams of experience, but it turns out he’s just a recipe for disaster! The young lad had to be better than him! It’s all funny until somebody gets hurt that’s the problem :frowning:

I enquired about a job today for a car-transporter firm, and there were no problems with age and experience, as I know my way around a car transporter through work. The lad said they only want experienced car-transporter tramper drivers, and it made me think, hold on, there can’t be many of those about, you need to lower your standards mate! Unless you’re paying them a grand a week! :smiley:

15

htmldude:
Be aware, there is not much work for younger people. I know most people coming into driving are in their 40’s already, but to those who aren’t be wary.

Some companies will ignore their 2 years experience limit, but not all. If you’re under 21/23/25 they will give you a flat no (obviously there are some that show interest), because of the insurance requirements. Even as an agency golden boy I was only doing 2 shifts a week.

Just be wary, and maybe do some asking around to see if anyone will give you a go if you pass.

What a crock of ■■■■.

Nice way to put those thinking about a career straight on to a negative. You’re as bad as all the old tossers who moan and list every possible negative as soon as someone green asks about a position/type of work/company. No wonder we can’t get any young guys into the industry.

Yes, some companies may knock you back for lack of experience or age, usually smaller firms. If they want you bad enough, they’ll work it. I had a guy offer to change his insurance to get me working for him. Attitude goes just as far as experience with some. Show you’re keen, knowledgeable and confident at driving (even if you’re making buttons and sweating ice).

I applied for 6 jobs one week and had 4 replies, 2 for driving assessments and 2 asking if I could start Monday, at 20 with a few months rigid experience.

Apply, apply, apply and apply some more. When someone gives you a chance, take it. Don’t get the urine taken out you, but be willing to crack on and not moan and you’ll get on fine.

You won’t be able to pick and choose like experienced older guys and might have to do the bottom rungs of the ladder until something better comes along, so what? Every career is like that.

My personal experience.

A.

16

Evil8Beezle:

NickW88:
Beezle was under 25 once, but you didn’t need a licence for a horse and cart!

I’d like to be under a few 25 year olds… :wink:

I’ll give you a go mate :smiley:

17

Adonis.:

htmldude:
Be aware, there is not much work for younger people. I know most people coming into driving are in their 40’s already, but to those who aren’t be wary.

Some companies will ignore their 2 years experience limit, but not all. If you’re under 21/23/25 they will give you a flat no (obviously there are some that show interest), because of the insurance requirements. Even as an agency golden boy I was only doing 2 shifts a week.

Just be wary, and maybe do some asking around to see if anyone will give you a go if you pass.

What a crock of [zb].

Nice way to put those thinking about a career straight on to a negative. You’re as bad as all the old tossers who moan and list every possible negative as soon as someone green asks about a position/type of work/company. No wonder we can’t get any young guys into the industry.

Yes, some companies may knock you back for lack of experience or age, usually smaller firms. If they want you bad enough, they’ll work it. I had a guy offer to change his insurance to get me working for him. Attitude goes just as far as experience with some. Show you’re keen, knowledgeable and confident at driving (even if you’re making buttons and sweating ice).

I applied for 6 jobs one week and had 4 replies, 2 for driving assessments and 2 asking if I could start Monday, at 20 with a few months rigid experience.

Apply, apply, apply and apply some more. When someone gives you a chance, take it. Don’t get the urine taken out you, but be willing to crack on and not moan and you’ll get on fine.

You won’t be able to pick and choose like experienced older guys and might have to do the bottom rungs of the ladder until something better comes along, so what? Every career is like that.

My personal experience.

A.

You are right mate it’s not good of my to be fair. Far be it from me to tell people what to do, get enough of that off the missus. I only managed to find one company that was hiring in my area (the West Bloody Midlands, you’d think there’d be one or two hauliers around here), and that was multiple nights out a week, sadly at the company I really wanted to work at. I’ve been in to places, and they’ve seemed impressed enough by my manner, but not by my CV. I’m starting to wonder if it’s my appearance… (but I’ve seen with tattoos up to their ears working so…)

I’ll edit the original post a little, make it a bit less negative, but I’m not sure I can edit the title.

18

htmldude:

Evil8Beezle:

NickW88:
Beezle was under 25 once, but you didn’t need a licence for a horse and cart!

I’d like to be under a few 25 year olds… :wink:

I’ll give you a go mate :smiley:

I’m not sure what to say to that? :blush:
Be careful, this way i’m a virgin! :laughing:

19

Be careful Beezle, you’ll end up on the register at this rate lol

20

Adonis.:
Yes, some companies may knock you back for lack of experience or age, usually smaller firms.

A.

Don’t think there’s a right or wrong, but I say to people try the smaller firms, especially the family type ones, they aren’t having to abide by corporate rules.

When we took on two younger guys, it was because as a small firm we understand the problems when you are starting out.