63 looks and not one answer.
I’ll keep it simple
Save yourself the grief and money.
You already have doubts and fears
The jobs not Wat it was and will never return to what it was.
Unfortunately the job is continuing on its down hill slide.
Good luck.
Another perspective is that you already have a job offer. This is most unusual and should be grabbed firmly with both hands especially at your age.
You have a serious lack of industry knowledge if you expect not to have to shift stuff out of the back. Of course there’s plenty of work where you don’t have to. But you should expect to work.
You can test in an auto truck - but you will only get auto licence and this could restrict your employability.
Hope this helps, Pete 
I’m sure learning and taking your test in an automatic seemed like a good idea but as Peter says you will restrict yourself severely. You’ll find it near impossible to get on the ladder just having the ability to drive automatics unless you have some great contacts in the business. Seems like false economy to learn to drive automatics only to then have to pay to learn and pass test in manuals later which lets face it are more numerous.
Been brutally honest mate and it’s probably not what you want to hear but I just wouldn’t bother in all honestly. You’re young put your money to another skill. The job just isn’t worth it anymore. I’ve been driving class 1 12 years and can’t stand it. I only do it for the money. The stress everyday will put 10 years on you. But if you decide to go ahead I very much doubt you will find a class 2 job just doing motorway miles. A lot of them are either handball or they have a tail gate on the rear for you to use a pump truck to load/unload. As for the automatic licence I really don’t know if company’s take on with that. Good luck with with what ever you decide though buddy.
you could consider doing LGV C in a manual which would then upgrade your car licence to manual
If you do then try and find a straight 6 manual gearbox training truck
I always found the clutch easier in a manual truck easier than in a manual car
I don’t mind the questions mate. Yeh I enjoy driving in fact I love it but it’s all the BS that comes with the job and industry.
Well, at the minute I do casual and holiday work and I love it!! The day is not complete until some arse in an audi has matched my speed up the slip and then cut me up at the very last minute, despite dropping my speed by about 15kph, or some arse in a BMW has come round the roundabout without indicating and beeped his horn at me for taking up half the roundabout!! Or even a cyclist doing something stupid. The day is always made better though when you overtake another truck and you see…(Pause for effect)…Yes, an agency driver wearing his high vis and a fat roll up on the go!!!
With regards to C&E, if on curtains the only real work you do is strapping up and open/close curtains!! Hardly hard graft is it!■■?
adtrush:
Been brutally honest mate and it’s probably not what you want to hear but I just wouldn’t bother in all honestly. You’re young put your money to another skill. The job just isn’t worth it anymore. I’ve been driving class 1 12 years and can’t stand it. I only do it for the money. The stress everyday will put 10 years on you. But if you decide to go ahead I very much doubt you will find a class 2 job just doing motorway miles. A lot of them are either handball or they have a tail gate on the rear for you to use a pump truck to load/unload. As for the automatic licence I really don’t know if company’s take on with that. Good luck with with what ever you decide though buddy.
As a 33 y/o looking to get back in having been away for 5 years, could you go into more detail, please? What makes the job not worth it anymore?
Just get the licence and hush up the noise box
adtrush:
I don’t mind the questions mate. Yeh I enjoy driving in fact I love it but it’s all the BS that comes with the job and industry.
The above is the main reason I packed in driving about a year ago, I started about 15 years ago and loved the job you got your paperwork and did the job. Now nobody wants you your company tracks everything you do ringing to check when they can see you a screen in front of them, wanting every hour they can get, I have worked though 3 shifts in the office.
You will go to make a delivery and they don’t want what they have ordered, go to make a collection and everything is put in the way to make life hard.
I would never recommend driving to anyone, true here are good firms but not many.
Do containers then…It’s about your only option if you just want to drive…Unless opening the rear doors is also something you don’t want to do…Failing that…Maybe a different career path.
Seriousley though…That is probably the easiest job going.
If you just want to drive and not have to do any handballing etc have you considered driving a coach?
The reason I ask is because your goods walk on and walk off so other than some old biddy trying to talk to you it would be alot less physical at least
I used to drive for a living and before I got my class 2 I enjoyed driving my car. I stopped mainly because of the hours and wkend work and also I got fed up of all the morons on the road. There was times I enjoyed driving but overall I don’t miss it. I did get to see some great scenery from time to time which was probably the best thing about it
As a new driver you will not be getting out of doing the hard work. That being said, some places are harder than others. Someone at Brakes for example, a hard days work for them is 30 drops while for me its 5 drops and two collections.
mac12:
adtrush:
I don’t mind the questions mate. Yeh I enjoy driving in fact I love it but it’s all the BS that comes with the job and industry.The above is the main reason I packed in driving about a year ago, I started about 15 years ago and loved the job you got your paperwork and did the job. Now nobody wants you your company tracks everything you do ringing to check when they can see you a screen in front of them, wanting every hour they can get, I have worked though 3 shifts in the office.
You will go to make a delivery and they don’t want what they have ordered, go to make a collection and everything is put in the way to make life hard.
I would never recommend driving to anyone, true here are good firms but not many.
You were with the wrong company then. I only get called if I’ve been out for a long time, because my runs come from another company. No tracker. Get paid same as the employed blokes on artics (I drive a rigid).
Do the test in a manual, it will stand you in good stead for the future with all kinds of vehicles.
You can’t get out of all manual work, hooking up trailers can be a real chore, even opening/closing back doors can be a trying experience with old/dodgy equipment. Tippers themselves require a level of manual work (cleaning out the back if you’ve a sticky load)
Previous post ref coaches is not a bad thought if its just driving you’re after but your load might talk back!
I’m still new to the industry with a managerial/admin, office based background. I’m having a ball just now. Best decision I’ve made for a very long time despite the long hours and let’s face it, the manual side is keeping me fit.
So what is wrong with doing a little bit of work 
or are you just to lazy sorry
Bok a couple assessments see how it goes take in both manual & auto
ATM i drive a 58 plate manual 8 speed manual yep I get in the back move the goods to the back they they take the good off I don’t mind as it helps keep me fit & makes a change form just sitting in the cab all day I get to stretch my legs etc