I’ve been debating for ages whether to go for it or not. I’ve had the medical and got my provisional but I’m just not sure if it is worth the risk. I think maybe £3500 to go from nothing to class 1, plus all the digi / tacho training /CPC and so on which sounds complicated as I still don’t get it all despite research.
Jobs advertised in West Midlands are £9 - £13.00 and 99% say 2 years experience for insurance reasons. So it feels like a lot of money to spend out, not to mention quite a high responsibility job, long hours with all the faff for a return which isn’t amazing.
Any newbies here tell me if you made the jump was it worth the investment?
There are jobs out there for new drivers but you have to get out there and find them, get on the phone or go visit them and show enthusiasm and eagerness.
Is it worth the expense? Well what are your options without the licences? For me, it would be minimum wage warehouse type jobs so my licence gives me access to jobs that I enjoy and provide a wage well above minimum.
If you showed it to an accountant, they’d probably tell you that anyone who pays their own way is absolutely nuts and should be introduced to a white jacket with long sleeves.
Personally I think you’ve got to want to do it for more than money reasons. Unless you’re earning a lot less than say £350 - £400 then it’ll take a long time to get the money back for class 2, and maybe £500 - £600 for class 1 (amounts do vary). But you do get a lifestyle of being fairly independent depending on the job and if you like being on your own then it’s ideal.
If you’re worried about the outlay, you can do class 2 and get a job doing that since they take a bit of getting used to and then if you enjoy it, move onto class 1. Plus you’re usually more likely to get a class 2 job due to insurance.
Jobs wise - a lot of companies won’t look at you, but there are some who will. Finding them can take a while and you can use the knocking on doors method, join an agency or send out 100 CV’s and hope for the best (it worked for me eventually). Agencies are an entire topic on their own with their own complications, but it is definitely possible.
As said what are your options? I look at it this way,
9 pound and hour for 40 hours would be great compared to minimum wage zero hours contract.
If you have a good job then no it may not be worth it. Only you can decide that.
I think but need to check personally as well that training can be tax deductible so you can get 20% back. That may help.
It is a major outlay no question. 1 final thought I have is that 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year is 2080 hours worked. Earn an extra pound per hour and in 2 years you have the money back. 2 pound an hour its back in a year, (tax excluded for ease). Then any “extra” is your own, for as long as you do it.
However if you have a good job earning good money all that I have said is irrelevant.
kcrussell25:
1 final thought I have is that 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year is 2080 hours worked. Earn an extra pound per hour and in 2 years you have the money back. 2 pound an hour its back in a year, (tax excluded for ease). Then any “extra” is your own, for as long as you do it.
Absolutely this! Big numbers get remarkably small if they are being used over a long time.
I would never advise anyone purposefully get into debt with a credit card, as they can be a huge burden if you struggle with repayments, but, used wisely they can be a very cheap/free way to borrow money for 2 years or more. If you visit money saving expert there’s a wealth of information (poor pun sorry) but if your credit rating is reasonable there are lots of options of 2 years+ interest free cards so you could use that to fund the training and pay it back once you’re reaping the rewards of the training.
Anyway I’ve gone off on a tangent somewhat.
Only you can decide whether it’s worth it for you, it depends entirely on your lifestyle and circumstances, but, getting your licences opens up a huge field of potential employment that has to be one of the most flexible qualifications you can get
kcrussell25:
I think you have replied in the other thread but can I suggest you book an assessment drive?
They are not usually much and should give you an idea as how likely you are to pass and enjoy it.
oops, yes I posted in the wrong thread somehow. Assessment drive is probably the way to go.
Anyway, no I don’t have a great job, or a job at all, at the moment! But min wage is £7.20… though a lot are [zb] 0 hours or fake self employed roles.
Maybe going class 2 first is the way to do it cheaper but either way is a lot of money upfront… no guarantee of passing, getting a job or enjoying it. I wonder if the money would be better spent on an electrical course or IT training or something.
Anyway, no I don’t have a great job, or a job at all, at the moment! But min wage is £7.20… though a lot are [zb] 0 hours or fake self employed roles.
Maybe going class 2 first is the way to do it cheaper but either way is a lot of money upfront… no guarantee of passing, getting a job or enjoying it. I wonder if the money would be better spent on an electrical course or IT training or something.
difficult decisions
A lot of people become truck drivers beacause a family member did that job , they know the score somewhat before embarking on training and has been something they have hankered for , yes it is a lot of money but you have those skills for life once you have passed no one can take them tickets from you (unless your very silly and break the law!!!) so you can always fall back on them if you need it ,
Have a think could you drive a lorry for the rest of your life and be content and happy most of the time , as others have said you need to go for an assessment drive see what you think … I will also add that its not all convoy and smokey and the bandit , you will sometimes be treated like the lowest of the low but there are others that appreciate your worth and show it (like any job really )
Hope my 2 peneth has helped but is after all your decision , myself never regretted getting my licences but im one of these mad buggers that love to drive and grew up around the industry so I kinda like my job maybe Im lucky maybe Im mad either way I go home to family at the end of the day not dreading the morning when I have to go back
Jennie:
yes it is a lot of money but you have those skills for life once you have passed no one can take them tickets from you (unless your very silly and break the law!!!) so you can always fall back on them if you need it.
Don’t forget that your entitlement can be suspended or revoked on medical grounds…
Definitely worth it for me, passed last November got a job for Hermes I was on £9.90 an hour working weekends, wasn’t for me.
Then got a job for a local food firm, 4 days a week 10 hour days, if I finish early I get paid 10 hours if I go over 10 hours I get paid time and a half.
Definitely worth it for me that’s just class 2 as well
Pay is £11.17 an hour and £60 bonus a week
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kcrussell25:
I think you have replied in the other thread but can I suggest you book an assessment drive?
They are not usually much and should give you an idea as how likely you are to pass and enjoy it.
oops, yes I posted in the wrong thread somehow. Assessment drive is probably the way to go.
Anyway, no I don’t have a great job, or a job at all, at the moment! But min wage is £7.20… though a lot are [zb] 0 hours or fake self employed roles.
Maybe going class 2 first is the way to do it cheaper but either way is a lot of money upfront… no guarantee of passing, getting a job or enjoying it. I wonder if the money would be better spent on an electrical course or IT training or something.
difficult decisions
In your circumstances, as long as you can afford the initial outlay, I think you should go for it. It may not be the best paid industry, but it is better than minimum wage. I’m taking my class 2 at the moment, with the test on Thursday and am coming from a completely different angle. I’m in quite a responsible job (Prison Officer) earning nearly £15 per hour.
The job is becoming less enjoyable and dangerous. I have only 5 years to go until I retire from that job, but cannot see me being able to do it, so I am taking the plunge with HGV. I am willing to take a pay cut for the benefit of my mental health and sanity!
Do your class 2 and see how you go. As regards difficulty getting your foot in the door, be prepared to do agency crap if necessary. A good attitude will soon see doors creaking open mate.
With regards to getting a job as a newbie. I didn’t once have a problem getting a job. Within one month of passing my test I was offered employment at four places. I didn’t have to do agency at all. I’m sure I’m lucky and location had a lot to do with it. Just saying that there are definitely places that will take you on!
How many graduates are there that have accrued 27k debt over three - four years and are working for less than 30k, and for those with poor degrees both in terms of results or choice of degree, they aren’t going to improve that wage much.
Instead of with, pay 3-4k over a few weeks for something that should pay for itself comfortably in a couple of years, and will get you 30k.
If you can be a brain surgeon, then go for that, but for most of us academically challenged people that isn’t going to happen!
albion:
How many graduates are there that have accrued 27k debt over three - four years and are working for less than 30k, and for those with poor degrees both in terms of results or choice of degree, they aren’t going to improve that wage much.
Instead of with, pay 3-4k over a few weeks for something that should pay for itself comfortably in a couple of years, and will get you 30k.
If you can be a brain surgeon, then go for that, but for most of us academically challenged people that isn’t going to happen!
This is very true. The number of people I interview for shelf stacking in a supermarket who has huge student loans but were pushed into going to university by their schools who failed or took a “Mickey mouse” degree is scary.
I said above it is a major outlay no question but as Albion says it soon pays for its self unless you already have a good job. If you don’t I think it needs to be viewed as an investment like university would be. Except a lot quicker and cheaper.
A quick point as well retail always used to be the back up for people but now it is very Difficult to get a full time job. It is zero/low hours contract and overtime. Obviously you can’t rely on overtime all year and holiday pay will be based on contract as well As sick pay if you’re lucky enough to get some
albion:
A quick point as well retail always used to be the back up for people but now it is very Difficult to get a full time job. It is zero/low hours contract and overtime. Obviously you can’t rely on overtime all year and holiday pay will be based on contract as well As sick pay if you’re lucky enough to get some
All retail around here is part-time on 0 hour contract. In effect they have you on call 24/7 but don’t actually guarantee you any money. 0 hours is supposed to offer both sides flexibility but in reality if you are a slave sat next to the phone because if you turn them down one day they won’t offer you anything more for a fortnight.
For an office job I notice a lot of them want a degree or at least A-levels, even for really basic paper shuffling admin roles. As if you need a degree to answer the phone, reply to emails and photocopy paperwork
I would consider other careers like plumbing or electrical but they seem harder to get into. Too old for an apprenticeship really and without one it seems even harder to get into a trade like that.
albion:
A quick point as well retail always used to be the back up for people but now it is very Difficult to get a full time job. It is zero/low hours contract and overtime. Obviously you can’t rely on overtime all year and holiday pay will be based on contract as well As sick pay if you’re lucky enough to get some
All retail around here is part-time on 0 hour contract. In effect they have you on call 24/7 but don’t actually guarantee you any money. 0 hours is supposed to offer both sides flexibility but in reality if you are a slave sat next to the phone because if you turn them down one day they won’t offer you anything more for a fortnight.
For an office job I notice a lot of them want a degree or at least A-levels, even for really basic paper shuffling admin roles. As if you need a degree to answer the phone, reply to emails and photocopy paperwork
I would consider other careers like plumbing or electrical but they seem harder to get into. Too old for an apprenticeship really and without one it seems even harder to get into a trade like that.
My employer doesn’t do zero hours but a lot of people are on 12-16. Like you say the flexibility only works 1 way and I have interviewed people who say exactly that about turning hours down.
I have posted before about jobs that don’t need degrees listing them to reduce applications as so many people have a degree these days.
I looked at electrical a couple of years ago after seeing courses advertised but when you speak to employers these qualifications are nice but they are not interested unless you have done the full apprenticeship. Like you I am to old for that hence me trying to do the driving again
I’ve commented on this before, but I have taken lads on under 25, no commercial experience and they earn around 38k on Euro work. Not many mid 20s lads that left school at 16 are going to earn that kind of money at that age. It’s possible to get a decent job, but we are the exception and most likely you will have to do agency first until you get your feet under the table.
