I am a bit frustrated at the moment trying to get my first Class 2 job. I was previously a bus driver but due to circumstances decided to change career last year. I have been looking for work since November I have had some interviews [not had a driving assessment yet] but as of yet nothing has came up for me. My latest pre-interview offer today was Class 2 job multi-drop @ £7.36 p/h which was going up to National Living Wage in April !!! Are my expectations too high for £8-9 p/h for a first job Class 2 driving ?
I saw a class two job for 7.50 per hour yesterday absolutely disgraceful. Until drivers take a stance about the terms and conditions, long hours and poor pay we receive the money will keep staying low, me personally I would not drive for less than 14.00 per hour and that would only be if I received time and a half after 8 hrs
As much as I want the ‘recent experience’ box ticked by doing whatever driving I can, when you factor in the responsibility involved driving trucks I would not do it for less than £8 an hour minimum and O/T rate on top for the extra hours. I would take casual manual work for NMW as it’s a lot less hassle.
We all have different circumstances and ideas though mate, I appreciate that but £7 and a bit is a pee take imo.
andy_s:
As much as I want the ‘recent experience’ box ticked by doing whatever driving I can, when you factor in the responsibility involved driving trucks I would not do it for less than £8 an hour minimum and O/T rate on top for the extra hours.
Exactly. As a new pass, I waited 15 months for a job that paid a living wage. As much as I wanted experience,I wasn’t going to get into debt getting it, and work like a Blackpool donkey for a pittance.
God no working for that joke of a wage. I mean down in the south here I seriously wouldn’t work for less then £13 p/h for standard ce work (trunking etc). I do specialist so get paid more but I’m expected to do a lot more as well
Arborist:
God no working for that joke of a wage. I mean down in the south here I seriously wouldn’t work for less then £13 p/h for standard ce work (trunking etc). I do specialist so get paid more but I’m expected to do a lot more as well
I am a bit frustrated at the moment trying to get my first Class 2 job. I was previously a bus driver but due to circumstances decided to change career last year. I have been looking for work since November I have had some interviews [not had a driving assessment yet] but as of yet nothing has came up for me. My latest pre-interview offer today was Class 2 job multi-drop @ £7.36 p/h which was going up to National Living Wage in April !!! Are my expectations too high for £8-9 p/h for a first job Class 2 driving ?
Regards,
Ron
Were about do you live, I’m in Liverpool and not seen any class 2 work for less than £9 per hour, average here is around £10 per hour.
Even 7.5tn work I’ve done this week paid me £9 per hour, £7.36 is terrible.
Are you sure you’ve looked everywere.
I drive a 3.5t sprinter doing 20 drops a day ,40 hour week for £9.60ph & time and a third after that .
I’ve got the class 2 next month and no way would I take a job for less than £11ph !
Arborist:
God no working for that joke of a wage. I mean down in the south here I seriously wouldn’t work for less then £13 p/h for standard ce work (trunking etc). I do specialist so get paid more but I’m expected to do a lot more as well
Are you quoting PAYE or S/E rates here mate?
Paye mate. Don’t even bother myself with self employed. I have so little patience for crap pay that I would go back to my old job before I let myself get paid next too bugger all
The agency I used in reading area I used paid me £11.30 p/h paye for class 2 pallets on average about a 10 hour day and just under £15 p/h for overtime over 8 hours and to be fair they stood by this.
Also my job now is paid at more because I’m a qualified light/HGV tech as well so it’s not quite black and white trucking if you know what I mean
Thanks for the replies guys ! I didn’t take the job due to the low wage. It was a well known Logistics company on based on The Wirral. I tested the water on here because I thought afterwards am I being too fussy but £7.36 is IMHO not very good considering that I’m driving a Class 2 vehicle and not for example doing a more safer job.
andy_s:
As much as I want the ‘recent experience’ box ticked by doing whatever driving I can, when you factor in the responsibility involved driving trucks I would not do it for less than £8 an hour minimum and O/T rate on top for the extra hours. I would take casual manual work for NMW as it’s a lot less hassle.
We all have different circumstances and ideas though mate, I appreciate that but £7 and a bit is a pee take imo.
My thoughts exactly Andy. £8 PH must be the baseline for what we are expected to do to get recent experience. I’m not fussy what I do either. In the quiet period I have got my HIAB certificate. I’m hoping things will pick up soon
I am a bit frustrated at the moment trying to get my first Class 2 job. I was previously a bus driver but due to circumstances decided to change career last year. I have been looking for work since November I have had some interviews [not had a driving assessment yet] but as of yet nothing has came up for me. My latest pre-interview offer today was Class 2 job multi-drop @ £7.36 p/h which was going up to National Living Wage in April !!! Are my expectations too high for £8-9 p/h for a first job Class 2 driving ?
Regards,
Ron
Were about do you live, I’m in Liverpool and not seen any class 2 work for less than £9 per hour, average here is around £10 per hour.
Even 7.5tn work I’ve done this week paid me £9 per hour, £7.36 is terrible.
Are you sure you’ve looked everywere.
I’m in Chester/ North Wales. I have been knocking on doors e-mailing applying etc since November. I’ve never been told not enough experience yet however one company told me that he would be worried that I would leave them and go back on the buses when the opportunity arose ■■? I have had a couple of other interviews too one which was bizzarre that I talked about in a earlier thread. Agencies around here are quiet too. The Genral feedback is once this month is over things should pick up.
Arborist:
God no working for that joke of a wage. I mean down in the south here I seriously wouldn’t work for less then £13 p/h for standard ce work (trunking etc). I do specialist so get paid more but I’m expected to do a lot more as well
Are you quoting PAYE or S/E rates here mate?
Paye mate. Don’t even bother myself with self employed. I have so little patience for crap pay that I would go back to my old job before I let myself get paid next too bugger all
The agency I used in reading area I used paid me £11.30 p/h paye for class 2 pallets on average about a 10 hour day and just under £15 p/h for overtime over 8 hours and to be fair they stood by this.
Also my job now is paid at more because I’m a qualified light/HGV tech as well so it’s not quite black and white trucking if you know what I mean
Well good on you pal, as I think you’re doing well with those rates! (But you’re also more than just a driver…)
As we know, rates can vary quite a bit region by region, and around my area agencies offer £10 to £11 an hour.
Not amazing considering the living costs down here, especially as you’ll be pushed to find ones that even offer an overtime rate.
Along with these rates, Newbies should also appreciate that directly employed rates are generally lower as you’ve got guaranteed work/wages. Where as with agency you’ve got bugger all guaranteed…
Arborist:
God no working for that joke of a wage. I mean down in the south here I seriously wouldn’t work for less then £13 p/h for standard ce work (trunking etc). I do specialist so get paid more but I’m expected to do a lot more as well
Are you quoting PAYE or S/E rates here mate?
Paye mate. Don’t even bother myself with self employed. I have so little patience for crap pay that I would go back to my old job before I let myself get paid next too bugger all
The agency I used in reading area I used paid me £11.30 p/h paye for class 2 pallets on average about a 10 hour day and just under £15 p/h for overtime over 8 hours and to be fair they stood by this.
Also my job now is paid at more because I’m a qualified light/HGV tech as well so it’s not quite black and white trucking if you know what I mean
Well good on you pal, as I think you’re doing well with those rates! (But you’re also more than just a driver…)
As we know, rates can vary quite a bit region by region, and around my area agencies offer £10 to £11 an hour.
Not amazing considering the living costs down here, especially as you’ll be pushed to find ones that even offer an overtime rate.
Along with these rates, Newbies should also appreciate that directly employed rates are generally lower as you’ve got guaranteed work/wages. Where as with agency you’ve got bugger all guaranteed…
Thats the thing with agency, yes you are probably on more an hour, but when it’s quiet you aren’t earning at all… I think some people do live in a dream world with wages…
I know specialist lads just on some of the wages above’ and some people would expect it for pulling a tautliner!
yt03:
Thats the thing with agency, yes you are probably on more an hour, but when it’s quiet you aren’t earning at all… I think some people do live in a dream world with wages…
I know specialist lads just on some of the wages above’ and some people would expect it for pulling a tautliner!
As I’m sure you know I’m a long term limper, but at the same time I’m not an advocate of agencies, as I don’t think the pay differential is enough for the differences in employment. There are pro’s and con’s to it, and it’s a good varied early experience for a Newbie, but I wouldn’t want to stay agency! It’s just that I still haven’t found what I’m looking for… I’m quoting U2!
Plenty of work out there for a driver with a good reputation though, so I wouldn’t say job insecurity is an issue for the deserving. As such this does negate the lack of guaranteed income,but at the same time you don’t have the same bargaining power of a FTW. You’re told to jump X high, and you do it or possibly find a new employer!
£11.50 ph on the books for me, class 2 tipper and hi-ab work, been here a year and can’t see me going elsewhere as I think it’s near top dollors for what I do
Superhampton1980:
£11.50 ph on the books for me, class 2 tipper and hi-ab work, been here a year and can’t see me going elsewhere as I think it’s near top dollors for what I do
Good for you, and if the hours also suit, then even better…
Which is another thing about finding the right job, do you want silly hours, or a lower restricted income with more of a life?
We are all different, and with agency, good luck with good hours and T&C’s…
(But you’re also more than just a driver…)
It’s just that I still haven’t found what I’m looking for… I’m quoting U2! 