I’m quite keen to learn to drive an HGV and actually have the funds to do it but people keep pooh-pooing the idea. It might be cause I’m an 8 and a 1/2 stone woman and people can’t really imagine me being able to load and unload anything heavy. Do many driving jobs involve that much manual handling these days?
I know that getting jobs once I’m qualified is difficult but you can say that about anything. I’ve retrained to do loads of different jobs over the last 20 years and it’s always been a bummer but not the end of the world.
Do you think it’s a good time to train as a driver? There seem to be lots of jobs near me around Gatwick airport but years of experience have taught me to trust employment agencies as far as I can kick them.
Plenty of jobs involve little to no manual handling. The bad news is a lot of jobs open to new passes seem involve a lot of effort and handling on your behalf.
User “animal” is only 4’11" so I believe from her previous postings. She has commented on this before, perhaps you could search for what she has had to say on the subject.
For what its worth I don’t think it is a reason for you not become a truck driver. In just the same a morbidly obese truck driver has to think his way out of certain problems a slim jim wouldn’t struggle with. So will you being short. Good luck, these days if you want something, its attainable.
Being a women shouldn’t stop you. Lots of general haulage is on pallets which is either forked off or you use a pump truck. The trucks are easy to drive, like drive with one finger easy.
Thank you, folks. I feel most encouraged! I do love big vehicles. I used to sell truck tyres for Michelin and I always wanted a go at driving them! I’m sick to death of office work and will never ever ever go back to being a teacher!
leahthemoon:
…years of experience have taught me to trust employment agencies as far as I can kick them.
Sounds like you’ve learned the most important lesson there so welcome to the HGV club…pretty sure you are actually allowed to kick the bosses of said agencies under an obscure part of the Highways Act!
I know a lot of people will think you can’t do it, but whatever you do, don’t let them talk you out of it (I did for 20 years and regret not doing it sooner). There are some jobs around which require a bit of dragging around such as food companies who want you to drag trolleys about into obscure places, but from I discovered in my current (non-driving) job, your body very rapidly learns to cope and builds muscle. Other jobs will be as mentioned pallets which you have very little to do with beyond opening curtains and sitting back, making cuppas.
It’s not the old way of roping and sheeting with huge canvas sheets being dragged across the load while it’s -20’C outside, 10 foot deep in snow and so cold the brass monkey was running stopping his round-parts rolling the the hill. Not actually sure most of it was ever like that, but some would have us believe it. There is still some roping & sheeting around, but health & safety seems to be slowing getting rid of it.
Jobs wise - well if anyone is willing to even think about giving me a job then I’m pretty sure you’ll find one (41, shortarse & male = not a good combo). The biggest headache appears to be insurance for new drivers, but the bigger players apparently don’t worry as much and neither do those who can’t get people to stay like food companies. Just don’t move to Nottinghamshire as a lot of smaller companies use one broker and they don’t like newbies.
Basically, go for it - if you want to do it and you’re willing to put up with a few knockbacks, then just go for it…!!
We have a steady throughput of lady candidates and I have no evidence that any of them struggle to work.
Just upgraded a lady from Scotland last week who has been driving CAT C for a good while and I know she already had at least one assessment drive lined up.
There’s several lady drivers on the forum that we’ve trained and, as far as I know, they’re all working.
All of the above is good advise, especially F-reds almost bra burning post!
I wouldn’t let gender come in to your thoughts really, yes there are male chauvinists in transport, as there is with every trade… But the majority of us don’t think that way, and possibly also have a bit of admiration of your balls!
So crack on Drive!
P.S. Class 1 work is generally easier than rigid class 2 “VAN” work, and animal our resident dwarf should be a great source of information and help! I’m only jealous as she probably doesn’t pay VAT on her clothes!
The female side of our industry definitely needs more promoting especially as these days trucks are so easy to drive and apart from specialist sectors the need to be built like a brick poop house is outdated.
That said I’ve met many an attractive lady who could beat me in a wrestling match but enough about my hobbies.
Follow your dreams Leah, don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.
Go for it! I’m the lady from Scotland Pete spoke about in his post. I’m 5’ 5" in my 50s and not built like an all in wrestler I love driving trucks, the bigger the better! I often draw stares from pedestrians and other drivers as there arent that many women HGV drivers up here, and most folk Ive met at drops are happy to help if something is way too heavy to move. Well either they help or it stays on the truck!
I have worked on some heavy cage work which was unpleasant, ached all over for weeks but thats over now. Im currently working on an NHS job through an agency and its a doddle (still cages/pallets but much easier). The guys at this job were really pleased for me when I passed and -while I wait for an assessment (as the guy who does them is on holiday) - they let me reverse and move the artics in the yard if Im in when they need moving, everything from smaller urban trailers to huge double deckers which is all good practise and helps your confidence a lot.
Plenty of work at the airport or on Manor Royal that doesn’t need massive physical attributes to do the job.
Maybe go and speak to some of the agencies first to see what they might offer. I know we have quite a few female agency and full time drivers working for us as it’s not difficult work.
Most of the guys where I work are ‘large’ people who get out of breath winding the legs up on the trailer and that’s about as much physical work they do.
If your not interested in manual handling steer clear of multi drop and you will be fine.
I’m quite keen to learn to drive an HGV and actually have the funds to do it but people keep pooh-pooing the idea. It might be cause I’m an 8 and a 1/2 stone woman and people can’t really imagine me being able to load and unload anything heavy. Do many driving jobs involve that much manual handling these days?
I know that getting jobs once I’m qualified is difficult but you can say that about anything. I’ve retrained to do loads of different jobs over the last 20 years and it’s always been a bummer but not the end of the world.
Do you think it’s a good time to train as a driver? There seem to be lots of jobs near me around Gatwick airport but years of experience have taught me to trust employment agencies as far as I can kick them.
What is the general consensus?
Thank you
Leah
The thing with agencies is its really hard to tell the good ones from the bad. By the time you’ve realised which they are, they’ve screwed you over already. That said, I’ve found them to be a really good way of finding full time employment.
PS agree with you on the teaching!
Yep I am defo a woman 4’ 10" under 8st have been driving for a living for nearly 20 years now started on small vans then took Cat C then CE
I have worked general some hand ball not a lot mind fridges which is much easier I find it suits me even the early starts
There are several of us out there so stop being daft & if you really want to go for it
But do find a good training provider go have at least 2 assessments before deciding don’t limit to where you are ( I didn’t went down to Chelmsford John Flair training )
There are several providers on here that can / will give you all the advice you need
Thank you very much everyone. I will definitely get myself booked in for an assessment. I think we have a couple of training centres that are on your list around here.
