my first day today out on my own and it went ok was due to have two runs today but with being a newbie and the stores being busy with cars blocking unloading area i was late back so got sent home at 1130 was due back at the yard at 9am started at 4am had 3 drops 34 cages to drop off and pick up emptys im was beating myself up as i couldnt do it within the time stated but i hope it will come with exp some of the drops are tight getting in out out, and with the sat nav sending me down tight roads ment to be a truck nav…
Gets better in time??
What were your first days like does it get better after a few days lol love being out on the road tho really can see myself behind the wheel for years.
After a while you learn to break all the rules and laws so you can get things done in time. Once you lose your license they put a sign up saying next please. Sorry cynical joke.
My first day went rather well. I was however late back by about 2hrs but everything was delivered and collected which was more important to them. I then had a very crap second shift though to the point I was seriously questioning whether this job is for me, I forced myself into the third shift and it has started to come together since then.
On my last shift (I currently only do one shift a week due to another full time job i’m hoping to be made redundant from asap) I reached my last drop #10 just 10 minutes later than my predicted time.
I’m surprised that the company have turned you loose solo straight away if they know your a newbie. Stick with it and just remember you WILL have bad days but in the long run they can only be GOOD experience.
It does get better but be prepared in the knowledge you’ll make a shed load of mistakes first. I know i’ve still got plenty ahead!!
I had lots of training before i was sent out on my own, but after the two weeks training (crane + driving) was over and i was out there i found it quite hard, it wasnt an easy job anyway but some drops were almost impossible but you just work through it.
1st run was straight forward, follow another driver to Stafford (from Exeter) reverse onto bay (3 shunts) drop trailer, go round other side of yard to pick up loaded trailer…walk back to original trailer to retrieve number plate…take 45 break and then back to Exeter to unload…loved every nervous, shaking minute of it
4 days later my 3rd run was…interesting got an offside tyre blow out on axle 2 and spent 3 hours on the hardshoulder waiting to get a new tyre! plenty of time to calm down before driving back to base at Highbridge.
Have made loads of mistakes along the way (14 shunts onto a bay with an audience ) it will all come together one day!
My first run i ran out of fuel , one of the guys had said Id have enough to get back etc turned out only had enough to get there ,
closure on m25 , had big detour,what was a normally a 5-6 hr shift turned into nearly 13 hrs no fuel card and stuck at south mimms with no means of payment , didnt think i was gonna get back, didnt think the company would ever have me back as id cocked up so bad but ended up working for them reg for the next 2 years ,
learnt from that so always made sure had fuel from then on , so as long as you learn from your mistakes no problem, its when you keep making them that people get annoyed
youll be fine just getting used to your run will help ,
First time in any LGV on my own.
First time driving an LGV in the dark.
First time in an automatic truck.
First time using a digital tacho.
First time in a loaded truck (30 tonnes)
First time driving an artic in a city centre.
First time uncoupling an artic trailer (I trained in a wag’n’drag).
and…
First time my arse has continually tried to eat a seat cushion for eight hours.
So today was alot better well most of it… I was doing great till i got held up on the m27 when a van lost one of its wheels… Which put me behind with ny 4 drop which then had a knock on effect with rest of thembut still im feeling better than yesterday. I still need to plan my routes better as i have been but the map reading down to the sat nav and it was taking me down some roads which i could go down but just pure stupid to go down. So now ive done 10 stores out of the 400 odd. Id post a picture but not sure how.
Dan_1986:
So today was alot better well most of it… I was doing great till i got held up on the m27 when a van lost one of its wheels… Which put me behind with ny 4 drop which then had a knock on effect with rest of thembut still im feeling better than yesterday. I still need to plan my routes better as i have been but the map reading down to the sat nav and it was taking me down some roads which i could go down but just pure stupid to go down. So now ive done 10 stores out of the 400 odd. Id post a picture but not sure how.
Dan
Go to the Board Index, Go down to and click on ‘frequently asked questions’ and read the topic on the new easy way to add photo’s post! I read through that one and posted pics on here…its really easy even for an old techno phobe duffer like me
Ive been using google maps to save the places i go to so i can plan routes better and zoom in to street view to see what they are next to and whats around.
iv been driving for a well known firm for a week now and still have to shunt and get nervouse reversing onto tight bays even with laughing crowds, makes me swear no-end but im hoping it will all come together in the end lol, best of luck with it i know how you feel
Sorry cynical joke. 
got an offside tyre blow out on axle 2 and spent 3 hours on the hardshoulder waiting to get a new tyre! plenty of time to calm down before driving back to base at Highbridge.
) it will all come together one day!
was up to my tank needed towed out, gave my former workmates (on machines)a laugh.