I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.
I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.
But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.
My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.
Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.
As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.
After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.
Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.
I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.
In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)
Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.
If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk