Sam Millar:
LewisG94:
I made a decision to get my class 2 done at flair training, but on the website for doing the C+E it shows a wd not an articYes, a wag and drag is still an artic, and sitting a test in said vehicle will still gain you a C+E entitlement.
You say that, but ive heard when you jump into an artic, its a whole different ball game when comes to reversing
LewisG94:
Sam Millar:
LewisG94:
I made a decision to get my class 2 done at flair training, but on the website for doing the C+E it shows a wd not an articYes, a wag and drag is still an artic, and sitting a test in said vehicle will still gain you a C+E entitlement.
You say that, but ive heard when you jump into an artic, its a whole different ball game when comes to reversing
Lewis,
To be fair, it would make sense to learn wage n drag, it is the easier option you can get a few hours in a class one after ā¦ I personally do not like wag n drag and opted to do my test in and artic but it seems nowdays it is cheaper to do it in a w n d before you book yuour test and training at flair, I really suggest you look on this site for recommended schools as some put you up in a B&B for the week and it could save you loads ā¦ also the age of the vehicle plays a part ā¦ newer the better just research and research prior to commiting to one school and as you know do nto go through a broker try and get some free assessment drives ā¦ good luck and you will do it ā¦ just make sure you do nto get mugged off with 100 quid for a medical and stuff.
Rikki-UK:
I love your enthusiasm - and welcome to the industry
BUT
No - you will struggle a lot - its not a good time to even try to get a foothold. there are too many well experienced drivers out there looking for work for most employers to pick and choose from.Sorry to be the bearer of bad news- but you probably have less chance of getting a start than winning the Euro millions
Weāve just taken on a lad who passed his test 2 weeks ago, whilst itās nice to see young drivers get a start, i think our TM has dropped a bollock.
I was introduced to the lad the day he started &, after finding out how long heād had his license, i went through the procedure of showing him how to drop a fully laden trailer, as well as giving him a little bit of advise, i.e take your time, be safe, if youāre not sure of anything ask someone, etc etc.
Saw the new lad on Thursday looking a bit glum, he told me heād managed to damage a customers gate & was a bit worried bout getting the sack.
Canāt help but feel sorry for the lad, he prob passed his test pulling a single axle short flatbed trailer, now heās pulling a fully laden tri-axle curtainsider, in at the deep end springs to mind.
Betty Swallox:
Rikki-UK:
I love your enthusiasm - and welcome to the industry
BUT
No - you will struggle a lot - its not a good time to even try to get a foothold. there are too many well experienced drivers out there looking for work for most employers to pick and choose from.Sorry to be the bearer of bad news- but you probably have less chance of getting a start than winning the Euro millions
Weāve just taken on a lad who passed his test 2 weeks ago, whilst itās nice to see young drivers get a start, i think our TM has dropped a bollock.
I was introduced to the lad the day he started &, after finding out how long heād had his license, i went through the procedure of showing him how to drop a fully laden trailer, as well as giving him a little bit of advise, i.e take your time, be safe, if youāre not sure of anything ask someone, etc etc.
Saw the new lad on Thursday looking a bit glum, he told me heād managed to damage a customers gate & was a bit worried bout getting the sack.
Canāt help but feel sorry for the lad, he prob passed his test pulling a single axle short flatbed trailer, now heās pulling a fully laden tri-axle curtainsider, in at the deep end springs to mind.
Cant take test now with a single axel flat bed has to be a box / fridge/ curtain sider
Take you test what have you get to lose but go look round visit several providers before making a decision on your training provider have a good look in the āNew & wannabeā forum as has been said there are quite a few young drivers out there although not easy ( but not easy for anyone )
You could join the army ( RLC ) they can put you through your test but just because you have learnt there dont expect special treatment as you may have to start from scratch
Good luck with it nice to see young drivers coming in although it is not easy
As Andrew S suggested, tipper/plant/skip firms will take on inexperienced drivers. You might get out on the waste sorting side of a skip firm, but sooner or later a driver wilk quit suddenly at short notice and youāll get the call.
When I startes I was a machine driver who went and got a class 2. Staff shortage in a busy time got me the start.
Patience and persistanceā¦
The nearest place to me which looks like a genuine company called Essex transport training, they claim they have trained the suffolk fire service ect. essextransporttraining.co.uk/index.php
This would be excellent if i could do my Class 2 and 1 here, i posted a link so you can all have a look and let me know what you all think
Muckaway:
As Andrew S suggested, tipper/plant/skip firms will take on inexperienced drivers. You might get out on the waste sorting side of a skip firm, but sooner or later a driver wilk quit suddenly at short notice and youāll get the call.
When I startes I was a machine driver who went and got a class 2. Staff shortage in a busy time got me the start.
Patience and persistanceā¦
not where i live no local skip, tipper company will take on with no experience i phoned almost all local up before job i have now see if they had owt and those that did wouldnt give me due to no experiance on tipper or skip even though i told them my experience on class 1s from general haulage to extended and wide loads and low loaders etc etc
if i was young again and passed test and happily go round firms and ask for yard shunting and go out with the local lads for some free experience then if theres a job on offer or not would feel more comfortable getting behind a wheel in a new job
Conor:
LewisG94:
Appreciate the help people, thank you, i have saved around a grand for my 7.5t license, i was hoping to get a job driving them for 3 years untill im 21 then do my c+e to upgrade. I dont know anyone who is in the industry so will have to do everything myself.Not even anywhere near enough. A CAT C licence (forget the 7.5t one) will cost over Ā£1500 plus a medical (Ā£100). Youāll then need to do the DCPC course before you can be employed as a HGV driver (Ā£400) and youāll need a digital tacho card (Ā£39).
Realistically you need around Ā£2500.
As for jobs, look for companies doing HGV driver apprentices.
FWIW, it cost me Ā£1099 for my combined C & CE courses, including medical & all tests. This didnāt include the initial CPC as Iām an old git and already had my C1, but even so I think Ā£2500 is on the very high side, particularly given the OPs location (same as me).
Gary
