Steve-o:
What was it like? I am scared as hell about going over the water even though I really want to. I have visions of tomtom screwing up and sending me all ways, not having a clue about what tolls and tax I have to pay for, not finding a fuel pump that takes my fuel card, no one speaking english, having to blind side it everywhere you go!
It’s like any driving job, you just have to remember which side of the road your supposed to be driving on. Distances are usually longer though.
Use a paper map to get you into the right area and your tomtom to get you to the door.
Tolls are normally paid with your fuel card.
Not finding one of the right fuel brands in time does happen occasionally, (see this months T&D 
), but is as easy to avoid over there as it is in this country.
There is almost always someone who speaks some English, you have to be prepared for some lateral thinking when it comes to translations though.
Blind siding comes with practise, but it’s usually easy enough to turn around and do it from the good side.
Steve-o:
If you join a company that does euro work would they normally double man you if you have never done it before?
Not usually, but they might give you a few easy trips, to let you get the hang of the job with not too much pressure. They might send two trucks out on similar runs, or both going to the same place, to help you get into it. But they might just as easily chuck you in at the deep end, to see if you sink or swim. It depends on the company, the same as it would on UK work.
Steve-o:
I would like to hear your stories, thanks 
I’ll tell you about my first trip face to face, if we ever meet.
If I put it up in here I’ll have to find another funny story to tell people.
Suffice to say, it was a trip with a very steep learning curve and not everything went smoothly. I got there, I got back, I got my drops dropped and my collections collected and did another 18 months with the company.
Steve-o:
P.S I am not doing it, just something I would really like to do when I can find a company that doesn’t make you run bent. UK work is a bit boring and I would like a change
Steven
If you want to do it, do it.
This life isn’t a rehearsal, there are no second attempts (as far as we’re aware). If you want to do it and don’t try, you’ll regret it.
I take it you’re a truck driver, well it’s just driving a truck a bit further, with a few extra challenges, but the rewards are also that bit extra too(except the financial ones).
If you don’t like it after a few trips, you can always come back to UK work.
Have a look at the Why do you drive abroad thread, if you haven’t already.
