It took me a week to train for my Class 2 (Class C) licence and approx £900 - this was about 12 years ago mind you.
My Class 1 (Class C+E) was paid for by my employers, but usually is circa £1k for decent training - MyClass C+E was taken over two weeks with a re-test after a fail (artics are difficult to master after years in a rigid!) the cost to my employers was considerable.
In return for the C+E licence, I was contracted to work for my then employers for 3 years, had I left in the meantime, I would have had to pay a percentage of the training costs.
Thankfully, in my case, DHL took over the transport contract from my then employers so that went out of the window & I was free to leave & work elsewhere which I did.
Sure you could get your Class C, then the C+E & see what you make of it, but, its quite an outlay for a job that you can handle or can't, its not so much a job, more a way of life.
VERY Long hours !!!
I would advise anybody thinking of this job to give it serious consideration prior to any outlay on training, this job has cost me a marriage & a long term relationship - putting it simply, theres little time left for relationships of both friend & family, many truckers find this an issue.
Don't look on it as a job, more a way of life. Its a way of life you will be able to handle or not, many do many don't.
After 12+ years of HGV driving however, I honestly could not envisage myself doing anything else, I came off the road a few years ago and worked in an office as a transport supervisor, in charge of 30+ drivers. I stuck it for a month & went back on the road - more money, less stress.
I bring home roughly £430 - £500 per wk depending on hours & days worked.
