I have 6 points on my license will I have a hard time getting a job as an hgv driver

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You’ll struggle to get in with a lot of larger hauliers as most have a requirement of no more than six points, they will always pick those with fewer points first.
This is usually down to insurance.

Smaller ones are usually so desperate to get drivers six won’t be an issue.

When I was at Stobart, I knew of a few new starters who disappeared not long after they’d started and the reason was they’d joined with six points and then subsequently got more.

Here’s an example from Stobart’s careers page...

This position requires the following criteria:

  • To hold a full LGV C+E (Class 1) licence
  • Have no more than 6 penalty points
  • To have a valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
  • To own a valid Digital Tachograph Card
  • Physically active due to the nature of the role; dealing with heavy goods
  • Fluent in English; Constant communication with colleagues and customers
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism

Read more at http://eddiestobart.com/careers/vacancies/lgv-c-e-class1-driver#cmledusCcYoyS8yY.99
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You’ll just have to be extremely careful to not get any more, that said, in 22 years of professional HGV driving I’ve not (yet!) gained any.
 
Scania said:
You’ll struggle to get in with a lot of larger hauliers as most have a requirement of no more than six points, they will always pick those with fewer points first.
This is usually down to insurance.

Smaller ones are usually so desperate to get drivers six won’t be an issue.

When I was at Stobart, I knew of a few new starters who disappeared not long after they’d started and the reason was they’d joined with six points and then subsequently got more.

Here’s an example from Stobart’s careers page...



You’ll just have to be extremely careful to not get any more, that said, in 22 years of professional HGV driving I’ve not (yet!) gained any.
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That was very informative Scania, (nice choice of user name, I might have gone for Peter Bilt, or Mack!)
Things have certainly moved on since the last time I climbed down from an artic Volvo, around 1987.
Oh I could put in a tachograph disc, remember to switch to rest periods etc., I was au fait with tricks like putting tomorrow’s disc in at the end of the day, cutting a slice out of another one from 07.00 to 09.30 for example and putting it over the top of the one just fitted, so that the needle would drop on to the chart at 07.00, and look like I’d been on duty since then, instead of still sleeping in a motel, then opening the case and removing the hooky one.
My transport manager seemed not to notice the microscopic breaks that appeared on the disc when this was done.
Looking at the Stobart check list, I had to Google both Driver Qualification Card, and Digital Tachograph Card, they weren't around in my day, but hey, that’s progress I guess.
For the most part, I enjoyed my times tramping around France, Spain, Germany and elsewhere, but if anyone asked me to drive from Calais to Madrid now, particularly in a truck, I’d suggest that they looked for someone else.
If I’m going to Madrid at all now, I’ll enter it at Barajas airport.
 
Scania said:
You’ll struggle to get in with a lot of larger hauliers as most have a requirement of no more than six points, they will always pick those with fewer points first.
This is usually down to insurance.

Smaller ones are usually so desperate to get drivers six won’t be an issue.
Click to expand...

We're obviously not that fussy (although I wouldn't have said we are a small haulier), as all our adverts say are:
A CE licence and driver CPC are essential and previous experience is preferred but not essential as full training will be given.
Click to expand...
 
As you already have your C+E I doubt you'll have any problems finding employment.
As Scanny said, you now need to be attentive so bare this in mind.

The only pressure you are under is the pressure you put yourself under. You don't need to be a Fly-Boy.
I've yet to see a female trucker Tank-arseing around !

If you were applying for a provisional HGV then those points would go against you as the Traffic commissioner takes a very dim view of dirty licences.
 
Jean-F said:
That was very informative Scania, (nice choice of user name, I might have gone for Peter Bilt, or Mack!)
Things have certainly moved on since the last time I climbed down from an artic Volvo, around 1987.
Oh I could put in a tachograph disc, remember to switch to rest periods etc., I was au fait with tricks like putting tomorrow’s disc in at the end of the day, cutting a slice out of another one from 07.00 to 09.30 for example and putting it over the top of the one just fitted, so that the needle would drop on to the chart at 07.00, and look like I’d been on duty since then, instead of still sleeping in a motel, then opening the case and removing the hooky one.
My transport manager seemed not to notice the microscopic breaks that appeared on the disc when this was done.
Looking at the Stobart check list, I had to Google both Driver Qualification Card, and Digital Tachograph Card, they weren't around in my day, but hey, that’s progress I guess.
For the most part, I enjoyed my times tramping around France, Spain, Germany and elsewhere, but if anyone asked me to drive from Calais to Madrid now, particularly in a truck, I’d suggest that they looked for someone else.
If I’m going to Madrid at all now, I’ll enter it at Barajas airport.
Click to expand...
My former username was the exact model of my then truck (R124/LA420) but I changed it to Scania as the old name did everyone’s head in! :D (I’m in a 17plate Scania R450 these days)

I fondly remember “fiddling” with tachographs, as you say to either get a few extra hours in bed or more likely to get back home on a Friday night...

Bit harder (nigh impossible) to fiddle the digital ones these days, some override them by placing a strong magnet near the gearbox sensor but, this has a negative impact on many other systems in the truck (braking, stability control, cruise control etc) so very dangerous to do so and I don’t condone it nor know of anyone who’s done this unlike back in the day when defeating the tacho was almost a badge of honour!

I do 2-3 nights away now but rarely am out all week like I used to be with Stobart - my truck even has a fridge and freezer! - never done the Continent, like you if I’m going there I prefer it’s by EasyJet! :D

Armageus said:
We're obviously not that fussy (although I wouldn't have said we are a small haulier), as all our adverts say are:
Click to expand...
I’d imagine your transport manager is always going to pick the guy with a clean license over one with points though.

One thing that always amazes me with driving vacancies is they often say “experience not essential” - I couldn’t disagree more, experience is everything especially with an artic!

Outcast said:
The only pressure you are under is the pressure you put yourself under. You don't need to be a Fly-Boy.
I've yet to see a female trucker Tank-arseing around !.
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Wise wise words, it took me years to realise that rushing around gets you there no quicker in reality and often just makes you more stressed and you end up doing more work!

I generally set my cruise to 53mph (leaving a bit in reserve for overtaking without holding up traffic behind for miles) put on an audio book and let everyone else bat past me.
 
merlin said:
Post of the day.
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Nah, the requirement these days seems to be...

Eastern European
Dislike of baths
Inability to speak English
Inability to understand bridge heights
Inability to go anywhere without blindly following Sat Nav!
 
Scania said:
Nah, the requirement these days seems to be...

Eastern European
Dislike of baths
Inability to speak English
Inability to understand bridge heights
Inability to go anywhere without blindly following Sat Nav!
Click to expand...


That reminds me, Sat-Navs hadn’t been invented when I was punting around on the Continent, I was laughing in France if I was looking for Rue de la Paix for example, as I speak French, and could ask someone.
I could manage it in Spanish and German too, providing the people I asked didn’t reply like rapid fire machine guns.
I often had difficulty in Poland, if looking for a trading estate in Poznan for example, I knew lewo, prawo, and prosto, “left, right, and straight on”, and I learned druga and trzeci, “second and third” but I still went round in circles looking for places.
 
West1990 said:
Thought someone would pick up on that , wheels weren't maintained because I was unemployed for a short spell all my savings have been going towards my training course and needed DIY .was going to get my tyres changed literally tomorrow , just real bad luck
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That sounds like a "I was gonna get it fixed when I got back to the yard" kind of excuse, see how far that will get you with VOSA
As for the six points I doubt that will hinder your chances, lack of experience will most likely hold you back more.
 
West1990 said:
My license has gone from squeeky clean to 6 points in one month , 3 points for doing 40 in a 30 and 3 as front tyres don't meet safety standards

Will this greatly effect my job opportunity
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Speeding in a vehicle that doesn't meet safety standards? I imagine you're exactly what the haulage industry is looking for to maintain their reputation.
 
Dis86 said:
Wants to drive lorries - can't maintain a car. Great!
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Maintenance of the trucks is down to the vehicle operator (ie not the driver) as a legal requirement.

So long as he does his daily vehicle checks at the start of his shift and reports any defects (again, a legal requirement) he’ll be fine.

FishFluff said:
Speeding in a vehicle that doesn't meet safety standards? I imagine you're exactly what the haulage industry is looking for to maintain their reputation.
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Assuming you’ve never ever broken a speed limit then have a go at him by all means!

If he’s a habitual speeder he won’t last long driving a vehicle that records speed and distance which a roadside check can reveal without need for a speed camera!

As for tyres I think that offence covers a multitude of sins, not necessarily something he’d have even been aware of, I was done years back for having a van tyre fitted to a car, I had no idea it was even a tyre from a van - the tread was fine etc - just the outcome of a random pull one night.
 
I don't know what it is with this week but so far I've nearly had my cab wiped out 8 times by artic drivers pulling in before they've cleared me.
I'm tootling along at 51mph (mega easy week this week) so it's not like I'm making it difficult for them.

The first time I thought I might be driving a vehicle with "Shimmery" headlights but no, I've had a different wagon every night and it's happened in them all !
 
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