Is it worth becoming a HGV driver?

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

Soldato
Joined
13 Jan 2004
Posts
12,748
Location
Leicestershire
I would have to pay for my cat C & CE and would now be looking to train in the next month or so. But is it worth it or has the bottom fallen out of it?

I'm looking at it as a job to do whilst at university as I'm hoping it's better paid than bar work etc and it can also be a back up job when I hopefully move to Australia.
 
Thanks for the detailed response. I did consider getting just a Cat C but was concerned about exactly what you said. I understand about the Australia thing but it's a back up job, not a career as such. My granddad used to do runs to Belgium over 2 days every week.
 
Maccapacca said:
The only way you may get experience is to start driving smaller stuff with a firm that runs bigger trucks then once you've proved yourself they probably will give you a try.

Either that or agency work.
Click to expand...

Trying any way to get experience. DVLA told me I'd be ok to drive as I have a licence and CPC however I didn't get licence returned until other day and CPC card still waiting. Companies won't consider me without them physically even though a DVLA licence check shows I can.
 
Cheers. I must have signed up to about 10 agencies and no joy so i'll wait a few days to see what happens. I need experience but I'm losing my patience and will go class 1 next week I think if nothing happens this week.
 
I was aiming to be at uni this year but no one picked me. I got knocked off push bike last year which delayed HGV training. I want it as an option. If I can get £500 a month I can pay my bills and live. I've set it all up as best i can. I will need one day at the weekends and that's it. 12hr day @ £10 p/H = £480 every 4 weeks with another day somewhere to top it up to £600.
 
Wouldn't railways be manual and physical labour?
It's the physical side I have a problem with hence no warehouse picking jobs etc due to limited movement in arm and a rebuilt knee so outside in the cold is a hell no due to pain. I can drive a lorry safely and judge well.
 
I appreciate the comments and the negativity of my process but it's quite simple - I have to do this on my own. I have to pay for everything.
If I can get help with finances then great but I count on no one and nothing. Quite simply a job stacking shelves would be more demanding as I'd need to work more for the same money.

The hourly rate is the best I can do for minimal time. I'm not trying to shoehorn a full-timejob into anywhere. It will be a weekend job which is when people struggle for drivers. I know this from working in transport.

It'll be hard work but needs must. I don't have anybody to help me and I WILL do what I need to. I am 100% reliable and a grafter not a shirker.
 
Had a driving assessment yesterday- first time in a manual and first time at night. I passed. Waiting on next stage....

Currently sat waiting for over an hour after driving 30miles for a job interview.... I'll give up in a minute and go home.

It seems anybody to do with HGVs is so full of ****. They expect a driver to ring the company they are delivering to but don't offer same respect to the driver.

All I want is a bloody job... DRIVING!
 
Last edited:
Cheers. Yeah, I don't understand either - allegedly 50,000-100,000 drivers short but they only want ones with experience. You can't get experience if they don't hire you? Catch 22 situation.

I have not gone for a taxi license. It doesn't appeal - during day yes but money is rubbish and at night I'd end up arrested after dealing with drunk idiots lol.
 
So I stopped with the lorry driving for now and applied for office jobs. Had more success with them and got a few offers.

It has been suggested maybe I'm overqualified for a HGV driver. I may be but I'd still love to do the job!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom