Lorry Driver!

[Outcast]

It is the DRIVER that is required to have a break NOT the vehicle. The vehicle HU does record driver/vehicle activity so if the vehicle is going to be moved by someone else then when you are about to alight you must select "break" on the tacho and then remove your driver card for your entire 45 min break.

When the vehicle is on a bay, WE are in the canteen.

 

[Ahleckz]

I got a ride in a huge car transporter (with a trailer on the back - had around 12 cars on it). Fascinating watching the driver and looking out the mirror watching the trailers doing their thing. I was convinced we were going to hit everything in our way.

 

[Outcast]

I've posted my liqqle vid here before but you probably haven't seen it....

 

[SamMillarF1]

To do that at 19 is rather awesome, have to say it looks very fun! I know you said you went straight onto the licences, how long did it take you to do both?

Enjoyed the video too btw.

Cheers! I actually completed it all when I was 18 I took me about a month to get them both done because I had to wait on my license coming back from DVLA between licenses, but the actual training is 4 days with test on the 5th day. Some people require more though.

New respect for the viability of a truck driver, that left mirror is a PITA!

Yep, mirrors are huge blindspots for us really but without them we'd be lost...keep this video in mind when you're near a truck.

I got a ride in a huge car transporter (with a trailer on the back - had around 12 cars on it). Fascinating watching the driver and looking out the mirror watching the trailers doing their thing. I was convinced we were going to hit everything in our way.

Yep, trucks are very wide so it can look like every sign of traffic light you're coming up to you will hit but it's not the case.. well it is if you're not careful but all in a days work!!

I've posted my liqqle vid here before but you probably haven't seen it....

One thing for sure, that certainly ain't no headcam haha! I enjoy it though, cheers.

There's a few other videos on my channel guys, another which features the headcam is this one however the headcam footage is the same as the first video.

 

[Outcast]

One thing for sure, that certainly ain't no headcam

No.. it's a handymount !

 

[West]

I'm just doing my C as part of my service training as most of our vehicles range from 3.5t to 7.5t.. quite like the idea of doing my C+E one day.

Good on ya mate.

 

[SamMillarF1]

I'm just doing my C as part of my service training as most of our vehicles range from 3.5t to 7.5t.. quite like the idea of doing my C+E one day.

Good on ya mate.

Good thing you're getting the full C out of it as you know you only need 7.5T so it will be something to fall back on one day perhaps.

 

[Draeger]

Been driving Volvo fire appliances for the last 20 years, passed out as a driver/operator of one of these last week:-

Quite a different beast to drive compared to a standard fire appliance. Carries a 26 ton demountable pod which is ridiculously top heavy but despite that the MAN is a fairly quick bit of kit for its bulk.

 

[SamMillarF1]

Been driving Volvo fire appliances for the last 20 years, passed out as a driver/operator of one of these last week:-

Quite a different beast to drive compared to a standard fire appliance. Carries a 26 ton demountable pod which is ridiculously top heavy but despite that the MAN is a fairly quick bit of kit for its bulk.

I wasn't too keen on the MANs I drove, found the gearbox really rough but they were all hire motors so chances are they've just been booted a lot lol! Tidy looking bit of kit that is.

 

[Scania]

I can't stand Stobart personally but each to their own as they say

I'm well used to established drivers hating ESL but I am curious as to why you say that?

Have you worked for them? or, just heard bad stories from others?

Seems to be a lot of hatred for them in the industry,which I understand to a point, although its a shame the hatred often gets taken out on the drivers rather than directors - You'd be surprised what abuse we get from others, returning to my parked truck to find the 5th wheel has been uncoupled for example - this happened to me the last time I was in Tesco Livingston.....

 

[Outcast]

Now that's just downright nasty let alone dangerous.

 

[West]

I have every respect to you fire guys. I wouldn't want to drive a Fire appliance on blue lights.. Ambulances are my limit lol!

 

[Deleted member 651465]

My brother did his HGV test at 18, and he's 10st soaking wet. I can only describe seeing him behind the wheel as "hilarious".

He stopped doing that and now works in the fire service, which comes in handy as he is licensed to drive the fire engines

Stay safe on the road. It's not a job I'd like to do.

 

[Schizo]

Well done for getting your hgv at such a early age,as you say,once a trucker always a trucker.

Now enjoy driving at 56mph for the rest of your life

 

[Draeger]

I have every respect to you fire guys. I wouldn't want to drive a Fire appliance on blue lights.. Ambulances are my limit lol!

Thanks.

I'm the other way around, we occasionally find ourselves driving light vehicles and 4x4's under blues and I honestly find it easier to drive the trucks to incidents. No idea why, guess its what I'm used to.

I wasn't too keen on the MANs I drove, found the gearbox really rough but they were all hire motors so chances are they've just been booted a lot lol! Tidy looking bit of kit that is.

It's not that exact MAN in the picture above although its similar, the one we now have on the run is a 2012 model although I can't really compare it with anything as all I've driven up till now is Volvo FL6 and FL7's. One difference between the Volvos and the MAN is the manual retarder system on the control stalks. Was a bit dubious to begin with but its a brilliant system once you get used to it, especially for driving at speed under blue light conditions. Hardly use the brake pedal at all.

 

[Outcast]

Brakes ?... they'll only slow ya down !!

 

[whitecrook]

Question for the hgv drivers: when im on the motoway and i pass a lorry in lane1 i am in lane 2 there is a significant airpressure tht pushes my car outwards. Do you lorrys drivers feel this also? Would you prefer i passed in lane 3 instead? (This is usually possible if te m-way is clear)

 

[LeeUK]

Whos the bird in the passenger seat, are you allowed to carry random passengers?

 

[Outcast]

Question for the hgv drivers: when im on the motoway and i pass a lorry in lane1 i am in lane 2 there is a significant airpressure tht pushes my car outwards. Do you lorrys drivers feel this also? Would you prefer i passed in lane 3 instead? (This is usually possible if te m-way is clear)

We don't feel cars at all... When we pass or are passed by other wagons that's a different matter.

 

[Minxy]

I have to ask, why is there such hatred for Stobart?

My OH and his best mate both drive for motor racing teams, those are some fancy trucks. I've always wanted a go at driving an HGV but still waiting for a trip out in one yet.