View Full Version : one for the HGV drivers
I know we have a few wagon drivers on here, so seems a good place to ask.
Basically, I'm 21 next spring, and I'm planning to take my class 1 soon after, BUT, am I going to find that no one will employ me due to my age/lack of experience? In which case, will I be stuck in a vicious circle for ever, having wasted £1500 on a driving license?
So what is the case at the company's you drive for? Would your gaffer just laugh at any 21 year old looking for a job?
ta, reps are waiting :thumb:
tommy8252
12-10-11, 10:59 PM
In my experience its usually an insurance requirement that drivers are aged 25 or over. But I would have thought someone would take you on as a drivers mate initially as this would give you some form of experience.
Ps - 1000th post woo hoo
that's what I feared :( drivers mate wages don't pay bills though
tommy8252
12-10-11, 11:06 PM
I dunno I have 2 mates one a driver and the other a drivers mate. The driver is now on the dole and the drivers mate is looking at houses to buy. If you have the money to get your class 1 then go for it its always gonna be a usefull thing to have.
i checked this out a when i was around 22 and was told not to bother till i was 25 due to insurance etc
i think it depends on the company. ours is 24 which means im being put forward to do the 7.5ton licence
I dunno I have 2 mates one a driver and the other a drivers mate. The driver is now on the dole and the drivers mate is looking at houses to buy. If you have the money to get your class 1 then go for it its always gonna be a usefull thing to have.
well exactly, open the paper and there are always plenty of jobs for class 1 drivers. also saves me having to do a separate test to tow a trailer with a car lol
i checked this out a when i was around 22 and was told not to bother till i was 25 due to insurance etc
This is exactly what I've found too :(
i think it depends on the company. ours is 24 which means im being put forward to do the 7.5ton licence
C1 licence was my next option, as it would still allow me to do recovery work for a few years. only £350 for a 1 day course and test too lol
Daved and Confused
12-10-11, 11:21 PM
I think you may find it difficult in getting a start at 21, my company wouldn't because of insurance company stipulations.
Also, £1500, that's a bloody good price as you need to do your class 2 then your class 1 and in my area it's about £900/£1000 for each course so the best part of £2000 for both.
Think of it like this....
Get your licence now. Then in a years time, you'll have had your licence for a year..... And if you sign up for every agency in the area, there will be something come along, there always is..
Sitting in an interview and saying i've had my licence for a year, but i've only been on for agencies.......sounds a lot better than saying here's my licence, be careful, the inks not dry yet....
as said 1500 seems cheap for class 1, you'll need to do your CPC before you start too. I started out with just my class 2 and joined a few agancies. then when I had a couple of years expeience I took my class 1. Now I'm on 500 quid plus pe week take home driving for Eddie Stobarts.
leeroch
13-10-11, 06:12 PM
It might be best if you go and speak to some of the companies in your area. They all know each other and could probably point you in the right direction. I went straight onto the artics a few weeks after my 21st.
One thing I dont miss about long distance is the nights out.
I think you may find it difficult in getting a start at 21, my company wouldn't because of insurance company stipulations.
Also, £1500, that's a bloody good price as you need to do your class 2 then your class 1 and in my area it's about £900/£1000 for each course so the best part of £2000 for both.
it could well be more than that, been a while since I last enquired.
Think of it like this....
Get your licence now. Then in a years time, you'll have had your licence for a year..... And if you sign up for every agency in the area, there will be something come along, there always is..
Sitting in an interview and saying i've had my licence for a year, but i've only been on for agencies.......sounds a lot better than saying here's my licence, be careful, the inks not dry yet....
that's a very good point that is. I suppose even if I've not actually been driving in that year, i've still had it, which does look better, you're right. thanks :)
as said 1500 seems cheap for class 1, you'll need to do your CPC before you start too. I started out with just my class 2 and joined a few agancies. then when I had a couple of years expeience I took my class 1. Now I'm on 500 quid plus pe week take home driving for Eddie Stobarts.
yeah I may be out with my memory of prices lol is it worth just doing my class 2 initially to halve the expense, then do as you did and do my class 1 after driving for a bit? 500 quid a week sounds very enticing lol
It might be best if you go and speak to some of the companies in your area. They all know each other and could probably point you in the right direction. I went straight onto the artics a few weeks after my 21st.
One thing I dont miss about long distance is the nights out.
certainly sounds worth while. will most companies be willing to talk about such things with someone just off the street?
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