FAO all HGV drivers

[2 saffs]

Right, the deal is Im getting made redundant in the run up to Xmas, and ive been offered work driving Class 2 wagons but I need to put myself through the test.
Anyone got any idea how much this will cost me? Ive looked round on the net but the test centres are reluctant to show prices so im guessing quite expensive!!!
Is it worth the cost, I mean is it good money or luck of the draw?
Ive got 7.5 tonne experience already, and have shunted the 16 tonne scania round the yard for my current job, how hard is the test?
Any advice would be much appreciated, im at a crossroads now and need to pick a job that will pay, I enjoy driving but im not willing to do it unless i can afford to live if ya know what i mean!
Also if i do pass class2, how long before i can do class1?
Thanks in advance

 

[Dave]

Well it costs anything from 500 up mate.
Best get on the phone & actually speak to some trainers as the price can vary alot.

First you need a prov. HGV thou so get that sorted first. You need a medical for it so again a cost.
That cost is whatever your Doc wants plus DVLA for the licence.

You have to do a HGV thery test before the proper test.

Once you pass class 2 & you get your licence back you can go for the Class 1.

You might get lucky like me, I have wanted to drive the big trucks since I was a kid but only recently decided to go for it. I know a local firm & they have agreed to put me through to HGV 1.
Currently I am wizzing round in a class 2 for experience usally on a Sunday night upto Alfreton.
A fair few firms will train you if you agree to drive for them for a while.

Wages well again can vary alot but both class 2 & 1 seem to be on £9+ an hour by me at least.

Test is as much about luck as actual skill mate, seen some real bad drivers pass 1st time & others that you think will pass for sure fail.

Goodluck.

[xr4x4 mk1]

I agreee with the above, i was lucky and got my class2 paid for by the company i was with at the time, done my two years with them (was there policy for paying for the test) then i paid for my class1. I was as Dave say's 'one of those who was expected to pass but failed'      nerves got to me. Passed it the 2nd attempt with flying colours but it ended up costing me near on £1200 what with the cost of the re-test and another lesson   i haven't looked back since, ive finaly got a job i enjoy and pay is not bad for the easy job i got  

[2 saffs]

Much appreciated lads thanks alot
 

[Dave]

Passed my LGV theory test yesterday so I have the theory book & a copy of the DVD for a tenner if you want it.
You will need the book at least.

Goodluck.

Dave.

[jaffa]

after all the grief, crap money, long hours and everything else the worst thing i ever did was pass my class 1
if i had the choice again i wouldnt even think about doing it  

[weblefeck]

Bloody 'ell Jaffa, sounds like u're working for the wrong ppl!

I've never had it so easy or had so much sleep in all my life! lol

[Dave]

Yeah there is good firms & bad ones always.

The firm that's helping me is a good one, I have known the owners over 10 years.
The one is a Capri lover   Got a 2.8i
Real laid back firm, every lorry got a bed in the back & a night heater.
Can't get any better really, most drivers been with them 10 years+ which says it all really.

[jaffa]

Bloody 'ell Jaffa, sounds like u're working for the wrong ppl!

I've never had it so easy or had so much sleep in all my life! lol

its crap mate and ive done all sorts the last lot money was okay but away for at least a week at a time!!  
this lot im home every day but money is shite  
ive been all over europe and the uk put up with all sorts
i would no way contemplaint doing my test now im lookin for a way out  

Yeah there is good firms & bad ones always.

The firm that's helping me is a good one, I have known the owners over 10 years.
The one is a Capri lover   Got a 2.8i
Real laid back firm, every lorry got a bed in the back & a night heater.
Can't get any better really, most drivers been with them 10 years+ which says it all really.

which one you work for?  

[Dave]

The firm is called IDS transport.

It's only small about 34 lorries.

Half do Supermarkets, other half markets & longest run is Evesham to Livingston.

Everyone swaps about all the time & you can do more or less what you want as long as the job gets done.

Most people seem happy.

Actually the usual moan is it's too laid back as nobody seems to get bollocked when they should which is my only gripe really.

[jaffa]

The firm is called IDS transport.

It's only small about 34 lorries.

Half do Supermarkets, other half markets & longest run is Evesham to Livingston.

Everyone swaps about all the time & you can do more or less what you want as long as the job gets done.

Most people seem happy.

Actually the usual moan is it's too laid back as nobody seems to get bollocked when they should which is my only gripe really.

yeah i know them got white trucks with blue signwriting on?
seen them up and down the m-ways  

[Dave]

That's them, almost all Leyland DAF's with about 20 spot lights on them each.
Most also have train air horns on them that are so loud it's unreal.  

[jaffa]

That's them, almost all Leyland DAF's with about 20 spot lights on them each.
Most also have train air horns on them that are so loud it's unreal.

used to have a daf at my old place when i did european work but they wouldnt put the lights on them  

[weblefeck]

lol, was too laid back at our place when i started. It made it twice as hard when they actually tried to start imposing some sort of rule! pmsl

[jaffa]

lol, was too laid back at our place when i started. It made it twice as hard when they actually tried to start imposing some sort of rule! pmsl

which company you work for mate?  

[xr4x4 mk1]

its crap mate and ive done all sorts the last lot money was okay but away for at least a week at a time!!  
this lot im home every day but money is shite  
ive been all over europe and the uk put up with all sorts

Jaff mate, without being nosey, what do you consider to be crap money (you can pm me if you like  )   ive never done european work but i once knew a man who did and he was sometimes away for 2wks or more, but his earning's were ok back then. My job is a piece of p*ss, tho my basic wage isn't great but anything over 40hrs is overtime and if i work a sunday is double bubble   i average about 50hrs a week then the occasional sunday (which could be a 4hr run but get paid for 8 at double  ) Apart from some of the idiots on the roads nowadays, getting my class 1 was still the best thing i ever did  

[mouldytbags]

got my class 1  2 year ago.out of army in may so will be trucking till iknow what i want to do...any decent firms you know of in midlands area?gonna go agency route fist for experience

[jaffa]

got my class 1  2 year ago.out of army in may so will be trucking till iknow what i want to do...any decent firms you know of in midlands area?gonna go agency route fist for experience

there are a few round brum mate   be better off going the agency cause you can gauge what the companies are like while your in there  

[Dave]

Still ploding on with this.

Passed my theroy & pissed my class 2 test yesterday.
Made a stupid   mistake on my first attempt but the second go was easy  

Now driving about in a artic with L plates on so watch out

[TwinTurbo]

£9 don't sound too bad.

I book £14ish looking after computers, but I get hasseled all day and lots of folke moaning.

I like driving, but not sure I could put up with all the traffic jams.

TT

TT

[mouldytbags]

doing my ADR hazmat this monday should be a right old head fu**.doing it in coringham essex.

[jaffa]

doing my ADR hazmat this monday should be a right old head fu**.doing it in coringham essex.

rather you than me ive let mine lapse to much grief all the kit you have to carry and the aditional regs

i once bought some chemical stuff all the way back from italy to sheffield that if it got to hot just went bang no warnings or anything
and all for an extra £10 a day !!!!!!!!!  

[mouldytbags]

sound well worth the hassle mate.lol

[jaffa]

sound well worth the hassle mate.lol

oh yeah had to park up in france at midday sat cause your not allowed to move with haz on
so sat at a routiers all weekend then when i finally got to dover got off the boat an pulled by customs half an hour in there and then got put through the x ray scanner!!
the rest of the chat goes like this

me "does that emit heat and if so how much"
customs officer "dont know why"
me "do you know what these warning signs mean"
customs officer "dont care will you go in the office please"
me  "hell no if that stuff gets to hot it goes bang and there is 22tonnes of the stuff"
customs officer "so what"
me "if it does go bang that bloody office and everyone in it wont be there so im going over there"

   

[mouldytbags]

 bloody hell mate  
leaving about 5am tomorrow to essex,should make it for 8.30am hopefully.havent been on m1 for years so im giving myself plenty of time.not looking forward to it now bu ive paid £500 so i'll have to do it now

[jaffa]

bloody hell mate  
leaving about 5am tomorrow to essex,should make it for 8.30am hopefully.havent been on m1 for years so im giving myself plenty of time.not looking forward to it now bu ive paid £500 so i'll have to do it now

youll be okay just make sure you know the regs and what kit you need to carry
and dont let any company blag you if your not sure ask them  


how did you get on mate?

[mouldytbags]

went ok mate i think   took me seven hours monday morning.wasnt happy and three hours late.  
so many crashes and my back end was twitching everywhere. will find out in 2-3 weeks what i have passed

[jaffa]

went ok mate i think   took me seven hours monday morning.wasnt happy and three hours late.  
so many crashes and my back end was twitching everywhere. will find out in 2-3 weeks what i have passed

keep my fingers crossed  

[mouldytbags]

keep my fingers crossed  

just got back from majorca abd im all tanned up for the summer.oh and my results are back...passed it all.

[jaffa]

just got back from majorca abd im all tanned up for the summer.oh and my results are back...passed it all.

well done mate