Wannabe HGV

[bigstraight6]

Well done, I’ve been a HGV driver for 11 years now and now also assess and train new drivers for the company I work for. Best thing I’ve ever done career wise, I love it! All the best for your new career path.

[Hawkeyethenoo]

Challenge engaged, new skills learned, progress made. Well done, bloody well done. #TruckerFlat4. Yorkies all round and keep 'em coming haha.

[Flat4]

1 hour ago, Bren said:

In the mid 90's I was going to do mine - had a practical assessment ( old volvo with a splitter) but never did anything to follow it up.

Until 2023. Decided to take the plunge and do it. Went from car to C+E. Possibly the only thing - ever -  in my whole life I took to instantly. 

Same. I told my guidance teacher in high school that I wanted to be a truck driver but my dad put the fear in me, what if it rolled over? What if it crashed into water when I can't swim? So I never followed it up at that time, went to uni instead, etc, got a bit too comfortable working from home but when my employer had this as an option as part of our annual training allowance, it was a no brainer. I dunno if I'm physically fit enough to do it full time but I've quickly become addicted to the size and power of an artic. I just want to drive more and more, just because I love them now.

[wuvvum]

6 hours ago, sierraman said:

Were the numerous Yorkie bars included for the £3,000? 

She's not allowed Yorkies.  They're not for girls, remember?

[Flat4]

2 hours ago, wuvvum said:

She's not allowed Yorkies.  They're not for girls, remember?

Try and stop me! 😝 Biscuit and raisin flavour ftw!

[LightBulbFun]

Congratulations on the pass!  and thank you for documenting it, its always very interesting to see this sort of thing! how much physical effort was it? I have often thought it would be fun to get a lorry and bus licence some day, but I do wonder about the physical effort nature of it

will you be doing your Category D next?  It would be quite interesting to see someone do them back-to-back and see which one they prefer or which they found easier?

 

[Flat4]

1 hour ago, LightBulbFun said:

Congratulations on the pass!  and thank you for documenting it, its always very interesting to see this sort of thing! how much physical effort was it? I have often thought it would be fun to get a lorry and bus licence some day, but I do wonder about the physical effort nature of it

will you be doing your Category D next?  It would be quite interesting to see someone do them back-to-back and see which one they prefer or which they found easier?

 

Funnily enough, the chap I ended up sharing the reversing training with was a bus driver, so doing it the other way around. Personally I don't really have any interest in buses, especially since they are usually filled with people and I'm currently trying to move my career away from being customer facing. Wouldn't mind a drive of one just to see how they compare to a Class C but I doubt I will ever add Cat D to my licence.

The most physical thing you'll do is winding the legs up and down if you need to change trailers, although they are geared to nake that easier. You'd also need to be able to climb up on the unit to attach air lines and electrical connections for lights and ABS on the trailer. Plus your standard walk around check before you drive any new outfit.

I practiced the uncouple and recouple only over 2 days and on the last day did it 3 times in total. My shoulders were screaming at me by the time I finished my 3A test and took a couple of days to settle back down. Obviously not used to using those muscles but also why I'm not sure I could do this as a job full time, if trailer swaps were involved. I suppose you would eventually get stronger over time.

Although I was reading in 1 of the FB groups for new drivers that some one with a degree of paralysis on 1 side just passed their test but another new pass couldn't get work from Evri as their driver's assessment required them to be able to climb in to the back of their trailer, and they weren't physically able to. I think it's something you'd really need to try and see how you get on.

[big_al_granvia]

7 hours ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Challenge engaged, new skills learned, progress made. Well done fella, bloody well done. #TruckerFlat4. Yorkies all round and keep 'em coming haha.

err fella?? flat4 is a lady lol 

[LightBulbFun]

2 hours ago, Flat4 said:

Funnily enough, the chap I ended up sharing the reversing training with was a bus driver, so doing it the other way around. Personally I don't really have any interest in buses, especially since they are usually filled with people and I'm currently trying to move my career away from being customer facing. Wouldn't mind a drive of one just to see how they compare to a Class C but I doubt I will ever add Cat D to my licence.

hey, you could get a job/volunteer at an origination/museum/or the such like that has predominately half-cab buses like Routemasters and RT's then you dont have to deal with the self-loading cargo at all

 

[666jjp]

 

23 hours ago, wuvvum said:

She's not allowed Yorkies.  They're not for girls, remember?

 

 

[nomiST]

Congrat's and thanks for the great write up!

 

[jonathan_dyane]

Excellent work!

I got my class 1 a few years ago when I was going through hell at work and needed a plan B. I still haven't driven professionally but it's great having the licence. I'm now doing a job I love but the Council are looking to make changes which might fuck it up, again it's great to have the Class 1 to give me more options if this job gets ruined.

[2flags]

Congratulations on your pass. It's great to have the options that this licence gives. I've driven an HGV once, on an airfield. Great fun. I don't however think I could handle driving up and down the motorways all day anymore. Don't even like motorways in the car these days. I try to take the scenic route. 

[puddlethumper]

3 hours ago, jonathan_dyane said:

Excellent work!

I got my class 1 a few years ago when I was going through hell at work and needed a plan B. I still haven't driven professionally but it's great having the licence. I'm now doing a job I love but the Council are looking to make changes which might fuck it up, again it's great to have the Class 1 to give me more options if this job gets ruined.

The circus is always looking for truck drivers, generally for moves so not a full time job. They, quite often, fly drivers from Ireland providing hotel and expenses plus dosh. How much I don't know but if you, or anyone else, fancy a Sunday drive get in touch.

[Flat4]

13 minutes ago, puddlethumper said:

The circus is always looking for truck drivers, generally for moves so not a full time job. They, quite often, fly drivers from Ireland providing hotel and expenses plus dosh. How much I don't know but if you, or anyone else, fancy a Sunday drive get in touch.

Do you work for them already?

[puddlethumper]

23 minutes ago, Flat4 said:

Do you work for them already?

Yea, Just finished the season. Well, for me it has as I didn't want to go to Ealing for the last 2 weeks of the season although I did 2 drives there which would have been 3 if I had taken my rig.