By the way, the poll shows over 50 years but I think testing only started in 1970 which is only about 43 years.
Passed my driving test in the army in 1962 in a 12 ton armoured car,which I suppose could be classed as an HGV.
The licence in those days entitled you to drive anything.
I started driving artics in 1969 after leaving the army,and when the first HGV licences came in,(Class 1,2,3 and 4),I was granted this under “Grandfather rights”.
So I never took a driving test for class 1,like so many things in those days,given a set of keys and told to get on with it,that’s how you got experience back then.
Out of the 95 who have voted 23% have had it over 35 years so within the next 10 years they will all have left, will enough new drivers want to do the job.
30yrs class one but aside from 12yrs tramping europe with fridges my best two jobs were both long distance multi drop work with 6 legger rigids… proper lorries imho. Unfortunately needs as must and back on the artics for last three years but nowhere near as enjoyable.
Armagedon:
42 years and for the young lads on this site before even wind up windows,they have not always been electric you know.
What were they before wind up lol?
Quarter lights that turned or mains that slid back and forth , and in the case of our old farm workhorse the windscreen was slatted and when it rained you opened the slats to see straight out as it never had wipers !
And a bloody cranking handle that could nearly kill you if you got it wrong.
Ash framed canvas seats and a.crash box as well as a distinct lack of power steering.
Good old days …my arse, bloody hard work just to get out the yard.
I went from my car license (passed 1988) straight to class 1 in 5 days in 1995 so 18 years class 1 taken in a 2800 daf in Gloucester.
I’ve pretty much enjoyed all of it until H&S got so important and retarded auto boxes took over
bazstan009:
Wish i had kept a record of all miles done but must be infinity and beyond.
Although I have had cat C for more than 2 years, it was only this year that I started to earn a living as a driver. I have been keeping mileage records since day one, thanks to my C+E instructor who happened to mention he did and I thought what a great idea.
Hiya passed my class one in 1972. i,d been doing a little training before i was 21 on the
side. nudge nudge wink wink. anyhow i had 1 hour session than a two hour session and
took my test on the second hour session. yes passed… total cost 3 one hour lessons at £15 plus test TOTAL £55.i was only on my test for 17 minutes the tester wanted to get away early.i,ll bet it costs more and takes longer nowadays.
John
Armagedon:
42 years and for the young lads on this site before even wind up windows,they have not always been electric you know.
There not now,we’ve 12 reg scania g-400 with drivers window winder,newer ones are now coming in with electric both sides but not so long ago nearly all the trucks(g-cabs) had window winder for drivers window
Quite a while, and I do regret not keeping diaries and taking photos. I have had a great life and been to some interesting places. I suppose I thought it would never end and there would be always time to grab a few pictures.
Would I change anything. Certainly. I wouldn’t have jumped off so many bloody trailers, laid on so many cold or wet concrete floors or climbed onto the roofs of so many rusty sharp tilts using my finger nails as a safety net.
martinviking:
C/class 3- April 91 according to licence (thought I got that in 85 ■■)
I got my class 1 in 88, but like you my licence says 91, I think its got something to do with when the clasifications were changed from class 1-2-3, to C-C+E etc.
I drove a 7.5 tonner for 3 years prior to taking the class, and have been on Artics ever since, and I still love the job, but you have to be working for the right employer