Right guys and girls this is my first post on here, and i would like to know your thoughts on my potential plan so here goes.
I really fancy doing my lgv tests, my reasons are these, i am 42 years old and a self employed agri engineer, now i can tell you that by the time i am 50 i do not want to be still fixing tractors and welding up machinery etc, i also don’t want to be away from home every night of the week, but i don’t mind starting early and finishing late.
If i am honest what i would like to do is maybe relief work, holiday cover or local work like beet haulage etc, whilst fixing a few vehicles occasionally just to keep my hand in, i am thinking its gonna be easier to do my training now as opposed to when i am fifty.
Oh and i can afford to do it, money is not the issue, not that i am a millionaire either.
I’d go for it if you can afford it. Don’t let something become a regret. It’s better to have done something and decide you hate it or love it! Than grow older and think, I should’ve done that.
Pretty much my situation at the moment. Stuck in an office job I’m fed up with, always wanted to be a driver since being a kid so I’ve bitten the bullet and am going for it. Cat C training starts in a couple of weeks, and going for C+E as soon as I can. I’m now 38 and I’ve procrastinated over it for years, so figured I’d do it and see where it takes me!
If it helps sway you then I will be 49 in March and will of had my class C for two years and my class C+E for a year. So yes you are mad but do it while you can. Most of my work is now C+E. Happy Days.
Same for me, I’m 44 and been putting it off for too long. I’ve booked my medical for next week and when I’ve passed all the tests I’m planning on part-time agency work to start with at least, alongside my current job (motorcycle instructor)
If it all works out well maybe one day I’ll be driving full-time…on the other hand if I hate it at least I won’t be wondering ‘what if’.
Well i think u lot have helped make my mind up, i was expecting a load of people to say “whats the point” or “why bother if u might never use it” but instead i get “yes you are mad” but go for it anyway and “follow your heart” etc.
Im not a grass is greener type either, but i am a life’s to short kind of guy, its just something i have wanted to do for a while, so with that in mind i will book my medical tomorrow to find out if they will let me loose in a wagon.
Its been a long time since my first passenger ride in what was my uncles first Scania 142, one of the first in the country he said !
Thanks for the reply’s people, i can see this is a really friendly and helpful forum, that i have already spent a lot of time learning some of the stuff i need to start swatting up on.
Definitely go for it - you sound exactly like me this time last year. I was a sparky, and wanted to do my class 1 just because I wanted to prove to myself that I could, with no intention of driving afterwards. Once I started learning, I then wanted to do the occasional bit, at weekends etc, just to keep my hand in. I then started doing casual work for a local company, first of all as and when, then 2 days a week, and now I’m driving full time for them, with a shiny new Mercedes - not how I planned it, but I’m really enjoying myself, and love having a different view out of the office window every day!
Im 40 something !!! and I took my tests beacuse it was something I always wanted to do , grew up helping my dad , the lucky generation I was, no health and safety malarky
so when could afford it my hubby said how about getting your hgv`s , I thought id be too old , but with his encouragement I now hold both tickets and haven’t looked back , work it with my other job and absolutely have no regrets love driving hgv and still get a kick everytime I get behind the wheel of one , go for it I say ,
i’m coming up 34, i’ve just booked to do my hazard/theory/practical, i want to get my cat-c+e as soon as possible after get cat-C
i’ve been considering/trying to make my mind up about this for 6 years!!! not that i’m indecisive just usual life crap getting in the way of a decision i should have made years ago!!!
i’ve thought well bugger it…
YOUR BEST TO REGRET WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, RATHER THAN REGRET WHAT YOU HAVE’NT!!!
go for it - if you have considered it, its more than likely somthing you want to do
Sounds like there’s a few more out there like me, ready to give it a go and like some of you say better to try it than regret it later.
Was talking to a driver today who summed up his job, he said the driving part is ok, its all the paperwork, cpc and vosa trying to put you out of business at every oppotunity that is the problem with the job. He basically said i must be off my rocker to even think about taking my lgv tests,
Question ; Is it really that bad to be a trucker ?
I did my C and then C+E to give me some piece of mind and job security having been made redundant before from my old day job. I’ve got kids and a mortgage so bills still needed to be paid.
The only thing I will say to you guys just starting off is don’t believe the hype you’ll no doubt have read about there being a driver shortage…this is concocted by some rather unscrupulous agencies and shark driver training companies.
Be aware insurance limitations with some companies as it may also cause problems when looking for work. But if you can cope with all the above and your shrink says your not quite a looney yet go for it…it’s a welcome break from the misses and kids as well as a nice feeling being able to tame the beast.
all i can say (as i’ve not got my licence yet but hopefully within the next two months) in reality most jobs are rubbish when your you’ve done it a while, its the one thing we all moan about aint it! bloody work, it would be alright if it were’nt for the work
i’ve done plenty of driving work-mostly vans, for me despite the people that treat you like your a “no-mind” & “scumbag” at times, i’ve gotten past all that, i always enjoy driving around, looking at the nice parts of the uk, always relish a compliment for a client being happy with the work i’ve done for them, a quick hand shake & saying cheers mate that at least sounds genuine go’s along way!
the times when you are on a nice road, ya favourite tune on, heading home after a day thats gone smooth
banter & craic with like minded people is always great & puts the crap of any job out of your mind!
and I took my tests beacuse it was something I always wanted to do , grew up helping my dad , the lucky generation I was, no health and safety malarky 