Hi n88_lny
I can offer the perspective of a career change driver at almost 3 years in. I don’t have any memories of driving in the good old days to compare with driving now but I am able to compare how I feel about my new career compared to how I felt about what I used to do. I hated it and driving provided an escape for me. Your post sounds a bit like my first post. There are ■■■■■■ days in every job, sometimes two in a row and I sometimes ask myself would I rather be doing what I was doing or doing what I’m doing now. Driving always wins.
Everyone’s experience is different and there are lots of variables, especially where you are located and the work available. Based on my experience, my thoughts:
No job is just driving. A lot of jobs are far more “other work” than driving. Be prepared for that - hanging around waiting to get loaded, loading, strapping, unloading, unstrapping, using tail lifts, using pallet trucks, using sack trucks, using a device or pen and paper to administer deliveries etc etc. It’s also highly regulated.
There is a huge variety of jobs in the industry which you can only really find out about properly by working in it. For example, the industry is known for its long hours but you can work shop hours by working a crane lorry for a builders merchant or driving a refuse truck. While these jobs may not initially appeal, don’t knock them as they will teach you how to maneuver a large vehicle in small spaces, amongst other things.
Some of the placements I’ve liked the best are ones where the firms are “own account”. That means they don’t make their money out of transport, they make their money out of selling their goods and they run their own fleet in order to deliver said goods.
Driving is a third class industry for a first class brain. Now I know there are a lot of third class brains in the industry but the seasoned drivers will know what I mean. I’m not talking about an academic brain, but the knowledge that you need to acquire to do the job well is immense. There is so much responsibility on the driver, which you are not remunerated for, you are just seen as a labourer with a license.
If you are serious, I would see it a bit like an on the job degree or BTEC or whatever, 2-3 years of intense learning and experience building, followed by more of the same but at a less intense pace. All experienced drivers will tell you “don’t run before you can walk” and “everyday is a school day”.
You will think you are a good driver. You are not. You don’t look in your mirrors enough and you only look just beyond your front bonnet. You indicate at roundabouts at the last minute. Driving HGVs will also not let you think you are a good driver for long - I thought that when I first started I would never hit my wing mirror, skim the paint off a low wall with my back end, scrape a gate post, leave my tail lift out and drive off, leave my tail lift down so it’s obscuring my lights, I could go on and on. It can be soul destroying. Still reading?
Something positive then: I love the autonomy of driving, I love the solitary nature of the cab, I also enjoy the company double manning provides occasionally, I have had some really interesting conversations and met some nice people. I know people bemoan the caliber of young entrants to the industry but I mainly meet drivers in their 40s 50s and 60s and the vast majority are helpful and empathetic and never forget what it’s like to start out.
As others have said, don’t be a Class 1 or Class 2 snob. Be prepared to work your way up to what you want.
I have always worked for agencies as I like the flexibility and the variety. It’s a good way to find out what is out there and what you like and don’t like. There are disadvantages and it’s not for everyone, but almost 3 years since I passed my Class 2 and 2 .5 years since I passed my Class 1 I have landed myself what I think I have been waiting for and working towards. Passing is just the start.
Don’t ■■■■ forklift drivers off.
Good luck and I personally always like to hear how people are getting on so I hope you’ll update if you decide to go for it.
