Hi,
I am due to get my class 2 booked and I have been looking at job adverts to get an idea on pay.
Are you paid for hours that you drive or hours at work? Just trying to understand why the pay is as low as £10ph in some areas.
Thanks
NWalesTrucker:
Hi,I am due to get my class 2 booked and I have been looking at job adverts to get an idea on pay.
Are you paid for hours that you drive or hours at work? Just trying to understand why the pay is as low as £10ph in some areas.
Thanks
There are more drivers than jobs so wages are kept low - the driver shortage is a myth
Generally most pay for hours at work less a 45 min break
Most jobs are agency so no guarantee of working every day etc
Many want you to have held a licence for X amount of time before their insurers will accommodate you
Some newbies do get lucky but it is usually the ones who are most pro active and not simply sending CVs off
ROG:
NWalesTrucker:
Hi,I am due to get my class 2 booked and I have been looking at job adverts to get an idea on pay.
Are you paid for hours that you drive or hours at work? Just trying to understand why the pay is as low as £10ph in some areas.
Thanks
There are more drivers than jobs so wages are kept low - the driver shortage is a myth
Generally most pay for hours at work less a 45 min break
Most jobs are agency so no guarantee of working every day etc
Many want you to have held a licence for X amount of time before their insurers will accommodate you
Some newbies do get lucky but it is usually the ones who are most pro active and not simply sending CVs off
Thanks ROG, didn’t realise it was that saturated. I have a keen interest in trucks, I’m not happy in the the job I’m in currently although I do get early finishes. I just want to make sure I’m doing what will make me happy as well as earning a good income.
You will often do long day’s ( 15 hour or 13 not uncommon ) sometimes unsociable hours so factor that in btw some pay £9.00 ph depends where you live & how many drivers there are looking
As Rog say often agency so no guarantee if you are in a job now you could register with a couple agency & work every other Saturday/Sunday that if you work a normal Monday - Friday job to see if you like it before packing in your job in & going full time
Might be better trying for your C+E as more options
It’s worth pointing out that there are plenty of jobs well below £10 ph. There’s one well-known Tyneside outfit known to pay minimum wage for Class 1, but only for some of their drivers. And as a newbie you’d most likely start with an agency and most pay under £10ph here in the North-east
The Americans seem to pay by mile so effectively only when they sre driving, but virtually all in this country are paid by the hour (only know of one thst pays per mile) A few are slso on salary but you need to calculate those carefully to see if it’s worthwhile.
£10 for class 2 is actually not bad for many general jobs and there are plenty of class 1 paying that around East Midlands for example. I’m on nights, class 1 with dangerous goods (ADR) and don’t get a heck of a lot more.
Be wary of jobs advertising a lot more. There are of course jobs paying £14 hour, but they are often specialised or include night out money for being out 4 nights a week.
Also be careful of jobs that are LTD rates. They aren’t paying your tax, holidays etc so its not as good as it looks.
I’ve been in more dangerous industries where £10 hour is normal too, so driving isn’t unique in that respect.
Thanks for your replies, what sort of start time is average to be working 15 hour days?
NWalesTrucker:
Thanks for your replies, what sort of start time is average to be working 15 hour days?
Pick any time for the 24 hours in a day
Thanks for your replies, what sort of start time is average to be working 15 hour days?
Any time at all is the answer! But, keep it in context. Whilst there are some drivers working some 15 hour shifts, there is a vast number that are not. Every job is different and needs to be evaluated for what it is. This is where agency can be handy as you can get a brief overview of different jobs/employers.
Driving has always worked on a modest hourly rate with the need to work more than average hours to earn a half decent wage. It’s improved in some sectors but not everywhere. Not all employers want to work you like a dog for minimum wage! (Of course, there are some).
Bear in mind that holding a licence is a gateway to other jobs apart from driving a truck. There’s traffic office, transport management, engineering. And, dare I say it, driving instruction? Most of those roles offer decent hours and pay.
And, although you’ll find plenty of drivers who moan about the hours, money conditions etc etc, it’s odd that they don’t feel strongly enough to make a move into something else??
Pete S 
Pete S:
Thanks for your replies, what sort of start time is average to be working 15 hour days?
Any time at all is the answer! But, keep it in context. Whilst there are some drivers working some 15 hour shifts, there is a vast number that are not. Every job is different and needs to be evaluated for what it is. This is where agency can be handy as you can get a brief overview of different jobs/employers.
Driving has always worked on a modest hourly rate with the need to work more than average hours to earn a half decent wage. It’s improved in some sectors but not everywhere. Not all employers want to work you like a dog for minimum wage! (Of course, there are some).
Bear in mind that holding a licence is a gateway to other jobs apart from driving a truck. There’s traffic office, transport management, engineering. And, dare I say it, driving instruction? Most of those roles offer decent hours and pay.
And, although you’ll find plenty of drivers who moan about the hours, money conditions etc etc, it’s odd that they don’t feel strongly enough to make a move into something else??
Pete S
Thanks Pete,
I do seem to notice a lot of drivers having a grumble in work when I ask about getting my license and they say it’s not worth it, but something has always pulled me towards them and the job. I just don’t fancy having to night out frequently.
What engineering role can it give you access to? Out of curiosity… as I’m also keen to get my hands dirty and learn how to repair/maintain a truck too, so hopefully I’m given the chance at some point. I have too many commitments to of gone down the apprenticeship route… and have always wanted to drive more so fingers crossed.
What engineering role can it give you access to?
Fleet engineering. Get with the right firm (a family, smaller one) and you may well get the opportunity to learn routine maintenance.
But, without prior knowledge, you’re not likely to reach a level where you’re going to earn a decent wage.
Pete
I’m in plant hire, when not driving the truck I may be driving the forklift in the yard or doing minor maintenance/ servicing and repairs on the plant.
General odd bod sometimes, with pretty standard hours and pay that would be very hard to beat. I often see jobs that only come close to paying the same but would involve doing 15hr days and anti social hours or several nights out to accomplish.
It’s not a job for everyone as dirty and hard work but we are paid well for our efforts
Pete S:
What engineering role can it give you access to?
Fleet engineering. Get with the right firm (a family, smaller one) and you may well get the opportunity to learn routine maintenance.
But, without prior knowledge, you’re not likely to reach a level where you’re going to earn a decent wage.
Pete
Thanks Pete 
Pete S:
What engineering role can it give you access to?
Fleet engineering. Get with the right firm (a family, smaller one) and you may well get the opportunity to learn routine maintenance.
But, without prior knowledge, you’re not likely to reach a level where you’re going to earn a decent wage.
Pete
Thanks Pete
8wheels:
I’m in plant hire, when not driving the truck I may be driving the forklift in the yard or doing minor maintenance/ servicing and repairs on the plant.General odd bod sometimes, with pretty standard hours and pay that would be very hard to beat. I often see jobs that only come close to paying the same but would involve doing 15hr days and anti social hours or several nights out to accomplish.
It’s not a job for everyone as dirty and hard work but we are paid well for our efforts
That sounds right up my street to be honest 
Do you enjoy it?