Hello, I’ve been lurking for a while so thought I’d join up and say hello. I’ve returned to bus and coach driving after a 15 year absence as I was made redundant from my old job which wasn’t transport related.
I’ve passed my theory and hazard perception tests recently and hope to take my practical class c test soon.
The coach company I’m working for now is pretty dreadful. I work 10 hour shifts ( which I know is pretty cushy for this industry ) but only earn £60 gross day including bonus !!! I get stopped 2 hours pay for breaks so it’s just above minimum wage but in reality I’m there all day so effectively it’s £6 an hour !
I was told I could make my wages up with tips but all I’m allocated are school runs - the rest of the time I’m cleaning in the yard with just cold water and a brush to clean 12 metre coaches.
When I do drive I’m allocated a 21 year old Dennis thing !
I’m desperate to get out of this place - it’s the only coach firm near me but there are lots of haulage companies looking for class c drivers, paying around £9.50 an hour.
I’m in my early 50’s and have lots of experience driving coaches so I’m hoping that will at least be in my favour. I’ve read a lot of negative posts by lgv drivers but honestly is it better than I’ve described before I part with the best part of £1200 for my training ?
Cheers.
Hi and welcome, there will be other much more experienced and valued drivers here later but to get you started I’ll do my best to help you out first of all well done on the theory passes that’s a good start! As with any industry you get naysayers and doomsdayers but on the whole I don’t think it’s that bad! I’ve been in the industry almost a year now and love every moment of my work it certainly isn’t as rough as you appear to have it anyway! I do average of 8/10 hours a day on class 2 and take home around £450/£475 a week by the time they have added bonuses etc and that’s after tax/nat ins/pension deductions (been assured of an increase when I move on to class 1 in a few weeks). There are good jobs with great wages out there they just have to be earned from the bottom up like many industries if your area has more Haulage firms then coach operators and you are wanting to make the change then I would see no reason why you shouldn’t if you really dislike where you are now, after all you aren’t happy where you are. I would suggest maybe getting in contact with some of these Haulage companies and just confirming they would give newbies a shot as you may find it difficult to come across regular work. Although your coach experience should put you in a great stance for your driver training and should put you ahead of the game in terms of being used to large vehicles and having confidence I don’t think you’ll find many Haulage companies that will count it as driving experience for LGVs but that’s all just opinion I hope it’s of some help to you. Best of luck
Hi and thank you for your prompt reply. The wages you are earning are certainly well ahead of mine and you sound happy in your work too. I intend to make some tentative enquiries with a few local firms in the coming weeks. There are 2 near me that do pallet work and they are advertising at the moment for class 2. The oldest trucks I’ve seen are 6 years old which is 10 years younger than our newest vehicle Lol. I certainly realise I’d be starting in the bottom rung of the ladder but as you say I at least will be more confident than a complete newbie moving up from a car licence.
I had an assessment drive in a MAN auto and it was so easy to drive compared to my manual Dennis. Also heavenly not to have 50 screaming kids sat behind me throwing food everywhere !!! We are not allowed to tell them off so I end up with a terrible headache and a filthy coach that I have to clean out !
My mind is pretty much made up now as it seems I’ve nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain.
I can confirm I am very happy in what I do and who I do it for, I passed my class 1 in Jan and planned to move off class 2 pallet work to another firm driving bulk tippers however I reconsidered because I’ve found a firm who are very good to their staff, look after us well, pay us well, provide us with new vehicles etc all for our hard work. Which can be a rarity. I would suggest the pallet firms near you would certainly be worth a try as by my experience pallet firms nearly always give new guys a start most decent firms tend to keep on top of their vehicles and maintain / replace as necessary if for nothing else but to keep them out of the authorities eyes although there’s more to it then that I believe most firms have autos these days as I think it’s usually what’s standard but you are correct even modern manuals are pleasant and easy to drive with good vision (most of them ) one very good reason I didn’t go down the coach route and that was being stuck on school coaches (and the want to drive trucks) freight can’t back chat scream or shout however it can still be awkward but that’s part and parcel of the job mate yoi certainly can gain plenty in this industry if you can get yourself the right employer some get lucky and get it 1st time others spend a long time searching however it’s always worthwhile and rewarding when you do. Wish you the best of luck pal and keep us updated
Hi Fernando.
Well done on the pass,best thing to do is on a day off visit the 2 firms by you and talk to them,explain what’s what and ask if they take new passes if not they will know who might.
Fair play for doing coaches like buses wouldn’t be anywhere near sod live loads lol too much trouble.yes class C money is a lot but being stopped 2 hrs for break is a P take honestly driving jobs stop you 45 mins for break that’s all.
Where abouts are you some kind soul on here might be able to point you in the right direction or recommend a training school.
Hi Jeff I’m near Evesham in Worcestershire. I don’t mind commuting up to a 20 mile radius. Unbelievably when I’m on my break I’m expected to clean the inside Windows etc which has led to plenty of rows between me and the boss ( who doesn’t hold a pcv licence herself !!! ) I didn’t intend staying here anyway as they have a bad reputation amongst the coach driving community. Nothing prepared me for just how bad it is though !!! Still it’s paid the mortgage for a few months but I really have had enough now !!!
Daytrunker:
Hi Fernando.
Well done on the pass,best thing to do is on a day off visit the 2 firms by you and talk to them,explain what’s what and ask if they take new passes if not they will know who might.
Fair play for doing coaches like buses wouldn’t be anywhere near sod live loads lol too much trouble.yes class C money is a lot but being stopped 2 hrs for break is a P take honestly driving jobs stop you 45 mins for break that’s all.
Where abouts are you some kind soul on here might be able to point you in the right direction or recommend a training school.
Jeff.
Not all firms stop your pay for breaks…Just saying
Oh dear lord you have it rough. Granted I do reasonably specialised class one work but my pay is well above that before bonus and I do 10-12 hour days mon-fri with paid breaks. Standard class 2 pallet work by me is about £11-12 p/h and class one is £13+ not including overtime. Thing is about bus and coach work you are sort of pigeon holed into only a few areas, however with HGV you have sooooooo many options… just for the variety in work I would do my HGV
If you let us know where you are in the country, folk can come up with suggestions of where you can try.
Life is too short, and you spend too much time at work, to be unhappy in your work. I loved my time on the truck and was lucky enough to find something that suited me quickly. There are good jobs out there, good luck.
F-reds:
If you let us know where you are in the country, folk can come up with suggestions of where you can try.
Life is too short, and you spend too much time at work, to be unhappy in your work. I loved my time on the truck and was lucky enough to find something that suited me quickly. There are good jobs out there, good luck.
fernando:
Hi Jeff I’m near Evesham in Worcestershire. I
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Here ^^^
I can’t comment really as a bit further north than you & do specialised work now but even I am better paid than that we do get proper breaks also my boss does hold a CE licence & not frightened to go out on the road as & when he is also a good boss tbh
But you can do a lot better than where you are my job is nearly 1 hr drive down the motorway but as only do the journey twice a week not too bad
AIM Logistics are in or near Evesham, I see a LOT of there wagons along the A46.
This ad doesn’t seem to ask for ‘experienced’ drivers, it also say’s ‘training’ in palletised deliveries, so reading between the lines it sounds to me like they’ll take on a new driver and give them training:
If I was you I’d go and speak to a few logistics firms and find out if they’re willing to take on a well experienced driver with a new class 2 or 1 licence. I hope/think you’ll get a yes.
Ahhh it’s gone from bad to worse today. She accused me of speeding in the yard and we ended up having a massive row about it. I’m probably the most experienced and cautious driver she has. Some of the younger guys do quite frankly drive like lunatics on the road and in the yard but I definitely don’t. She just had to pick another fight. The staff turnover at this company is horrific. Most of the staff are rejects from other bus companies who can’t get work elsewhere. You would think she would be grateful to have mature experienced staff but she drives them all away.
On the positive side a local company are very interested in speaking with me about a potential class 2 pallet job once I’ve passed. No pressure then !
MikeDBristol:
AIM Logistics are in or near Evesham, I see a LOT of there wagons along the A46.
This ad doesn’t seem to ask for ‘experienced’ drivers, it also say’s ‘training’ in palletised deliveries, so reading between the lines it sounds to me like they’ll take on a new driver and give them training:
If I was you I’d go and speak to a few logistics firms and find out if they’re willing to take on a well experienced driver with a new class 2 or 1 licence. I hope/think you’ll get a yes.
Hope it helps.
Thanks I see their wagons all the time. I’m going to give class 2 a go first though to see if I fit into the industry.
carryfast-yeti:
there will be lots of negative comments from lgv drivers fernando…'cos we are a bunch of moaners [emoji38] go for lorry driving mate…i for one recommend it
first of all well done on the theory passes 
that’s a good start! As with any industry you get naysayers and doomsdayers but on the whole I don’t think it’s that bad! I’ve been in the industry almost a year now and love every moment of my work it certainly isn’t as rough as you appear to have it anyway! I do average of 8/10 hours a day on class 2 and take home around £450/£475 a week by the time they have added bonuses etc and that’s after tax/nat ins/pension deductions (been assured of an increase when I move on to class 1 in a few weeks). There are good jobs with great wages out there they just have to be earned from the bottom up like many industries 
although there’s more to it then that 
come on mate…pull the other one