Page 1 of Any HGV drivers out there?

I have a a class 2 license and tho i havent worked in the industry for 9 years for personal reasons that at the time meant i couldnt work but im thinking of going back into it and have a few questions.

1. Are there any companies who have work for class 2 drivers? Seems like all the supermarkets etc are class 1 only?

2. Is it worth training to get my class 1 cos it seems that thats the only way im gonna get decent paid work and i cant see vacancies for class 2 and is the training expensive?

3. I see that there are ADR drivers, digital tacho drivers, Hazchem drivers required ! Well i dont know what any of this means ! Is it expensive/difficult?

4. What kind of companies will take on a class 2 driver who hasnt been in the industry for 9 years?

5. Whats my best way to start? Sign for agencies/writing direct to employers?

Pleeeeeeeease help me guys......cos im lost! :¦

Quote:
I see that there are ADR drivers, digital tacho drivers, Hazchem drivers required ! Well i dont know what any of this means ! Is it expensive/difficult?

I work in the freight industry, we have umpteen drivers.
ADR is for carrying dangerous goods.
The courses are a pain, and quite difficult.
They are a whole week long, including the weekend.
Expensive too.
I wouldn`t expect you to put yourself through it, it`s usually the employer that does it.
Mind you, more and more are grumbling about drivers taking the courses than buggering off, so maybe they will make it the individual`s problem soon.

Been driving a class 2 with a couple of years now, i`ll do my best.

1: Depends on where you are, and your physical capabilities. Builder`s merchants are always a good bet, and 9 times out of 10 they`ll pay for any HIAB training you might need. (You`ll have to stay in their employment for a while to `pay it off``)

2. Class 1 training can be expensive, again, depending on where you are. Something to consider would be to work somewhere that employs both class 1 & 2 drivers for a while, then when a class 1 vacancy comes up, the employers may pay for the extra training, again, with a `pay off period`. (A few friends have used this method down here in kent)

3. ADR and hazcham drivers have been explained above. As for Digital tacho drivers, all new trucks (from June last year) have to be fitted with a digital tachograph by law. It would be in your best interests to apply for a Digital tacho anyway, as not having one would severely limit your employment chances. Even if you don`t drive a digital truck, if you get pulled by VOSA, you will have to produce the card (21 days` records in your cab these days)

4. Companies that need truck drivers, basically. As long as you feel you can get back into the saddle straight away.

5. Given your hiatus, an agency would probably be a good re-start for you. You can specify what kind of work/company you`d prefer, then, when you`re back up to speed, apply for something more concrete. Employers might even look upon you favourably as agency work is varied.

Hope that`s been of some help

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Curse this infernal alcohol...


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This item was edited on Thursday, 29th November 2007, 18:17

i work for the co-op and they have drivers that just past the test, i was out from driving for 4 years but had no problem gettting on with a class 2,
we have got the collage in at the moment doing N V Q 2 and if you only have class 2 you can go on a course and do the class 1 for FREE
look into this with your local job centre you used to have to be on dole for 6 months at one time before you could get the free test but now they do it for anyone who wants to , if that info is wrong forgive me but i was talking to the girl who was doing the NVQ2 and she was adamant you get it for free no matter what,

Thanks again gents, all great replies. I now understand the ADR much better.I will get myself the digital tacho cos it seems like its gonna be needed in the very near future and not having it may limit my chances. I will certainly look into this NVQ2 at the jobcentre too.

Can anyone suggest a good agency i could sign up for cos when i look online, there are thousands? !!

Get in with your local council, winter weather means they will be looking for people to drive the gritting wagons. Ill be doing the buses in the day and by night Ill be the happy gritter, only 20 hours a week but they pay 17.75 an hour with 2 shift patterns 6pm til finish and 6am til finish..... A nice touch just before Xmas

Come to think, there is also the bins and road sweeping both of which are well paid with the council... well atleast they are up north

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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve (1953-2004)

This item was edited on Saturday, 1st December 2007, 22:16

I know of a site that could help. BUT THE MODS JUST REMOVED IT

This item was edited on Thursday, 24th February 2011, 18:05

DOES it come with a c***ing time machine?

Maybe Poppy would be interested?