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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347   
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Hi Guys,
I have started the process of getting my Cat C+E training, but first need to get my Cat C. Reason being that whilst I love my current job and can see myself happily working doing what I do for years and years to come, I always like to have a plan B. While I have no immediate plans to move to another country it has been discussed a number of times with my Girlfriend and the likelihood of getting work as a truck driver in a foreign country vastly outweighs that of getting work as a CNC machinist. Plus I keep looking at trucks and thinking yes I need one of those in my life..... So, Provisional licence applied for, Medical being booked this week and all the books and dvd's from DSA on order. I am looking at a few options for tuition but will go to each one and have a trial drive before I part with cash. Has anyone on here recently done this or does it for a living who can offer any thoughts or guidance? I have heard it is fairly cut throat, lots of long hours and time away from home, but while I'm young and while I'm able I think running 2 jobs now while I have the energy and facilities to do so will serve me better in the long run and give me a better chance to get on the housing ladder and start building my own life. I'm hoping once passing my cat C to get weekend work working Saturdays and Sundays to keep my hand in and skills up with a view to progressing to Cat C+E. What do we think? Pie in the sky thinking or something worth pursuing? Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter  |
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18th Jan 2015 10:42pm |
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| diesel_jim Member Since: 13 Oct 2008 Location: hiding Posts: 6092 
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Shop around for CPC.... when I was looking into updating mine, the price varied a lot. £350 isn't too bad, but I found a place near here that did discount for ex service personnel which was nice.... even for TA like I was.
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19th Jan 2015 9:10am |
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| SailingTom Member Since: 19 Nov 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 1721
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Just got my provisional and meant to be doing the theory and practical test in the next couple of months. Looks a bit of learning not sure how hard it will be yet but hoping ok.
I couldnt tell you the costs as work asked if I wanted to do it and sort you out with everything needed. Not planning on being a lorry driver though just thought i'd have a go as could be useful occasionally and I get whats meant to be an enjoyable week long blue light training course after  Defender puma dormobile camper |
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19th Jan 2015 9:28am |
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| RED-DOT Member Since: 29 Jun 2009 Location: stirling Posts: 2363 
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And expect to be treated as a criminal by the police VOSA/DVSA and the eurobox driving public. We were once knights of the road but no longer. There are fines for LGV drivers you wouldn't believe and penalties that only apply to us. A LGV licence is regarded as a privilege and can be withdrawn at anytime unlike a car licence.
Police love stopping lorries because the drivers are always polite and tend not to push a gun up their nostril usually due to there being a small infringement to try and hide = soft target. You will have to do your 45h CPC whether you have fresh ink on your licence or have 30 years behind the wheel. You will be monitored by Digi tac and maybe even a tracker so you must rest when the box tells you to and not when your body says. Good luck!! 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS.. |
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19th Jan 2015 9:36am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10381
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I've had my class 1 (all trucks!) since '91 and never really pursued a driving job, i was an assistant transport manager at the time of passing, so was handy to have.
It's always worth having as a 'back up', though drivers tend to be treated as 'lowlifes' ( I worked for a very large supermarket logistic company in the transport office and hated how the drivers were treated) and if you can find a nice clean 5 days a week job, you're a lucky man! My licence expiration is due right now and I need to do my medical to keep my licence, though I'm not sure I'll bother. Best of luck. |
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19th Jan 2015 10:12am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17378 
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Greeni, bear in mind that it is easier to retain the licence that to get it back if you let it go, so if you ever think you might want it again keep it! Another benefit is that once you're in the renew-every-five-years bracket you never need to worry about you photocard licence expiring, and it does make you get a rudimentary health check every 5 years.
I was lucky enough to do my Class 1 in the early 90s when you could go from an old-style car licence (which of course included trailer entitlement as standard) straight to Class 1. I did a one-week intensive course with the test at the end, which was hard work - vety intensive - but good fun. I don't drive for a living but jump whenever I get the chance to drive, especially historic or classic hgvs, and do in fact own a classic vehicle which requires an hgv2 equivalent do to its 12-ton ULW. I don't have any plans to drive for a living, but it is nice to know that I have the licence 'just in case'. |
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19th Jan 2015 10:39am |
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| jimbob7 Member Since: 06 Jul 2013 Location: uk Posts: 2055 |
Been driving since 93,as with most other unskilled "industries" it's now managed by incompetent 12 year old kids fresh out of university,most contract terms and conditions now are utter rubbish (blame your fellow drivers for allowing it
 ). If you find a job working only weekends your working hours are still restricted and monitored for the whole working week (you mentioned something about 2 jobs??),IF you get caught not recording "other work" expect fines like you've never seen.
Oh,in-experienced drivers stand out a mile and the other drivers pounce on them,at our depot alone we just had 2 tractor units and a tug badly smashed up in the space of 3 weeks and a bridge strike 5 weeks ago by glaringly obvious (unless your a manager who are sometimes deaf,dumb and blind) newbie's.Not gonna mention other road users  .
Good luck with it ! Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5. |
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19th Jan 2015 11:29am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10381
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Cheers Blackwolf for 'heads up' ! I'll endeavor to get it sorted actually, I have connections in Motorsport and have driven for the odd team every now and then, which has been nice, it may be a shame to let that go.
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19th Jan 2015 1:47pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347
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Thanks for the input guys, still lots to think about.
I suppose really my ideal would be to be an escort driver for heavy haulage jobs, but I know I would only end up wanting to be in the Cab
What do you mean by this? Does this mean my 110 will need to be fitted with a tacho or will I just need to write down how many hours I am at work in the day? As I say I have no immediate or medium plans to leave my current job (short of a dream job offer) so this is definitely a way to earn extra income but also to try something new and challenge myself. As far as weekend jobs go around me they are fairly low paid and aimed more at school leavers- which I'm not below, but I want to earn a decent amount for giving up my weekends. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter |
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19th Jan 2015 7:33pm |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833 
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Shaggydog, have you considered the army reserves (TA)?
I too had the urge to drive big trucks and in my twenties took the queens shilling, in exchange for my weekends. I managed to pick up my C and C+E licences, could have picked up my A licence if I'd not already got it, plus had the option of D as well. It's not all running around in green. I had more weekends on adventurous training (read drinking) as I did being a weekend warrior, and was forever been offered weeks away scuba diving, sailing around the world, trips to off the track places like Namibia. I could go on and on, but I'll not bore you all 
Biggest benefit of all, it's up to you how many weekends you give up 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone 2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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19th Jan 2015 8:05pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347
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I have done, done all the fitness and got to the interview where I was promptly turned away because I have a food allergy and they flat refuse to take anyone on with food allergy.
Not going to lie was really quite depressed by that as I had my heart set on joining the Royal Engineers and becoming a Vehicle Recovery Mechanic or doing the Logistics side of it and doing the Tank Transporter Driving. Hence picking myself up and trying to do something similar, but different. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter |
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19th Jan 2015 8:22pm |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1833
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Bummer, although if it helps I think I'm right in saying that all the tankie stuff is done by civvies these days 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone
2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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19th Jan 2015 8:33pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347
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Silver linings
Think I found the outfit that does it http://www.ftxlog.com/ Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197
Self confessed mileage hunter |
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19th Jan 2015 8:37pm |
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| SailingTom Member Since: 19 Nov 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 1721
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Retained fire service in Kent? Looks good on a cv if you ever fancy sunnier climates in the future.
Last edited by SailingTom on 12th May 2015 4:17pm. Edited 2 times in total |
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19th Jan 2015 9:17pm |
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