HGV Owner/Driver UK: Does 'Ticking Boxes' Generate Work For Your Truck ?

Talking about some of things you may need to do which could give you an advantage sourcing work for your truck.
This is not a 'Trucking Vlog', it's me talking about my experiences as an Owner/Driver (Owner/Operator) here in The UK.
Check out ‪@PetetheCourierDriver‬ for info on the Haulage/Courier Exchange.

[@davidhead970]

Rockgod that was another great video, Lots of good info, Im looking forward to the next one, thanks for making the time to send info to us

[@justanothercourier]

Very interesting video as usual. I started out as a small van sameday courier in November last year and am still very wet behind the ears about the industry. Like you, even tho I've only been running just less than a year I've noticed a mark difference in my work from when I started until now... Interesting to see that it is affecting much bigger vehicles such as yourself. Seems to be tough times generally in the industry atm unless you're one of the major national shippers... Keep up the great videos pal I've watched them on and off for years.

[@andrewfrench8789]

Great video as always, I have followed you for years. I saw you the other day at J19 on the M6 , I was joking the motorway as you were passing. Once I realised it was you I tooted the horn and flashed you in, I was driving a DHL Volvo so has no chance of catching you 😝 Keep the videos coming 😀

[@TheRockgod23]

I actually remember somebody on the horn but can't remember where, so now I know !

[@vanontherun2843]

Definitely not a waste of time, lots of good info cheers for taking the time to share 👍. I'm an owner driver courier getting all of my work off the CX, like yourself I have found it really hard this year compared to 2021. January to May was a waste of time before it finally picked up in June, but then it's dropped off again late July into August. Thing is ad-hoc subcontracting is plan C for most companies that post jobs, after they have kept their own vehicles and permanent subbies busy, so load platforms like the CX/HX will always have an exaggerated swing between busy and quiet periods, very boom and bust by nature. This time last year I was doing very well out of it, but I think that was just things bouncing back after the pandemic. I've come to realise this year that tough times lay ahead so I'm doing my Class 1 license now and hope to ride out the storm as a PAYE employee for a few years even if it's for the likes of Stobarts/Culina, maybe go the owner driver route again in the e future but in a truck. Like you I like to do work for several people to spread the risk, on the odd occasion that I've done a lot of work for one company in a short time period I insist on short payment term like 14 days max. I've never used them but there are now companies who insure invoices against non payment, Nimbla is the only one I know of as a mate was involved in setting it up. Have you ever considered approaching potential customers direct? So not working through another transport company. A 26t rigid would be ideal for doing work for steel fabricators, galvanised, powder coaters etc on a day rate basis.

[@TheRockgod23]

I do have a couple of direct customers but don't get enough work off them to keep me busy all week as they are small Companies who just use me for large orders. Another manufacturing Company also use me direct but they have a fleet of their own 18 tonners so I'm only in there when they are busy, at the moment they are not busy so don't need any additional vehicles. Most of the steel fabricators etc I come across seem to already be tied in with 'forwarders' who post on the CX/HX . I'm always on the lookout but sometimes it's a bit difficult satisfying direct customers when you've only got one truck ? Cheers, hope everything works out ok your end.

[@richardthornton1235]

Very entertaining video mate. Some good advice 👍👌

[@markh5433]

Great video RG. Night time is the right time…….. think I saw you at Preston, I was tipping at a feed mill across the road🤔

[@TheRockgod23]

You should have come across and said hello.

[@ch1cken460]

Great video..have been watching them for years

[@TheRockgod23]

Thanks for watching.

[@HGVJ.]

You must have a big garden if your legs are hurting RockGod. Another great video

[@TheRockgod23]

It's all uphill !

[@andychilvers4801]

I've been thinking about starting my own business in a class 2. A video on O license would be helpful.

[@andychilvers4801]

What size lorry do you think is better..18ton or 26ton

[@TheRockgod23]

@@andychilvers4801 It all depends on the type of work you are doing. Neither are any better/worse than the other. Personally, I went for a 26 tonner so I could carry more heavier pallets, even though the running costs are slightly more than a 18 tonner.

[@matthewferguson6697]

Great video!

[@jayraw1120]

Nights are tough. It’s that 12-2 am period that used to hit me . 😴

[@iandodds4441]

Close there mate there’s a numpty born every day stay safe 👍

[@stevecampbell7589]

I be interested in the IR35 if you do go ahead and the limited driver. But not important. I bought a 7.5t daf lf curtainsider with twin bunks on an northern irish plate but I dont have an O license, its been added onto a local family firms license and I am going to be tramping for them from Monday. They paying me a daily fee and giving me a fuel card for when I am doing their work, they wont pay for my parking though, if I want to park in a truck stop or services, I have to fund it myself.

[@TheRockgod23]

I don't want to alarm you but if you (or your Company) own and operate the vehicle you can not use a different Company's O Licence. You (or your Company) must be the holders of your own licence. All you are doing is subcontracting to the family firm , therefore they need their licence and you need yours as there are two separate businesses. Be very careful because if you get caught DVSA and The Traffic Commissioner will 'Throw The Book At You' ! Sorry to have to tell you that.

[@stevecampbell7589]

@@TheRockgod23ah ok. I never knew that. They perhaps should have known as they been going since 2020. Maybe they hoped I hadnt realised or maybe they honestly didnt know themselves. Mind, I havent had a call off them yet. They were meant to ring me mid week this week with a start time. l

[@stevecampbell7589]

@@TheRockgod23 would it be worth getting my own license then? my daf is a 2010 model year. I would want to be able to carry out my own work if I got my own license. I have around 5k in bank left and it not been below that since at least end of June. Plus Credit cards with total of around another 4k available. There is a farm out back my house just outside Peterlee off the A19 where my wagon is currently parked before it was to go on the road and that farm runs his own couple of trucks on possible a restricted license. Then there is the hurdle that I am also an ex con. So probably get refused my own license even though I only done jail time on daft driving offences when I was younger and offending a local MP with a facebook comment.

[@TheRockgod23]

@@stevecampbell7589 100% You need your own O Licence. All you can do is apply, if you tell the truth on the application you should be ok (The Traffic Commissioner will defo refuse if you lie on the application about your past) ? The only thing you need to do is find somebody with a Transport Manager CPC to be named on the licence, this could be the CPC holder at the family firm.

[@stevecampbell7589]

@@TheRockgod23 Thanks. I will give that a shot. Either that or i'll end up driving a bastard piss stinking bus as Arriva offered me a job after I attended a recruitment session a few weeks back. They sent me an email offering me a position in Durham for £10.10 an hour

[@scrapper1988]

Shepton mallet.......u was my end of the country!! I work in 1 of the quarrys......which 1 did u deliver to?

[@TheRockgod23]

Whatley Quarry and Quarry Road Business Park, Tansey.

[@scrapper1988]

@TheRockgod23 ahhh I used to drive tippers and the yard was at quarry Road business park. I work at Torr quarry now :) love the videos keep them coming

[@NaCreagachaDubha]

Thanks for the video, mate! Do you get paid extra for having to sit there for a couple hours before they unloaded the load?

[@TheRockgod23]

Yes, I would normally give the customer 60-90 minutes to load and the same when unloading, after that it's an extra charge which is already agreed before confirming the job.

[@ericwalsh3200]

Humpty just used to drive cars now anyone that's got a pulse gets an hgv license

[@efosajacob1286]

Hi, what's ticking boxes?

[@TheRockgod23]

@@efosajacob1286 It's just a saying, it kind of means if you can offer more things you are ticking more boxes. Hope that helps ?

[@abbaszaidi5781]

How do you find contracts and what do you roughly make per day profit wise. I’m just thinking about getting a o license. Just abit clueless about how you find work and if it worth it after paying for fuel insurance and maintenance.

[@TheRockgod23]

I don't have any contracts, it's mostly adhoc work a bit like being a taxi driver. The main thing I did before commiting to buying the truck was contact people who I'd worked for over the years and asked if they could throw work in my direction if I bought a truck, so most of my work is for people I already know or companies I'd previously worked for. If my work doesn't come from them I'll use one of the online platforms were loads are posted, this has introduced me to new customers who now first contact me directly rather than them posting online. As for profit, I don't discuss money (especially online) as that is private between me and my customers though I will say that if you keep yourself busy and don't run around for peanuts you can earn a descent living. Remember that all your costs should be calculated before quoting jobs.

[@adobe3910]

Do you think you will ever buy an artic? I went from Rigid to artic then back to rigid as the work seemed limited on artic work. This was 7 years ago so times may have changed. Job allowed me to retired at 56 😀

[@TheRockgod23]

No, having talked with other owner drivers with artics I think I'm better with the rigid as I already have a reliable customer base and earn similar money. Yes, things are a bit quiet at the moment but I think I made the right decision.

[@adobe3910]

@@TheRockgod23 Wise words from you sir. I wasted 5 years on the artics before i returned to rigids. Good luck to you and i hope you dont lose your hair like i did 😅

[@TheRockgod23]

@@adobe3910 Fingers crossed 🤞 Cheers

[@snuggleseal]

Do you drive with a dashcam?

[@TheRockgod23]

Yes, got a Roahawk. Here's some videos. kzbin.info/aero/PLsVHeksB8MqX5vMZNBT-kSptFY35k8HAD

[@Mickymaxywonder]

How u been rock u workin on anythin new 🤔

[@TheRockgod23]

No, not yet. Been busy and don't really want to upload unless it's a bit different, too many KZbinrs now, all doing the same thing ! If I find time I'll try. Cheers.

[@TheRockgod23]

I've been recording all this week for 'a week as an Owner/Driver' type video. Will upload when I get it edited. Cheers.

[@Mickymaxywonder]

@TheRockgod23 I CANT WAIT ROCK, LOOKIN FORWARD TO IT. 🥳