Must-Know TOP TIPS for New HGV Drivers!

[@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra]

That’s some really good advice, thanks for that! Starting my first HGV job in less than two weeks, yay!

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra glad it helps. Class 1 or class 2? Where you going to be working?

[@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra]

Class 2, company that the name would suggest they are selling brakes 😂

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@PiotrstrashcanŚmietnikPiotra best of luck with it!

[@TruckerMurdock]

I've been Class 1 for nearly 3yrs now and had to train a new guy the other week, my advice to him was "Ask questions, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask". Sure enough another driver told him the same thing at the hub. If you're not happy with a potential manouvre, if it looks risky, if you're not confident, refuse to do it without a banksman. As Ashley rightly says say NO if it looks unsafe, if it looks too heavy, or if you have any doubts. You're not being a jobsworth or a dick for checking everything, you're protecting yourself and everyone else on the road.

[@neilrees7526]

Some good reminders for some of us experienced drivers too... The band planning one is something I can definitely relate to as I deal with it quite regularly 😅 I have to tell myself to challenge some of these impossible booking times they give me.. 9 times out 10 it pays off for me !

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@neilrees7526 sometimes planners thing we fly helicopters!

[@julianhowes3622]

Excellent advice Ashley. If you get a gut feeling about something, trust your gut. Better to stop, challenge it, or suggest a better way, than to get into a whole heap of trouble. In days gone past, I would push the envelope to keep a transport manager or planner happy, not now, its your license, its your safety ( and others ), if they don't like it, you're able to change job. Like you said about wages, they are important obviously, but happiness and work life balance are equally if not more important. A driver who is happy in his work, is more likely to do a better job than one who is not. These days, you have the resources of google maps and sat nav to assist you. Use them. But use them wisely. You can normally street view an address before you get there to assist you. I can remember stopping to ask directions from a local to find out to my cost that their expectations of where I could turn a 45' trailer round varied differently from mine!!!!!!!

[@donalddalrymple414]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos you sound like a top man. I think the money you make when your last job and you were happy is the right thing you did thinking about doing cows for the last 30 years and I’m looking for a change only thing that worries me is I get nervous during test, do you have any advice? Many thanks, Donald.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

dont think of it as a test, its just a drive. the theory test is just practice, practice and more practice.

[@ScouserMandy]

when backing use this simple word to rember " GOAL " If unsure you will or not hit something GOAL Get out and Look !

[@ciarand2823]

Best advice I'd give a new start is to choose their employer wisely, yes I know its a case of taking whatever you can get to begin with, but if you find you're being expected to drive unroadworthy vehicles or transport loads you haven't enough straps for ect it's not your transport manager that'll be pulled in its you. If you find you're being told to just crack on and don't worry or question something that's not right, try and get that instruction in writing via text or WhatsApp, you can present it to your next potential employer when you attend an interview and gauge his reaction, he might not be any better than where you are currently.

[@ievgendergausov2867]

Ashley, how's difficult to use to sleep in car , why I'm ask coz frequently see lorry parked on the road and thinking do drivers take a rest now , coz noise from road, flashing lights, after driver should work, or for rest exists designated areas? Thank you

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@ievgendergausov2867 it takes a while to get use to. The cab curtains are pretty good a blocking out the light. Wouldn't want to do it if I. Was a light sleeper.

[@alitunkara7194]

Am in the process of getting there. I got my on-road test book any idea about the best time to take hgv driving test

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Early in the morning, then your not worried about it all day. Depending on your area you might want to avoid rush hour, but that can also help some people.

[@Da10thwonda]

So I'm looking to get into doing HGV driving. Quick question to one of your points you mentioned are you able to choose your schedule??? I.E could you ask for certain shifts/rota or does it depend on company & how long you have been driving (experience)???

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@Da10thwonda all depends the company. Some companies have set rotas. I imagine supermarkets would be the most flexible but I could be wrong.

[@Da10thwonda]

@AshleyHaleUK ok thanks for your reply. Do you mean supermarket HGV drivers would be more flexible your saying??? Also not sure if you have done a video on this already but if not a suggestion to do a video on some good & bad companies to work for doing HGV driving.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@Da10thwonda I think working for a supermarket or somewhere that opporates 24hrs a day like a large distribution center would give you more flexibility to ask for particular shifts for example. The trouble with make that type of video is I've not worked at a large amount of companies, but I could do a video about what I think makes a good or a bad company.

[@terrystratford1235]

​@Da10thwonda I deliver food for m&s. I've been hgv driver for 25 years. Done alot in my time! Stores have one frozen drop in the am, chilled and ambient in the pm! So your either an am or ev driver. I'm ev! 1-3 shops per shift. 6-11hrs per shift. 40+hours over 5 days, u can opt to b on a 4 day 40hr contract. Set routes, set times for delivery! No phn calls telling u2 goto another shop(unless shop fridge/freezer goes wrong, very rare!) Easiest job in haulage! Look at gist(m&s) Tesco or Asda. Another very good job is royal mail! It's trunking from dc to dc, no unloading/loading, just driving motorways depot to depot! Variety is key to learning skills!

[@Da10thwonda]

@AshleyHaleUK I understand or possibly ask other drivers that drive for other companies to give positive & negative review on that company, just a suggestion.