My Advice For New HGV Drivers Looking For Work | Vlog 58

[@stevenvose9949]

As an ex class 1 driver of over 20 years I think your videos are excellent. My advice to anybody thinking of becoming a truck driver would be think long and hard about it. The hours are extremely long. I can only think of the medical profession that works longer hours . All the missed family dos, parents evenings, missing seeing your kids grow up because your out on the road is really hard. Saying all that the upside is all the places that you will see. Even stuff like wildlife early in the morning , I've seen all sorts over the years. Pass your test, get experience with an agency and you will find a type of company that you enjoy working for. You will drive all sorts of vehicles and build up great experience. You will then have the pick of the best jobs about.

[@Life_of_Darren]

Great advice and 100% right about missing a lot of things, the hours are long but they seem to go fast for me, if I work a 12 hour shift it feels like I’ve worked 8. The views and different location everyday certainly do make up for it Thanks for watching

[@stevenvose9949]

When I came off the road and started working 8 hour shifts I thought I'd gone part time!!

[@Life_of_Darren]

@@stevenvose9949 it’s a real weird feeling isn’t it when your used to working long hours

[@cloudmaker]

Steven have to say yes you are spot on about what you say about missing some family stuff especially where the kids are concerned missing after school things and not seeing your kids sometimes until weekends. I would also say that you need a strong partnership/marriage with someone who if they occasionally get frustrated over your job at least understands what it can be like. I have been really lucky in that I've been with my wife for 39 years had 3 kids and not only still married but still driving as I love the job. All the best.

[@ashleyhill1991]

Having a nightmare finding a job. Applied for around 25 on indeed, wrote emails and done phone calls to around 50-75 other companies. Nothing. I cant get experience because i dont have a job and I cant get a job because I dont have experience. All the agencies are flooded with experienced drivers aswell. Total waste of £4,000.😮

[@Life_of_Darren]

it really is a struggle when you first past as a lot of places require x amount of time of experience first... try handing in your cv to local companies, speak with the transport manager etc and you just need that one company to give you the opportunity. ,keep trying as it will work out for you bud.

[@ashleyhill1991]

Darren is right, today I got offered a job with a local transport company. They have a big fleet and I get a full induction. What I did was Google 'transport companies' near me and personally rang every company that came up. 2 were taking on. Got an interview for 1 off them and secured the job at the interview.

[@Life_of_Darren]

@@ashleyhill1991great news mate! Good luck with your new position

[@tyke34]

Timely subject this, Darren, from someone who is now looking for my first job.

[@Life_of_Darren]

Oh great news! Hopefully this helps a little and good luck!

[@TruckerMurdock]

I agree with Darren about going out there with a CV and knocking on doors, it really works and not just for HGV jobs. I've been doing Class 1 for 2.5yrs on agency and have regular clients so rarely out of work but that may change this next couple of weeks. Darren that traffic isn't as bad as what I had on Friday, I was doing Northumberland to Leicester and back, had a trailer issue with the legs so had to live tip and reload a double decker, then leaving the hub at M1 J22 I hit all the traffic right up to M1 J32 for the M18. The A1 northbound was hammered with traffic backed up onto the M18 so went for the M18 to M62 then A1 home. M18 stopped at I-Port (Doncaster), carnage everywhere due the A1 closed by an accident and everyone spilling off it. I knew there was a regular closure on the A1 at Washington services so I would run out of time in a dodgy place so took a 15min at Wetherby then a 30min at Ripon, added my "extra hour" to the tacho, made it back with 10min to spare. 14 hour shift but hey it was the last one of the week. I would say to new drivers learn to balance your tacho time, don't run to the last minute and panic for a spot to stop. Think ahead and make sure you have time to get home and no stress involved.

[@Life_of_Darren]

great tips bud

[@ParaX-lt9hd]

Good Bloke Great stuff Really interesting Keep the Vids coming A star

[@Life_of_Darren]

Thanks bud

[@truth3358]

Great video mate put your key in the diesel handle 👍 Nearly there 1000

[@Life_of_Darren]

I’ll have to have a check next time 👍🏻

[@StevenBoyd-yy6rw]

Corley Services is the one you mentioned near Coventry

[@paddyjones1248]

I'm just starting the process of getting my class 1. Hopefully all worth it in the end 😂

[@Life_of_Darren]

Certainly is bud, it’s long hours and sucks in the winter but the best job

[@CallOfBrians]

Sorry to hear about that

[@Davey25]

Thanks for that mate very useful 👍🏼

[@Life_of_Darren]

Thanks bud

[@PeterOgden-h1k]

I've been a hgv class one driver for 35 years and my advice is dont get involved with hgv driving it a mugs game get a decent trade behind you

[@Synergy_Talk]

Just passed my class1 this week 🎉🎉now the cpc and finding a job hopefully

[@Life_of_Darren]

Congrats on passing and good luck with your future career

[@oliverhaden1128]

Great video as always mate 👍🏻

[@Life_of_Darren]

Thanks bud

[@ukroadgoat]

Hey, thanks for the upload. I'm studying for the HGV exams at the moment. At 7:48 I've got a question. If you arrive 20 minutes before and the paperwork is still not available, do you set the taco go to PoA or Rest? If I'd guess I'd set it to Rest because I'd be waiting only from 11am onwards. By then, if paperwork was not ready then it would be PoA. Am I right? Regarding finding the first job, is it common to have to accept loading/tipping? I'm signing up for driving, not warehouse operative, really. Another one: Will ADR license give a new driver more chances, in your opinion? There are plenty more but I will pause here. Cheers, peace, roll on.

[@Life_of_Darren]

I stick it on POA personally as you have a time window that you will be waiting around for or you can have a 15 min break if it’s needed. For the loading / tipping it depends on the place your delivering too, for an example in Aldi and Lidl sites you have to unload yourself but most of them are side curtain deliveries and the place of delivery will FLT them off for you Good luck bud and thanks for watching

[@EduardSLVRU]

I have class 2 over 2,5 years and I was in tons of different places from south to midlands, from west to east. The trucks I usually drive was the fridge 26t, which is over 12m long. The biggest frame legally allowed for rigid and I’m perfectly navigate these vehicles in a tight spots and driving around London. In two weeks time I will be doing class 1. When I get license, will I be considered as a new drive or my class 2 experience also will be taking into the account? Obviously I will be a new driver to pull a trailer but not a new driver to drive a truck.

[@Life_of_Darren]

Unfortunately you will be classed as a new driver but when your applying for work make sure to mention you’ve been driving class 2 as that could still help a little Good luck

[@Carper0121]

Passed my test 2 weeks ago applied for 99+ jobs on indeed had loads of people phone me but can’t do nothing for me as I have no experience I’ve rang places too spent £2400 for class 1 crazy! 🤣 but we gonna get somewhere in the end!

[@Life_of_Darren]

It is really bad for new drivers to find work, it’s mainly down to insurances don’t give up though bud as something will come up. Best of luck

[@امیندلاور-ر2ح]

sorry can I 15:27 asked how much they pay for the driver weekly or monthly

[@Life_of_Darren]

@@امیندلاور-ر2ح you can earn between £600 - £900 a week depends on the area your in and the hours you work

[@امیندلاور-ر2ح]

@@Life_of_Darren london around heathrow

[@LA-fr7fx]

Thank you 😊

[@ItsRyan.]

Sorry for another question, Or maybe not so a question this time but would be nice to hear like.. Without sharing customer info, Your thought processes as you get a job to tip, What do you have to think about, How you pick where you stop over for breaks, With Nights out what do you recommend to pack, Does that make sense? Like not as easy as postcode in the nav and go.. Or is it?

[@Life_of_Darren]

I need to apologise baud questions are always welcome. To be honest it is pretty much add post code and go, sometimes you may want to Google map the place before you leave to get a look at the place your going too (looking for tight roads and yard size etc) For over night bag just essentials, toothbrush towel and cloths etc For breaks you don’t need to worry too much as most places are on industrial estates or just off the motorway so plenty of service / rest areas to stop, you just need to take a pack lunch to eat as parking near a shop is next to impossible. So take food and drink with you

[@ItsRyan.]

@@Life_of_Darren Thanks for the detailed reply. Cool so it’s starting to seem less daunting than some people make out. Honestly cannot wait to get learning myself

[@Life_of_Darren]

@@ItsRyan. good luck bud, it does get easier with time definitely

[@jimandali0]

Stress, stress, stress, oh yeah, plus heavy rain unloading a flatbed is very demanding, not the bosses problem.

[@jimandali0]

Go work for one of the food chains, Tesco etc, never an agency or a small firm that has tight margins.

[@Life_of_Darren]

Never done flat beds before only curtains and box trailers, would you not recommend a flat bed then?

[@cloudmaker]

First job I got was going on my bike, yes the sort with pedals, and going around local businesses. Your advice about job seeking was good and I'd say that the introducing yourself in person or even by phone has to be best. Still the biggest stumbling block for new drivers is the lack of experience and the insurance implications, where many firms just don't want to know if you are under 25. I managed to miss the traffic you got when M1 shut at J20 and the previous day's oil tanker fire at Chesterfield which ran until midday following day which would have accounted for extra traffic on the M6. If you want to see how different HGV jobs can be my delivery to Birmingham with a 32 tonne tipper was uploaded today. Have a great weekend.

[@kevinsallows9709]

Hi Darren I start a new job in 2 weeks time as a 7.5tonne to start

[@Life_of_Darren]

Good work mate, it’s experience for you and will help Good luck in your new position

[@outlaw6421]

​@@Life_of_Darren yep I am ex bus and coach driver and no one will touch you as a new passers unless you want 12 an hour with rip off agencies.

[@outlaw6421]

Waste of time passing C+E due to no one wanting new passers😮

[@Life_of_Darren]

@@outlaw6421 some agencies will try take advantage for sure, have you tried handing your cv in to smaller local businesses?

[@Adzdetailing]

Hi, I just started watching your videos. I am class 1 dvr in mamchester area I have a question. You mentioned you left H&M, Due to some changes happening, what were they??

[@Life_of_Darren]

I was constantly moved between trucks and between class 2 & 1 also. The staff in general where great

[@Adzdetailing]

I work for Bunzl retail in swinton and was thinking about doing some vlogs as its supermarket store deliveries and as you know the yards can be demanding well getting them to the gate is one thing lol and I think it would be good content what sort of kit would you recommend starting maybe dash cam and phone?? But going to binge watch your videos we are on the London episode atm great content and your very consistent well done keep uploading 👏

[@Life_of_Darren]

@ thank you bud glad your enjoying the content 😃 I just use a GoPro and phone as they both record in 4K 😃 Good luck

[@Adzdetailing]

Cheers I'll keep watching 👀 🙂

[@outlaw6421]

Passed my test,ex bus driver ,no one wants to take on a new driver no wonder there a shortage can't get class 2 work either.what a waste of money passing my C+E.

[@Life_of_Darren]

It is tricky at first to find a job without the experience but don’t give up yet bud as there is plenty out there that will take on new passes. Try signing up with a few driving agencies in your area too Good luck

[@OKanesMusic]

I had the same prob for quite a few months, ended up doing some 7.5t for a delivery company and eventually got a call, for some class 1. Been doing it now 8 months and loving it. Just keep chugging at it buddy, it will happen

[@cryptofituk]

Hey what camera equipment do you use

[@Life_of_Darren]

Use the GoPro black 9 bud

[@trinchbaby6486]

Hi. Tried to find an hgv driver job, but no one took me because I am a new driver with no experience. Do you know any company hires new hgv female drivers class1 like me in Buckinghamshire. Thanx

[@Life_of_Darren]

Unfortunately I don’t, all I can recommend is handing your cv to local companies in your area, try agency work (not always the best but gets the experience up) and also try applying for class 2 jobs as they will more likely take a newly passed driver. Then after 6 months apply for class one jobs Good luck and hope it helps

[@tyke34]

What do the assessments consist of?

[@Life_of_Darren]

Normally making sure you can drive the trucks, pretty basic tbf

[@cryptofituk]

Just done mine it takes a while about 6 tests all in all

[@Mike_5]

Big step driving your first Class 1 HGV but very rewarding if you do it properly

[@Life_of_Darren]

Certainly is

[@Mike_5]

@@Life_of_Darren For sure Buddy!

[@anelestaff9279]

Hey Darren, jus wanted to ask, can an immigrant also apply for HGV drivers leaners driver and if so can he also apply for a job as an HGV driver?

[@Life_of_Darren]

All honesty I don’t have a clue bud, there may be something on the guv website maybe?

[@anelestaff9279]

@@Life_of_Darren alright, one more question, how many off or holidays does an HGV driver gets average per annum should he decide he wants to go travel or go on holiday with his family