Why HGV Drivers are QUITTING. Trucking UK.

#hgv #hgvdriver #hgvjobs
Why are HGV Drivers leaving the industry? Why are they leaving their HGV Jobs? Why are they wsting their HGV Training? I try and answer these questions.

[@kevinfry574]

If you love lorries, being away from home, eating crap food, putting on weight & talking to yourself for hours on end, then welcome to a career as an HGV Driver.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Thankfully, that's what I enjoy! 🤣🤣🤣

[@user-wi4rf7hl5r]

Nailed it in one

[@johncalvin9703]

You have to be a wanker too, literally 😵‍💫

[@richardlamb2551]

I didn’t mind being away from home didn’t bother me, as for food I used to cook my own in the cab, as for putting on weight never happed Iv been just over 10 stone all my days, I do admit to talking to my self though we did have some rows and some laughs,yeah we got on alright Lol!😂

[@marklobban3949]

You forgot the being spoke to like filth by some customers and treated like a muppet by the transport planner

[@HerbertDuckshort]

35 years an artic driver. No more. The job just kept getting worse. The industry used to be run by hard working men with common sense. It's now run by box ticking children with laptops. I now drive a desk. Love it.

[@richardlamb2551]

Your right in the day there was a lot of hard men running these haulage firms, Jack Wild was one Wilds Haulage,you had a guy down here in the south Jack Sunderland Sunderland’s Transport, Giovanni of Lea Anto International, to name but a few,but these were from my days back in the 60s early 70s.

[@jonnyrawson]

😂👍

[@getreal6978]

Used to be run by good transport managers one's who had done the job and still did the odd night. Now run by young pups who don't even hold a class 1 licence. Did 25 years as a class 1 man and a HGV mechanic as well. Did my time have semi retired now will retire for good in October when my licence runs out. will not bother to renew. Will not miss it at all

[@BegudMaximan-zp2tc]

Exactly! Everything has gone to pot. Not professional anymore, but they try to make out it is.

[@jamesbrowne7601]

GXO

[@richardpickering2452]

Treated as a chauffeur in Europe and a second class person in the UK.

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

As I discovered in Romania, Drivers hate working in the UK, unsafe, no facilities, crap roads and rude people! Saddening!

[@AshleyHaleUK]

I have heard it better in the EU. have you driven over there?

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

Not much.@@AshleyHaleUK

[@Tom_3017]

Tell your Romanian friends to stop drinking all night then driving early morning and leaving piss bottles in laybys cheers

[@Mitchell-mo9up]

This is sarcasm surely? ! I’ve collected UK cars from Romania and the roads are lacking slightly . For example Try planning a 44t route to Suceava and see how that works out

[@danielslota85]

​@@Tom_3017you know why they drink in the uk? Because UK is sh!t country to drive hgv, and statistically, in the uk, that's where most thefts happens on regular basis, UK is a most robbing country of hgv drivers as soon as their registration plate reads PL, LV, CZ, RO, EST, SLO,SK.

[@barrycrosby8602]

The biggest issue for me in 20 years of class 1 driving is the clowns in transport offices, I was about to pack in a few years back because of the cretins who go out of their way to make your day as difficult as possible and if you refuse or protest about anything you will be singled out as a troublemaker regardless of if it is borderline illegal or immoral, fortunately the company where I work now treat their drivers well and know what you can and can't do probably because they are all experienced drivers themselves, so it is possible to find a good firm to work for but they are extremely rare

[@FUK-ULEZ]

That was my main issue. It's like they breed them in factories somewhere you move from one company to another, and its like the same awkward cloned tw@t followed you, the last place I worked they had a bunch of gossiping women in the office, the shit they caused was unreal and then the main supervisor was total control freak and petty with it too, he started shouting down the phone at me once " IM YOUR BOSS ". I was told he had a meltdown when I hung up on him 😂

[@muckle8]

Seen muppets like that for 30 years in various transport firms , the wage ain’t worth all the sweet or the aggro involved.

[@gilomoto5148]

This is the case everywhere. Our lot have recently removed all of the ex drivers who were running the office and doing a decent job. They have now employed office staff who have zero experience in the industry the whole lot has gone too rat shit.

[@G7IQJUK]

YEP BEEN THERE JUST HANG PHONE UP CALL BACK LATER . @@FUK-ULEZ

[@briangardiner3520]

Clueless office workers and planners seem to go out there way to make your day shit. Easier to stop in laybyes in the 80s too busy to find a good spot after 15.00 any day of the week.

[@bertiewooster3326]

Horrendous horrendous UK roads and traffic density...

[@alexmore8527]

couldn't agree more, i've driven in 3rd world countries and it's was much less mental and agressive than the UK...

[@Alan_GA]

​@@alexmore8527 I driven HGV's in the UK and across Eastern Africa. My take is that the UK industry is over regulated whilst in Eastern Africa regulations are only followed on a need to basis. But working conditions are much tougher & salaries abismal.

[@mikehooper3749]

Did class one from early 80's until 2017, was a victim of road rage caused by a 65 year old QC. I was found guilty of dangerous driving, not paid as a professional, but judged as one in court! Typical British legal system!!!

[@Chubby_T0511]

Years of cheap foreign drivers drove the wages down to a ridiculous level. Road changes and rules that are clearly to remove HGV's from the road. The opinion that a 12 to 15 hour day for a driver is acceptable but god help the office planners if they have to do more than 9 hours. A common attitude that "its just driving" is a good percentage of why my previous points are a thing. I left the industry full time about 9 years ago. I continued to do a bit of part time work to help out financially but gave that up a couple of years back. I dont miss it and will just be letting my CPC and licence expire when they come for renewal.

[@danielslota85]

Yeah right fvcking foreigners this, that. Best course of action if you shut the fvck up. I'm bloody foreigner In the UK and I can reassure you that for less than £25 p.h. I wouldn't get out of bed, I get same wage what most hgv drivers on FLT. You go and work.

[@Sphymx]

foreign drivers never worked for pennies, is the amount of drivers that pushed the wages down, you could see when Ir35 law came in force how many foreign drivers left UK the salaries skyrocketed then.

[@billmitchell7904]

After 35 years on heavies I have retired and was glad to park up for the last time. Car drivers have no respect, it’s almost as if they can’t see us! In my last week I was cut up by impatient Audis so many times I lost count.

[@richardm5664]

Not a HGV driver but I am an FLT driver unloading trucks. I always try and have a conversation with a driver and ask how it's going, so I've heard all the stories of planning and distribution management being riddled with hypocritical, box-checking people who have no common sense. Personally I always put my foot to floor and get deliveries turned around as fast as possible so that drivers can get on with their days. I used to do vans and so I know how bad the roads are, and how much sh*t planning pile on drivers while treating them like 2nd class citizens and brushing off all problems as "moaning". One point about the being treated as an inconvenience at delivery sites: I don't defend it at all but worth pointing out that people working in these sites can be getting shat on by their own management too. Our place runs on as little staff as possible and we are usually trying to get so much stuff done at once that suddenly having to also go and spend 30mins (that you don't have) tipping a delivery and all the other stuff that goes with it (sorting all the yard gates, loading up with waste/recycling afterwards, all the site segregation/safety nonsense) can really break your day. As I said, not defending it because at the end of the day I see myself as being in it with the drivers, both of us against bad management, red tape, and penny-pinching businesses, but just saying that sometimes there might be a bad attitude on site because that person is getting shafted too.

[@honorkemp]

yes we are all being shat on great to know you are on of the few good flt drivers who make the effort.

[@brianfalconer217]

I was a driver trainer for a large fuel tanker fleet, at a drivers meeting with management the drivers were complaining about defecting trucks and being told to just get the work done, I stood up and said they should drive into the nearest vosa checkpoint and report it, nearly lost my job.🤡🤡🤡

[@theequalizer3330]

Just ring them and tell them to pay a visit to your depot. You see them shit there pants.

[@georgegently3026]

Sutton's by any chance?

[@Ruffbiker68]

I retired when the government brought in the easy money making DCPC I don't need anyone telling me how to drive a wagon after 28 years

[@williambosworth4232]

Me too brother, my company wudnt pay for it so I said bye bye, retired now and love it

[@AshleyHaleUK]

The company HAS to pay for your CPC! It's training to do your job so the have to pay for it.

[@keithmarshall8796]

​@@AshleyHaleUKThe company has no legal obligation to pay for your CPC as it belongs to you and not the company!

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@keithmarshall8796 Sorry, got confused with the difference between paud for the course and paying for you to attend. They have to pay you for attending, but not the course itself.

[@philiprhodes5537]

Cant fault you buddy

[@knackeredrovers]

It's a single man's job. If you're not single when you start, you will be before you finish.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Been doing it for nearly 4 years. Not single yet!

[@neilcrew4042]

I quit last year after 25 years in the UK and Europe. Everyone you meet in the course of a working day seems hellbent on being difficult, as you said. The road network is in a sorry state and driving standards are appalling.

[@Francis-xl2gu]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this

[@petew5289]

a few years ago i was making a delivery to Tesco rdc at teesport they'd unloaded the container but wouldn't let me leave because of a discrepancy told them in the office I going to phone the police i was still on the phone when they brought the paper work its classed as false imprisonment if u want to leave they have to let you funnily enough didn't get sent to Tescos again

[@cbrboy76]

Lot of negatives from people but i love driving trucks, i drive for a little company, only 6 of us, gaffer drives his wagon, no planners to worry about, 2 nights out max, decent wages, great overtime rates and christmas bonus, proper old fashioned outfit. I would not drive for one of the big outfits, 3 years at Dick Head Logistics was enough for me. The job is what you make of it, i have 500bhp, a bed, microwave, a kettle, i can fart when i like and the scenary is always changing, whats not to like. It beats the crap out of being stuck in an office all day with people that make you want to give them the good news with a 3lb lump hammer.

[@cbrboy76]

Oops i meant to post this on the main bit, sorry.

[@MinimumEffort78]

Plenty of awful hgv driving to be seen these days as well.

[@Newmanicus]

I did Germany run for 15 years, every time I couldn't wait to get out of UK, even Belgium services eclipse UK services.

[@1981jayp1]

I have to say, 24 years in the Army and left a little over a year ago. Done many jobs some good and some not so good, some hard and some not so hard. Thought I’d give HGV driving a go for retirement, worst job I’ve ever done! If you care for your mental health stay clear.

[@midlifeadventures77]

When your planner says " can you just nip in there" soul destroying words 🤣

[@AshleyHaleUK]

I don't nip anywhere. I'll go at my own leisure and if I make it back that's a bonus!

[@trevorford9432]

'Just nip over to' is common, on a map it's only 1 inch in reality it's 50 mile away plus traffic. 😊

[@warrenjackson89]

Your not nipping anywhere in a class 1👎

[@alankerr8036]

​@@trevorford9432Yes m8 totally agree. These FXXXXN desk jockeys are a pet hate of mine. "It'll only take you 10 minutes" If there's no other traffic on the road and no-one waiting to tip !!!!

[@bizzbarberbarryt747]

@@trevorford9432 lol yep they think you are in a harrier jump jet not a truck dopey thick planners who have never driven anything

[@brianeaston3748]

Yeah,gave up lorry driving 19 years ago,person in office playing games, giving best jobs to the favourites, poor money,long hours,early start,late finish, having to break the speed limit constantly to get work done,boss who treated drivers like dirt,was cab happy when I first started driving,that lasted for a few years but novelty wore off, it was a rat race, competing with other drivers to get the most loads done,when I got mucked about by the office person once to often then I said enough and packed it in, didn't take my medical,didn't renew my licence,when I got my photo licence the entitlement was removed, didn't care because I wouldn't take another HGV job, because it sounds like the same things are happening to drivers now

[@tommidunn7182]

As a hgv driver for over 40 years I can agree with everything you said, treated like a leper and 2nd class worker, my hourly rate working for great bear distribution was £10.35..that was 3 years ago, iam retired now, I couldn't wait to finish, my girlfriend was on £10 an hour 15 years ago.

[@michaellane9579]

£10.35 ph ?!? They paid nearly £13 ph to most warehouse workers in the Sainsbury's distribution centre in Swan Valley 3 years ago!

[@twinpipe5991]

Got my licence in 2003 and spent a year driving in 2004. I only did it because my dad used to take me along in the 70s so it was sort of nostalgic and was in the process of changing career. However 2004 was exhausting. Felt like I was constantly up against time and tacho regs, and all before VOSA. Although I remember reporting defects that would never get fixed, warning lights and so on. Probably changed now. Poor planning was a norm with runs that were obviously not do-able. Regularly ran out of hours at services where they then sent out a driver in a transit to swap over. Then there was the “just nip in here or there” when you thought you were done for the day. Then there was the Distribution centre nonsense, probably a lot worse now, but turning up with a single pallet taking hours to get tipped, and even having a tail lift and pump truck. “Nope, has to be dropped on dock”. Then there were stacker drivers that would see you drive in the yard and go on break. I remember just a general sense of hostility around the job.

[@richardlamb2551]

If I had defects on a truck back in the day and they hadn’t been done I’d refuse to take it out! For example I worked for a company in Hemelhempsted. I said to the boss I need two new tyres on front of the unit, leave it to me he says! I went in the next day about 6am looked at the tyres and saw to my amazement he’d had them recut, so I did no more I woke him up at home and said I’m going back home when you decide to put new tyres on the unit I will come back a take it out until then it can sit in the yard, Oh! Bloody hell he says that’s got to be there early ! I said tough shit you should have thought about before recutting them! See ya later! 10am he rings me , all done ! Never did it again don’t drive anymore retired when I was 70 loved the job 40odd years.

[@gavlersworkshop192]

Same i loved going out with my dad, i got my class 1 and did ADR for 28hrs cpc , but so far never had to drive truck just as a backup, but the pay is so poor.

[@Alfuckett]

Nothing has changed,, you have just described the job perfectly!!, its an absolute sack of shit,, you did well getting out when you did matey !!,,

[@2KXMKR]

Currently a van driver at a supermarket, looking to upgrade to an artic. I'll say this now before the replies start flooding in - I'm only doing it and going into the supermarket role as I've spoken to all the drivers that come to our shop who have all said it's a piece of piss. Clock on, vehicle checks, wait for the green light, hook up the trailer and go. Three drops a day, 10 hour shifts. The supermarket pays the HGV drivers the same way as us van drivers; PAYE, so they definitely want you clocked off at or before that 10 hour mark. The only down side is the 12am starts, which don't bother me as I'm a goblin anyway. That's the only route I'd be willing to take. There's no way I'd ever get into tramping after hearing about the working conditions and ridiculous fines. The extra few coins are just not worth it. Tramping is a complete scam. If you're spending your night sleeping in a truck you should be getting full pay all the way through. No questions. It's disgusting that people are expected to basically live in a box for £25 a night with no facilities. Specifically talking about our supermarket guys. There's absolutely no convincing me that our truck drivers have it anywhere near as bad as the van drivers. Take all the negatives mentioned in this video and then add in a completely useless leadership team and the absolute nightmare that is customers. You think customers are bad when you work in retail? Try delivering to their home. You're on their turf. They're ruthless! They could live on the sixth floor of a block of flats with no lift. Guess who's carrying it up there. You! Hand loading your own van full of crates of ale and cat litter. I know three drivers that have all had the same shoulder surgery because of it. Nightmare of a job and all for £11ph.

[@hollygrinstead7252]

Supermarket class 1 is ok its just usually bad shifts. Theyll get you on 00.00 starts or 1.00 or something awful at most places. Favourites or guys who have been in the job years and years will get the better shift patterns. Messes with your sleep a lot. I loved the job but in the end couldnt function and do it safely on 2-3 hours sleep a day. If you can hack the shifts then its a great job

[@JapaneseGigolo]

i worked for GXO it was fucking shite, shifts were bad, runs were badly planned, locations were an absolute joke, but you never know, you might like the job at your place, best of luck pal.

[@jamesgriffiths3265]

Yeah that sounds pretty rough. I work self employed on the agency and love supermarket work. Bit different to the usual as I’m delivering milk. Average 8-12 drops on an urban or a 44, so you do graft. But money is very good and I love a 0300 start 💪🏻✌🏻

[@sparenovations7176]

Well wait and see,

[@martinhunt6004]

Try to stay positive and enjoy your shift.

[@tilerman]

Not a lorry driver but have 2 friends that are. And 2 different stories. One, drives nights, which he loves as he's a night owl, and just moves empty trailers around depots. He loves the job, same start time, same end time, night pay, no unloading/loading. My other friends despises the job and as you mentioned in this video, it's the irregular start/stop times each day, and it's getting him down i can tell. And if anything, it's unhealthy, all workers should have the same set times/days /hours, as humans we function better that way. Appreciate what you guys do, i couldn't do it.

[@rblsr]

I remember when I raised the very same issue regarding incompetent office staff with a company director I worked for 30 odd years ago, his reply was " they might be rubbish, but their cheap ", also having spent nearly 40 years in this game, I still remember what an old guy told as a Newby " this job is like Guinness laddie", you either love it or hate it. Just a pity the things I loved about this job are gone now.

[@jamesradford1930]

I am currently a tramper driver that does container work. I packed it up once completely back in 2005 because I had had enough, my soul was never my own and even on the days when I did think maybe I could get home at reasonable time I would get the” can you just nip” call or someone would have a crash and the road would be closed or it was on the opposite carriageway but we all had to slow down for a look. However back in 2018 I found myself in need of a job so I got a medical, CPC and digicard and got back behind the wheel. If anything it’s worse now than it was then for many of the reasons listed in this video but also because the standard of driving in this country has got worse, the roads are jam packed everywhere you go and are almost unsafe to drive on. I have three years before I retire and if I thought I could get a decent job for those three years I would be off.

[@stillvotingarewe.]

Stopped driving in 2017,best decision I ever made, when I started was on 26ph adr 20 yrs later now 19ph, vosa police traffic warden's, scam cameras, don't do this work.

[@helenlloyd6564]

I semi- retired 2 weeks ago. Tramped for just under 30 years. I now work 2 nights a week, trunking 😊. The job has changed tremendously over the years. My saying used to be with demanding planners push push rush rush crash crash 😮. With car & van aggressive driving style, attitude, and being the most hated on the road. Plus V.O.S.A. (Gestapo). Fines, Ulez, infringements, overnight parking, motorbike

[@paarker]

I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to do your job. It’s bad enough driving in this country as a car or van driver. The scum politicians and petty bureaucrats have set out to make lives a misery. I’m glad people are downing tools. Fuck term.

[@roblonsdale8927]

Vosa are fucking arseholes, if only they would give us some vehicle worthy roads to drive on but pardon me, I,m opinionated apparantly

[@danielslota85]

Well done you for staying in the industry for so long away from your family so hats off to you, I hope that you made a decent living out of this through your hgv career, I have newly passed an hgv license but after what I see happening on uk roads, it really puts me off, wages aren't so rewarding for what you have to put up with, best if I stay in the warehouse for just little less money then.

[@fetlocks3]

They say you cant do enough for a good Boss well after forty years on the road I never found a good Boss !, and at 65 my CPC was due I just chucked the licence and retired.

[@krystalgazerkg1329]

Its a shit stressful job, i drove for 7y for wincanton on nights, nver again too many cons to put down here, worked in a factory for 40y with no stress, let the new young guys enjoy it, 60 when i jacked , covid helped, loving life now , good vid lad

[@thechongwolla]

Working for Wincanton was your mistake. Worst distribution centres I have ever delivered/collected from were Wincanton's. Terrible load times, miserable staff.

[@philipthody5007]

I’m now retired, my advice to anyone thinking about doing the job is be prepared for it to be your life, if tramping from say 4am Monday morning until finishing Friday night or Saturday sometime, there is nothing else in your life but work, don’t worry about what you get given or how you are treated their all a bunch of c*#@% end of, doesn’t matter what you’ve been given it’s simple, 15 hours curtains, if you can handle that then have a go and if some spotty kid planner tells you to tip over your hours or anything else illegal ask him/her to text or email that instruction to you and put his/her name to it, that stops em stone dead in my experience

[@christopherward9230]

Just about to retire in April after driving since 1989. Had a few jobs, and made redundant from a few. Argos was the best, delivering to stores, and all aspects of the job done properly. Done the supermarket distribution centres where delivery drivers are treated like 💩 and kept for hours, and Iceland Swindon was the worst. Just doing 3 days a week until I finish in April. Been working for a waste company since 2012 and had it's ups and downs like most places. Away from home all week and keep your own truck, which IMO is the way to go. Retiring at the age of 61, although I suggested to my pension advisor that I could do the 3 days a week till my driver card runs out in September this year 2024 like thousands of other truck driver's, but she assured me that I don't need to, so I aren't. Driving standards is a big one for me, especially London and other big towns and cities where there is a big demographic of a particular brand, and who's driving standards are absolutely shocking and makes you wonder if they have a driving licence at all. Anyway, bring on April, but I don't envy those who are still doing it. I will miss driving my truck, and I'll miss some of my fellow drivers too, but the standard of truck driving and the camaraderie is going in one direction, and I blame that on the influx of Eastern European driver's, who's standards differ. Im not saying British driver's are perfect, but some of the EU's finest are not upto standard. Anyway, Keep on Trucking 🚛🚛🚛🚛

[@marks9351]

Wishing you all the best!

[@christopherward9230]

@@marks9351 Thank you 🤝

[@Francis-xl2gu]

General driving standards is shocking right now, folks seem to go out of their way to be nasty ALLOT I think

[@christopherward9230]

@Francis-xl2gu Your not wrong, the general standard has gone downhill pretty sharply in recent years, and simple stuff like joining a motorway in front of a truck and not indicating or adjusting their speed to join the traffic flow is one that boils my piss, and if you don't let em on, they give you grief 🤷‍♂️ I will miss the actual driving of my truck, but the rest of it, I won't.

[@zoltanhuk]

I have driving experience in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, England, Wales and Ireland. There are only two places where I hate to drive, one in Italy because they don't know what is the brake, however, I have never ever seen an accident. While in England every single occasion is there something on the motorways. Everyone is blind and deaf but always blames everyone else and is too pride to be a defensive driver. England’s driving standards are the absolute winner just from under… As I know car insurance is the most expensive there, not a coincidence.

[@fazfinisher5598]

I smile to myself when i pass hgv training on the road, with fresh face kids thinking its all an adventure.Never crabbed my 27 years on the road it was a choice i made, but all the things you mentioned and more have killed the job.Im out of it 4 years now and have had a few offers to go back, but i never will.

[@user-rs4fy9ix3u]

totally agree with you,keep going it'll soon come round,i've got eighteen months then they can stick it,i started class 1 back in1982 the volume of traffic and the scum that drive it over recent years has changed the industry for me,i literally count the days down as i go,good luck to you

[@philiprhodes5537]

@@user-rs4fy9ix3ugood luck tya buddy I honestly feel the exact same way been doing this for 29 years and sincerely had enough now it’s beyond a joke

[@kevatnorthfield]

I can't help but notice. All the comments complaining have done it for 25 years or more. Yet they are still doing it.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Yeah, I know what you mean. That's why I keep asking them if it's that bad, why are they doing it?

[@mixingshed]

Yeah, it also seems the same to me. I have just passed my C+E on a government funded course and whilst I certainly don't think it's a "big adventure" as someone else has said, I'm at least up for giving it a go. It hasn't cost me a penny so far and I think there is at least some future proofing with it.... The British way is to moan and never do anything to change. Also, on the CPC. It seemed to be pretty painless to me, someone with no previous experience. Surely after 25 years in the game, you could do it with your eyes shut? Yes, it is a pointless government box ticking and money making exercise. I couldn't agree more on this, but welcome to 2024....

[@mickharrison9004]

The other thing you mentioned with tramping was parking overnight ,on industrial estates I have always done that or tried to ,avoiding very busy and noisy services were a fridge comes and parks next to you ,at 3 am in a morning but the last few years I've found firms won't have that ,they insist you park on services many saying they aren't insured ,if you don't and again in a way I understand because you only have to look ,at curtainsiders last 10 yrs or more slashed all the way down ,no coincidence it never used to happen before major immigration into our country ,but it's another reason the job is crazy for trampers trying to get through ,a very hard week .

[@lewisjones7763]

Totally agree with this. Although my company are pretty chilled with where you park. They are happy if you want to rough it or they will pay for parking. Like you say you need to be well rested in this game, being surrounded by fridges buzzing and humming all night is absolute hell

[@flipper2392]

Same here, in services you have traffic in and out all night, in truckstops you have the 11:30 talking loud session and door slamming contest, then about 5am the engine revving contest.

[@mickharrison9004]

@@flipper2392 yeah all that too makes the job a nightmare .

[@mickharrison9004]

@@lewisjones7763 indeed that is pure hell 👍

[@chrisward7387]

6th March '82 got my ticket. Things were very different then. Crash boxes, iffy heaters. The truck had to be driven. Sheeting and dolly knots. We used maps. Not a screen with an arrow pointing upwards. No one learns the roads that way. Done most of Europe. Hard work. But no traffic, mobile phones, Vosa. Essentially trusted and left alone to do the job. Because it's such a cut throat business now owners want every inch out of their trucks. Who has to bear the brunt of that requirement? 15th September last, I hung up my clogs and now walk the dog, come rain or shine, at a leisurely pace. God bless you all and good luck in your ever deceasing circle.

[@PeterNorman-xd8tr]

Since I come off HGV driving the law has changed regarding strapping your load even if a curtain sider as for the CPC that was introduced by the EU so why do drivers still have to have this when only doing UK work it's just a money raiser.

[@swlabr1982]

Disagree. The CPC is needed to ensure people know what theyre doing and can prove they are competent in the role. several 'old school' drivers at my place have the same argument as yourself towards CPC but two of them have had infringements since christmas because they can't even do correct manual entries. One of them even picked a wagon up from Scania and drove back to the depot without his card as he didnt know how to add his manual entry.

[@johnw2758]

34 years Class 2 driving for me, packed it in and now just pick litter up, the money is obviously less (but not as much as you think) but I actually 'enjoy' going to work now and don't dread the Monday morning feeling...

[@jamie-hb8gy]

I was a class 1 driver for 15 years,i enjoyed it at first but ended up hating it,the pay is appalling now,they call us professional but don't get a professional wage,VOSA looking for easy pickings,car drivers have no respect,trying to get out of london at night with the M1,A1 and M11 closed going north,I fainted a year ago and lost my hgv license and now got a different job,passing out was the best thing that happened to me.😊😊😊

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Glad you doing better. Night work is definitely a pain, glad I don't do it

[@neil7675]

The iob is shit and getting worse! Anyone thinking of doing it for a career needs to stop and think. Ive got over 20 years in. In that 20 years its just got more and more ridiculous. Treated like shit by customers and shunters. Directed by a transport office who for the most part have not driven anything bigger than a car themselves and would need google to plan them a route to take them to the shit house. Lack of services, cab cctv...electronic driver performance monitering....etc etc etc Nah soon as possible im out.

[@helmethead72]

I quit driving 44-ton tankers in 2006 because I didn’t need a crystal ball to see what the future would look like. I’ve never regretted the decision. I earned far more driving a little courier van than I did doing agency work after I’d quit my job. In fact I quit the whole country in 2012 and have been effectively retired since the age of 45.

[@trevorking719]

3.5 yrs class 1. Love my job and my employers are top notch. Very well paid and drive a nice truck with all mod cons. Thought I'd chip in, so many negative comments, thought I'd add my positive response.

[@MarcsCupofTea]

Interesting points you brought up here. I'm glad you enjoy your job right now. I know so many that dont. I moved onto trucks back in 2018 after driving buses for about 15 years and found bith positive and negatives in both. For now I'm doing trunking at 4 shifts a week. I don't mind it as less traffic etc but had some jobs with piss poot planners who like to plan 14 hour days and impossible timings and the typical "just 1 more drop added on" Can easily see why it ain't for some but I get through it by keeping my downtime occupied with gym, holidays and my travel vlogging. All the best for the future and I'll buy you a coffee if I bump into you one day 😁

[@mooskamoo]

Bit random but I hitched everywhere in the 1990s and I reckon 80-90% of all my lifts were HGV drivers, often 6-7 hour drives. Top bunch of people, always funny and good spirited. Only one thing they always insisted on - talk to me or I’m dropping you off, the main reason I’ve kicked you up is I’m bored out of mind and need someone to talk to 😂. Grateful to all those drivers back then, pretty sure HGV drivers were banned from picking up hitchers in the early naughties?

[@Lexington125]

Yes ‘not covered by insurance’ is the line they use , same line they use to stop you taking your kids out for the day , I loved going with my dad as a kid , I’m now 57 so that was a while back lol

[@carlharris2808]

Myself after 25 years driving the CPC and agency zero hour contracts and 50 pound medical where a doctor just grabs your vitals and says cough easy money for them I use to be a tanker driver which was great until the oil firms let subcontractors (wincs,hoyer,etc) with their rolling week so sat and sun no time and a half or double time anymore take over the deliverys yes you have a job but terms and conditions change then 2 years later another firm get it and same again. When i was learning HGV instructor told me if you want to save your marriage try to not have nights away because you and your wife will drift apart and sadly it's true. I miss the driving but not the stress.Stopped driving at 60 .

[@AshleyHaleUK]

It does put stain on relationships. Especially with nights out and the change over from being home. Luckily my wife is very understanding, she must be to put up with me 🤣🤣

[@TheBlibo]

Hi I'm an old git now but back in the early 80s I was a goods vehicle/ plant mechanic and loved it I also got to drive a bit moving heavy plant / indivisible loads and loved that too because it was go somewhere pick up a machine and take it somewhere else then go home, non of the load up drop here there and pick up everywhere And now fast forward to today I could not think of a job I could hate more and mostly because of traffic density and the standard of driving by the general public and I have noticed a drop in driving standards by the hgv drivers I used to regard as lings of the road. You mentioned truck stops they have pretty much stayed in the 70s I can't think why they haven't moved on like our European counterparts. It's no surprise that new drivers don't stay in the job for long Keep up.the good work

[@geoffrey4540]

One off the main things I used to go out off my way to try and get the lorry unload as quickly as possible to help the drivers out I had a good working relationship with most off the drivers

[@AshleyHaleUK]

We're all there for the same thing. To earn money, why not just make it easier for everybody.

[@TruckerMurdock]

As a "day driver" I've started anywhere from 2am to 9am with a 1hr commute to work. Many won't do that but next week I'll have 2yrs experience gained on agency and I've got glowing references from certain clients. Yeah you can get attitude from some sites you visit, in my first agency job I quit cos of it and the supervisor at the delivery site got a final written warning for it, the best thing to do is smile sweetly at idiots cos it annoys them far more than it annoys you. The big one for me is agencies giving false promises of big money etc and you find it's just b******t to get you on the books but you soon suss them out. Overall the best job I've ever had, I won't go back to working inside.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

You do have to work out what's real and what's not. That's why I'm trying to make these types of videos so people can understand. Hopefully, I'm giving a balanced view of what it's really like as an HGV driver

[@LtD973]

So you also work days and nights as a “day driver” No thanks.

[@JESTERFISH1]

Overlong hours relitivly low pay poor conditions the HUGE responsibility of driving an HGV getting pushed to do more and more in a limited time etc etc

[@AshleyHaleUK]

For a industry that is governed by time some much, we do have a lot of it wasted each day!

[@user-bz9cb8bp2y]

My class 2 got me a glorious £6.30ph., it was crap money back then.. That's why I don't do hgv driving anymore 😂❤️🇬🇧

[@unclefranko2452]

Yep I let my class 1 go when I retired, I had had enough by then , but I was driving tippers all the time so no nights out , but things need to change if the country want drivers😮. Good video, regards Frank

[@jonathancoombes1495]

Anyone who gives up their licence rather than do a day in a classroom for a CPC session is hiding their own failings. It's one of the easiest days "work" you'll ever do.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Agreed with that!

[@philiprhodes5537]

It doesn’t make you anymore wages though you still going to get crap money and plus even though you have a cpc your still surrounded by car driving morons that can do as they please and cut you up then slam on the brakes just to cause an accident.. Ive said this before if I need a cpc to be a professional driver I want a professional wage and I expect every other road user to have to take the same cpc course to prove they are also capable of professional driving standards too but sadly its always a one way street

[@mrwilliecowie]

It is not a day young man it is 35 hours to provide more taxation to this bent Country.

[@jonathancoombes1495]

It's a day per year over five years. @@mrwilliecowie

[@robertturner2516]

Not been in the hgv industry, but was a bus driver and coach driver. I guess there are similarities. There is a bullying culture from management to get the drivers to come as close to their legal driving limits as possible (then blamed for running over, or getting rescued)

[@arryt3912]

Passed my test in 1990. Had various jobs along the way. Worked for DHL for 15 years, on 2 different contracts . Lots of safe systems of work to fill out with them. Basically, signing your life away, incase you had an accident on their site. Left DHL in 2019, to get my life back. I asked for a 4 day week, as i was tired, from all the early starts. They said no, so i handed my notice in, and started back, the following week, on agency! Doing the hours I wanted to do. It's not all been rosy though. On agency you are at the will of the planners. You can be booked in for 2 or 3 days work, and the day before, they cancel your shift. Luckily, we haven't got a massive mortgage anymore, so i don't have to earn as much . Something else I've learned is the more you do, the more tax you pay! By doing 2-3 shifts a week, i hardly pay tax. My new CPC card should be arriving in the next few months . I had to pay for all the training myself, as an agency driver. Hoping that I don't have to renew it, in 5 years time 🤞 I would like to get out of the job. There are some days i enjoy it, but they are rare these days. Stay safe out there Guys and Gals. BTW........If in doubt, get out and have a look. Takes seconds to check on something in your blind spot. Takes ages to fill out insurance forms!

[@albertatlock]

Who wants to sleep in a cab and go to the toilet in the layby? Having to put up with stupid car drivers cutting you up.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Me!

[@livetillyoudielovelife2299]

I use to be a teacher in Europe for I think you call it class 1. I remember most young people said they want the freedom of the road, The shock on there faces when I told them just how much information about there driving style is recorded, then the phone and GPS. On top of that the system is in place that all your driving time, and speed that brakes the law as well as GPS can be sent over the internet to the police. There is zero freedom in driving the big rigs

[@stuartcrabtree2572]

I've been a HGV driver for 25 years!!!!! It's the worst job in the world! 15 hour days 9 hours off. Would this should this even be legal? You really do get treated like dirt at RDC's. Try Farm foods stand outside under a useless canopy in sideways rain in January being ignored, but eventually your blood starts to turn into diesel and you accept your lot in life! I cut my teeth at Booker foodservice 3663. Ungrateful chefs who expect you to handball upstairs down stairs and round bloody corners! CPC is universally hated but isn't going anywhere. Anyone asks me about getting their licence i always say can you do something better? As we are the numptys who didn't get there heads down at school.

[@Tommy-Atkins]

Swapped if for coach/bus driving!…easy, clean, finish on time and great watching the freight get on an off by itself!

[@alexribeiro8805]

Been thinking about getting a PCV license and doing the jump!!!!

[@themanwhocan1000]

Pcv driver 17 years old looking to get out; unfortunately, all I hear is bad stories about the hgv industry.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

If people did vlogs about office work you would hear all the bad doesn't matter what sector you work in it will always be the bad stuff people remember. We're human negative is what keeps us going 🤣🤣🤣

[@user-nk3qz2ns9j]

I passed my hgv 1 in 95 i think..?,just for a laugh..im a mechanic by trade id say i was cab happy for 6mnths-ishthen the reality set in..the hours are ridiculous,the points of drops and there attitude towards drivers was abysmal the pay was CRAP..i went back on the spanners let my license lapse..oh and a freind of mine was told he was coming home one night as he had aappointment to meet the next day,he was called by his planner”you gota night out”to which he got in polite”you can flipping go away” planner said he had too..soooo he got outa the cab locked it up and dropped the keys in the tank and got a taxi/train home))) brilliant..😂

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Hahaha. Luckily I've not had these sorts of issues. But it sound like the response I would give if I was put in that situation.

[@user-nk3qz2ns9j]

@@AshleyHaleUK i was agency for morrisons yrs ago…i used to do itas the owner of the unit paid cash..on this sat mornin at 1.30 am was going to carlisle,backed onto the trailor on the bay(green light was on)hooked up etc jumped in cab..looked back gota red showing..fk it..went to the air curtain saw stacker guy he said the bread hasnt come..so i called dispatch and i got this”yes drive bread isnt gona be here till SIX AM..!!,”ffs so i said il wait..but told him id wait..so 5.55 comes…i drop legs,undo suzzys..and call dispatch..he said”another hr OR SO drive”to which i said if its not here in 5min im off the bank”lol yea ok drive”6.01 comes,im driving past dispatch give him a parp on horn amd i was gone..fuck em all..lol needlesss to say i was banned..i cried for weeks about that…😂😂😂😂

[@bigbrother5777]

Was driving class 1, company had a contract wi a Big International company moving Air Freight. Due to hold up on Motorway (usual crashes an roadworks) I was going to be out of working hours by the time I left the client. I told my company 2 hours 40 mins in advance, they said see how far you can get. Made delivery and pulled into services 5 mins down the road, rang company saying I was tipped an now nighting out. NO, we have driver here in office, he is on his way to you with another guy as will bring you back in a car. Office was 15 mins away, 2 hours 16 mins later he arrived. I ended up 17 hours 25 mins working time and was expected to start my next shift in 7 hours as my tacho would show I was on rest during the wait for my pickup. When I told him I was on POA which shows I'm still working he flipped. I got dragged into office next day an given written warning for exceeding working hours. When I started with company it was 80% core drivers and 20% agency, when I walked 2 years later agency drivers made up 80% of drivers, and were paid £3ph more than core drivers

[@Bobblenob]

I got fed up of sending me to collections and drop offs in places where you should be sending a van and not 40 feet of rigid. Forgot to add the numerous times I had the FLT drivers unload as I was overweight. Also dealing with the T**Ts in the RDCs waiting 4 hours to unload one pallet, Bookers, you know who you are.

[@davidhealy5567]

Going to work to pay a £300 fine for going over hours because there is no safe parking and diversions sending you to the arse end of nowhere to shut a full motorway just to cut grass

[@thechongwolla]

I did it for 4 years after uni while living at home. Managed to save enough for a house deposit with some left over. Its a good job for saving, you will work so much you don't have time to spend ur money, it definitely helped me grow up and become an adult. I would recommend it for people who really want to do it or need to save money. I would reccomend it to youngsterd that want to grow up, have some real responsibility and see the world. Just be savvy and know your worth. Don't work for a poor wage, if you can get better money then job hop, HGV driving although varies is 90% the same from sector-to-sector. Your bosses in driving are in this order 1) Physics 2)VOSA/Police 3) Your actual boss. Learn to say no to any illegal and unsafe orders or suggestions, once you take a vehicle on public roads the DRIVER is responsible for it, not the forklift, not the transport office, the DRIVER. Refuse to drive the vehicle if unsafe and get comfortable doing so, I have never been fired for refusing. I have had many a heated argument but know your rights and know you are allowed to refuse to drive, or load anything that is unsafe.

[@RoryHenderson-bv2wd]

Forget it, worse job ever, £300 for my license 1978 A prisoner in a box with wheels Any problems with VOSA you the driver will pay £1000s in fines Get out Now

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Not a chance wouldn't go back to what I was doing before if I had to change jobs.

[@RoryHenderson-bv2wd]

@@AshleyHaleUK and what job was that

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@RoryHenderson-bv2wd I was a retail manager. Did longer hours, more responsibilities and way less pay than I get now.

[@RoryHenderson-bv2wd]

They are a corrupt bunch, relying on the fines from drivers,as no funding from the government I drove for a crap company for a short time ex hill hire wagons, best place for them was the scrap yard, never got stopped by self appointed bully's

[@RoryHenderson-bv2wd]

@@AshleyHaleUK was earning appropriately £80 a week with overtime good old days, we all had a laugh, plenty of cafe's for a brew, if you had a flat battery or tyre always another driver to help you out Nowadays a driver from the same stable zzoomm

[@tomh3802]

What really ticked me off was when you knew of issues at a delivery or on the road all you got from the transport manager was 'just see what you can do' or loosely translated 'get the f out'. I am one of those who's licence has just expired and I will not be renewing it

[@Wheelgooddriving]

I drove class 2 for 15 years. Done my class 1 last year tried four different class 1 jobs and then quit. The industry has changed BADLY. Office staff HORRIBLE, delivery points spoken to like a dog, rushed, ridiculed and spoken to like sh1t. Don’t get me wrong LOVE driving class 1 even done my ADR with tanks (not worth doin nowadays). But the way drivers are treated for such diabolical pay made me feel worse than how i was treated when i was an order picker in a warehouse. Such a shame because i used to love doing long distance in my class 2 flatbed. DHl was about the best class 1 job but they i was spoken to. Not worth the money at all. Literally nearly 3 grand for class 1, cpc and adr all for nothing really. Considered owner driver but even that there is so many hoops to jump through. Other than all that, great job on the video. True reflection there matey 😎

[@echoalpha3467]

It’s refreshing to hear so many outher people are going through the same thing. I left the army around few years ago and jumped into this industry on class 1 and absolutely hating it. Hours are a joke. I’m on £124 a day !! And always pushed to over 13 hours do the math, shocking ! Or more illegal below minimum wage. Traffic ,services ,people’s attitudes I have to bite my tongue all the time. Iv served my country and class my self as a loyal hardworking person but never in my life have. I felt so undervalued in so many way in this job. I feel the hgv industry needs union we all need to stick together and get things changed. Or fuck them see how the country gets on without hgv drivers in the future becuse I don’t think many young people will want to do this in the distant future.

[@RazzyBCF]

I worked in the civil service for 14 years and left for a class 2 job and now I'm a day shift fridge driver on class 1 on good money for not that much effort, really happy with my career change. Your vids and others inspired me to change in the first place.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the career change. Not don't fridge work before, what's it like

[@MrPacemaker1]

CPC arrived & all the crap that comes with it ,So I said goodbye Road haulage after 38 years Went into fitting /engineering ,Should have done it years ago ,no stress now ,A very happy bunny ,Now retired

[@vansavage528]

Yeah, I have just quit after 15 years of class 1 tramping. i enjoyed driving for a living until i realized i was being pushed to my limits on a daily basis, these transport company's in the UK need training on a specific area for a better understanding of work force relations with office and driver staff. DRIVING TIME REGULATIONS AND WORKING TIME REGULATIONS ARE LIMITS NOT TARGETS. the grass isn't greener on the other side, i been through several transport company's and the jobs were all good until you dont jump when the transport managers push you, drivers work long days and nights on their own without being pushed into what feels like slavery.

[@kattysat]

If you're new and perhaps young to the industry and have nothing for comparison then I suppose it could be ok for you. I passed my class 1 over 40 years ago and was a tramper for some years and loved it. I only left when family commitments come along. I did 6 months of it again back in 2017 and never again: a total nightmare from start to finish for all the reasons mentioned here. I now earn more money working in a factory as an unskilled worker where I am treated with respect, have regular meal breaks etc. and I am home every night. I know factory work isn't for everyone like all things in life but for me, a no brainer.

[@davidgregory3643]

CPC needs abolishing all drivers in the country needs to stick together . Protesting needed don't just sit there and take it.....!!!!!!

[@jonstephens682]

I was driving a HGV for 25 years before I left the industry, for a few reasons really, I do love driving a lorry there’s no better job and I saw Europe driving. However, the supermarket RDC’s don’t give a toss about you your a massive inconvenience to them, the motorway services are a ridiculous amount off money you have to pay and some off the showers are so dirty I had a pair off flip flops I used to wear in the showers because they was so dirty. Then you got vosa all they want to do is ban you and get you off the road. I’ve got no interest in driving again because off all that. 😊

[@AshleyHaleUK]

I used to take flip flops to shower in. They are expensive, and you get your curtains cut for the pleasure.

[@jonstephens682]

@@AshleyHaleUK yes and they tell you it’s secure parking, load off rubbish.

[@abc33944]

Ir35 .. screwed it all up

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

I done 50 years on the road long haul and short haul and tippers and I am gald i am retired nothing as changed i think it as got worse just promises but it does not change

[@Strider9655]

If it's any consolation, I work in engineering and I have the same gripe with office types, typically female, often under 30 with a "better than you" attitude or over 40 bitter man haters. I've see how they treat drivers, couriers, etc, but they'll talk to engineers with 30 years experience, like something they wiped off their shoe, because you're "blue colar" and therefore a pleb, "not your job to think" they'll say. I can only imagine how much worse that is when you're alone all day except for those interactions, at least I can turn to a colleague and share thoughts/opinions and confirm i'm not the one with the problem.

[@pbungee]

Now a bus driver. I know what minute I start and what minutes I finish. They load and unload themselves

[@leemc4093]

I work as a container driver in the North West, I have done it for nearly 15yrs, 1 pay, 2 treatment of hgv drivers, 3 holidays and holiday pay are awful 4 truck stops and services are awful and expensive..

[@user-vd3ko9zy6u]

glad i left, stinkin truck stinking staff - no life - no family no thanks, then vosa want your licence

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Who did you work for if you can say?

[@drivefitnessuk]

Love this video Ashley, duly shared!! 👍

[@keefthebeef6978]

The worst services/showers was Ferrybridge on the A1 M62 junction. I walked into a shower cubicle and someone had decided to have a number 2 in there 😮😮

[@emmettculleton7165]

What you’ve done is set your stall out once you set your stall out everything goes a lot smoother

[@antonycullen6225]

Had my Class 2 licence for about 4 years, couldnt find a job in Norfolk/Suffolk. Received a letter from the Department of Eduction during the "driver shortage" and had my licence upgraded to a class 1 for free on the premise i got into a driving job. Worked for a company in Suffolk for a year doing multidrop class 2 deliveries both private and commercial. As the company fell further towards liquidation the work got harder, the days got longer and the feeling of being treated like a second class citizen grew substantially. Was doing 12-13 hours everyday, 60 hour week standard (basically worked out to min wage, may aswell stack shelves where its safe and cant get fined). an hour drive to work, an hour drive back home. leaving me 9 hours to myself everyday as a day driver sucked a$$. Ridiculous planning to impossible places. Delivering stupid things to stupid places for stupid people 75% of the time. People really get the arse when they dont understand they have paid for curbside delivery and want you to hull 3 tonnes of paving slabs up 30 meters of deep gravel driveway with a manual pump truck. There would always be one customer that made my day though. Badly maintaned sh!t box vehicles, had two recoveries in the space of 6 months. So all in all a very traumatic first experience as a first time driver. Hate to say it but im almost glad the company went bankrupt. They said it would be crap to begin with, ive done crap jobs (pumping raw sewage for £2.40 an hour) but nothing prepared me for this!!! Maybe i was just unfortunate?? I doubt i will be returning to the industry especially as a multidrop driver :( Its sad as i put in alot of time and effort to get my licencing...

[@mrblue193]

Packed it in over 20 years ago. It was shite then, I cant imagine it's got any better.

[@MrMassivefavour]

I'm surprised the amount of cameras and bus lane crap didn't make an appearance. You must spend your life looking for cameras and trying to find out if roads are 20, 30, 40, 50. Even as a car driver I've noticed my actual driving and road craft has diminished as I spend all my time looking for cameras and non existent speed limit signage

[@gwandao]

My life changed completely when I moved from general haulage and all the negative woes that attracts to working for a large national retailer. We have very reasonable hours, dedicated stores so no ungrateful warehouse or distribution office staff etc. Pay is excellent and well above the national average plus a 5 on 3 off shift pattern. There is a long waiting list of people wanting to join us, I shan't be going back to my old way of life. Hard graft though or can be unloading but given that its typically a very sedentary type of occupation, a bit of exercise does no harm.

[@AnonAnonAnon]

Left the HGV industry years ago. There was a time in the early 2000s, and I must have been MAD doing it, but I was earning a fiver an hour loading, driving and delivering. I can remember irate customers if I turned up late because the motorway was closed for whatever reason, but they wouldn't listen. Can't believe the amount of hardwork and long hours I did doing multidrop for crap wages. I studied, went to weekend classes and left the HGV industry for a career in IT. Yes, sat in a warm office 9-5 listening the bleeps on a computer screen and for more money.

[@ciarand2823]

Employers expecting you to ignore laws to save them time, hassle and money, ive had 3 driving jobs and walked out of all 3 on the spot. Its bad when someone decides they'd rather be unemployed than work for you.

[@davehill2394]

for me it’s the over regulation plus the cpc i’m 5 years off retirement been a low loader driver moving heavy plant for 35 years now working part time driving a hook lift 3 days a week

[@davehann8178]

Most people will assume you're stupid, you'll spend all day alone, and of course drive at 55mph. I gave it up when the cpc came in, never go back.

[@rhinogooner]

I was tramping 35 years ago and truck stops then were great and I always headed for one I liked when I was looking to park up. In 1999 I dropped onto one of our contracts delivery paper, day runs same start time nice easy job and I remained in it till I retired. But seeing driving as a job go downhill around me I was never going back to general haulage. There is just no fun anymore. When I was on GH I would stop at a truck stop where I knew other drivers from my company would be there and you spend the night have a pint and a laugh. As for the CPC just a money making exercise and to take seven hours of your time unpaid. What annoyed me was there was five modules which made up the 35 hours but if you took the same module again, didn’t matter just counted towards your 35 hours. When I realised my CPC was valid till I retired I stopped going to them. I understand it was an EU directive this CPC and on one of the last courses I went the EU debate was on and I asked the instructor if we voted to leave the EU would the CPC be scrapped and he said no it generates too much money. Another reason there is a driver shortage, when I wanted to be a Class 1 driver you could go from a car license straight to a Class 1 which I paid for and took on my two weeks summer holiday. You can’t do that nowadays and would have put me off doing it myself. The industry is just screwing the driver, charge for CPC, charge for 3 tests? I put question mark because I understand you can no longer drive a 7.5 tonne on a car license nowadays but if I am wrong put me right. Looking at HGV driving nowadays no way would I ever consider it as a job.

[@wataloadabollox]

A lonely job. I gave it up after nearly 9 years. Takes a toll on your physical and mental health and destroys your personal life. I vow never to turn the keys in a HGV again.

[@lordhamptonwick5320]

I was a class 1 driver for 35 years, both in the UK and Europe. I will tell anyone who cares to ask me, that it has become one of the worst jobs I have ever had. I also had a PSV licence, and my advice is drive a modern coach, at least the load gets on and off on its own. With no stroppy warehouse forklift drivers, and office staff. Also with a coach one doesn't have stand out in all weathers undoing curtains. If you are considering a driving career go down the PSV route. Bugger HGV's the wages are sh*t and you will be treated like sh*t.

[@martinpeat8374]

I've been driving for 22 years since leaving the army, gave up tramping 6 years ago for personal reasons, but thanks to the planners in my current company, all of which havent got an hgv licence, I'm thinking of leaving the industry altogether.

[@EduardSLVRU]

Currently I’m class 2 driver and we have a new young kid in transport office who plan routes. And the funny thing about it is that donkey don’t have a clue about driving at all. He doesn’t have a driving licence. And for the past two weeks I have to drive 26T truck to customers where road bare suitable for 7,5. I’m really starting to heat up. Next week will be doing class 1. Will see how things going after that.

[@tonythewelshtrucker]

The money is shocking from my point of view. I've seen jobs advertised near me today doing 40+ hours a week's for £11:45 an hour. I love driving lorries but for that kind of money I'd rather stack shelves in Lidl and be home with my family every night. Great video buddy 👍

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Agreed.

[@Manc268]

before i even watch it... driver card nonsense, fuel costs, wages fell since the 90's, overtime pay is minimal, night out money if u lucky.. deliveries are told to wait hours instead of a quick 20min tip, motorway services are dirty & unsecure, its hard to find a truckstop that sells good food and the roads are managed so poorly (on purpose) they are a constant frustration & waste of time. Also, the general standard of people & thier driving has dropped dramtically on our roads... im not sure many want to be part of this circus anymore.

[@blackcab66]

Had my license nearly 4 years now, worst thing l have ever done! Hate every minute of it!!

[@AshleyHaleUK]

Are you still doing it? If so, why?

[@AlanReynoldsBucklandJunction]

I drove for 44 years and stop as I didn't wat to complete the CPC crap 8 years ago. The job was better before mobile phones and the tacho-disc. Pay was great in the early 80s. Today with satellite tracking all freedoms of the job are gone. The crash gearbox was the real driver tester. Regards Alan in Dover.

[@mickharrison9004]

Yes the pays gone up a bit over last couple of yrs ,they had no choice it had been 10 an hour for 20 yrs ,and just heard what you said with ex drivers going in the office in my experience,they end up as harsh as most or even worse .

[@PhantomMark]

20+years in the job doing Class 1, not driven a truck for 5 years now, still fully licenced, still fully CPC'd.........F that job. Sick of being treated like sh*t, sick or poor pay, sick of putting my life and licence on the line, I now make triple the money, half the hours, no CPC, no risk to licence, no risk to life, no being treated like crap ever again............so long HGV.

[@TimHilliam]

The biggest problem with the haulage industry is, the moment you sit behind the wheel of a 44 tonner, everyone thinks they have the right to treat you like Sh!t!!..And I mean everyone you come across in you work day every day!...Even though 90% of them couldn't do your job!!....Ask me how I know??....I've had 44 years of driving HGV as both driver and owner driver!.....Drivers have been fools to themselves, they should have got together years ago and said NO More! Parked up, for as long as it took, and demanded better treatment, to be treat like humans and better conditions!!...But I very much doubt it'll ever happen??...

[@deathvalleybro9320]

most workers are treated like sheet. try being a security guard they take ten times the sheet a driver will and they risk their lives confronting people for a minimum wage. think about it, others worse off than you drivers.

[@karenjones4306]

Can't wait to retire from this job. Dirty, overpriced truckstops. We're treated like scum by FLT drivers. Job sucks.

[@AshleyHaleUK]

How long have you been doing it? What's made you stay?

[@karenjones4306]

@@AshleyHaleUK why ?

[@AshleyHaleUK]

@@karenjones4306 just wondered. If you can't wait to retire, why are you staying doing a job you don't like?

[@philiprhodes5537]

29 years doing this soul destroying Job altho it’s not all been bad and I had 10 year working in europe and Switzerland so i was a paid tourist really.😂 Sadly not the job it used to be back then and tbf I’m gonna leave the industry in four years from now when am 60 coz av just had enough and id rather go out with my good memories than leave with a lot of hate for the industry.. Years ago we had cheap roadside food stops nice truck stops which where all reasonably priced the lads where a good crack and you could have a bit of banter with people you’d never met before and have a drink with em it was just a good life. Now its over legislated poor over priced facilities highway robbers (dvsa) kids in the office who can’t even drive a truck telling you how its done and appauling driving standards by other people in too much of a rush to even give you the time of day.. Everyone is on their phone everywhere you go and no one really speaks to each other now… Sad times but no longer is this a job I can be happy to wake up to do everyday infact id rather stay in bed but my missus won’t let me😢