Now retired, I was "forced" to leave the trucking industry simply because my DCPC is about to expire and I'll be damned if I am going to sit in a classroom for 35 hours. If I don't know what I am doing after 45 years class 1 then, God help us all!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah i think alot of people feel the same my friend, did you do international or just UK? don't forget to subscribe 😉

@martynlawrence2365

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Done a little international b ack in the early days when the money was good but mainly UK and Irish. Like all of us, hard life but a good life.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@martynlawrence2365 How can they force you out of the HGV industry? We don’t do CPC here in Australia. Sounds like a proper joke.

@raithrover1976

8 ай бұрын

The DCPC is a joke but if you keep on top of it it's 7 hours (1 day) a year and only becomes an issue if you allow years to pass without doing any modules.

@martynlawrence2365

8 ай бұрын

As a self employed driver, losing a day's pay plus course costs is no joke. and, as we all know, it's just a money making exercise@@raithrover1976

I retired from LGV driving all together when I was 55. The best move I made. The industry treats drivers like garbage.

There is absolutely not a driver shortage. Its the opposite, too many drivers and not enough work. Small transport businesses are going bust on a daily basis.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yes i have seen a few firms making redundancies recently but it seems to be predominantly in the building trade such as tippers etc.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

The harsh reality I’ve seen is that the small businesses will always be destroyed by larger companies, but larger companies will always rely on smaller companies to do the dirty jobs where you have to break the rules to get it done. We call that, Running Hot. Why do you think the media pushes the premise that there is a driver shortage? Surely there is some truth to it?

@micksroversmg558

8 ай бұрын

Big business using small businesses and holding back payment untill said small business goes pop I call it the Carillion effect as they was popping small businesses for a decade before they went pop themselves!!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I spoke to my mate in Australia and he said the same thing. Big companies playing silly with the payments and the result is they end up going bankrupt.

@micksroversmg558

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Sad ain't it big business always wins and little man suffers system ain't fair laws are made for rich too stay rich and broke to be come completely broken!

The UK haulage industry has been complaining about a lack of drivers for decades, in 2000 the RHA claimed the industry was 80,000 driver short, in 2015 the industry were called before a Parliamentary committee to explain why there was a driver shortage, despite what the industry leaders claimed, it turned out that there were more than enough qualified drivers, including having a DCPC, in the UK, but many didn't want to work in the haulage industry. The committee's view was the major reason for the drivers shortage was a shortage of people willing to work in the sector, not a shortage of qualified drivers, and this will only get worse if nothing is done to improve recruitment and retention. They also sighted years of under investment in recruiting and training to replace existing drivers as they retire. A reduction of available drivers from the rest of the EU, (this is 2015 before the Brexit referendum) Drivers moving to other sectors and not returning as demand picks up. and a reliance on Agency drivers, above what would be expected for seasonal variations. The Haulage Industry, especially the large companies who have enough clout to set the standards for the industry are pretty much to blame for this, its them who have lead a race to the bottom in terms of pay and conditions, its them who run most of the RDC's that basically treat visiting drivers like crap.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

It does seem mad how we get treated here compared to the rest of Europe, it seems they just pop up and shout out theres a shortage then do F all to try and fix it..

@mickey1299

7 ай бұрын

Actually it was the 1990s , i remember it happening . Simple fact i started driving in 1984 , at the age of 23 , and i don't recall any period in my working life , where there was ever enough drivers . It hit the blocks in the 90's , and exactly what you said happened . They made a few changes and fudged the figures until early 2000's , when Poland was given the keys to the eu , and we were flooded with drivers . There were a lot of accidents , at first , and some companies even refused to employ them , but this cause further problems as home grown drivers that had been pushed out , had found work with other companies on less pay , or left . There was quite a hoo haa , at first with the Polish drivers coming here , but the cpc emerged and then they changed the driver hours , with the result even more drivers left the industry . Comical note , my cpc instructer was actually younger than me , and had been in the industry nearly 15 years less . Now a lot of people state Brexit caused them all to go back , well i'm sorry that's wrong . What few realised was that they were already returning long before and being replaced by new , though in fewer numbers . The Romanians plugged the gap . The drivers were still coming over , but the original groups had made their money and gone home . Those that stayed generally worked for the supermarket chains , and it was those that returned after Brexit , but that was to cause an even bigger problem . Home grown drivers that were pushed out due to the wage difference , following Brexit simply refused to return . These were the companies that shouted there was a shortage , and to be fair there was . A shortage of cheap drivers . As for me , i'm in my 40'th year of the industry . Now 62 , am required to renew my licence in 2026 . I can tell you now , that ent gonna happen . It's literally too much hassle to hold an hgv after 65 , so i'm not gonna bother . I still work for an agency , and in general these are for 2 pallet delivery systems , and 1 general haul . I'm never outta work unless i want to be , and have job offers at all 3 , one has asked me 9 times , the other 2 , i just have to lift a phone , but i'm happy where i am , so i don't see any gain . I'm not that well paid , but i can have as much time off as i want . As of this moment , i'm currently booked solid till August this year . I would liken a heavy driver , to being more a way of life , than a job . In the past , i have done container work , where i literally lived in the truck during the week , with my total duty time through the roof , around 90-95 hours a week . Now on average i work around 55 hours a week , and still battle to stay legal . This is why i stayed agency , if it gets close i just take time off . I don't have the hassle of being unable to take time off due to other drivers already booking the same period , and i'm not restricted to a maximum .

I'm not too sure that the shortage is quite as severe as people make out. I've found it very hard going finding a route into HGV driving. Agencies kill any chances for 90% of jobs out there as they mandate 1 or 2 years experience. I've only just started making headway into driving now after holding my license for a 18 months. I haven't managed to break into class1 trucking aside from a few days at the agency. I think that a lot of new licence holders have ended up leaving the industry without having done a days work as a HGV driver.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

It's hard getting started but once you have the experience it does get alot better my friend, hope you find some work soon!

@jonnyraff1241

8 ай бұрын

That was almost me, it took me 3 months with CE new pass at 32yo to get a job driving a 7.5T, they have me in a 18T 3 months in. I'm on 30k for 48hr weeks and I think I should feel lucky? But it's not why I got into it... £1000pw I was told, plenty of work, £20ph, driver shortage. Bollocks.

@sleepercell9926

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, things have started. After I passed I got a job with Greggs for 3 months. Way too much to ask from someone who's newly passed, the job was 20% driving, 50% warehousing and 30% paperwork. I ended up going back to my 7.5t trunking job after the 3 months. The 7.5T company had to let me go as they didn't have any trucks for me after mine suffered catastrophic engine failure 2 weeks ago. I started agency driving again and have found 2 jobs that give me regular work that I really enjoy. Still a bit apprehensive about the future but so far so good and my confidence in growing again. Got some interviews lined up this week so things may be starting to looking up@@truckitprayle

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

This sounds like a common theme in the industry that some can't pay what they say they will, and/or they end up making drivers redundant.

@EricH_1983

8 ай бұрын

I did 3 weeks and left driving, poor wages long hours, went and got a easier job for better pay..

I have been a truck driver for 33 years. I have seen a vast change in that time. Although I agree with most of what you say I disagree with a couple of points and would like to add something that really really annoys me with doing the job today. First of all the services are actually not appalling. All the big ones moto welcome break etc are constantly cleaned most have been ferurbed. Yet drivers still choose to wee in the truck park. My only complaint with the services is that fast food is the only choice for food. Modern drivers are aggressive on the road. I saw a young truck driver put a video on KZread of himself not letting a volvo car in at the roadworks. No wonder we are now not given respect. Respect is earned by your behaviour. And last but not least I have found a great spot in Milton Keynes to park it is a blocked off road with out of use bus lanes perfect quiet truck parking. Drivers are dumping their rubbish and pee bottles on the verges as usual just like in the lay byes and industrial estates. This area will soon be banned for overnight parking. UK Drivers are their own worst enemy in 2023

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah lack of respect for our own well-being seems to be a big problem in the industry, i often think how lazy do you have to be to piss where you park rather than use the facilities provided to you.. but also i would say in comparison to europe our service are not even close.

66 had enough driven class 1 for 30 years. Everything from tankers to boxes to curtain siders. Carried Petrol, Diesel, and nasty Stuff that can kill you. Plus any old shit you can cram in an Artic. Had good jobs, worked for any agency you can name. Sick to the back teeth. Was accused to day of pissing in a bottle and leaving it in a cab plus my attitude is bad. Number one I have never pissed in a bottle and left it in a cab for someone else. Number 2 at 66 years old I am old enough to have a attitude with a jumpped up 25 year old planner who could not plan his way out of an egg box. so Goodbye and bollocks.To the general public who needs food in their shops but don't want HGVs to drive down their street to deliver it. Tough thats life

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

They do like to point a finger sometimes with no evidence to back it up, i can see why you have had enough mate. What do you think the biggest reason people are leaving in groves?

30 yrs of being treated like shit....Glad to be out of it, wish i'd never started.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Ate you retired now or did ypu do something different?

@lawrencehiggins9220

7 ай бұрын

Nice one I retired in June after 43years couldn't wait to retire worst job ever used to be good but now it's shit with shit wages and conditions

Whenever you hear about "shortages" in the news about any industry, It's the richie owners wanting more migrants to keep wages down. There would be plenty of people if the jobs were decent and paid decent. But then they go on about "higher costs have put up all prices..."

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Is it possible that companies complain about wanting drivers under the guise that what they really want is cheap labor? Once a major media outlet runs the story, those companies charge more for transporting the freight and say that the cost of transport has increased as a result of the "Driver Shortage". Sounds like someone is making on the top and bottom.

The Australians are back! Let’s go

Didn't appear to be a shortage where I live in the SW. I signed up for quite a few agencies wanting to do HGV 1 or 2 work. Lucky to get one or two jobs a week. Got more jobs as a Drivers Mate. Full in date licence, CPC, Tacho got it all except ghe work. Still in date but found work in the Security Industry as there is more work which is guaranteed. No stress. No fear of fines. No loss of licence.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah it does seem to be a strange thing that they are saying theres a shortage and yet no one can get a job anywhere 🤔

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Agency sounds like the way everyone should go.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Agency can be hood for experience but people treat Agency drivers worse for some reason, it's almost like your a below par driver in my experience. When essentially you are doing the same as everyone else you just earn a little more.

I left it best thing I ever did. Crappy hours 12-15 hours a day for pittance pay only job where you could end up dead or doing 10 years. Rude and arrogant staff warehouses, security and transport staff. DVSA and cops think you have a crystal ball on the dash and can see around corners even predict the future. IR35 did it for me saying that it got me out of the job. Everyone on the roads hates you some sheeple take risks totally not needed dicing with 44 tons of carnage. And the great British public think everything gets on the shelves and pumps by magic. Any other country makes its truck drives lives as smooth and easy as poss. Not in backward UK your vilified demonised and fined for anything now. If every driver in the UK went on strike for 7 days whole country would grind to a halt lets see them manage and the economy then? Make the lockdowns l@@k like a holiday!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

💯 it does seem we are hugely under valued in the UK compared to some other countrys. I understand why alot of people would leave the industry, but for me its something i really enjoy. I love the freedom of the open road and not really having to answer to anyone. Make sure you subscribe i appreciate the support 🙏

Here we go again with the “ we are short of drivers crap “ however, i passed over 15 years ago as my agency where i was working as a class 2 driver ,i was told repeatedly to get a class 1 as that Agency was bombed out with class 1 jobs ! I spent over £2000 on getting this Licence however, after passing the class 1 was told that i needed to have 2-3 years experience as the Insurance Firms were not insuring new drivers without this level of experience . When i asked the agency why they did not know this and why, they said they could give me lots of class 1 work when/if i passed the class 1 ; their reply was …..” we just never knew that !” What is the point of the British Licence if it is so disrespected that it cannot get the holder a job ? So glad i am leaving this terrible mess as i have had nothing really positive that has made me have anything positive to say about . The UK Haulage industry are their own worst enemies , their attitude is retarded and illogical and the reason why so few young folk are looking at driving as an attractive job . Stay away from the long hours, poor pay, risks of heavy fines , abusive warehouse staff, very expensive to get the licence , only to be told it is no good !

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Some brilliant points there mate, something definitely needs to be done about it all, what would you say is the biggest reason people are leaving the industry for?

@georgegently3026

8 ай бұрын

I worked in agencies years ago. Most were just out of school or tossers that couldn't do anything else. Only think that counts was profit and I can't imagine that's changed. I have a class one, like a few I know, but none of us drive now. Absolutely no work life balance, just a work work balance !

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah i seem to hear that alot 😕 What needs to change for it to get better thats the question?

@abeonthehill166

7 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle …..when a new driver passes the test and is given a Class 1 Licence ; it should be a “ probationary Licence” that is withdrawn if the Driver does not : get 500 hours of supervised driving a class 1 Truck, 50 coupling up of a class 1 Trailer, 50 reverses onto a bay……all this must be ticked off by a qualified Class 1 Driver and if not achieved in three years, the Licence expires to zero. This is the only way that Firms are going to stop trying to let the Agencies do the recruiting and force them to participate in training. I am a believer in good quality training and skills building moreover, imagine if Firefighters were required to have “ six months - two years experience” of being a firefighter before they can be a firefighter ! Imagine if to be an Electrician you had to first be an “ experienced Electrician” in order to get your first job ! Imagine if to get on a course as a Carpenter you were required to be an “ experienced “ carpenter ! This sounds so insane however, there is no shortcut to good training and this is one thing the free-market just cannot do. I have zero sympathy with the UK haulage industry as they have done nothing to even attempt to solve this problem that is getting worse

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

I couldn't of put it better myself if i tried maye i hear you, what you speak of is something they do in other European countrys like Belgium 🇧🇪 and others. But unfortunately our week government don't care enough they just want to get bums on seats as quick as possible, not realising it has the opposite effect.

i'm 29, passed my class 2, applied for god knows how many jobs on indeed, cv library, total jobs, what do i get? nothing... not even an email saying why I'm not selected.. just ghosted and rejected..agencies? forget about it, they ghosted me. absolutely no respect from companies these days.... now i thought about doing my class 1 to bump up my chance but nah, never... why should i waste more if i can't get a bloody job! i spent 1.5k on my class 2, that to me was a lot of money! i could've spent that on a pcv licence instead at least i can get a job easily, i've never seen a pcv driver post saying you need min 6 months experience.. long as u got a bus licence, you more likely to get the job! there may be a shortage of truckers, you can blame it on brexit, covid, AND COMPANIES won't give newbies a chance! if companies keep that mindset of oh you need experience, they'll never find drivers... older drivers are retiring, or just leaving the industry... so you end up with shit tonne of new passes waiting for their first jobs, but fuck all jobs!

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

I was waiting to see if there was a comment about the companies not giving new passes a chance. This happens all over the world as well and usually it boils down to the insurance companies playing it safe and not wanting to cover drivers who don’t have experience. It’s really a backwards equation. Companies have a plethora of drivers to choose from generally so they feel no obligation to communicate to the potential applicant drivers that they haven’t received the position. In an ideal world, what about the experience would you change about the world ?

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

That's exactly right mate, it is very annoying that companies won't give new passes the time of day, but I was there once I just had to keep applying, got that chance eventually. Keep trying mate!

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Reckon you have some extra advice or some company suggestions you might be able to help with? If you could give one piece of advice, a little tip of information that maybe new passes don’t know, what would it be?

@randompotatoguy9347

8 ай бұрын

@@TruckingAU first of all i completely understand the responsibilities and concentration required to drive one of these machine, and second, newbies passed their test in that category of vehicle, so, if dvsa think we're good enough to drive these, then i don't see problems! and third, yes, the bloody insurance companies...I'm sure if there really is a truck driver shortage, companies and insurance companies could work together to make an exception? like making it easier and slightly cheaper to insure newbies! yes they have plenty to choose from, especially big companies with hundred of applicants but still, if they have the time and dpeople to review each applicant's application and read their cv, they have the time to write a short message saying why they're not selected... it's pure laziness, and no respect.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@randompotatoguy9347 Agreed about the laziness and no respect. It seems to be a trend. The lack of driving experience for new passes means the higher risk of an incident. Insurance companies will lose money if they take that massive risk. It’s stupid, and it’s why insurance exists. Just sounds all ass up.

What ended up putting me off from going after an HGV class 1 licence is the long hours, if I usually just about manage to attend to everything that I have going on a daily basis working 8hrs a day, forget about doing the same thing on a 12-15hr shift...

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah it can be a struggle, altgough the work isn't physically demanding long hours can be mentally taxing for sure.

I have a class 1, adr, pdp, hiab, and Ipaf I am 61 will not do weekends, or shift work, or tramping, or nights and will not take trucks into London at 20 mph everywhere, it’s Christmas and I am out of work and have been for two months, there is not a shortage of hgv drivers, but there is a shortage of hgv driver that will do the shit work available for the peanuts they pay!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

This is very true, seems to be what most people are saying.

Shortage of good wages not drivers imo

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah it seems you are not alone in that opion my friend 👍

A main point is alot of companies won't give new drivers a chance

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yes this is very true

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Surely that’s the fault of insurance companies dictating the unrealistic terms of their policies?

@Nickbaldeagle02

8 ай бұрын

A lot will. Hunt around. You'll be surprised.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@Nickbaldeagle02 Did you run into the same problem. They say to “fake it till you make it”. Do you think someone could lie or brown nose their way in?

@davidcain5648

8 ай бұрын

@@Nickbaldeagle02 will do mate

after 24 years of driving a class 1 in 2015 I jacked it in things like CPC kids in offices telling how to and where to go unwelcome companies telling to wait 2 - 3 hours and god forbid if you are 10 mins late ! plus the roads are getting like Calcutta lol.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

So what did you decide to do instead?

After trucking for donkey years. I was the driver that delivered the timber for a man called Noah he built an ark.😅. I'm talking about pre sat nav days, using maps and planning journeys, flat bed roping and sheeting, splitter boxes no auto boxes, no night heaters, using public phone boxes to phone the office for back loads or make a few calls ourselves if we were in familiar areas and knew people who would give us return loads. I was handing my keys into the office after tramping for a week away. A kiddie (a new driver of just 2 days) pushed in front of me returning keys he was given of a 72 plate truck. I'm not taking that out it hasn't got a fridge. The planner said your only doing local day work. Well said the kiddie how do you expect me to keep my pop cold 😂. He was the same kiddie when started tramping was parked in a lay-by, actually crying on the phone to his mammy, I can't do this, I can't sleep in a truck, I want to come home and sleep in my bed. Awe I thought this is the new generation of knights of the road. When I started trucking my first truck was 22 years old. I tramped in that draughty bone shaker for 2 long years.

@davidellis279

7 ай бұрын

Yes that was the good old days,no power steering or clutch assistance,low powered engines,freezing in winter and cooking in summer. With the Scanias and Volvos everything is powered, it’s like driving a good class car only more comfortable,these youngsters have no idea how bad things used to be roping and sheeting in the pissing rain with a gale blowing the sheet off, the vehicles are better now but the job is still crap chasing your tail off all day and getting nowhere because of continuous roadworks. I went to Yorkshire today with my son via the M62,there was about 12 miles of slow moving traffic coming out of Yorkshire because the police had closed lane one down to allow roadworks to be carried out but as usual nobody was working on it,all that misery for nothing and what did the police do ??? Absolutely nothing,they could have cleared the cones and got the traffic moving again but I suppose that’s to difficult for them to fathom out,it’s pathetic,from Brighouse to the Lancashire border at walking pace,it was great and they bleat on about pollution,it’s a joke.

I got my C1 license in April 2024 through the government funding HGV course advertisement for shortage of drivers but honestly no jobs for new drivers at all.

2:59 40,000 Drivers!!!! That’s crazy

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

It really is!

Thank you 😊

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for subscribing!

i was glad when i retired mate it is the only industry i know where everybody is out to fuck you ,and as for the driver cpc, the biggest load of bollocks going. its just a money making exercise.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah i totally agree about the cpc drives me mad doing them now 😒

I’ve had my Class 2 since 2015 and I’ve finally made the job to use my licence. Start Tuesday then I’ll be chasing my Class 1 😊 your videos have been very useful 👏🏻

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, thats really good to hear where abouts will you be based? Best of luck!

@motor_ma77

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle West Midlands. It’s the experience I need. You can’t buy that it’s no good me keeping everything up to date because it all boils down to experience so that’s the plan 🤞🏻

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@motor_ma77 100% agree about experience. Always aim for the highest class license, is what I’ve always been told. Never know when you need it. His videos have been proper helpful, what kind of video should he do next?

@jimmylovett5833

8 ай бұрын

No shortage I work in the container industry for £11.25 per hour can't find another company that pays more that is taking on drivers

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

That sounds quite low. How can you afford life on that?

im new to the industry, but i can safely say you totally hit the head of the nail. Change is coming.....for better or worse!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I hope for better 😅 How are you finding it?

@mickey1299

7 ай бұрын

That's what i said 40 year ago , that change never did happen

This is going to be long gents. As a kid I always had a passion for lorry’s and it was something that I thought about doing as a boy hood dream. From 18 to 23 I had a normal warehouse job to pass the time and hopefully one day save up enough money to go and do it. As of now someone who is 23 I passed my HGV license back in July. Best decision I made. I love my job day in day out. Sure it has its challenges and my god some of the services in the UK are trash. I went straight to class 1 from a car and managed to get a job day 1 after passing my test. Got a bit lucky though unlike some others as I had connections with my last job. My pay was reduced for my 1st 10 weeks due to insurance costs I was actually on less than my old job. But once my 10 weeks was up I am now on full pay which is way better for me now almost double what I earned in my last job. The job has a lot of challenges and really long hours depending on what you do. But like in your video, people are just so disrespectful to us drivers… most car drivers are absolutely fucking braindead to their surroundings and don’t realise how much space you need. Don’t even get me started on how inconsiderate people are on where they park.. blows my mind doing this job at times Yes there is some shit times but I do genuinely enjoy doing the job and doing the driving! But there does need to be a lot of things that the government needs to do to make the job more better and appealing to others. Especially with how much it costs to do your HGV license.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Well said my friend 👏

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Longer the better old mate. It’s funny. When you’re a car driver you see things from a very limited point of view and one which is often selfish. People wouldn’t get anywhere otherwise. Once you get into a truck, everything changes in the way you drive on the road way. Almost like a conductor in an orchestra. Road users lack education when it comes to being on the road with others. It becomes a very us vs them mentality. Don’t get me started on truck stops. It’s pathetic. We lack simple things here in Australia, but I’d imagine it would be a lot worse in the UK from the things I’ve seen. It’s a no wonder everyone is moving over here. If you ever want to explore working in Australia, reach out here and Sam will get in contact with me.

@DevilsCutMP

8 ай бұрын

Would it be far fetched to say that the younger generation need to take control and front the campaign for change?

@DevilsCutMP

8 ай бұрын

@@TruckingAU No one will ever understand what it is like unless they experience first hand the carnage a car can create.

@generalardist

8 ай бұрын

@@TruckingAUwhat is the process for working in the hgv industry over in Australia? Does my uk hgv license work over there or do I have to do all the courses again?

I’ve driven trucks since 1964. The reason they can’t get drivers is they don’t wanna pay 15 hours a day three days a week 13 hours two days a week four nights away from home treated like rubbish by everyone who wants that for a job

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

1964!!! You are a veteran! I feel like I should thank you for your service and pioneering the way for us youngsters. I can imagine the world and UK would have been extremely different to now. It is mind blowing that companies can expect labor for free. In what other industry or job can they expect people to give hours of their life for free? Aside from volunteering. What has been the biggest change in the HGV driving industry?

Another thing to bare in mind is if we end up with too many lorry drivers then that will drive wages down and companies will benefit but the drivers won't.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Very true, but usually the average age of a driver kicks in and a lot retire or just give up. My understanding is that the UK rely heavily on foreigners for everything and all industries? Don’t forget to subscribe!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

It is a vicious circle with drivers with no experience not getting a chance and the older ones leaving the industry year by year.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Do you think it’s transport companies that are making these decisions and they just want someone experienced, or is there any other factors that could contribute?

I retire in two week and will be glad to see the back of the haulage industry

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

How long was you in it for mate?

@50mi55ile

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle since 1980 driving car transporters most of the time

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

1980! I can imagine the industry was very different back then. they say when you retire you become more busy than when you worked a fulltime job. What are you going to do with all your spare time? I hear Hornby model trains are releasing another train. That sounded very British.

@50mi55ile

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle a few month chilling ,then start a few days a week doing my logging business

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

You have a logging business?

I jacked it in when the Driver cpc and the smart tacho's started coming in, all at extra cost to the driver also I was at an age where the medicals became more frequent, so another cost on the driver, perhaps if it were a standard cost ok but my own doctor at the time charged me over £100 maybe he didn't want the job and the next time I found some one else at a more reasonable £44 and that was a real strict medical you'd think I was after a job as a fighter pilot, not so bad but still a cost, you also find some companies won't let you use their toilets, even food processors and supermarkets ho supermarkets none of the big 4, delivery to supermarkets you're having to tip your own load, then wait an hour for your notes to be signed off when you could have had a break, the list is endless, 180+ nights out a year, no where to park, no toilets, no food and you may get a visit at night by idiot kids swinging on your mirrors thinking you are fair game or someone breaking into your load or even the old bill telling you you can't park there.

I want you to bare in mind, the reason the wages are probably still ok in the UK is because people are bugging out and they just don't know how to price things - post brexit. Just like Japan. That's a good thing. Ultimately, that will be a good thing. We used to joke that Japan doesn't really know how to price things. Ultimately, that's OK. It means there's some folly and therefore volatility in the markets there. It could be as simple as an artist over-valuing or under-valuing their work. It just means that there's at least an element of free market left in the world. Sometimes that's all you need.

Im 21 and starting an apprenticeship program in HGV driving which will get me my full license at the end of it. Ive always liked the idea of the job and a few of friends are thinking of joining aswell. Hopefully some of these issues get sorted. Great video mate

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Great age to start in the HGV industry. To see someone post positively about it and excited to be a part of it, for the channel, we’d like you to join the discussion over on the Community Page because you being new to the industry would bring a lot of fresh points of view that maybe some of the old timers need to hear. There’s also someone who commented saying that the industry needs more regulation which sounds crazy especially for a young person like yourself. Jump over, I’ll see you there and please throw your opinion in the mix, the old buggers need to hear it 😂

@shadowz7356

8 ай бұрын

I'm 21 as well passed my test a year ago. Went from making minimum wage to £17.50 a hour. Great pay for my age and loving the job.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thats actually really cool that youre excited to join the industry. as you can see there are some areas that need work but that is every industry. Thanks for the feedback on the video. Any ideas on what you'd like to see more of in the videos?

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Young up and coming drivers will eventually be the majority over the older semi-retired drivers. That will make for some interesting headlines I think.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

21 is a great age to start making decent money. My advice to you is, be very smart and disciplined with your money now, because life gets serious when you hit the early 30's. Becomes a lot more expensive and it looks like it'll keep increasing.

What I meant was they can control depression better than they can control upward mobility. It is a paper thin line.

Only maybe a shortage of folk who want to work very long hours for a low hourly rate, some folk boast of earning 37 to 50k a year, just divide the yearly by the hours worked and it is truly cheap labour, esp with the cost of household bills and food. Take off your tax and ni contributions and the reality of the net take home rate is a joke, working your short life away with long shifts, can't make dentist appointments and take care of home chores and with congested roads, road works, treated like vermin by some folk whilst delivering, parking up (if you are lucky!) in busy overpriced food places, with stinking toilets covered in shit stains and smelly overpriced showers, vosa and police on your arse and transport staff on your back pushing you and speaking to you like you are a subordinate. Other drivers pure bitching and backstabbing- there is something wrong with many types attracted to this so called industry these days! Some folk pay thousands for gaining the licence, some folk pay for the BS called driver CPC, compare that lot to working and living on a 36 hr or 40 hr job, home at 4.30 daily with good conditions, like for example a trade, no comparison. Never mind as long as you get to drive a big shiny scania until you retire and that's up to the individual. The only positive is really sitting in a warm cab listening to the radio. The uk gov do not care about drivers, nor do transport companies. Retrain and stop driving, then just maybe conditions may change. Drivers deserve much better. This acceptance of shit conditions is a big part of the problem. The job has got really bad over the last 20 or so years.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

So thats just the ood things you have mentioned what about the bad stuff? Nah you are right it can be long hours and some companies are paying ridiculously low wages and i would live to see people cone together like they did in france and make it known. Thanks for the comment my friend, i appreciate it! Don't forget to subscribe 😉

From an outsider whos been interested in getting a lisence for a while, it feels like everything is against the driver. Inspections, fines, poor working conditions. Seems to get worse each year too. Definetly stops me taking the next step

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Hopefully things should improve mate, it still has alot of PROS, but i think it's only fair to talk about the good and the bad.

There is no shortage, why would people want to work 60/70 a week for 40/45 hour pay. Working 15 hour days … all hassle of Dcpc and other nonsense. There is no shortage …

@petelewisNZ

8 ай бұрын

Is'nt that some of the reasons why there is a "shortage"? Same over here though. Expected to work 60+ hours....

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah exactly there isn't a shortage of drivers, heres a shortage of drivers that want to do the job.

@joeduffy3309

8 ай бұрын

I think he means theres no shortage of licence holders, just a shortage of people that want to be exploited.

@petelewisNZ

8 ай бұрын

@@joeduffy3309 Hmmm it sounds like its alot worse over there then. You can find a good job here if you work hard, do your job well etc etc, and if you look around you can get something that suits with the pay rate and work life balance. You will always run into companies that will try to "exploit" you I guess(I have had a couple over the years)but I learnt from it and moved on. Good luck out there lads, I hope it gets better for you all👍

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Where did you move to?

I've held my class 1 for just over a year now and I'm struggling to find work. I'm not interested in agency work as I need stable employment and there's just no work out there where I am at the moment

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

Where you are at the moment? Do you mean in your local area?

@DevilsCutMP

8 ай бұрын

It sounds like you have experience. What about the whole situation is the most difficult and frustrating part? If #2 is companies not getting back to you or there’s a shortage of work, what is the absolute NUMBER 1 PAIN THE THE ASS ?

@jk-uncut

8 ай бұрын

Is there not a lot of agency work?

@Nickbaldeagle02

8 ай бұрын

​@@jk-uncutthere's loads.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Where abouts are you?

AI and the net zero agenda will have a huge impact on the haulage industry moving forward. If you are 25 years age, why spend money to obtain the licence to do a job that will most likely not exist in anything like its current form in 10 - 20 years time.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

This is very true AI is an interesting concept especially when you look at how it could impact the HGV industry. I was looking into it alot it's something i wanted to do a video on but need to do more research. Thanks gor the comment, don't forget to subscribe 😉 👍

I quit hgv driving industry in 2017. Main reasons are disrespect from other drivers, little pay, rubbish secure overnight parking places, unfriendly roads for hgv all around UK from narrow roads to signs saying not suitable for hgv vehicles.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

What are you doing now then?

Passed my theory/hazard perception got my CPC theory next Saturday day hopefully pass that then gonna get the test booked and etc after the new year! Hoping to get out there find good paying job tbh cuz 22000 a year don’t cut it for me 🤦‍♂️ ain’t gonna be easy I know but just gotta get on with it and find my feet!!!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thats the attitude mate, get some experience under your belt and you will be fine! Best of luck 👍

Ive just decided not to renew my HGV as its just not appealing to me anymore to face poor conditions, poor attitudes, and so many ridiculous rules its not worth the hassle.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

From the comments that everyone is leaving, maybe I won’t come to the UK and do a few weeks driving 😂 It sounds like I’d be yelled at, hungry and frustrated. If you could subscribe, that would help out a lot.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

How long have you been doing it my friend?

@christopherhughes2087

8 ай бұрын

26yrs mostly low loader work, some general haulage@@truckitprayle

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Thats a fairly good stretch could you ever see yourself doing something different now?

What's the union situation like in the UK? In the USA we still have the teamsters. They're here. They're not quite as big as they used to be. I think they actually quietly diversified into road construction. I think they lean more on public sector works. It's so funny. We're going through the exact same thing just at different times. I have a feeling UK trucking is going to get turned up along with the economy very soon. VERY soon. And I want to be there for a spot of it.

AGE 60 NOW , Never was HGV/LGV driver shortadge 2014- 2022 . PLENTY lgv licence holders . BUT THERE WAS shortadge folk who would not drive for PEANUTS Nr min wage £hour. (SALARY) (Rip,off,con) OFTEN LITTLE £12 - £ 14/// ( £ 700 ) WEEK £37K YR (MAX) BASED ON MAX 48 HOURS WEEK WTD DRIVING / OTHER WORK + POA . NO overtime over standard 8 hour day / 40 week . WILL ????? That change 2024- 2025/// on???? AS lot us older driver s reach 60 have to re do DRIVERS CPC . ???????

@truckitprayle

8 күн бұрын

💯 mate 👌

No shortage, driving for 25 years lost my job recently couldn’t find a driving job for 2 months , found new job but not driving .

I gave up truck driving, as it just didnt fit into the lifestyle i was looking for. Long hours, early starts, made to feel like a chid when delivering to certain places, especially the big rdcs. Services and facilities are generally awful, extremely overpriced in all motorway services. Unlike european countries, i think the UK driver is very unappreciated. I love trucks and driving, but its not a job for everyone. I think its either a way of life or its just a job. I have gone back to my old trade, regular and sensible hours, more home life, appreciated for what i do, and earning more money. Sadly for me, trucking didnt really work out. But, i will keep my license handy, might do the odd day here and there.... if i want to!

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I know what you mean mate some days i absolutely love the job, i can chill out listen to the radio and not get hasseled and then other times i have to deal with long waits making me spend long hours away fro. The family, but i couldn't do an office job now after having the freedom i have now. Thanks for the comment hope you subscribed for more content in the future!. Best of luck on whatever youndecide to do!

@ianj1976

8 ай бұрын

@truckitprayle been a subscriber for long time now mate, i enjoy the content. Trucks will stay in the blood thats for sure, but not as a career path that I had hoped for. I would always encourage people to consider it, as it can be a good job.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Nice one mate, well im glad you enjoy it, it definitely seems a mixed bag in the comment section 👍

I’d say it’s more about pay and conditions, ie crap services, than a driver shortage,I stopped at a truck stop services last week and they had 1 shower

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah sonething definitely needs to be done about it for sure!

This is all making sense. Everyday my algo shows me footage of American trucks getting into horrible wrecks. There were moments when I didn't feel safe on our roads. It made me not want to drive. X^D It's stupid. I know. Yup. The powers that be really are freaking out.

I suppose they exaggerate the depth of the shortage on purpose. I think they do it in the USA too. I think they do this so they can bring in desperate foreign drivers who will work very hard for very little and thusly drive everyone's wages down. But then the foreign drivers actually get here and they're like "No... I want more money." and they stay competitive. Hats of to 'em. I've lived abroad before. When love was the motivator, I'd have slaved my life away. When money is the motivator I'm like "No no no no no.. You're gonna listen to ME. I'm the captain of the ship." Lol. This is why I'm trying to find the cheapest routes to getting a License in the UK. I'm going to try to remain competitive there as well.

shortage = longs hours , no parking , crap pay , stress , and all the BS driving rules and why still have the cpc card when we are not in the EU anymore ?

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah it is a bit of a joke, but obviously it's a good money maker for them.

i'm 26 , new in the industry ,got all the licenses , I'm European and its hard to find a sponsorship in the uk. I love uk but I can't come without visa.

@truckitprayle

4 ай бұрын

Where abouts are you from?

@georgensandu

4 ай бұрын

I'm Romanian but live in Italy since 2003@@truckitprayle

I was a HGV mechanic and been a manager and director before taking a change to HGV class 1 driver after 28yrs. It is the best thing I ever did, no stress, I love driving and listening to the radio being paid for it. As long as you have a positive attitude and want to work for a living it’s fine. The CPC is no big deal day off the road and being paid for it what’s the issue.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah i agree mate i love most parts of the job, and cpc is all good if your company pay for it etc, but some people have to take a day off and do it themselves.

The one thing you didn't mention, the high cost initially to even get your licence. I paid a smidgen over £3,000 to get my class 1. Them driving lessons and tests ain't cheap. So the first major hurdle is, have you got 3 grand spare? Now it worked out for me as I went from £27,000 a year to £49,000 immediately diately after passing. But I was lucky. I've got a friend of a friend who got me into Martin Brower, the company that delivers the burgers 🍔 and fries 🍟 to Maccy D's. But not everyone will have a job waiting so it's a big gamble.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I've been instructed by the Thumbnail Editors in Australia that if I ever come across someone who writes Maccy D's, I must pass on that we now say Maccas. Just a wind up haha. This is an extremely valid point. The initial cost of getting the license can be a crippling hurdle for those who make an average wage. The cost of living can make it a challenge to take risks such as a change of career. What do you think would be the best and easiest change to make in the system and/or licensing system, so there is more of an opportunity without the crippling effect of spending a ton of money.

@MartinMurray1966

4 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle UK Government will now pay, for anyone unemployed or earning below 26k a year, for them to be trained for a class 2 Licence.

@adamo1262

Ай бұрын

​@@MartinMurray1966really? Is this still the case. I would like to try and join the industry, but I can't can't afford it now unfortunately.

The graph wasn't up long enough, anyway maybe if they subsidized the cost of becoming a driver it would help, nobody has thousands at a young age to get the licence and lessons

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I will put the 📊 on a poll later in the community section mate.

@jk-uncut

8 ай бұрын

Compared to America, we have it good. Governments definitely push out the prospect of young people entering the industry.

@DevilsCutMP

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle When is the poll going up? Keen to vote but don’t want to forget.

@DevilsCutMP

8 ай бұрын

There are a lot of contractors that rely on the training of new drivers. Should the government have a support campaign where they pay a portion of the license fee? It wouldn’t be fair to expect the trainer reduces their rates.

@johnmoloney5296

8 ай бұрын

@@DevilsCutMP i never said they should i just said a subsidy scheme would be great

I used too drive adr tankers for a large French company based in the UK inwas forced out of the industry because im trans.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Why should it matter 😕 Sorry to hear that.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

What’s an ADR tanker?

@tenbear5

8 ай бұрын

LMAO

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@tenbear5 Wow. I did not read the end of that comment correctly the first time around.

@stevepoulton8826

8 ай бұрын

LGBTADR?

Hopefully I can add a few comments as someone that is coming into the industry a bit later in life. Currently working doing admin for a haulage firm in East Anglia, went to school with the owner, family business and all that jazz. Until I started going out on runs with the drivers I never knew the true level of the amount of dis-respect and rubbish that drivers in the UK have to put up with. The video interview with the lad that drives to Austria put it plainly, too many times you're treated like a number rather than a person. Other road users have no idea how to behave around HGV's. Quality of services is appalling (if you can even get in their parking areas as they are always full). But increasing drivers wages won't help as that will just drive up costs across the board and put more companies out of business. But on the other hand, too many youngsters now want everything handed to them on a plate, they want the high wages from the start and won't do work that they believe is beneath them (just look at how few go into the care sector as well). The government does need to help the industry as a priority, need more services areas available and they need to be affordable. They need to look at decreasing the paperwork governing the whole industry and make things easier for drivers and employers alike to conduct business. And they need to speak to the EU and find a way around the 90 days out of 180 for UK drivers to work on the continent as well. I'm sure there are more things they need to tackle as well, but I for one am looking forward to doing my tests and hopefully getting my class one next year (encouraged by my employer)

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@truckitprayle what do you think about this?

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

You can always add to the conversation.

Drivers are human beings. When you're in a truck you're away from your family. You're away from your home. You have no kitchen, you have no bedroom, you have no toilet or shower. You're away all week 24 hours a day. Any business will look after workers away from home with cars, hotels food and expenses. They are well compensated, that's why they do it. Drivers will come into the industry if they are well paid. Remember they have to live in a truck and they have no facilities, they have to make do with what they have. So pay them ok.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Well said mate, but it's just a shame that no one else seems to appreciate what we have to do.

So i passed my class 1 in April, i haven't been in a truck since, for me its been a complete waste of time. Its my view that there has never been a shortage of drivers, but a shortage of employers willing to take a chance on new passes because they want experience for insurance reasons, even agency's want experience, I can't tell you how frustrating it is. The government could clear this brick wall and it is a brick wall "can't get insured need experience can't experience because nobody will take a chance on you" by subsidising the insurance premiums.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, i am hearing this alot. And i guess you can't really blame the employer for not wanting to take such a big risk, but this is not gona address the shortage if it carries on. I hope you find something soon mate, let me know how you get on!

I may local area we are over 200 doing goverment funded HGV bootcamp worth £4500 class 2 class 1 including forklift, they put you into employenent after completion

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Thats great, may i ask what area that is?

I was a driver for 30 years covering most of the EU and UK, the EU companies treat their drivers with respect, their trucks were better, truck stops were cleaner,cheaper and with better food but they/you still had to do long hrs as this is part of trucking. My UK work would see me doing 5 nights away from home again within the drivers hrs etc, my EU work would see me away for 14 days at a time. Even when my kids were born and I decided to leave tramping and work 'local' my hrs would still be 12-15 per day. if you can't handle the heat step away from the kitchen.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

What would make the job more appealing in your opion?

@JackOfski

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Trucking is a way of life and you either enjoy the life on the road or hate it and moan everyday. It's not for the faint hearted like the drivers joining today are, I don't want to come across as an hard ass but you need to be able to handle the dirty work along with the clean and most new drivers don't even want to open their own trailer doors let alone strip down a skeletal trailer when its pssing down.. I had to give up due to epilepsy otherwise now that my kids are grown I would be down in europe enjoying open roads, great scenery, good food whilst earning £60K +

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thats a shame you had to give it up mate, and yes you are right it takes a certain type of person to do this job for sure.

The problem is the drivers shortage is a bit of a mith its more to do with companies wanting a certain type of drivers the sweet spot is a driver with a year or so experience below that they won't touch you and substantially above that they don't want you especially the dodgy outfits because you might know to much about rules and regs and it could be difficult or impossible to get you to run bent things I've heard from goons in transport offices included why are you refusing to take the trailer out you don't need lights its daylight are you refusing a reasonable request that's a regular one and why are you taking a break now we need the run completed just put it on break while you're tipping, be very very careful people there are plenty of unscrupulous firms out there, a tip if they ever try and pull these stunts on you just say no and if they push it ask for it in writing with a signature and date that normally makes them think twice

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yes mate i worked for a company that did some of those things, and you are right the employees moan but then wont give the newbies a chance.. it's so stupid.

Been driving class 2 for 5 years after joining the industry late in life. There was a driver shortage but It's changing back again to more drivers than work so companies are more choosy on who they keep / employ. In my experience in the first few months you have to do the "crap" and "yes sir / no sir" before moving on to better as experience grows. Some days I don't like what I'm doing but others I'm being paid to listen to the football / podcast.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yes, there definitely are benefits driving all day the amount of things i have learnt from podcast audio books etc is crazy! Thanks for commenting! Don't forget to subscribe 😉

@raithrover1976

8 ай бұрын

Ah yes, the first few months can be a bit demoralising as you get told to help out on the warehouse floor and, if you're lucky, get a run to a local customer's premises to "pick up the empties". Been there, done that! I got lucky and landed on a permanent duty after one of the older drivers went off long term sick with a bad back and just stayed off until his pension kicked in.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Happy days worked out alright for you then!

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@raithrover1976Always have to start sweeping floors

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Gotta start somewhere!

Gave up my class one when brought cpc in. The most over regulated BS now not worth the hassel

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

The whole world seems to be going with over regulation.

I am as HGV drive 7 years expiarance class 2 and pass my license class 1 that for 9 month I am lokking for class 1 but never get chance to find a job and all companys need 1 or 2 yaers expiarance

@truckitprayle

6 ай бұрын

Yeah its crazy isn't it!

I passed my test in 1992 and got stuck in a rut because the mortgage had to be paid. I'm out now. The three 15hr shifts a week are expected from any haulier. I'm done I can't even manage one now. Wish I could find a job where I only have to work 10hrs or less a day. In my opinion the transport industry is a very hostile place and if the truth be told I regret the ENTIRE time and simply wish I had thought of someone else to do.

@truckitprayle

6 ай бұрын

There are jobs out there mate, they are just hard to find. Sometimes i feel the same but then i think about working in an office and that usually makes me ok with it haha

@Melody-st4df

6 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Those exact same thoughts were wot kept me behind the wheel for so long. If we never had to do a 9hr reduced or any 15hr shifts I would still be driving.

Ah I can see why new drivers wouldn't want to enter the industry after watching this doom & gloom. Life is a state of mind and all industries have their challenges and huge amounts of change. Thank goodness things have evolved, remember iced up crittal windows and lighting fires every morning to get heat into a home - evolution is good, just run with it rather than live in the 'good ole days'. And as for CPC training, it's actually recognising it takes professionals to operate trucks and put simply, professionals train frequently, what's wrong with that...

What advice can you give me I drove trucks in South Africa for 20 year's will I get a job at 56 year's old

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah you will you have experience and maturity on your side i wouldn't imagine it would be to hard. Bestcof luck!

Some great comments on here. I am 50yrs old and have been wanting to do my HGV for years, but what with cost/young family etc the time has never been right, up until now. I have had two careers, one in the military and one in care. Not happy so a change could come at a good time. Are we really that short, am i too old, is being older a possible advantage through insurance etc, please do comment as i am really unsure........Cheers

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I think age in this game definitely helps as you would be less likely to do some dumb things others might do, and i think the best thing you can do is pop in to a few companies in your area and hace a chat with the transport managers and ask some questions For example ask how likely would it be for a company like yourself to take a new pass on like me etc etc. Hope it works out for you my friend! Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already that is. Cheers 👍

@ZippyPenguinTribute

8 ай бұрын

I say go for it If you are not happy doing what your doing now but do your research aswell, I have been doing the same job for 25 yrs and am a bit fed up now so decided to get the baby license through the Gov boootcamp, passed my Class 2 in Sept and start a job in Jan on Tippers mainly because the hours/days suit not so much about the money for me. Good luck.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thats great to hear, how are you finding it compared to the work you did previously? Will you go for class 1?

I’ve been passed a year and have been lucky enough to be working, understand what your saying about pay and it’s not that easy to put up as the consumer will end up paying but when I was on indeed during my lessons it seemed the ave pay was around £17 an hour, since I’ve passed it now seems around £13 an hour, one of those was for trampers?!? Could the wages have dropped slightly?

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I think alot of the higher paying jobs have been snapped up meaning the other companies our now paying less as there isn't as much competition as there was for drivers a few years ago. What do you think needs to change?

@JackOfski

8 ай бұрын

You go down to Kent and class 1 drivers are on about £16-20 phr + expense's even more if you have HIAB or an ADR license.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Sounds like the way to go is to get as many skills and tickets as you can, then ask for more money. What tickets have you got?

@JackOfski

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Absolutely the best way of earning more, an ADR is only 4 days with the exams on the 5th day (that's for full coverage, IE chemicals, toxic waste, fuels) HIAB/Forklift is usually a 2-3 days instruction with an ability test at the end. Both of these can get you £4-8 per hour more than for just driving. (Area dependant).

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Unfortunately i wouldn't be able to film though haha. Alot more strict on those jobs, it may be something i will consider one day though

Now whilst I don't claim that driving a truck is easy, I've always been amazed at how the UK trucking industry has for years and years created a ridiculous pedestal of so called experience required to drive a truck, particularly Class 1. In turn, this mindset puts new drivers who are desperate to get in to the industry at the mercy of the almighty employer. Here in Australia, if you've got a licence then, even as a new driver, you absolutely get a go. There is also no sence of hierarchy depending what licence a driver might have, and even at the highest category of MC road train licence, its seen as just a job. Its time that the UK finally stopped creating this myth around the so called king of licences, the Class 1, and instead simply concentrated on paying a decent wage as well as removing many of those ridiculous rules and regulations around the industry.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Well said mate where abouts in Australia are you, i was looking at moving there a few of my friends recently moved there.

@xj358

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle in Western Australia mate. It's now summer time down under and I'm currently on my afternoon/evening shift waiting to unload another one of those 48 foot containers.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I have a friend thats moved to a little town 3 hour drive away from perth. His also gor a channel @Big Wheel Zak

I am seriously considering going to the UK to drive trucks. I've been driving in the USA for a decade. I'm sick of it in the USA in general. I want to go abroad. I think being in the UK will help inspire me to keep with it. That's all I need. Inspiration. Does ANYBODY know of a way an experienced trucker can get an HGV license without spending thousands upon thousands of pounds? I could probably do $1,000 for the license. Somebody help. I know what you're all gonna say. "Don't do it. It's not worth it." But I'm in a peculiar situation where I want to get back to work but working in the USA just isn't motivating me anymore. I'm built different. Just being able to experience a little bit of England would be enough to make me happy with trucking again... At least for a spell. Somebody chat me up on this one.

@undesignated3491

4 ай бұрын

Westgate Transport Services, Bloxwich, did it for 800 pounds, 2 days training then test HGV 1, that was a refresher and reversing. The instructors mainly work for the company on site MRH, big haulage firm, so they know their stuff, if your confident and you just need to practice with the truck they leave you in the yard and go drink tea give you a few pointers. Sometimes its best way to learn old school, worked for me.

There isn't and never was a driver shortage

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Why are the media pushing this specific agenda? 🤔

Hgv or any driving job in the UK is a mugs game ,had over thirty years of it and got out about 97 , best thing i ever did

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

What do you do now mate?

Im 37, im quitting in exactly 5 months, constant calls by transport office if your sat nav doesnt pick up a road closure and sends you a different route, badly loaded roll cages any incident with spillage is "near miss" then added to that you got cameras everywhere at every store and on your truck, you couldnt go for piss in a corner without worrying about being sacked for gross misconduct. ADDED to all this is the pitiful infrastructure even new build Hubs, there is no room for error at all.But you do get left alone and you dont have to work with a load of assholes on site, thats the only benefit.

It's almost as if the same red tape is being put around it as the farmers!

@truckitprayle

4 ай бұрын

You're not wrong there mate

No shortage we are seeing a big down turn in transport.anyone would be silly to want a licence in 2024

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I have heard a lot of companies are handing out redundancies. It's a sad time for the owner operator but as all other countries have proven, it's the small chap that keeps the wheels running.

I worked on the goods inwards door for a major retailer. The management had nothing but contempt for the HGV drivers. Sometimes the the poor sods where waiting hours to get tipped (off loaded) we spent most of our time apologizing for their wait. Most drivers understood, but others took it out on us, the door staff/ fork truck drivers. I wouldn't do a HGV job for gold pig a week.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

It can be pretty frustrating at some places for sure, what do you do now then?

The other problems we have is a shortage of Hgv tec’s & d v l a Hgv m o t inspectors which have the same problem of low wages, hours & the young don’t want to do it

@truckitprayle

4 ай бұрын

Yeah thats true, but then again if your not mechanically minded and they earn pretty much the same as a driver why would you?

I'm in Ireland..37yo and a new hgv driver..it's really hard to find work..i just don't see the shortage .

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah from what people are saying there doesn't seem to be one 🤔

Too many bureaucratic hoops to jump through, you can't move without filling out a form, you can't breathe without getting an infringement. Then we have to sit through the money making CPC scam every 5 years, so I can satisfy somebody that has never driven a truck. Traffic's getting worse, road infrastructure getting worse, there's too much going on now, 100 distractions at every junction. I'm class 2 multiDrop, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, You're probably better off digging holes. You will get far less abuse, and your back will last longer.

@truckitprayle

5 ай бұрын

I hear you mate there are some big negative things in the industry although i do believe multidrop is one of the worst kind of truck jobs out there mate, maybe try something different.

I was with one the biggest agency for driving in the UK There is no driver shortage load of Rubbish from the media there is lack of work available for drivers just call a recruitment agency and try and get work for class 2 or 7.5 there is nothing available it's very quiet at moment for jobs even look on indeed for class 2 there is no work available

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

That's a good point you've made. Somewhere along the line could there be a misrepresentation of the information? Who can correct that?

@gareth800

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle all the govt needs to do is do away with all the red tape including CPC its a usless qualification its not even valid overseas and do away with the trailer test like they did with the cars and make it that anyone with a cat C licence should be able to drive any truck like it was in pre 1999 that will solve the hgv driver problem as there is a lot of cat c drivers out there and just make it so that it falls down to the company you work for to train you etc on what ever truck u need to drive for that job

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

I agree but i just think the amount of money they make rom these courses i can't see them doing away with it..

Is there help to finance the course/test?

@truckitprayle

5 ай бұрын

Yes there is a government scheme at the minute if you look online.

@MartinMurray1966

4 ай бұрын

www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp#hgv-driving-new-to-hgv-driving

Driving trucks for 33 years the only times i enjoyed it was in lockdown.

@truckitprayle

4 ай бұрын

Haha yes lockdown was nice, i was working in london alot back then and it was bliss!

I don’t agree that it wouldn’t be solved purely by a wage increase. If lorry drivers where on 100k plus per year, every man and his dog would want to do it. Could the companies afford that? Yes, I think they probably could. An average shift is £160. Let’s say we doubled that, which would be an increase extra £6 postage per pallet for a full load. If it was a class 1 delivery to a Tesco store what’s and extra £160 on 100k worth of goods? Might put £0.01 on a can of beans.

Came out the army was thinking of been a truck driver as a last resort ended up bloody working on the things did try for a couple of jobs but was told we’re to go had no experience or a digi card etc and couldn’t reverse lol now keep getting letters/emails offering me loads of jobs even when the jab crisis was on had a letter of the government saying great pay up to 27k a year 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 no thanks earn way more now fixing the bits of crap

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah 27k doesn't exactly shout sign me up does it 🤣

After 40 plus years give up driving had enough CPC had expired no way going do 35 hrs of classroom to learn what.

@truckitprayle

6 ай бұрын

Yeah its annoying 😑 What are you going to do instead?

@herbertjohnston4608

6 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle I'm 70 now got my class 1 1977 knackered 🤣

@chubbs6759

4 ай бұрын

How to enter and leave the cab

the driver shortage is a lie, had my C+E licence 10 months and driven a class 1 once in all that time. Agencies wont even consider you unless you have at least 6 months experience. Also it is the EU we have to thank for the DCPC we need to keep paying for.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah that seems to be what alot of people are saying, how an you get experience if no one will give you a chance..

had my class 1 license for around a month. struggling to get a job as they require experience as class 1.So im applying for any and all class 2 that require no experience. very difficult. Catch 22

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yes mate, i remember when i started it was the same and thats exactly what i did i got a class 2 job in a company that had class 1 also and worked my way up to it. Just keep trying i always find going in and showing my face i got better results job hunting in this game.

@gengar90

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle thanks. I can understand why people don’t want to work in the industry. Money is for sure a major part in it. Can spend around £3.5 / £4k if you’re unlucky with your tests. I quit my retail job which was £530 per week. Should of just stuck in retail lol 😭

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah thats pretty decent wage for retail but you obviously wasn't happy so these things happen for a reason!

@madanto2394

8 ай бұрын

If your competent then push them for a half hour driving test

There’s NOT A SHORTAGE… the industry reports this ,as to keep wages low….😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

@truckitprayle

4 ай бұрын

💯 mate

Thousands of new drivers passed with boot camps , or even like myself paid to get there class1. Only to find out no one will give you a job unless you got 6 months to a year experience , as that is what insurers want. My 10 year trucking In the USA counts for nothing. That's a major problem getting new drivers

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah that must be frustrating, how comes you left the states?

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

10 years of service driving in the United States would have been a hell of a time. What do they do in the US that isn’t done in the UK but should be. If you can post your reply on the community post where the graph is, that would be immensely helpful. - The Australians

@jp1music

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle I am Scottish, company I worked for used the hb2 visa , so had to renew each year, they just decided it was to much work and ended the program.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Thats annoying, would you go back if the opportunity opened up?

@jp1music

8 ай бұрын

@truckitprayle no not now, would have to redo test and all the other bs. Not like here once medical expires and Ave been away to long , you lose licence

I think it's pretty much a Europe wide shortage, I can certainly say with confidence Ireland has a chronic shortage and as an ex trucker who gave it up after 8 years at 45 years of age here's why, the wages are abysmal, the hours are horrendous, the expectations are ridiculous and the abuse you get from costumers, transport managers and especially others (car) drivers borders on assault/abuse. There are far easier ways to take home what is pretty much the net minimum wage. If you are thinking of going into trucking, don't. I got into after losing my previous job due to the economic crash and the opportunity came up to get my C/C1 licence free through an employment scheme. I was offered other opportunities, I should have taken any one of them. Anything would have been better. I'll admit I get great delight seeing local companies struggle and even close because they can't get or retain drivers. They had it great for decades when they could abuse and exploit eastern Europeans but they have now either gone home, realised they have the same rights as everyone else or gone on to better jobs. Chickens, home and roost come to mind.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Well said my friend, what would make you consider returning to hgv driving? Or would you never touch it again?

@joeduffy3309

8 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle Not even an act of god would get me back behind the wheel of a HGV 🤣🤣, I'd rather lose everything, be homeless and starve, it would be better for my mental health than driving a truck ever again. I've moved on thankfully, I went back to college at 45 years old and became a health and safety officer/inspector. There is always something else. There is always something better. I fully understand some people love it but truck driving is a lifestyle choice, not a career choice and it's not for everyone.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah i totally agree i have found it alot harder since i have had children, but luckily the job i do i start early and finish early so it suits me.

I really think wages are low for hgv drivers. Most of van drivers are paid exactly same and this isn't right. Year ago there were over twenty quid and more in good paid jobs. I used te be employed in Denmark, 25 euro per hour plus extras

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

you got paid $25 euro!! Converted to my currency, that’s some good money. I bet the conditions were better as well. Funny you pointing that out, we have a comment in the Community Page which your experience would make for a good point. The other comment called for Non-Nationals and more regulations for the HGV industry. Think you could comment on it with your point of view? I’ll go over there and wait because you make valid points that for sure we think the other gentleman needs to hear. See you over there.

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

That sounds like a great gig. East of the UK seems to have really good opportunities. If the Van drivers are getting the same amount in wages, how can it be changed or structured to be fair for everyone?

@thomtrucker1925

8 ай бұрын

@@TruckingAU minimum salary in Norway is 25 euro per hour. Employed lorry drivers are over 1kEuro per week. I drive own truck, so spent plenty money but income is over 8k per month

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Conditions in Australia would be much better

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

That's really good money. What is the hardest part in your countries that you travel to?

This time of year is a perfect example everybody else is allowed time off to do their festive holidays. However, these people have a whole year knowing this time of year is coming. It’s only a week and yet the transport industry run around like headless chickens. No planning no fourth thought that Drivers might like to have a week off like the rest of the country has we are not fireman policeman or medical people so why have we Gotta work around the clock just because these idiots don’t order enough stuff to last them a week or two through the holidays

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

You would think this day and age they would be a bit more organised, but unfortunately thats the way it is my friend, i take it you are working right through then?

@Reggyontheroad

7 ай бұрын

Are you are right about not carrying passengers and inspiring. Our next generation of Drivers . There was never a problem about carrying passengers years ago, so you could take your maids with you show them the job and they would like it or hate it.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

I always wanted to go out as a kid in a truck but never could, i really do envy the generation that got to do that, but i guess health and safety has gone mad! I hope to show my girls what its like when they are older but id probably have to be a owner driver i guess?

A lot of Eastern Europeans cleared off after ir35 put a stop to their tax dodging as Ltd drivers!

@truckitprayle

5 ай бұрын

I did hear something about that. Not quite sure on the full story of it though

Gotta be good news for British truckers: they are in demand. This must mean rates will rise.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

The fingers get crossed but how often does it happen? Do you think it’s unrealistic to expect change?

@tenbear5

8 ай бұрын

@@TruckingAU No, i think change is inevitable. I think the jobs are secure. I don’t believe autonomous driving s realistic either, and AI isn’t a threat.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@tenbear5 Jobs are secure, but people have to stop thinking the grass is greener and just get on with it. You don’t think the autonomous driving is coming soon?

@tenbear5

8 ай бұрын

​@@TruckingAU I think the notion ‘the grass is always greener’ is a perennial myth. Perhaps it is if you want to try trans continental or skip across the pond to the US or Oz & change your lifestyle completely but that isn’t an option for many people with household commitments. I have absolutely no doubt autonomous vehicles in heavy haulage is a non starter, i can’t see it materialising on the horizon any time soon, if ever. For me i feel the same about autonomous cars (although it would be much easier to apply) because the drive is the experience, & i wouldn’t want to be driven about, even by a paid up chauffeur. I think we’ve lost the plot with this nonsense tbh…. i just can’t see it ever working out in the haulage industry.

@TruckingAU

8 ай бұрын

@@tenbear5 The grass is greener reference was more about drivers thinking they can just up and leave to a new job because they think the conditions would be better. I’ve seen it a few times with UK drivers and it definitely happens a lot over here in Australia. Drivers, particularly in the tipper industry here have employers by the bollocks. Autonomous vehicles will come in one day. I can’t imagine in the UK it would be Within the next 100 years. It sounds like the UK is a disaster zone in terms of road layout.

Hi my friend I'm an ex veteran truck driver veteran truck driver and find RCT getting bad in the trucking industry my neighbour next door that lives next to me is Will shears work for the truck and drive magazine nobody wants to do the transport no more because it doesn't pay the management don't give a hoot some of the supervisors that work for these big companies there a joke so the quicker I clean up the transport industry the better it will be for everybody but that's not going to happen when I get short again I'll go and recreate some more somebody's drivers that come over from the continent aren't exactly brilliant but they're better than nothing Birchwood hire in some of these are people sitting on the door but won't drive a glory can some of them can't drive a lorry. 12:06

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

The industry sounds like its had a hard life for a long time.

Been driving for along time , for me i think some of the biggest problems are crap hours /wages,and a ridiculous government overegulation of paperwork /courses/licences /fines etc.The issues with tachographs ,and people not understanding them, is clearly a problem too. The cpc does explain things ,but clearly inadequate,and is part if your driving week. The system has been in decline for many years,but surely it should be updated to be a job where you want to go to and enjoy. My father always said if you dont like a job ,leave it. If a younger asked me today about driving ,id say look for something else it aint worth it. It WONT improve ,as government make a fortune out of it,and the people who are doing the job dont, always been this way. Good luck with it,everyone has their limit, but its a crap deal......

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for that fella, some really good interesting points you made there, what do you think is the biggest thing stopping youngsters wanting to get into the trade?

@jodavies8952

7 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle I think the standard needs to be brought into Iine, with say someone working on railways, power stations, civils etc. Training is ok in principle, but it's no good vosa fining someone for getting the tacho wrong as they weren't sure, or the wheel nut don't sound right, it's ridiculous. The system is not progressive, and younger people will be unsure and not trusting a system which don't help them. In other jobs you don't get this agro, the railway will fall over you with training and ppe, powerstation won't let you through if they see something that they don't like. In a truck I've done long distance, at the end of day nowhere to park, or eating out of a tin, no toilets/showers. You don't get this in most trades. I do day work only now, it's easier. Have driven Europe, but when the border problems started, we were told not to stop in Calais, no secure areas🙆‍♂️. I still maintain that the key to it is to encourage a new system, but it won't happen as the government think they, can push the buttons, which a shortage is the result of it. Who realistically is going to take such a great opportunity 😂🙄.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Yeah it does seem pretty bleak, especially with so much going on in the world our problem just gets put to the bottom of the pile.

No I don't believe that, I left in the 90s, more Paper work, I use to get Bullyed, and I am smach now I have got Brain damage after a Bad Lorry Smash 1987

I passed my test and no company eill take on new drivers they state its the insurance more like they want cheaper drivers from abroad..

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Yeah i think it is disgusting but then it's the government that needs to step in and regulate these insurers from taking the piss.

@sj6127

8 ай бұрын

I gave up trying. Waste of 4k to do my test

@joeduffy3309

8 ай бұрын

I don't understand this, I had my pick of jobs the day i passed my test. I think you guys are looking in the wrong place or you're expecting to be in the big fancy wagons from day one. try the concrete companies, they are always looking for drivers as they have a huge turnover, you've got to start on the bottom and you'll be driving a fairly rough truck for a while.

@sj6127

8 ай бұрын

@@joeduffy3309 when did you pass?

@truckitprayle

8 ай бұрын

Was it 4k all up?

My pal thought he was living the dream with 5 Romanian drivers after 18 months he can’t find an insurer that he can afford and most won’t touch him due to the catalog of fault accidents.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

They wont insure him because his drivers had to many accidents?

@philmulrooney7020

7 ай бұрын

@@truckitprayle yeah, the claims were through the roof. Probably cash for claims. He thought they were great, Lowish hourly rate and couldn’t do enough. Unfortunately looks like they’ve killed his business.

@truckitprayle

7 ай бұрын

Oh thats a hard lesson to learn, but good to know for the potential future👍