i'm thinking of becoming hgv driver? what is it like?any major pros/cons to the job?

Answer 1

You must first learn to tailgate on motorways

Answer 2

I was an H.G.V. driver up to two years ago. it was always a hard job with long hours, but very rewarding in a lot of respects. I gave it up because there are too many rules now for very little reward and you are now treated amongst the lowest of the low as jobs go. There does not appear to be any pride in what you are doing and you get a lot of abuse. The facilities such as truck stops where you could get a wash and brush up are fast disappearing and the ones that are left are getting so very expensive that your night out allowance does not cover the costs. You cannot just park anywhere due to the security issues of your load and yourself being in jepeordy. It was the best thing that I have ever done changing jobs, I am now home every night and only do regular working hours. I don't want to put you off the job, but I am telling you what it is like from my experiences.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as a typical HGV (actually LGV) job, because trucks carry almost anything and go almost anywhere.

You could be driving a fridge with 26 tonnes of milk on board, which delivers to supermarkets during the night. Physically very hard with long waits and long hours, but well paid. Driving is usually not very long distance.

You could be a yard-shunter; doing nothing other than move trailers around in a depot or docks. Tedious, but steady work.

You could be in general haulage, which can take you anywhere and which may involve nights-out and long distance.

You could be on a regular run, multi-dropping things like tyres, newspapers or bread. Sometimes helping to load, sometimes not, but always unloading out on the road.

Continental driving could be anything from long haul loads to Formula One or a Symphony Orchestra.

I think you get the drift....it is a multi-faceted and infinitely variable industry, and drivers get to know and like certain things, and then tend to stick to them.

Easiest job?

It's got to be the Post Office or Parcel Force.

Answer 4

Lots of early starts. Long days, not knowing when you'll finish as it depends on the traffic. If you run out of driving hours it means you can't get home and have to stay out the night in your truck. Pros are the freedom of the open road (if they still exist), you are your own boss for most of the day and have no one looking over your shoulder. You get to see different parts of the country. Pay is still pretty good, but beware of all the foriegn drivers and trucks coming into the country. Cheaper transportation and cheaper wages costs than the British companies.

Answer 5

I was an Hgv driver It all depends on what you wont to do Uk or continental with the way the law is now adays it is very hard .If you like working alone for long hours its good . If you wont to do continental there is alot of paper work and you will have to put up with long delays at borders

Answer 6

I agree, as an HGV driving force myself, mine is restricted to fifty six mph, yet going uphill it does go through, and if i become overtaking on a 2 or 3 lane highway that is just about torture as my motor vehicle slows down uphill, and specific, could it have killed the lorry i become passing to enable me finished my overtaking manouver quickly and competently without inflicting greater inconvenience to different motorists? those days on that subject, I in simple terms wait for the point roads then in simple terms blow previous them, and pass away them in my dirt, those better 2 miles an hour does make a distinction, yet specific, it is not like whilst i become turning out to be up interior the 70's whilst lorry drivers have been respected and if a lorry is suffering, different lorry drivers used to sluggish or provide as much as see in the event that they might help.

Answer 7

My dad was one for years and now he can't hear very well as the engine is pretty loud in those things, but maybe they have modernised them so they are a bit quieter now? Also if you are in the U.K there's really strict laws on having rests and your driving is tracked by tachograph which shows a report of your driving, so you can't just cram all your work in one go and go home early you are forced to work longer as you have to take your break rather than carry on driving home.

Answer 8

Hi, I recon the only magor problem is stopping for a sleep in the early hours. There are so many nasty people out there. I suppose you could try it for a couple of weeks and just leave if you dont like it much. Hayley-May

Answer 9

Divorce being away all the time wife running off with the Mailman large truck payments deadheading (no load no $) it back from Atlanta GA. to L.A. CA. to pick up a load not making the money you thought. Prostiutes Robbers Drugs. Having to load and unload the truck yourself to make it on thme for your next pick up. BAD IDEA!

Answer 10

bob get a brain