and today i have mostly been...

[Doggy]

Cheers Kelv.
I may look into the HIAB thingy, (used one before in a previous life).
Be a bit of a commute to your manor though.

[stevewalsh]

Thanks Steve. Much as I'd love to be out on the road, I'm kinda stuck with a non-driving job until I retire.

Aren't unmarked EU bridges half a metre or so lower than ours?
Must take a while to get the hang of 4m wide too, I'd have more than a few weeks with need for laxatives.
Avoiding the peage must be tricky - I did Montpelier to Geneva & back by a different route during the summer in a biggish motorhome.
Some of those towns and villages were memorable*.

Whereabouts are those mobile homes built?

Most main road bridges are 4.5 metres, but also a lot of low ones, In France we use a network of authorised abnormal load routes, we have special map, and a lot of towns have certain times we cant pass through, I have to be escorted everywhere when loaded with a yellow pilot van, so always have someone to watch under bridges and tight places, I love the challenge of a small village and prefer driving with a mobile on, than empty.

Most of the UK mobiles are built around Hull and I collect mainly from the French ports, but 2 weeks ago had to collect a UK mobile from Lisbon docks and take to Algarve, No idea why it was shipped there.

You could always get a bit of part time trucking to get some experience, If you need info on drivers hours, go on DVSA website and download GV262. It contains all you need to know.

[Welly]

Forgive my ignorance but I heard being a new trucker in the UK is not so appealing? stories of being messed around by Agencies, no fixed hours etc, being given all the sh*t stuff the long-term drivers won't do, timed drops, penalties.....

Although for Doggy I'm guessing he's not going to retire and them drive a lorry full time? the best scenario would be to know a friendly firm who will have you driving on a low-pressure basis now and then, if that's what you wanted.

[stevewalsh]

It can be like that at times, It varies from company to company, I did a bit of agency when I first started and had a few crap jobs, so I told agency I wasnt happy and wanted more decent stuff or I would go elsewhere, That worked.
Or as you say, a small firm that values their staff, you soon build up the experience you need and we all had to start somewhere, Most drivers and Transport companies will help you out if you are honest with them about lack of hours behind the wheel and try not to bullsh1t your way through

[Doggy]

I've heard much the same.
I'm looking to see what openings there are - so far I could potentially get to drive a skip lorry that makes the rubbish on the back look tidy, for a whopping £8/hour.
Need to wait for my CPC card and new licence to turn up, plus probably need a digital tacho card, (which costs £32 and you have to pay by cheque FFS)!

[Welly]

You get deliveries to your current work right? you could maybe tap up the drivers for info/leads but be careful it doesn't leak back to the management* (if you care).

Courier driving is supposed to be royally shyte, I know a van driver for a well-known courier who offered to work overtime for them on a saturday, got attacked for his load (theft), went to A&E to stop him leaking claret everywhere, didn't complete his round (obvs) so didn't get paid AND got fined by the Co. for not completing his round

Supermarket deliveries are stressful apparently, Skip Lorry? there'll probably be more awkward drops than good ones...

I would imagine some kind of airfield lorry storage place where you move stuff around would be good?

[stevewalsh]

Digi tacho card a must have, Pain in Ar5e having to send a cheque, renewals can be done by phone and credit/debit card.

You could try a few local companys for Saturday work or a ride out with a regular driver for a bit of experience

[Doggy]

Thanks, Steve. I'll see if I can find a cheque book... 10-14 days until I get my licence back, cpc is 'in the post'
I have a few ideas to explore. While I'm still working full time 1 weekend day a fortnight is all I could legitimately do anyway.

[Doggy]

To continue the saga, signed up with a couple of agencies, eventually got an interview / driving assessment with a major local haulier yesterday.
(Great fun driving a full-size artic round Kettering's pre-Xmas craziness in the dark).
I passed, but didn't cover myself in sufficient glory to be immediately let loose on my own. So I'm out with an experienced driver next Wed + Thursday, driving on my own Friday & Saturday.

I'm dead chuffed, finished now for Xmas, 2 days off at new year, then back to the real world on 2nd Jan.

[stevewalsh]

Well done, not easy when its busy, Only practice makes it seem easier,

I have been off since Monday afternoon for at least a month, since breaking my foot on the way home from delivering this to Redruth, Cornwall, last Saturday. Simply getting out the cab and slipping while checking trailer.

Looks like a month of Good beer and crap tv

Bah Humbug

[Doggy]

Ouch! Hope you're up & about reasonably quickly and you still have a decent Xmas.

[steve_earwig]

Oh bumholes. sorry to hear that Get well soon mate!

Just because...
30MYB79cc_0

[Doggy]

Enjoying the winter countryside with my new acquaintance, Sir Constantine.

[stevewalsh]

Always a well turned out fleet.

[GingerMagic]

Agreed - used to deliver our shower doors for Sunseeker boats on schedule - unlike the previous company...
Are you enjoying it?