HGV drivers: “the best piece of advice I ever got about my driving career.”
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever had about your HGV driving career?
As we enter into the New Year and a new decade, we’ve been wondering what great advice we could share with you to help you continue your HGV driving career.
After much deliberation and note comparing we quickly realised that we’d better hand the reigns over to some of our experienced drivers.
So, that’s what we did. We’ve spoken to some of our most trusted HGV drivers and asked them; what’s it really like behind the wheel and what advice would they give to someone entering the industry today?
Q: When and how did you start out in the Transport & Logistics industry?
A: “I started in 2003 after leaving the forces. My first job was driving car transporters.”
A: “I’ve been interested since I was a kid. I used to go out in my mate’s dad’s truck. To me, these were great adventures. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoy it now.”
Q: What attracted you to the job?
A: “I love driving and being on the road. Doesn’t matter what it is, engine and wheels, and I’m happy.”
A: “I just love driving.”
Q: Would you say that you have been successful in your driving career?
A: “I’d like to think so, I’ve got to drive so many different trucks and got to see so much of this country of ours.”
A: “Hell yeah!”
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job now?
A: “Going home… Seriously, it’s the variety, I can be in a transit van delivering catering supplies one day, and a 44 tonne articulated the next.”
A: “Driving and travelling to all places.”
Q: Looking back, what was the best piece of advice you received as a new driver?
A: “Take your time, get to know the truck, and, if you don’t feel right or safe on one route, look for another route.”
A: “The best advice I could give? It would probably be; don’t stress the small stuff, take your time and do it right.”
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?
A: “Don’t change a thing, I’ve had a blast.”
A: “Keep doing what you’re doing!”
Q: If you could have done one thing differently in your career, what would it have been, and why?
A: “I should maybe have stuck with the transporters longer. They were great vehicles to drive. I did like that job.”
A: “Get all the licenses and tickets as soon as possible. This opens up a huge number of opportunities and potential for experience.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone entering the industry now?
A: “Get with a good driving agency, get as much experience as you can, then worry where you want to go.”
A: “There are lots of rules and regulations nowadays which makes it harder I think than it used to be. However, if you love driving and travelling then this is the job for you.”
The key takeaways – what do we say?
A couple of things really stand out from these two interviews. First of all, the most successful drivers simply love what they do. They love driving, they love wheels, engines and the freedom of the open road. HGV driving suites people who love variety and have a passion for their vehicles. It’s something that never tires.
The other thing that really stands out, is that to achieve success in your HGV career, you will want to get qualified and get as much experience as possible early on. The best way to do this is with a large and respectable agency that can give you experience of different vehicles and support you with on-going training.
HGV driving isn’t the thing for everyone. But, if you like the idea of exploring the UK and even Europe on the open road, just you and a 44-tonne machine, then this could definitely be the piece of the puzzle you’ve been looking for.
We work with some of the best drivers in the business because we offer some of the very best pay and benefits out there.
To find out more about how we can help you with your HGV driving career, just get in touch or check out our HGV driving jobs board