How much do lorry drivers earn? Do they like their jobs? We ask them!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 май 2020
- How much do lorry drivers earn? Do they like their jobs? Is lorry driving a good career? We go through the HGV/LGV jobs and salaries on the internet and then go out onto London's roads to ask the drivers themselves! www.nationaldrivingcentre.co.uk/
When you research on the internet how to become an HGV driver and which HGV training company to go with you want one thing at the end of the road...a great job! In this video we do the research for you on the internet to find the average lorry driver salary over three categories (C1 7.5t, Class 2 & C+E) and then go out, find some lorry drivers, and ask them the questions! Information taken May 2020.
C1/ 7.5 tonne/ Paramedic training courses
www.nationaldrivingcentre.co....
Category C/ Class 2 training courses
www.nationaldrivingcentre.co....
Class 1/ C+E training courses
www.nationaldrivingcentre.co....
HIAB/ Lorry loader/ ALLMI training courses
www.nationaldrivingcentre.co....
"You are your own boss". That couldn't be further from the truth. Constant phone calls, what's your eta, why haven't you got there yet, you should have phoned to let's us know you were gonna be late.
OK so you hit traffic, of course you have, your on the M25 car park, so you phone in let them know your obviously gonna be late cause the genius who's planned your route planned it like it was a Sunday and not a Friday asks what's your new eta.
How the f***K do i know! Crystal ball is in for service, all depends when the car park opens up again.
So you've done your drops, you're headed home, you're into your 12th hour and they drop a collection on you which you may or may not be able to do before you run out of duty time of 15hrs. So it's touch n go if you're kipping in your own bed or in a rocking cab in a stinky lay by with no food or drinks or toilet and the worst bit is, you're only 8 minutes from your yard.
If it all goes to rat shit during the day, it's always your fault because yiur the driver.
The whole world n his brother hates being stuck behind a lorry and you wouldn't believe the lengths people go to to get in front of one, f**kin suicidal in most cases. Forklift drivers hate you cause you're bringing them mors work. Sitting on loading bays for 4 hours waiting to be unloaded sounds great, but the novelty soon wears off especially when your running short of hours.
Then there's the yellow perril, slapping tickets on your screen for feeding the nation.
VOSA now they are in the private sector have to earn their keep so any excuse and you have a substantial fine. With new trucks they can download your card while they drive past you or when you drive under selected motorway gantries and pull you should they need to chat.
So, 13hrs twice a week and 15hrs 3 times a week unless you want to do the 5 days one week and 6 the next alternating.
There's a whole book that can be written on the subject and this is not the place.
I was an hgv mechanic for 30 years and loved it. I've been driving for 15 years after I closed my toolbox for the last time due to arthritis.
For me personally, it's a way to earn a living. A much poorer living since the enforcement of the IR35. My wages have been halved since I was forced to go PAYE by the government.
What's the best thing about being a lorry driver? The end of the day when I get to go home.
Would I recommend it to a FRIEND?
If you like long hours, stress, potential to be fined every time your wheels are turning, being blamed for everything, hated by all, barrage of phone calls from planners, spending nights out unprepared because you're a day driver and not a tramper, and finally if you're involved in a serious accident which isn't your fault then being dragged away in hand cuffs because your the "Professional Driver" and you should have known better then Absolutely recommend paying 5 k for your licence and becoming a C+E.
If none of that daily excitement appeals to you THEN ABSOLUTELY NOT‼️
This vid was propaganda, I get it, you want bums on seats and you want people to sign up with you to get licences, but tell the truth about the industry and not some fluffy pink and blue water colour picture that's frankly BS.
Very detailed view on the industry Alec and we appreciate the feedback. I hope people will read your comment and take out the bits they can and can't accept when looking to potentially work in the industry.
I'm actually thinking of retraining as being a hgv driver I'm underpaid and I'm stressed constantly. Not to mention the regulations that change regularly . It's certainly NOT as described in this video.
Absolutely spot on Alec thanks for taking the time for that post 👍
Think you need to change your job mate, you’re clearly working for the wrong company 👍🍺
@@MapleMotorsport Hello Martyn, thank you for your comment.
One thing about the transport industry, it makes no difference what colour the trucks are or what name is on the side of them the working day always pans out the same.
It's not the wrong company, it's the wrong career. However, I'm now 61, I was an HGV technician for 30 years and loved every second but @ 61 with arthritis I sadly can't be on the spanners any more and this is all I'm fit for these days. I'd rather use my eyes as ashtrays than filling shelves in tesco.
Stay well, be happy and always keep the shiny side up 🤪 👍
Don't know how I stumbled on this video.. I'm not a driver but I would like to say thank you to all the lorry drivers for what they do and go through to keep things on our shelves and homes...thanks guys n girls😉
A very good point Paul, Thank you.
That's so true man
don't do this job hgv classe1... and if you know someone that want to.... tell him/her to run away.... but thanks for your reply and kindness
Thank you Paul, wish all the supermarkets would show the same appreciation instead of treating us like dogshit.
Creep
What’s the difference between a prison cell and a lorry? The prison cell has its own toilet.
Haha very good! 🤣
Loool, talk about British optimism!
Yes!!! And you get treated better in prison 😂
prison gives you enough time to get the job done.
Probably get a free HGV licence too!
Be nice of they mentioned to earn 40-45k you’re gonna be doing 60+ hours a week and sleeping in a metal box all week.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Your be lucky to earn 30 k a year even driving abroad I did for 15 years I now earn more shelf filling in tescos
The wisest thing that should be on every wise individuals list is to invest in different stream of income and don't depend on the government to bring in money especially now the pandemic is hitting the economy
You are right ..
Most people don't invest due to ignorance.
Talking of being successful! I think that am blessed because if not I wouldn't have met someone who is as spectacular as Expert Mrs Quinten Laura
She helped me recover all that I lost while trying to trade for my self.
I lost about $4,000 to a scammer before I was recommended to Expert Mrs Quinten financial institution and believe me she helped me recover the $4,000 and made an extra of $7,000 in the space of a week and four days.
I'm retired from driving now, but prior to my HGV driving career I was a Civil Servant working for the Government in various departments. People used to ask me why I made such a change in career (office work to truck driving) and I'd say they were both similar in that they both involved sitting on my arse all day staring out of a window.
There are certainly a lot of jobs that involve the sit down and stare out the window aspect! Now at least your view changes 😃
Shite money shite conditions shite job don't go for it shite
You are talking out of your arse, no idea, you would best sit on your arse and be quiet, maybe you will then learn something
great analogy
Did it cause you health problems?like back problems?
If that's the case, I will stick to driving a van for Asda for 10.50 per hour.
Those rates are a joke.
Spot on
I thought the same at Tesco, but my loads were a joke... over 13ph delivering cars, much more fun!
The list is big edy stobard , Hermes ….
10.50 is still too low. Im getting paid only 8.91 as a cleaner its exhausting work for what little you get.
@@steve00alt70 you thinking of changing career path? Honestly apart from the politics, Tesco delivery driver was one of the easiest jobs I had and when I left, the pay went up 🙄
No one should drive a class 1 for less than £27000 per year national living wage is catching us up think how much responsibility we have driving a class 1 compared to shop workers
Absolutely agree 👏🏼
@David Attenborough never said they was! The point i was making was no hgv driver should work for less than £27000 per year and national living wage is catching skilled workers up up,
driving a lorry full stop is a lot of responsibility regardless of class 1 or 2. you mess up the chances of killing someone or yourself is much higher than driving a van or car.
@@gm0184 sure but van drivers are more at risk of been killed jumping in and out of the van for 9 to 10 hours non stop
@@onlyjoking73 I’m in and out at locations when needed. Some of witch are on main roads...
I'm a class 2 driver in a local authority, usually in a road sweeper. Due to LGA agreements, my basic is around £23.5k, which is crap. However, my commute is about 4 minutes and I love the job. Background - I am a certified data centre engineer who (after 20 years) got fed up and jumped. Started as a 7.5t driver (grandad rights in 1984), did aquired CPC [1], then paid for my own class 2 and have never looked back.
My advice to anyone wanting to HGV it.......get your medical & provisional and have a trial lesson. Its easier now with automatics (pah - should do it in a manual 4 over 4). If you like it, join our diminishing club. If it isn't for you, at least you had a look at our world for an hour.
I was the same, was an insurance consultant for a top car insurer. Done it for 7 years and worked from home for 6 but just got fed up of working from home but not being able to go anywhere. Got my class 2 and 1 and never looked back. First year of driving was shit o my because of the company I worked for that paid for my licences was terrible. Now I work as a class 2 driver for a supermarket and love it.
Great work. It’s so good to hear that.
Great responsibility to pay is a little, I don't understand how it's possible
I decided to go for my class 2 and i passed and qualified a month ago, paid for tacho card and CPC all done . I then applied for 60 jobs a week,since and the only ones who reply are not interested when i say i have no experience of driving a hgv, fact i have been a courier who 15 years doesnt seem to count for anything. Waste of £2k.
You didn't ask a HGV1 driver , who has to run around like a headless chicken, with a boss that couldn't care less about him/her, and wants that truck in 3 different places at the same time, think you would have got a different response, this reminds me of a classic biased BBC news report.
Because the drivers were polite and honest?
@@michaelmacdonell4834 Well polite maybe, that's where it ends, after 45 Years HGV1 you'll find mine it the true version, polite doesn't come into it any more.
Let's guess the BBC are left wing snowflakes? Even more BS then this video.
Class 2 drivers drive round like a headless chicken too
Thank you so much for your comment.
Extremely suprised that hgv class 2 is only a pound above minimum wage. Thats crazy
It can be tough out there for sure Harley in certain areas and all the different companies paying different wages.
Do not drive hgv,for a living. Money is for at least 60 hours,at minimum wage. Your homelife is non existing, I was earning same wages 20 years ago. The ministry fine you for misdeeds, which they only know. They change these laws every year, without informing drivers.. You will earn more, working as a labourer on a building site
And if you make a mistake, you could be going to prison.
Thank you so much for your comment.
I have worked for the same agency since 2017, first on vans, then after the first lockdown, I decided to go for my LGV. I have had the privilege of working for different companies in that time, but there is a common theme amongst drivers; under-paid, company doesn't care, stressed, over-worked. However, I have met many employees like this across the numerous sectors that I have worked, basically, bone idle, want money for nothing. The reality of the world is this, there is no perfect company, no perfect job, no perfect boss, and when that is realised the workplace makes a lot of sense.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
Great comment and is so true 👏🏻
I think them wages are completely in outer space, I've just left a class 1 articulated roro job which is a very specialised job and the hourly rate was £10.72 an hour, wich is disgusting but thats about the most you can earn around the midlands. My advice is just dont bother !!!!!
Whereabouts in the midlands?
pathetic that they only pay so little
East Midlands. Class 2 on £15.04/hr
@@liamrawson3418 🤣🤣 ok mate, sure
That’s shocking. You could earn double that cleaning windows.
Excellent vid.. Look forward to meeting you for training. Bermuda to London later this Oct 2020.
Can't wait! Let us know when you're here and would like to train 😄
Really good vid pall!
I’m not surprised the uk are low on drivers mind, that wage is awful.
I was learning my hgv license with big wheelers until I realised how much they get paid.
The top drivers are on less than I’m on right now as a roofer.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Sorry this a false view of the industry if you take into account forced breaks and poa your hourly rate is in total lower. There are two jobs on indeed right now in Bristol for class 1 from £9.00 per hour and shop assistant from £9.45 per hour. My advice for a young person is take the shop job because you will be treated better and in the long term you will be paid better.
Might not be an honest view but honestly working in a shop or a call centre/support desk is absolute hell, being on the road at least you're away from that shite and you don't need to go into a disciplinary meeting cause you logged into a stupid fuckin phone system a minute late or get yelled at by some dipshit customers in a shop cause you forgot to put caramel in a frappe... I'm sure you're right obviously it has it's ups and downs but overall lorry driving seems great if you just want a job where you're able to just for the most part be left the fuck alone by people. I'm currently sorting mine out for this reason, I want to get the hell away from these batshit mental snake office people.
Yeah don't forget about 12-15 hours a day as the norm. This is over the top was a bit laughable to be honest
@@jessica9886 I'm with Bethie on this one.
@@jessica9886 True; but I drive a van and get that £9 an hour. Why would I fork over 2 grand for the same money? Just not worth the hassle of trying to get a huge arse lorry down little roads for little to no more than I get for driving a 3100kg van.
@@johnbower7452 I'm more on about having a job that's driving in comparison to a nodding dog office job. 3 tonners are good money though nothing wrong with it. To be honest it's whatever you can get, if a good job pops up and you happen to have certification/license for it then you're pre-prepared for that opportunity. Couple of grand is like what, 4 month of saves? Worth it if something majorly decent pops up in my opinion. You can even make pretty decent money just doing Uber eats and whatever, it's all about what you want to do really. I'd prefer to chill in a lorry cause it's high up and the cab is massive. 🤷🏼♀️
Wow. One of the most informative video I found for people looking into hgv driving. Thanks.
Thanks Obed, glad it helped :)
Great video thank you for posting
Thanks Justin, glad you liked it!
WOW thank you for your time putting this video out, vary interesting.
Thank you so much, No problem 👍👍👍
I'm class 2.. my pay is a bit crap but my god the work is easy and the company I work for is great.
So good to hear Dan, we hope all is good and safe.👍
Hi mate,
Thanks for sharing this video.
It was informative and also educational for those that want to become a lorry driver and to follow a career in transport industry.
Kind Regards,
Robert Mihalache
Thank you for your kind words Robert!
@@NationalDrivingCentre you all deserve them👍 it is a shame that you haven't got a branch in Manchester too
@@RobertMihalache one day! If we keep working hard, you never know!
@@NationalDrivingCentre good to know, that is the spirit👍👍👍
Gogule nu știi cu ce se mănâncă soferia .... lăsa-te pana nu e prea târziu. Fa cursuri de dulgher ,electrician sau altceva soferia e prost plătită , ore multe de lucru și nu iti mai vezi familia în veci. Sa nu mai vorbesc de dormit prin parcări mâncat la roata mașinii când ai timp desfăcut nevoile sticla sau punga după caz ..... nu te apuca ... ăsta e un sfat de la un șofer bătrân .
Great video mate.
Thanks Enos! Hope you are well.
This video was really helpful to know about the trucking industry. I've been trying to move to the uk. Thankhs
Thank you so much👍👍
I can’t lie, you do sound like Jay Cartwright😅 but great informative video!
Who knew at NDC we had the budget for a Jay impersonator?!?
Why would you even mention lying in the first place 🤪
@@Mod-rw9cw hahahaha🤣
Jay Cart wright from multi trades? 🤣
I have a class 2 and class 1 licence and chose to come out of it as no work life balance and the pay not worth the hassle and stress you get put through. I chose to go back in the warehouse as I have a young family and I get to see them a lot more and less hours and pay not that far behind wagon driver that have to live on the road. For me this video is glamourising the industry from what I seen. Also the anxiety of having something wrong with the vehicle which messes your day up and some extremely tight places that some vehicles struggle to get in as well as so many impatient drivers that are rude and don’t care about putting there car 2 foot away from the lorry at 56mph after cutting in front. Just my short experience in them. On a positive note though I do respect and see drivers in a different light which more people need to do to know what they go through instead of out of sight out of mind view.
Hi Terry, thanks for taking the time to comment. If you spend more time with the family and are happier, then that is the right decision for you 😊nice that see you see drivers in a different light and if more did then we guess life on the road would be easier for them with car drivers being overall more courteous. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do in the future 👍🏼
Very informative Thanks 👍
Thank you so much👍👍
I didn't see a single artic driver interviewed there or any driver from the general haul. I can honestly say I've been a lorry driver for 11 years and I think it's definitely not a very good career choice. The money is made up by the sheer number of hours we do, nights out are something blokes rely on for wages too which I think is wrong really. I don't think this video has given a true reflection of the haulage industry really
Hi Daniel, we can't disagree with you on not managing to speak to Class 1 hauliers. We would of loved to but we couldn't get to any whilst filming. Plenty have commented and got in touch though to give us a real idea of what goes on 👍🏼
@@NationalDrivingCentre I think some manufactured propaganda has gone on here. Statistics don't lie, long distance lorry driving is unhealthy for many reasons. The industry offers a lot of time away and long long hours everyday with often a poor hourly rate in place. Many hauliers buy billy basic trucks with very little comforts for drivers and the treatment of drivers is disgusting. Shower and toilet facilities often in incredibly poor condition or not existant, drivers forced to sit in waiting rooms whilst being tipped and loaded, it's a job no one wants. Parking is a stressful situation too. Once you park up often there is a cafe serving poor quality food and nothing else to do, showers and a shop that's overpriced. It has destroyed my relationships and caused existing mental health issues I had already to worsen. I have to drive a lorry due to the cost of living not allowing me to other work. I personally think there should be a proper investigated program to air the real problems with the haulage industry and it's workers. I would be happy to help you if you wanted to do that. I am all for improving the standards of our industry and bringing it into a much better light than it has been in the past. This is a problem we've all got to take responsibility for and collectively make the right changes for a better future. One of the issues I would like to challenge is our impact on the environment, I would join any campaign where hauliers could get help in switching from diesel to electric
Anywhere from 22k-25k is average for starting wage for class 2 I’d say, but that’s for 50-60 hours a week. Not 40
Starting wage straight after training with little to no experience?
National Driving Centre yes
@@MDavzn We'll add it to our record. What area do you work in?
one thing i've learn't about life in general is that no one tells you the truth about their job, esp in haulage, the grass is always made to sound greener on "their" side. it very rarely is, and more often is not, usually worse. if you are thinking about it as a career, i wouldn't bother, its a lot worse than you think.
Thank you so much for your comment.
passed my class 2 last friday and now waiting my licence to come back so i can start my mod 4. i can't wait to go back into a lorry full time! the moment i climbed into the cab first time i knew this is for me for life! :D
Great work well done. Best of luck for the future. 👍👍👍
Im a HGV mechanic , always fancied class two tipper driving , had class 1 & 2 for 20 years and PSV for 22 years but you can keep driving buses did it for my last employer now with fire service
Thank you so much for your comment.
Ha ha ha You make me laugh ! Did you ask the agencies how much they get from the employers? Ask them and let us know. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Changed a bit since last year. Drivers getting huge increases now. With the shortages. No fuel deliveries etc. I'm starting my process for class 1 this week.
Same, I am starting ADR now and booked Class 1 in January (I have got Class 2 already). Good time to jump in.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Thank you so much for your comment.
The increases are temporary. The RHA is heavily lobbying the govt. Foreign drivers will be back in the race to the bottom within 5 yrs.
Good video 👍
Thanks 👍
All depends on who you work for, I drove walking floors delivering biomass to farms, power stations etc and I loved it but then the boss got greedy, ruined the job for me and now drive a grab for a utilities company, better money, lot less hours easiest job you could wish for. We can be picky at the moment just don’t stick a job you hate and try and get away from general haulage that’s where the stress is.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I think the wages definitely vary depending on where you work. Best I managed was 29k on class 1 and away from Saturday to Wednesday and maxing out on hours. I was about ready to throw the towel in but then found a job on class 2 with 30k basic plus potential 3k P/A bonus 6am to 4pm. Yet go 20 miles down the road and the Haulage companies are only offering around 25k to 28k tramping.
GREAT INFORMATION. Thanks Paul 👏🏼 we're pleased you got a perfect job eventually! 😃
Loads of jobs where I am paying 30k for class 2
@@tommoorcroft6680 where’s that Tom? What type of work? Just interested as I’m just getting in to it
@@AshImprezaTV Kent mate. Tbh some of my mates earn 30k driving vans the guy above is chatting crap you get that in the industry alot never listen to fat overweight men who cant do the job
@@tommoorcroft6680 🤣👍🏼
I don't understand all of the negative comments. Im a newly qualified class 2 driver and I have just landed my first job as a driver for 40 hour week 31K per year overtime paid at time and a quarter. Im in Manchester
Lucky you have you started yet? That’s a one off for class 2 my friend the £31k per year on 40 hour’s is £14.90 which is unheard of for class 2 usually it’s £31k for in the week I.e 60 hours and overtime for an extra day worked and to be fair that is more than some class 1 wages with 10 years experience
Best of luck Tom 😃
@@youllsee1762 48* hours over 4 days
Have been driving class C for 25 years now (trained by NDC in 96 when you were based just off Beddington Farm Rd) have had some good and bad jobs but always got a fair wage, now working local authority contract £14.77/hour for 38hr week early start early finish.🙂
Sounds great Adrian! Hope you are happy and well 😄
Would love to see an updated video see how much the wages have changed
Thats a great idea. It would be a good update.👍👍👍
I'm a class 2 driver and earn 32,000+ really easy job although I am going to be doing my training for class 1 crane driver and earn 40,000+ that's sounds good to me XD great fun and as they say always nice to not been stuck in somewhere and nice to see the world!
Glad you enjoy it Wicked_Mistress 😃
You hit it lucky ,then not many class 2 drivers earning as much as that for 50 hours a week...not in general haulage anyway
..
These wages are all based on a 40 hour week. How many HGV Drivers work 40 hours a week? My guess is not many.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
You are the best guys
Thank you so much.
Hey man with the cheeky questions, how much do pick up doing what you do?
Thank you so much for your comment.
wages also depend on area, in wales i have seen 7.5 ton for 17 to 18k a year.
It certainly does vary. But if that 7.5t job is driving around the Welsh countryside with all that wonderful scenery, worth considering 17 to 18k! What a life 😍
@@NationalDrivingCentre i done it for a while. was worth it in the end. its a good starting point for someone looking to get into hgv driving.
Averages worked out at 40 hours a week? 🤣🤣 What about us who work full time
Thank you so much for your comment.
I got my Class 2 in Jan 2020 (before covid hit) I had an airport job lined up for 13.00ph, then lock down happened, i then went on to pursue HIAB in August 2020 (Hook and crane) but never became useful (as many of the jobs here require brickgrab HIAB - remember to do job research before doing extra qualifications). I started my first HGV job working on the bin lorries (12 week contract) afterwards i worked again 3 months on a water tanker lorry doing drainage. In Feb 2021 I got my ADR and started job seeking again but to no avail, eventually I got into Cazoo (requires only class 2 + CPC) out of the jobs (minus the airport ones) it has been the better ones and paid slightly more! 4 on an 4 off shifts, just very long days!! *Just to add, i'm not sure if it's worth doing my Class 1 as there doesn't seem to be a real benefit, but i'll keep that open ajar in case a good opportunity comes up!
LOVE this comment Hadleigh. Thank you for sharing your journey 😊
I love this I am a lorry driver always on your own
👍👍
I work for a German milk company as a class 1 driver, I took home after taxes and pension £34,800. My average p/h is £15-16hr, I'm not agency driver and do about 8-11hr days & home each night.
Sounds like a lovely gig. And free milk?!?
I drive class 1 £35000 a year and I can earn more but happy be in my own bed every night
The class 1 drivers at muller by me aint taking that home after tax for 8-11hr days
Jay Cartwright. So this is what he’s up to these days.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice.
HGV test? Completed it mate 😂
I only worked for two companies in my thirty years on class ones, both specialised in transporting hazardous materials and contaminated waste removal, my last pays slip was £975 top line, four days, three nights out, brand new truck ( Volvo FH 3 then 4) every three years, there is money out there in HGV driving, sadly the food supply chain operators pay the minimum wage for lads and lasses, they pay the bloke who drives the 44-ton truck less to deliver the cans of beans than the supermarket pays the bloke to stack them on the shelves, and there lies the problem of shortages of drivers!
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I was a truck driver for 27 years, it's a shit job with shit pay and loads of responsibilities, very early starts and late finishes, you can't plan anything Monday to Friday because you don't know what time your going to finish.
My advice is stack shelves at Aldi, better hourly rate than driving and if you did 70 hrs you'd come out with more money than a truck driver.
Bus driving worse
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
Holy crap, I can't believe what they pay drivers in the UK. I live in the US and just started driving last month and I am already making 45,000 ponds per year and the potential just goes up from there. If you can land a job with UPS, you can make 22 to 30 pounds per hour. If you own your own truck, it's a whole other ball game. They need to pay there drivers more over there and maybe they won't lose soo many.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I did the conversion, I make about double driving a garbage truck in the US compared to what those UK guys were making 😳 pay your drivers more!
Cool move James! Did you manage ok getting over there with a VISA?
Yep its crap. I'm commercial bin man and the stress and crap you take for £10,50 an hour. Constantly changing or adding to your day without anything being soughted out for you. Been driving over 40 years and it's not worth it. I think they trying to convince people it's a good job. Haaaa.
Thanks for the video I really appreciate you made my day, it's my dream being a lorry driver. I just need to pull up my sox and keep going.
You can do it Jamal! Do what makes you happy 😃
😂😂😂😂
So please tell me about the £40 -45K jobs where I'm not scraping the legal boundaries of a 15 hour day umpteen times a week and blasting my way to infringements for breaking the 48 week reference periods and using POA as it now is legitimately. Oh and whilst your at it ask them if they'll throw in a sparkly unicorn and a couple of fluffy bunnies for good measure.
Thank you so much for your comment.
I was going to get my class 2 last year because I like being out on the road and I used to absolutely love going out with my dad in his truck when I was a kid. But then my dad told me what its like in the game nowadays and I've had a few chats with other lorry drivers, put it this way... I'm so glad I listened to them!! I could spend ages telling you stories of crap that's happened to lorry drivers, but all I'll say is this... there are so many reasons NOT to get a job driving a lorry, but only a couple to get one!
Similar with me, my dad was class 1, out with him during the holidays (he tramped UK), I decided to do an apprenticeship, so I've got that to back me up, but after I'd qualified as a mechanic, I was seeing a lot of drivers leaving the profession, even in the mid-late '90s, that I decided not to go for my HGV and stayed on the spanners. I'm earning similar to a class 2 driver as a mobile fleet mechanic, doing 37.5hr basic and I don't even need to do O/T. Only reason I'd want my HGV now, is to get back into accident and breakdown recovery and make my way up to heavy recovery, although I know, due to longer hrs, I would theoretically take a pay cut if salary is similar to what I'm on now.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Hes basing this on a 40 hour week so its bullshit, its more like 50 hours a week so it brings the hourly rate down to minimum wage
Depending on the job taken, then yes it can result in this happening.
I get £16.60ph on days driving class 2. We work 4 10hr shifts a week. We don’t work Saturdays but do work 2 out of 3 Sundays. We never work more than three days without at least 1 day off unless we’re doing overtime. Most earn £40k with a bit of overtime, bank holidays and annual bonus added. A lot are class 1 trained but work here because the money is good. To me what we get should be average for the industry as a whole.
Thank you so much for your comment.
I’ve been driving a LGV small trucks and it was great but I can’t say I drove legal oh no overloaded and driving over the hours every week I was out. But the freedom part is spot on. I was applying directly following a tip from someone who knew a man needing fully licensed from car licensed drivers up to class 1 artic drivers in Denmark. Of course I jumped on the bandwagon and started driving. Stayed for a year and a half then I was sacked for wrecking a truck in Poland and now I’m a courier driver driving cars and going local routes but it’s a free job. I’m doing what I love doing a meaningful job keeping the town from grinding to a hard hitting stop. I would recommend it to anyone get into the industry but you should know what you’re going into it’s not daffodils and daisies out there but it’s up to you guys to decide. Stay safe and healthy everyone.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
@@NationalDrivingCentre you’re welcome.
Long hours, hassle from bosses, DVSA, waiting around, traffic conjestion, other road user misdemeanours, crapping in plastic bags.....For the money I'd be better off packing fudge in a sweet factory!
Thank you so much for your comment.
Good money just stay away from general haulage. I was on £26000 but doing 55 plus hours a week. Now I do 45 hours a week about £31000 plus over time so maybe a bit more that’s class 2 as well delivering pet food.
Sounds like a good gig David! Keep looking after the animals :)
Yup, own account work is the way forward. Hire and reward rates are cut to the bone so the pay is poor
I have 3 years experience as a truck driver trailer , and 7 years as a bus driver, but I live outside Britain, I would like to know does Britain bring drivers from abroad?
Thank you so much for your comment.
Sounds silly but I’m worried about committing to the cost of training given the advancements in self driving tech. Not exactly a job for like. I’m 20. Hubs going to need an operator in 20 years ?
That is good foresight, however driverless technology is way behind at the moment. Look at when the electric vehicle talk started...and that is yet to come to our industry! There is certainly time if you want to drive 😃
Pretty sure you’ve got the wrong vehicle in the background when your talking about the role.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
"you're not stuck in the office 9-5"
No, you're stuck in a lorry 8-6 😂😅😂
Thank you so much for your comment.
Obviously these rates of pay are wrong but the video is really good.
Thanks for commenting. Whereabouts do you work and what does the pay rate look like? We're currently gathering more info!
National Driving Centre no problems I’m based in Wiltshire but I’ve done deliveries with HGV class 2 all over the Southwest , Southeast The Midlands and Cymru jobs not much over £10.50 an hour through any agency my experience.
Where are you getting your figures?
1st point, truck drivers don’t do 40 hrs a week! (If you know a company that does, please post)
2. On average truckers do 12 hrs a day minimum, 12 x 5 = 60 x £13.50 = £810 x 48 weeks = £38880 (& that’s allowing for 4 weeks unpaid holidays)
3. Add in 1 extra day every fortnight (as we can drive 6 days every second week) so roughly an extra 20 days pay on top of those figures!
4. Now in point 2, I said an average 12 hour day, most drivers do 13 and at least once a week if not more 15 hour days.
5. Add Meal allowance & over night allowance
I drive internationally and I can tell you, international UK drivers on average take home pay is £600 - £700 per week! (& thats for 13 days a fortnight) Divide this by all above)
Most small & almost all international hauliers pay by the day, (a flat rate, regardless of hours worked which has meal & overnight allowance included in that rate)
The industry pay structure is a complete joke, there is a shortage of 65,000 drivers in the UK 🤔 now why would that be?
Let’s try answer it.
Young lad acquires his LGV license and looks for a job. Here’s the conditions:
5 - 6 days a week
Early starts, between 3am and 6am
Average 12 - 14 hours work a day
Your planner will start at 8am and finish at 5pm, he’ll have his tea and lunch breaks at 10 & 1, he will call you constantly to get updates and push you to drive quicker or dodge traffic because the ignoramus at the last drop delayed you. (However if you request something like a phone number, proper delivery address, contact name on site, he will get it whenever he’s ready) no rush.
And most important if your lucky to be finished after doing a 12 hour shift and it’s before he leaves he will try to get you to do something extra ie: another collection, wash the truck, swap trailers!!
Oooh and by the way, you’ll have the VOSA & traffic police ready and waiting to relieve you of some of your well earned cash whenever the find fault.
If your fatigued and are unfortunate enough to have a bad RTA, you’ll go to jail.
You people promoting this scutter on you tube should be held accountable, your telling lies, conning people, giving out false information.
Do something right for a change, go to parliament and get proper working conditions for professional drivers.
1. 40 hours a week like in any other industry
2. Overtime paid at time and a half and doubled whenever due.
3. Proper parking facilities with toilets & showers. That are cleaned regularly 🤬
I love my job, I am fortunate to work for a good company that follow the rules, appreciate their drivers, and pay accordingly.
Would I settle for any less? NO
And before all you company men reply telling me I’m moaning, it’s you knobs that have the industry the way it is & the sole reason young people don’t want this career.
What’s the UK government’s solution to the driver shortage? Allow the drivers we have to work longer hours 🤣😂 you couldn’t make it up!
Thank you so much for your comment.
i want to apply now for hgv. MY goal is to earn 45k/year in the next years. Might be to much and impossible for some but i will do my best to accomplish this.
That's a lot of money Gabriel! You could get there but would have to be C+E with ADR as an example to be looking that high. Manage your expectations to begin with. But were sure you'll make it happen 💪🏼
Im on this exact same path, my flat mate has his adr is very close to that salary.
If you want to make that kind of money driving a lorry, you'll need to be self employed. You'll never make that being employed.
15 years ago it was acheviable
Now a days forget it rates are rubbish
Good luck with that ‼️ADR tramper maybe. Tanker driver work is usually handed down from father to son or if lucky into retired shoes.
Agree with the two foreign chaps at the end though you will never be out of work. Just know your worth dont go self employed for less than 15 quid an hour and always remember the companies need you more than you need them believe it or not.
Good call- very valid point at the end there!
All classes in 2021, Agency zero hours £10 ph, Tesco C1E £25kpa
Amazon picking in a warehouse is £12 ph.
Morrisons sitting on a till £10.50ph.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I passed class one HGV test in may 1983 and wasted the rest of my life sat behind a steering wheel and being treat like shit and paid absolute peanuts to boot
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
Based in Hampshire. Class 2 tramper. Do 4 nights out a week. 60 plus hours a week. 10.89 per hour.
That being considered a very good wage in the local area.
I dont think the wages shown in this video are accurate at all. You can get a gem of a job if your very lucky but things are not as they seem on this video.
Need to ask a wider range of drivers in terms of experience, and type of work.
Also probably worth bearing in mind for new drivers that in the first couple years you need to take what your offered. Once you have experience, there are many routes you can go down in terms of work/distance/goods/loading and unloading methods. Etc.
However this video alone is not enough to show a genuine reflection of the industry and its many many problems. Albeit I do understand that may not be the purpose of this video, but to potential drivers of the future just make sure you understand what your signing up for.
Gareth, thank you for taking the time commenting and I hope it adds another very valid opinion to the discussion! It is definitely the first video of hopefully many we are doing demonstrating these very points about experience etc :)
I was thinking of doing mine; but a lot of drivers just turned around and said simply "Don't, it's not worth it now." And looking at the wages as I said to someone else; it's not worth it for the extra (if any), I know a driver that gets £9 ish an hour for driving a 26 tonne rigid; I get that for driving a 3 tonne van; so please tell me in what way would it ever be wroth the hassle; it's the hardest licence to get; and the easiest to lose.
@@johnbower7452 personally I dont do the job for the money. I grew up around the industry and I love the work. The money is there if your prepared to wait through the shit first and get experience to get with the better companies. But in my opinion the job is either what you want to do or it's not. A lot of the time the only reason you end up with a good wage is through doing stupid amount of hours. Which for me as a young single guy, doesnt bother me. But I wouldn't necessarily advise doing it just to get a job if that makes sense. If it's something you want to do, get on and do it, and at least youve got it if you ever need it. If somones simply wants a job where they go to work, do their job, and go home with a good wage I wouldn't recommend it. It's either for you or it's not. That's my opinion
John Bower
I don’t know your situation but it’s good job in my opinion! Don’t listening negative people do what you like.
I used to drive buses more than 11 years and I’m class 1 driver now 1 year as agency driver . I’m very happy with the money I got, although long hours some times.
When I was driving bus I used to work 6 days a week 12 hours shift and collect £470/480 now I’m working 5 days a week mon- Friday and earn almost twice what I earn from bus!
Good God, the wages in the UK are appalling. In Sydney, you would not get out of bed for these wages.
@@NoviceOdyssey Your salaries are what a shop assistant would earn in Sydney.
Never mind getting out of bed you guys better make sure you start getting out of your houses or a lot of shop assistants will be looking for a new career
Thank you so much for your comment.
Thnx bro
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I belive that is a 3.5 tonne van not a 7.5tonne lorry bit of a difference...you can drive the VAN on a car licence
A good spot Ryan but no, this is our Iveco daily witch is plated at 5.5T to class this vehicle as a C1 it needs to be over 3.5T. So yes, you can drive a “van” on a category B licence but our C1 you would need to take an additional test. If you past your Cat B before 1997 then you may have the C1 already on your licence but be careful because with this you may have a 101 restriction for hire and reward, meaning you can drive a C1 but not for work.
Actually this is just a joke in its self. If it's that great being a lorry driver, why is there so much of a shortage?
Very good point 🤣🤣😍
Because it sucks. You get in and out as soon as possible or get stuck into it. 😂
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
I love my job , I earn £36k a year with a good pension and rarely do over 9.5 hours
Anthony, what is the name of the company you are working for ?
I work for Xpo on the B&Q contract . Been there 15 years . Mom to fri . Double time bank holidays . £200 6th shift payment . £150 every 6 month for no time off , 13 weeks full sick pay .
@@anthonyhull1274 Thanks! You are in this job because you are loyal to the company.
Do you think, beginners can find jobs like yours ?
I am a security guard and thinking about change of my career.
I don’t see why not . We had 10 new starters 3 months ago and they all got set on with the same terms and conditions as me except the pension
@@anthonyhull1274 Thanks again
Enjoy your weekend!
Well if these averages or right then Im well under paid. Im driving hgv class 2 and im getting £9.90 an hour and ive been driving for 13yrs.
It really depends where you live. Where in the UK are you?
Mate you’re well underpaid I get £14 per hour in Kent class 2
Ive worked for DHL supply chain for 10 years I earn £2000 take home a month without overtime after tax 40 hours a month I earn £14 a hour just wondering is it worth going for hgv ?
Thank you so much for your comment.
Prepare for 60 hours a week and anywhere outside of London you will be lucky to get over £10 an hour for Class 2.
Not to mention how it can take months to get someone willing to take you on after you pass your test because everyone 'requires experience' but nobody is willing to give you it.
I mean might be a location thing but there are literally Class 2 jobs posted on Indeed every day in the South West. I landed myself a tipper job 5 weeks after getting my license and am on £12/hr.
The only downside I see is a bunch of negativity from people who seem to know little or are letting their bitterness get in the way of fact.
You are so right OsuScyan. You do see bitterness but you have to stay optimistic as there is opportunity out there!
It can be around £10ph around the country depending on area and demand. But as we have always outlined to other Aaron...good jobs are out there. Stay patient and it will happen!
If you like being the bottom of the food chain, paid less than a teenager on Tesco checkout, treated like complete shit and work hours in one week that most people wouldn’t do in 2 weeks, be rechristened as ‘drive’ and then spend your nights in a coffin parked in filthy lay-by then become a truck driver.
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
Im fro EU (greece) with bike and car driving lic. I want to enter the lorrything ive done the medical sended my EU greek lic. Payed the 43pound fee to the post office, to get back the provisional UK driving lic. From the DVLA and it has been like 2 months and still havent got it back! Any idea how much time thouse things are get to be done?? Is corona part of the delay??? Plss help!!
Thank you so much for your comment.
In the north west the wages are nowhere near to what you are saying class 2 £9-£10 per hour
There is definitely a difference in pay with the North/South divide due to cost of living differing between the two areas.
Thank you for making this video, I was seriously considering making a change from a bricklayer to a hgv1 driving after seeing its 42k a year for 40 hour weeks. After seeing all the comments I'm glad to say f that.. I make and have been making £25/£30 a hour comfortably for the past 5 years.. I really did think lorry drivers made a hell of a lot more than this. Hod carriers get 100/150 per day with no training at all. I am gob smacked really...
Hi Sean, we have to be honest....if you like bricklaying, stay there! There is supposedly a LGV driver shortage, although this is disputed. However there is 100% a shortage of bricklayers!!! Stick with what you enjoy and know there is a demand for, unless you love the idea of driving?!
@@NationalDrivingCentre yes I do really like the idea of driving and not breaking my back with the blockwork! I would happily do my test I just wish the money would better. At least 45k a year
Wouldn’t bother, I would stay laying bricks. Truck driving is shit, it sounds a good job but in reality it’s depressing as fuck. I bet you get more compliments about your brick work than negativity. You can turn that round on the trucks everybody can’t wait to stick it up you. Iv been at it 7 years and keep looking to get out of it.
@@seanj9362 we all wish that but its not realist unless you get into ADR and transport seriously dangerous shit. Name one job, or more, that you're allowed to sit there with your boots off and feet up while watching Netflix and be paid for it. Not a lot out there, apart from security which i am sure you wouldn't be allowed to have your boots off and feet up.
Bricklaying is shit I’m in the same boat. Sick looking for work and being on and off jobs, you don’t know who you’re going to be working with either. I find it stressful. Did my 360 digger ticket and it’s hard trying to find work even with that. Did you quit the bricklaying
This has to be a setup, who are all these drivers who have time to hang around chatting to a numpty with a microphone?
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
Them wages are out in the north east. Agency pay 11.25 for van and class 2 but a couple of local haulage firms pay 9.55 an hour for class 1.
From what I see your looking around 10 to 10.50 an hour class 1 and also the class 2 wage isnt much different yet 7.5t with Hermes pays 27500k a year
Makes no sense
You are right Adam, those comparisons are bananas! Like anything you need to shop around and find what suits you- wage and lifestyle wise. Because there are great jobs out there.
The only thing I regret about it is I didn't start years ago
Thank you for your comment 👍👍👍 a very good point.
This video is funny with the amount of bs. Your be making around £10-£12 in the south on a normal C2 or C1 job. Don't forget 50-60 hour week is the norm. And so on and so on.
Hi SWMike, wherebouts in the South are you? Interested to know as we can add to our feedback list on location to money paid and hours etc. All data is valuable and we are collecting as much as we can!
@@NationalDrivingCentre Hi I am down in Poole. Wage is £10.50ph and I average a 60 hour week. But I do love the job even though it can be stressful at times.
North West £10 per hour if you're lucky and nearly all the work is agency work where you wouldn't send your worst enemy. Save yourself the stress and cost and get a normal job.
£10ph in the North West, noted for our records- thank you.
I live in North East where house prices are little as 60k to buy or 400-500£ to rent (based on 2-3 bed)
My mate on 9.60£ for class 2 but I'm working in shop for 8.60£ which I feel better as my job is less stressful and Great team
Since when did a transit size van come in at 7.5 tonnes
Hello John, It's got nothing to do visual size of the "van" its the plated maximum authorised mass. So a Transit van may have a MAM of 5.3t witch would make it a C1 (7.5).
Class 2 multi drop driver here in and around London and Essex. Flatpack furniture my gaff is paying £40,060 a year 5 on 3 off. Ive not seen anything for class 2 in my area for less the £33,000 per year recently.
Thank you for the information Danny. Lots of jealous drivers in the comments of that I reckon my friend!
After 40+ years in the industry I was glad to to retire. I've worked for big companies and small, the thing they have in common is there isn't enough hours in the day. The big companies have this veneer of respectability and want you to do the job legally ,and disciplinary action if your caught. The small companies will conspire to get rid of you because your not flexible! Before I retired I jokingly said "if you want an LGV license in the future you will have be chipped" I wasn't far wrong. I wouldn't reccomend anybody to waste their money on a licence untill there's a revolution in the industry regarding hours wage and conditions.
Thank you for taking the time to comment Philip. A very real opinion so respect you for that! We think things may change for the better because of Brexit and the nearly 4 month testing break for new drivers. Companies will have to treat drivers better! We will see.
The industry is totally fucked mate. One of the most important jobs in the country and one of the most under paid!
@@DryLandCaptain definitely very important! And yes probably underpaid for that level of responsibility for the economy.
Loads saying " don't do it" yet they still do it, I've come back into transport from 1990s driving for cargos 813s, im now a class 1 and love it.
If you doing it and hate it leave, its very simple
Spot on advice Antony! Best of luck out there.
Hi! Good advice if you have another profession to fall on! I moan about the long shifts, but I'm on 2 wks holiday and bored after 3days! So I've asked to go bk2 work next wk! I left school with nothing, so the chances of me getting a job that pays the same as driving is slim to none! I'm on 50 grand a year! So that's something to smile about I guess! I really, really loved driving during lockdown, no cars on the road! I was driving in London with the bomb scare, quite then also! I do love my current job ( well known middle class food shop) but we share the road with people who don't care, don't know, or have a death wish! Or cant afford the repayments and invite us to see who can stop the quickest! We need more police or cameras to catch people who drive in an unsafe manner and ban them! Driving isn't a right, and too many people have no idea the damage their actions have!
If they have another skill trade or job to fall back to most drivers are over the age where they would ideally like to start a new career so less opportunity if you ask me
I really want to become a HGV driver, but after reading the comments it seems its very long hours without decent pay.
Im i wrong?
Thank you so much for your comment.👍
what's the rates now for class 1 and 2? I saw on job websites the rate is £17 an hour for class 1. These rates seem too low now.
Yes, I would assume the rates would be a little bit higher now considering the date of this published video. 👍👍
Absolute rubbish, come to the North West and ask what the wages are.... they are nowhere near the figures you're sprouting.......don't forget the hours, generally at least 50% more then your average factory/shop/ office worker....then there's the treatment of drivers by both employers and customers, its poor in general.
Thanks for sharing Stuart. We took the figures from the job sites from their averages and went out to ask actual lorry drivers and it looked relatively similar. Maybe we should come up to the North West and ask some more drivers?!
@@NationalDrivingCentre Looking at the job sites is pointless, the figures they give out would be based on one certain company that pays a decent rate, that would be ONE company out of hundreds, they also go on the highest take home pay but fail to mention the long hours, sometimes 15 hours in a day but 12 to 13 on average, they fail to mention those wages will probably include night out rates...what they dont tell you is the likes of Stobarts refuse to pay for truck stops or piss soaked motorway services. Ive been in this job since 1985 when it was a good job. I work for Yodel, night trunking, I earn a decent wage but I have to work nights for the shift allowances and 12 hours a day to make this decent wage...If someone is not prepared to work the long hours, spend time away from home for days on end and be treated like crap from all and sundry then this job isnt for them.
Hi Stuart, thank you for taking the time to write such a reply. Very interesting. We are still researching across all platforms and putting together a bit of a report. Will update you with further findings! Take care out there.
Very true about the hours, and the disrespect you get of everyone
Low wages
Depends where you are in the country and the company you are with?
this is a intresting channel, im a truck driver from flanders, belgium recently started, the information i find on this even do our steering weel is on the "correct" side ;) haha... brilliant, keep on the good work, and fellow greeting to all my collegue's on our realm where we live on. peace !
Wdym not completely honest?
Hello to you Johan and Flanders! Love the positivity 🙌🏼
I was a class 3 driver. I gave it up for a myriad of reasons. You are most certainly not your own boss, I had absolutely no control over what went on my wagon, but I was fully liable for it, if it's overweight its my fault (because I can really guess what weight is on)
The interviewees were mostly short haulage. full time.
Thank you so much for your comment.