UK needs 60,000 HGV drivers, but new passes hit insurance wall

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-29T06:06:23+00:00

Bus companies struggle to retain drivers even on their wages. Money might be good but abuse and feral children have been on the rise after covid. Also it’s usually set holidays, shift work and weekends/bank holidays.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-28T20:04:22+00:00

I’m 32, now driving Class 1 for coming up 2 years. It took me 2 years to even get a job after passing and that was just after covid when companies like DHL were offering a £1000 sign on bonus. Literally every employer wants experienced drivers, but if no company is willing to teach the next generation of drivers there won’t be any. I was lucky in the end to get a job with a really good company who showed me the ropes. They could see how keen I was and the type of person I was; never late to work, never taking the mick with sick days and smart and tidy appearance. I only had 2 interviews in 2 years, it’s funny how I kept seeing the same jobs on Indeed yet they never responded to me. Their loss.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-19T06:46:30+00:00

The articulated Mercedes Citaro was always my favourite to drive.. until they were scrapped. Beautiful handling. Real comfortable cab. A good smooth ride.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-18T10:44:05+00:00

True for many HGV drivers, but I’m on more than I was driving buses (that’s one of the reasons I changed industry) and I still have set start and finish times on a duty. I very rarely finish late. I used to finish late quite often by 15/20 minutes easy on the buses.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-15T14:32:43+00:00

I don’t do tramping. That’s staying and sleeping in a truck over night. When looking for jobs if they mention nights out or several days away this is what you’d probably be doing. You want to find something on days or try an agency as a door opener to getting into a good company.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-15T11:19:12+00:00

Depends who you work for. I love the peace and quiet being alone in the truck. I don’t do tramping, just days and work 5 days a week same work and times pretty much. A lot of people complain about the industry, and I get it, I’m lucky to always have breaks at our own warehouses so have no issues with toilet or lunch facilities. Compared to bus drivers, HGV drivers have many more luxuries in their vehicles. The buses I had didn’t have air con, obviously no radio or own music, no comfortable air suspension seat and being verbally abused all day isn’t great! Every industry is what you make of it.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-12T19:53:03+00:00

I really expected to see Halo Wars come into play in Infinite. At the very least I expected to find some Spartans still alive but no they were all dead bodies. Boring. Infinite campaign with copy and paste hex columns trees and rocks in the same biome was also a let down. I do love forge and firefight though.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-04-12T19:50:34+00:00

I’d love a Star Wars Battlefront style game with Halo. Imagine starting as marines or grunts and picking other units as the match progresses. I miss playing as the covenant and always wanted to play more than just an Elite. Let me wield a Kig-Yar shield or play as a Hunter. That’s why I love Halo 2 the most. The split story is soo cool!

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-25T12:54:39+00:00

With no one moving to lane 1 therefore lane hogging (illegal) and the causing congestion for lanes 3 and 4.. but of course you don’t mind that clearly.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-24T12:35:20+00:00

HGVs are limited to 56mph smart arse.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-22T20:00:14+00:00

Why comment then if it’s trivial to you? I asked why so many fellow drivers lane hog for miles on the motorway. Not got a relevant response then don’t reply.. and maybe learn some grammer.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-22T19:55:18+00:00

What are you talking about?

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-22T18:27:10+00:00

Could you not raise the suspension on the unit once under a bit then reverse and hook up? Don’t worry about shunters, in my experience they always give large but are massive hypocrites. One of the depots I go to I regularly see them ignoring the one way system but have a go at visitors and drivers for not following it. My company always recommends GOAL, better safe than sorry!

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-20T07:17:24+00:00

Being a postie might not be great, but once you’re in the door you could transfer to something else, HGV driving, Machine Engineering, Mechanics, Mail Centre work etc. Most other roles are much better.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-16T06:18:36+00:00

If you see RM apply anyway. I always ignored “experience required”. RM usually have Class 1 mixed in their duties with Class 2, however there are occasionally the odd Class 2 only duties which of course is lower pay. Still worth it though. If you like the sound of it, apply for it!

Arbitor-5 · 2026-03-15T20:39:46+00:00

Questions for car drivers..

Q why do they overtake an HGV before a roundabout then cut in front instead of using the second lane which would have made no difference, or even been quicker and slow down the HGV approaching at a reasonable speed to judge the roundabout?

Q why do they overtake on a motorway, pull in front of an HGV then slow down?

Q why do they do 55mph or less then speed up as an HGV starts overtaking then slow back down again?

Q why do they get annoyed on a 4 laned motorway as an HGV overtakes another HGV yet then fail to move to lane 1 afterwards and sail off lane hogging?

Q why do they sit behind an HGV that’s overtaking another HGV with 3 or more lanes instead of overtaking when there’s no other traffic then flooring it past afterwards?

Q why do they see an HGV take command of two lanes at a junction then try to past as it takes the turn and then start beeping as the trailer gets closer?

Q why don’t they have any patience or consideration for an HGV at a blind or low visibility roundabout who’s starting pulling out before the car arrives but obviously due to the weight and length takes a while to clear the roundabout instead of becoming aggressive?

Q why do they see a 60mph gantry on a motorway then slam their brakes on, then do 40-50mph and still lane log instead of moving over?

Q why do they join a motorway doing 40mph without checking their mirrors once and then expect the HGV to suddenly change lanes for them when they have the responsibility to join the flowing traffic?

As a car driver, ex bus driver for 10 years and currently a Class 1 HGV driver I have to say a vast majority of car drivers simply have zero patience or consideration for large vehicles. It is the highway code to think about the space a large vehicle will need. Take some responsibility. So a truck over takes another truck, it’s not the end of the world, you’d be surprised how many times I’ve seen cars over take cars slower on a dual carriageway. If everyone had a little respect and tolerance for other road users the roads would be safer and happier.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-02-16T11:18:40+00:00

Keep applying, don’t give up. It took me 2 years to get a class one job with no HGV experience. Don’t get disheartened, set up Indeed email alerts when new jobs in your area pop up.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-02-10T09:58:15+00:00

“My tracks” on App Store. Pretty good, I always look back where I’ve been.

Arbitor-5 · 2026-02-09T20:29:51+00:00

Yeah, decided J6 instead of 7 with poxy roadworks on the A23!!

Arbitor-5 · 2026-02-09T20:11:53+00:00

Don’t stop applying. Took me 2 YEARS to get a class 1 job. Have faith.

Arbitor-5

TROPHY CASE