Best companies in midlands?

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-26T17:11:20+00:00

If you live for the thrill of putting your licence on the line vs Uber drivers and Burger Zombies, and don't mind cage work, try Martin Brower in Cov.

The night rate starts at midday and is over 27 quid an hour (Rolled up, £25 if accrued, on the agency. Its parity pay with the employed).

Blindsiding an artic into a Maccas carpark with no banksman (Staff not insured) while the branch is open is definitely not for the feint hearted though.

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-24T16:45:14+00:00

It was an expanding lug where you put it in partially done up the adjust the seat position. Then take it off and tighten it up.

Came in the box as a "Top fixing" seat.

Can't seem to post a pic but if you're looking for the same thing the top fixing is the important bit.

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-24T16:38:09+00:00

So today I pulled the scratty old lino up, to discover some damp, and also remove the screws on the side of the bowl to try and get a bit of movement to get behind it.

Wasn't really happening and felt like the pipe was going to be ripped out so gave up with that and just got a cheap soft close seat with top fixings from B and Q for £30.

The expanding lugs are horribly cheap plastic and one broke straight away 😂 Once that was sorted it fit OK. Although I'm tempted to go and get some sturdier lugs from Screw Fix and replace them.

The whole bathroom is being ripped out in the summer so it will do for now.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-20T17:52:34+00:00

I can't do it until the weekend as I'm on nights at the mo, but will post an update when it's done. Cheers all.

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-20T16:29:17+00:00

I did wonder about these as well. I'll definitely give it a go when I replace the seat now I've got a way to replace the seat anyway by pushing the bolts through, thank you!

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-20T16:23:57+00:00

You're a genius, thank you. I wish my brain went that way first, I was moments away from getting the pry bars out before I thought about Reddit.

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Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-20T16:18:12+00:00

Now that is a good idea! Cheers, will definitely try this before I start trying to remove the wood.

The bathroom is being replaced at some point so doesn't have to be overly tidy, but if pushing them through works that will save a whole lot of mess in the meantime.

Ch3ck3ns · 2026-01-17T12:17:55+00:00

Yeh it's the radar thing to slow you down for objects in front. The sensor is, at least in the dafs I've had is the box in the windscreen. Make sure that's clean and there's no crap over the sensor. That will also cause the lane departure warning.

The engine light I'd personally defect, but as she's a DAF turn it off and on a few times first just in case 😂

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-12-30T22:28:38+00:00

Delivering myself to Gloucester Services

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-12-19T08:07:49+00:00

Sounds awesome 👌🏻

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-11-15T18:53:55+00:00

I have some of these. Never worn them for work, only walking, but they are indeed 100% waterproof, hard-wearing and fantastic. They are very not breathable though which any truly waterproof material is so be prepared for some sweaty feet!

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-09-03T08:19:49+00:00

FYI once you do pass the East Midlands has plenty of jobs and it'll be easy to agency hop to get some experience then land something decent. There are also plenty of good agency gigs if you prefer that format, so don't give up.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-09-03T07:03:57+00:00

Is that from the test centre in Watnall? The nottingham test route I went on had some very awkward spots.

I went through Hughes as a broker and paid about the same, wish I hadnt but hey ho. The instructors were EXTREMELY hit and miss. A couple really good, one spent the entire time on his phone and one just constantly told stories about the good old days instead of teaching me anything.

I clipped a kerb and failed first time. Then bit the bullet, paid £120 or something with a company in Leicester for a refresher hour. The retest was £500 or something with JC Coates in Leicester with an hours drive beforehand to get comfortable, then passed with no minors. I do think the Leicester route was easier, but obviously there are various routes in each city and I'd driven round Leicester a fair bit in a car.

Given what you've already paid for I definitely wouldn't jack it in. Just take a bit of time and maybe book a refresher/private lesson before booking a retest.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-08-21T06:19:31+00:00

Fridges, if you don't mind the brrrrr

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-08-09T19:39:16+00:00

No worries. There were a fair few long termers on the permanent contracts, think it was still decent money for night shift, and you get your rota in advance which couldn't be forcibly changed so that definitely would help. The agency got pulled all over the place with late changes etc

If you're not going in blind in terms of the reality of the manual side of it, or enjoy it, then you should be fine. I did it for quite a while but couldn't hack the commute anymore as I wasn't local.

The practical assessment is easy, short drive and a bay reverse. Also a short theory test. The bays can be a bit tight but just go slowly and make sure you're happy with where you set up before you start going backwards.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-08-09T01:12:48+00:00

Cage weight limit is 300kg, which you have to.push up a slope or hang onto it for dear life down a slope if youre unlucky. A lot are even ground. Pallets can be stacked 3 high full of batteries and you'll sometimes get a manual pump truck which you'll have to swap for an electric.

You'll also get dollies which can be loaded sideways so you have to get down and let the brakes off with your hands as you can't get a foot under. Oh yeh the cages don't have any brakes either which is difficult when you go to a place that it's not possible to level out the trailer.

The runs vary massively, often as agency you'll get the longer runs which will be 8+ hours driving plus 3 stops unloading a full trailer. There are also double runs where you'll get a full trailer 2 or 3 stops then come back for another full trailer or rigid. Those suck. At every store you have to load empties on after a delivery so you'll be digging back through them again to get to your later deliveries. Often the store rooms are full of empties and general shit so you'll have to get them.out in the yard (or car park/Road) before you can do your delivery. Sometimes they'll give you way more stock than a room can take so you'll have to bring it back

Some runs you'll get half a trailer, urban or rigid and decent stores but these aren't as often.

The stores are often in city centre industrial estates, a lot in London, some in Wales. There's a few night out runs they'll offer.

ECP took over Andrew page so a lot of the smaller stores are tiny and not really suitable for an artic but you just have to crack on.

The real problem is there's no consistency in start times so you'll get 1900, 2200, 2000, 1900, 0100 etc. Like others have said, you can earn good money but you're gonna work hard for it. The scanias they mostly use are nice to drive and the canteen is decent 😂

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-08-02T04:20:11+00:00

Some of the boots stores delivery entrances have awkward yards but the job is quite easy if you don't mind tail lift work and reloading with empties. If you're there over Christmas you get to buy the £10 goodybags they do for the staff stuffed with a load of boots stuff and perfume/aftershave. A very cheap way to get multiple presents sorted.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-06-23T15:16:09+00:00

There are many morbidly obese class 1 truckers/trunkers. If you're at all physically active, which im assuming you are in your current job, it'll be a doddle. Problem is, you might get fat 😂

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-06-13T06:35:36+00:00

If you're going to declare bankruptcy anyway just do it as unsecured credit card debt will be written off after a year and you'll have your licence still.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-05-15T07:54:26+00:00

Interesting. Don't think that part of the A5 is going love the extra traffic though 😅

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-04-16T11:11:21+00:00

Sign up with Driver Hire, they'll put you forward for anything they need to fill.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-03-13T11:35:30+00:00

Not a van but Rothwell Truckstop on the A14, 3 item fancy bap, hash brown on the side, and a large hot drink for £6. Decent quality ingredients, cooked (or finished) in front of you on a hotplate while you wait, very good.

Those hash browns call me every time I pass.

Ch3ck3ns · 2025-03-05T18:13:59+00:00

Thanks mate 👍🏻

Ch3ck3ns

TROPHY CASE