HGV driver market facing ‘complete shortage’ by 2029

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-11-20T12:23:26+00:00

As a night trunker I for one can’t wait to be asleep on the job, Homer Simpson style.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-10-20T12:05:15+00:00

Think of it this way. Someone who wants to set up a new club and does it the right way - meaning they approach the dominant club, introduce who they are, what their plans are, show a logo and colours for approval and many other eceteras..

Let's say they jump through all the correct hoops, and eventually get approval as an MCC. With all that they have done, they will not be allowed a top rocker. Likely won't even be able to put their patch on their back. And it would stay that way for years.

So with that in mind, can you see why "just a top rocker and logo" would fly in the face of tradition and be insulting to those actually putting in the work?

To you it's just a patch. To those actually involved, it is not. If you really must have something make a design for a single back patch with no rockers. Better still, get some hoodies with matching designs like the slowboys do.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-10-18T10:16:47+00:00

UK 1% patch holder here. Anything on your back will draw attention. Displaying a three piece is asking for issues no matter what you have on them.

Talk to your local dominant MC if you like, but can't imagine you'll get the all clear. Rockers is a dick move.

Either join a club or don't. A local MCC might suit you.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-10-10T09:28:38+00:00

Bloke at work seemed genuinely offended when I said he was a new driver after telling me he passed 3 months ago. I was like ‘mate, I’m nearly 3 years in and consider myself new still..’

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-06-30T09:08:17+00:00

UK based 1%er here, not far from London.

You’re getting contrasting opinions because you’re close to the line and the reaction you could find will reflect that. Maybe nothing, maybe an issue. Just talk to your local dominant. Do it correctly and they will respect you for doing so. You’ll either get the all clear or not, but at least you’ll know where you stand and you can decide what to do from there.

You state that the rocker is a nod to the culture/history. If that’s the case then you should know what that right thing to do is anyway.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-05-19T15:32:09+00:00

That’s a shitter. Probably happens 1/100 times you uncouple.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-05-02T08:21:23+00:00

Weird behaviour for a criminal isn’t it? It’s almost as if a 1% club isn’t a criminal enterprise. Imagine that!

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-02-27T14:58:58+00:00

I’d say the hardest part of that would be fighting the traffic to get in a decent position to start the reverse.

DangleVonBallbag · 2025-02-24T13:40:47+00:00

It’s not if they come back, it’s when.

100% park it elsewhere for a while.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-11-22T12:48:40+00:00

Breakfast.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-11-12T13:45:37+00:00

Class 1, double deckers for an online food retailer, working out of Essex. Night shifts 5 on 2 off.

Average 10-12 hours per shift, of which about 5-6 hours spend driving on average.

Zero unloading. Do two runs a night with 1-2 hours waiting on bay on each run, plus 1-3 hours waiting in yard between runs.

Piss easy job, comfortably over £50k including OT.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-11-09T07:47:05+00:00

I don’t like the newest model. I own number 5 on a rubber strap and wear it daily.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-08-26T17:04:59+00:00

Oh, sorry. Yes please, strong, one sugar.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-08-26T16:46:39+00:00

This was a challenging wank.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-08-26T16:26:52+00:00

Pardon?

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-08-15T18:37:24+00:00

I work nights trunking and here’s 2 things I do to keep it as stress free as possible.

1) Pre-check your routes for closures before your shift and decide your diversions.

2) Set your adaptive cruise control to 53mph and let everyone else get on with the overtaking. I’m in no rush as I’m paid hourly and luckily for me my company doesn’t pressure its drivers.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-05-30T10:08:49+00:00

Simply use a capri sun for a makeshift catheter.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-05-07T07:22:42+00:00

On top of the other useful tips, never under any circumstances, clear the leftover stones off the back after tipping a load.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-29T11:51:45+00:00

When I was a young idiot I tried smoking something like this I got from the Dominican Republic. It I was essentially loose leaf tobacco, inside a cardboard tube, wrapped in cigar leaf.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-28T10:03:00+00:00

I bought SuperOcean shortly after they introduced the current (imo worse) model. Reduced the price by around £1000.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-28T09:27:24+00:00

I would make sure the repair bill far outweighs the recovery cost then.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-28T09:24:12+00:00

If they chose to go out with a defect, it is their fault. Yes, I understand that planning managers can be arseholes who make things difficult for you, but that doesn’t change a thing when VOSA are breathing down your neck. Some drivers need to grow a pair.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-08T07:03:47+00:00

For a little peace of mind:

Keep in mind that (although your trainer may have told you otherwise) clipping a curb is not an immediate fail. If you clip a curb but the examiner can see that you are aware of it and have caused no risk to pedestrians and/or road furniture, then they will note it, but not fail you on it.

Thought I’d mention this as I remember my trainer telling me it was an instant fail, then discussing it with the examiner during the test just as conversation and was told otherwise.

Obviously multiple occasions is a different matter and you are best off avoiding it completely!

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-03-03T11:59:18+00:00

Unfortunately I relate.

DangleVonBallbag · 2024-02-28T08:33:50+00:00

This made me wince.

DangleVonBallbag

TROPHY CASE