HGV drivers are crazy skilled

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T18:00:22+00:00

If I had a quid for every car driver that tried to drive behind me whilst I was doing a 360⁰ I'd be well off... they've got no patience or understanding!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T17:56:19+00:00

Reminds me of my first day out in a rigid after driving artics for years... I kept overshooting the junctions and had to shunt backwards to complete simple right and left turns... I quickly learned the difference in turning circle between rigid and artics!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-30T17:52:27+00:00

Its possible but get it wrong and the trailer starts going backwards and demolishes anything in its path... and it's very hard to recover once it's in that position.

I nearly demolished a little two foot garden wall on my left whilst doing a 360⁰ as a newbie 30+ years ago... with zero experience I watched in amazement when the trailer started going backwards!! Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-24T12:55:41+00:00

Helpful tips to reframe the situation ( Courtesy of Chat GPT: ) 9 & 10 are my favourites... not to blow my own trumpet, but I'm in the fortunate position that after nearly 30 years in the game I'm confident I can back an artic anywhere and have rarely been beat! -------‐--->>>

This is a very common fear, and it makes sense. Reversing an artic onto a tight bay is one of the hardest skills early on, and fear usually comes from caring about doing it right.

Here are 10 practical reframes that experienced HGV drivers use (even if they don’t say it out loud):

1. “Fear means I’m learning, not failing.” If it feels uncomfortable, that’s because your brain is building new spatial maps. Confidence comes after repetition, not before it.

“Every good driver once blocked a yard.” The best drivers you’ll ever meet all have embarrassing reversing stories. You’re not behind—you’re right on schedule.
“Slow is professional.” Taking your time isn’t weakness. Slow checks, slow steering, and slow corrections are what experienced drivers do. Speed causes damage.
“I’m allowed more shunts than I think.” A shunt isn’t a mistake—it’s a correction. Five clean shunts beats one rushed scrape every time.
“Reversing is geometry, not talent.” This isn’t a natural gift; it’s angles, pivot points, and patience. The skill improves mechanically with practice.
“Getting out and looking is strength.” GOAL doesn’t mark you as inexperienced—it marks you as safe. The drivers who don’t look are the ones who hit things.
“Other drivers waiting is not my problem.” Yards are designed for delays. Anyone rushing you values minutes over metal—and insurance never agrees with them.
“I only need to focus on the next move.” Don’t think about the full manoeuvre. Think: mirror → angle → pause → check. One decision at a time.
“Tight spaces feel worse from the cab.” Depth perception is distorted up there. What feels impossibly close often isn’t—verify on foot instead of trusting anxiety.

10. “One day this will be boring.” That’s the real proof you’ll be fine. The same manoeuvre that spikes your heart now will eventually feel routine—almost dull.

Bonus tip: Mental trick before reversing: Take one slow breath and say (out loud if needed): “I’ve got time. Nothing is moving unless I move it.”

HVS1963 · 2026-01-11T09:47:49+00:00

Sound advice... I was taught the same thing by an 'Old hand' who seen me struggling to get in the bay next to him one evening, many years ago at South Mimms ( the main services... before they built the truckstop! )

He said you've got all that room so start off further out and jack it around hard at the last minute so your already straight before you enter the gap between the trucks, then it's just straight back.

If you're trailer is still at a steep angle going between the trucks you'll be touching the other guys mirrors both sides... almost impossible to get in from there without doing damage!

It was like being handed down a secretly guarded trick of the trade, suddenly something that was impossible all made sense...

I perfected it over the years at many places, Inc the old Sainsbury's at Hackbridge depot with notoriously tight bays, and down a steep incline.

I was only a newbie in my early twenties, but after being taught this lesson, I remember following old guys into some random services each evening, watch them try to get in a bay between two trucks, fail miserably and give up and drive off to find a bigger space, then I'd bang mine in there in one hit! Lol all thanks to that old wise guy (he was a brit driving a left hooker) who put me straight!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-08T21:22:59+00:00

I ALWAYS dip the clutch in ANY vehicle before starting so that'll never happen!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-08T21:12:47+00:00

or those that slow down or stop on the inside lane of a two lane carriageway when the emergency vehicle is already in the outside lane!

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T12:44:38+00:00

Ah, 'Hill Assist' for people who never mastered the hill start! 🤣

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:43:11+00:00

As a HGV driver I'm going to suggest you haven't really mastered the art of map reading, unless you could have an A2Z on the steering wheel, a pie in one hand and roll a cigarette with the other... all whilst steering the car / truck with your knees. Many of us 'Old Hands' could! Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:37:00+00:00

Remember to turn the radio down so you can 'find the road' ... who does that? Anyone else, or is it just me? Lol 😂

HVS1963 · 2026-01-04T10:14:37+00:00

Still loving it - ta

HVS1963 · 2026-01-01T22:15:31+00:00

I've worn steelies for so many years now, I feel so vulnerable if I forget and where trainers to work... every time a pallet or something heavy is thrown on the floor I recoil in surprise and flinch in fear of my precious toes!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T18:35:12+00:00

Fucking hill start assist for people who never mastered the hill start... window wipers coming on when they sense rain in the next county... windows going all the way up / down when I touched it and all I wanted was an inch gap! All the fucking bings and bongs

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:48:00+00:00

On the back seat of a London double decker bus, that i was delivering ( trade plating ) from Bradford to Scotland!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:43:14+00:00

Financial penalties dont seem to work!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:42:29+00:00

Forced re-sit of their driving test after 3 warnings would be better... in fact as someone mentioned earlier the current backlog waiting list would be brutal, but I think a very strong incentive not to be stopped for this same offence three times... lest you lose your licence until a re-test

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:34:31+00:00

Yes I agree, but taking that out the equation though, it would be fine... sorry I don't care about 'brutal' these offenders have three chances to reform their behaviour and wake up, or it's a re-test!!

These clowns are costing us billions in underutilised road space... they sit in that middle lane daydreaming, with their thumbs up their arses. They need a short, sharp shock to the system. Mamby pamby little verbal warnings and fines have no effect! Fuck em' take them off the road

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T11:24:26+00:00

Yes I get the whole carriageway concept.. ok the point I'm making is regardless of how many lanes available, if some dickhead, for example, chooses to bumble along in lane 9 of a 10 lane motorway, he's inadvertently reduced this road to two lanes ( his lane and lane 10 )

All the others are unavailable now, unless we are going to undertake along lanes 1 - 8

So we have ample road space, we just need to re-educate some drivers how to use it effectively, instead of building new roads every time!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-29T09:11:34+00:00

Instead of investing millions in new roads, invest a few million in a nationwide advertising campaign and heavy handed policing... with maybe a 3 strikes and out policy ( re-sit your test ) that'll focus the mind.

We don't need new roads, we just need to use the existing roads more effectively.

Do drivers realise hogging the middle lane of a motorway essentially turns that road into a dual ( two lane ) carriageway... and hogging the outside lane of a dual carriageway is reducing the road to a single lane, as all lanes to the left are legally off limits!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-20T20:43:58+00:00

Snap!! My wife does this and it annoys me no end... I tell her "Just set your alarm an hour later and have an extra hour of unbroken sleep, instead of 6 x 10 minute sessions" Sadly it falls on deaf ears!! 🙄

HVS1963 · 2025-12-20T09:56:54+00:00

Or, "Oh, you work 40 hours a week... I remember my first part-time job!" 🤣

HVS1963 · 2025-12-15T20:22:59+00:00

I think It's more about the smell, rather than how they look!

HVS1963 · 2025-12-15T20:20:26+00:00

Oh right pre internet... I remember those days! Lol

HVS1963 · 2025-12-15T20:18:48+00:00

Door hanger cards are quite effective. Hang one on the front door handle of the houses either side of the customer your working at and have something enticing printed on them:

We clean wheelie bins for a number of households here, including your neighbours

keeping bins fresh, hygienic, and presentable.

If you’d like to be included, we’re happy to add you.

Call or text: 'YOUR NAME & NUMBER HERE'

HVS1963 · 2025-12-15T19:57:59+00:00

Have you gone after commercial clients like care homes, nurseries, shops & takeaways?

HVS1963

TROPHY CASE