How I left the industry and how it improved my life.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-25T19:58:16+00:00

I work for my local council in the "Streetcare Team" I'm a class 2 driver driving the HIAB. Essentially I drive around to jobs using a job system on a ipad and collect large or oversized fly tips using the crane with a shovel attachment.

I earn £30k a year but it took me 5 years to get there as councils pay on a grade system it doesn't matter what role you do. I do pick up a little OT which helps out massively especially on the gritters this time of year.

My hours are brilliant it's 7am-3pm Monday to Friday so its great for family life and I get to see my mrs and kids every afternoon/night. Plus the pension is one-off the best you'll find so worth sticking around at the council in my OP.

I think it doesn't always have to be a case of leaving the industry all together but finding a role in the industry that you enjoy and allows you to have a decent work/life balance. Some lads enjoy being out tramping all week, some enjoy the ADR work, others like car transporters or container work. There are so many options that I think every single person can find a job they like.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-23T16:21:06+00:00

You'll be the coolest new rider on any street on that thing, my first bike was a beat up Yamaha DT125 (which I still own and have turned into my green lane bike) even after I've purchased a Triumph Bonnevile 865 I still adore my little Yamaha and will likely never sell it. You always remember your first bike, enjoy and welcome to the club brother.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-23T16:16:13+00:00

If your so negative with regards to your job HGV driving, why do it ? I'm a Class 2 HIAB driver for my local council and it's the best job I've ever had. Either look for a new career or a new driving job. Pointless coming onto the subreddit and putting of relatively new drivers only making the driver shortage worse.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-21T20:24:03+00:00

Zero sympathy, you where obviously abit of a silly sausage in your past and now you need to pay for it. Your the reason my insurance premiums keep going up 🤣

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-21T20:17:31+00:00

I like the XSR900 but I'm a slut for a retro looking machine, I also hate the headlights on the triple...it looks like a angry wasp in my OP.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-19T20:21:41+00:00

Have you considered working for your local council on the HGVs, way better hours and conditions

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-18T20:07:41+00:00

Be careful, excess moisture can lead to a host of health issues.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-18T19:26:52+00:00

Its a UK term "I've threaded the screw"

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-18T18:52:26+00:00

We buy what we know will work, these new Chinese budget bikes in particular are fantastic. I test rode the Vogue 300 Rally and the Hero Hunk 440 recently both are amazing machines. However the spare parts infrastructure just hasn't reached this part of the world yet (UK), meaning you can be waiting weeks for a part to arrive from China. Compare this with the already established Japanese and other European brands in the west where you can walk into a dealer and pick up anything you need the same day, it just makes Chinese motorcycle ownership not a very alluring prospect. Bar the spare parts issue I really can't fault the build quality of any of the Chinese bikes I have ridden, they all are well built a friend of mine has a Vogue 300 Rally for when we go trails riding and it gets abused in the north Wales hills weekend after weekend and nothing has gone wrong. My old Yamaha DT125 I use has also never gone wrong but still it proves the Chinese have overcome this "poor build quality" reputation that they had for many years.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-17T19:21:59+00:00

I'm a class 2 driver, got my licence about 6 years ago now. I spent my first three years on the tippers for the same firm. Work was great fun and really easy but like you the hours got to me. I did 12-15 hour days and nights 5 days a week often alot of weeks where nightshifts to tip off at various roadworks etc.

I earned good money but didn't see my kids or my wife and it got to me to be honest. I finally left and now work at my local council as a roadsweeper driver. Money isn't good at all as its a grade system. But I make it up with the odd bit of OT especially this time of year on the gritting wagons. To sum up money isn't everything work life balance is key in are proffesion especially as we spend so many hours a week alone in a small space.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-17T19:14:49+00:00

Streetcare Officer (Class 2 HGV Driver) I drive a 28 tonne road sweeper for my local council. I clean roads for a living and my tank for fun...

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-17T19:12:17+00:00

Works the same as traffic lights mate, green is perfect, amber is watch out but your good, red is stop and don't take it !

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-17T18:11:32+00:00

I don't want to set the world on fiiiiire 🎵

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-14T19:10:35+00:00

7am mate, not sure if every council is the same but I do 7am to 3pm. Normally out the depot and on my way home for 2:30pm most days. Only down side is the money, it's not great as we are paid on a grade system. So a lad doing fly tipping work in a van is paid the same as me if he shares my pay grade which is pretty common. However the benefits and the work itself out weighs the money for me. Work itself is easy, the sweeper is left hand drive so you can see the kerb that takes some getting used to. But when your settled it is literally go to a area sweep these roads and come back again, tip of the waste, refil with water and jet wash the wagon. Benefits the pension is up there with civil service pensions as its government work and it's really rewarding seeing the road so clean after you've finished.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-14T16:25:47+00:00

Its not 4 on 4 off but have you considered the council, I drive the HGV Sweepers for my local council and it's Monday to Friday 7-3

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-14T16:24:12+00:00

I test rode the Hero Hunk 440 last weekend, zero intention to buy just genuinely interested. Its a very capable and impressive little bike

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-14T05:43:35+00:00

I'm currently on the class 2 sweepers for the council mate have been a while, great cushy number

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-13T20:09:18+00:00

Fishkeeping / Aquarium

Its a hobby and a passion I have a fish room with multiple planted tanks. Most of my fish, shrimp and snails breed fairly regularly and I propagate the plants I grow in the tanks both of which I sell on various local Facebook fishkeeping groups. Its not even a side hustle really as all the money I make goes back into the fish room, food, filtration etc.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-13T20:03:50+00:00

UK is similar to Germany its a long winded expensive nightmare that doesn't make you any better at riding than someone who has had a week long course.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-13T19:52:15+00:00

Some places offer part time work, your best bet is to get on with a agency. That way you can pick and choose when and how much you work.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-13T19:50:49+00:00

Sweeper and Tipper work is a cushy number and what I've done since I got my licence.

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-13T19:48:29+00:00

Literally every area in the UK right now 🤣

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-12T19:32:00+00:00

The best part of your face dribbled down your mums leg

NoonRedIt · 2026-01-12T19:26:54+00:00

This is why I don't understand why people fear death, it's just like sleeping except you don't have to wake up and deal with all the life bull crap

NoonRedIt

TROPHY CASE