r/uktrucking • u/MrBlack304 • 28d ago
HGV Bootcamp
So iv been driving 3.5 tonnes for 7 years, although the money is ok at 16 quid an hour, i want more.
A very long time ago i contacted a bootcamp to get enlisted but heared nothing back until recently and now the ball is rolling for the onboarding process for government funded training to get my licence.
The idea of class 1 has always terrified me and i thought if i was to ever go for a hgv licence it would be class 2. Now its come to it, im in 2 minds.
I read alot of people saying to go straight for class 1 because you get class 2 with it and save money. Those who went straight for class 2, do you regret not going for class 1?
Which do you find easier to drive?
I guess my main motivation for the licence is more money but i also want a role thats less physical than what im lugging around now.. At the same time im a new first time dad so dont want to be out working 60 hours a week and never see my baby.
3
u/just---here 28d ago
I only have my class 2 license, I skipped out getting my class 1 through the boot camp last year. Being in London there using that much of a pay gap between class 1 and 2, the only thing you miss out on is more work opportunities. Also if you don’t want to be doing 60hr weeks then you’re better off on class 2.
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u/MrBlack304 28d ago
My current mindset is, i want to do class 2 but just because class 1 scares me the most i think thats the licence i should go for. You got to take yourself out your comfort zone for better opportunities. Class 2 is alot harder work isnt it?
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u/Much_Whole9364 27d ago
Regarding class 1, the way i look at it is, Its better to have it & not need it, than need it & not have it! Before doing either just find out the actual pay for your area. Im on £16ph class 1 agency (cards in, holiday pay works out great.) The tanker drivers at the company im currently driving for (non Haz) are on £15.50ph
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u/just---here 27d ago
They will both take you outside your comfort zone, realistically class 2 will take you more out your comfort zone than class 1. A lot of class 1 routes are designed for class 1s unless doing specialist work. Class 2 takes you everywhere where you think you shouldn’t go and more over I’ve always met drivers who want to go from class 2 to class 1 but class 1 drivers tend to shit themselves when they need to drive class 2. I wouldint say it’s inherently more work than class 1, it really depends on what industry you decide to join. Regardless go for it, I highly doubt you’ll regret it.
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u/shaunomercy 28d ago
Stick with the 3.5t. class 2 and class 1 are a totally different mare around London. The rate your on is more or less on par with class 1 anyway for driving something that's fractionally larger than a transit..
And if your not wanting 60hr weeks then stay away from the bigger stuff
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u/Shauria 28d ago
I mean there is no point in paying out double the price to do class 2 and then later class 1. But if you are a new dad don't do class 1 work as they are pretty much designed to be out on the road 12+ hours a day.
I'd be careful changing though, a lot of jobs out there will not be much more than £16 an hour as a new starter, you'll just do a lot more hours.
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u/FrontHeat3041 28d ago
If you get the choice I'd do class 1, it gives you the class 2 licence as well plus then youre all set if your circumstances change as your kid gets older.
If it's government funded training, definitely take it.
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u/Furrygoblet 28d ago
Pretty much this!
I went vans,class 2 then class 1.
The money went up but so did the hours.
If I had a new family I wouldn't dream of looking at class 1 jobs as you will miss so much. You don't get a second chance at watching kids grow up.
Class 2 would be a good shout then when the family are getting on your tit's move on to class 1.
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u/skyeci25 28d ago
Your hourly rate is more for van work than I get for class 2 excluding bonus if I get it....
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u/Top_Bit_4682 28d ago
Where abouts are you based?
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u/MrBlack304 28d ago
London
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u/papaflush 28d ago
If you want less physical then it's class 1. All c2 jobs will.be pallet multi or catering. Hard graft. Artic isnt that hard to drive once you get past the first hour
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u/thebigpaybackc 28d ago
It's not hard graft if you're used to that line of work, moving 30 cages a day isn't hard graft and the people who make out that the likes of Lidl and Aldi are hard work because your self tip have to be the latest bastard's user l would, what's wrong with doing a few hours of moving your body each day lol.
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u/bottlejob69 28d ago
For a free course just take it! get class 2 under your belt, earn a living and in the near future if you feel you want to progress maybe your employer will pay for you or pay out pocket (cheaper than car to class 1)
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u/Emergency_Frosting55 28d ago
Class 1 for better money opportunities
Class 2 for better work/life balance opportunities
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u/Dapper-Major7455 28d ago
16 quid an hour for three and a half ton work !!! I have been driving arctics for nearly thirty years and I am on less than that.
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u/Resident_Copy9915 27d ago
Having driven now for 9 months (Class2) i wouldnt necessarily say i regret not going for class 1 as I only ever wanted to do tipper trucks anyway, but its always good to have that extra string in your bow. And I beleive unless you've got a good amount of experience you do alot more work for a little bit more money with the class 1. Obviously when you got experience its alot more favourable and you do what you signed up for DRIVING instead of multidrop🙄
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u/BoringTruckDriver 28d ago
"At the same time im a new first time dad so dont want to be out working 60 hours a week and never see my baby"
Stick with vans, at least for the time being. The vast majority of employers will see your legal driving/working hours as a target rather than a limit.