How to be the Best Bus Driver Ever

Nobody likes a grumpy bus driver and that’s a fact. You know the ones – they never smile, they shout down the bus for people to move down even when there’s nowhere to go, and they drive like a maniac. But bus drivers have a huge amount of responsibility and it’s no surprise that sometimes the stress gets to them. However, if they’ve undergone their PCV training in a UK centre, they should have everything in place to ensure they’re fully prepared for life as a bus driver. If you’ve already taken your PCV training in a UK centre but you’re looking for tips on how to be a better bus driver, read on…

•Be considerate

Sometimes people run late for buses, but sometimes bus drivers take great delight in closing the bus doors just as someone has screeched to a halt in front of them. The bus can’t go anywhere because it’s in a line of slow moving traffic. A thoughtful bus driver would be considerate enough to open the doors and let the passenger on. If it won’t stop you reaching your destination on time and there are no hazards associated with opening the doors, then why not make someone’s day and do it?

•Smile

We all know that sometimes smiling can feel like the hardest thing in the world – especially if you’ve got a lot going on in your head. However, a simple smile and a bit of eye contact can really be appreciated. And here’s the good bit – it can also make you feel better too. Smiling uses muscles in your face – and like every muscle, these ones need to be exercised.

•Give change if you have it

So you’ve got a passenger who only has a £10 note and their fare is just £1.10. Don’t moan at them for not having the right change, and don’t tell them you can’t give them change because you don’t have it if you do. Haven’t you been that person who was running late and forgot to make sure they had the right change? At some point in your life you must have, so be kind, find them the right change, and don’t begrudge them.

•Take a Refresher course if you need it

If you’ve got out of the habit of driving a bus, why not take a refresher course to get your confidence levels up? There is PCV training UK so there’s bound to be a centre close to you that is sure to help. A quick refresher course can make all the difference to how you feel behind the wheel.

Being a bus driver can be a great job, and if you enjoy it, others will enjoy your driving too. Bus drivers are always in demand, and the work can be regular and rewarding. You’ll need good levels of concentration, and be happy working in a customer facing environment, so if this sounds like you it’s probably time you got on the buses!

So you want to be an HGV driver?

You want a job that’s rewarding, reliable, flexible, and lucrative. Who doesn’t? If you’re considering becoming an HGV driver you’ll be pleased to know that this is one vocation that ticks all the above boxes. In recent years, there has been a significant shortage in the number of HGV drivers so training in this line of work could set you up for a career with plenty of opportunities. If you’re just beginning to think about a career in HGV driving, there are a few things for you to consider before you start hatching those plans.

First off, you need to make sure you have the right mindset for this sort of work. Driving an HGV can be intensive. You’ll need good levels of concentration as you can be on the road for a long time, plus you must be happy in your own company as that’s who’ll you’ll be spending the majority of your time with! You must also be a confident and competent driver. The next step is to consider where to undergo your training.

HGV driver training in London makes sense for many people. That’s because there are a number of training courses that you can undertake here. Some are intensive, while others can be tailored to suit you. Perhaps you already have a full-time role, if this is the case and you still want to receive HGV driver training, a London based course could work for you. Alternatively, there are many other test centres located around the country, so if you’re not based near the capital, you’ll still be able to find a training centre that’s ideal for you.

HGV driver training will take you from those first tentative steps right up to the moment you step into your cab and leave as a fully qualified HGV driver. Look out for courses that really go – excuse the pun – the extra mile. You’ll need start-up documentation, theory and practical tests and assessments in order to be able to hit the road as an HGV driver. Accredited HGV driver training courses will cover everything you need to do in order to feel confident and assured on the road.

When you’re thinking about training, it’s also wise to consider what sort of licence you’ll need. Furthermore, as HGV drivers are in demand across the country, you’ll need to think about other factors such as where you would be happy to be based, your ideal work schedule, and a remuneration package that’s agreeable.

Once you’ve thought long and hard about all of the above factors, the only real thing that’s standing in your way from becoming an HGV driver, is the training. As with all courses – academic and vocational – it’s wise to check out the institution running the course and ensure they are well thought of in the industry. There are accredited courses in HGV driver training in London and across the UK. Look for one that will work with you from the start to the end and make sure you’re as prepared as possible for all tests.

What HGV Licence Should I Train for?

If you’re thinking about a career as a driver of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), a great place to start is to gain your HGV/LGV Cat ‘C’ licence – also called Class 2. There will probably be a class 2 training course in a location close to you as this is an extremely popular choice for many. So what exactly will a class 2 training course qualify you to drive?

If you successfully pass your class 2 course you’ll be able to drive vehicles with a rigid body that is over 7.5t. These sorts of vehicles include everything from rubbish trucks that operate in towns and cities all around the country, fire engines, and any HGV where the vehicle is all one unit (for instance, the cab does not come apart from the trailer section).

Cat C HGVs are to be found all over the country as they are a popular choice of vehicle for a number of jobs. As a fully qualified and trained HGV class 2 driver you can be looking at a starting salary of around the £24k a year mark.

Once you’ve successfully passed your Class 2 training, you can then move on to train to gain your HGV/LGV Cat ‘C+E’ (class 1) licence. This licence will allow you to drive any vehicle that is over 7.5t and that has a cab that separates from its trailer. You can only apply for this licence once you have successfully completed your Class 2 training. That’s because the vehicles you can drive on a Class 1 licence are considerably larger. They are often used for long haul and international haulage routes so you can often be away from home for a considerable length of time when you own a Class 1 licence. The average starting salary for a driver who has their Class 1 licence is roughly around the £28k a year mark.

As well as Class 2 and Class 1 licences, there are other licences which you can train for. These include licences such as Cat C1, Cat C1+E and Cat D. If you are thinking about training for a Cat C1 licence (which will allow you to drive any goods vehicle that is above 3.5t but below 7.5t) you should consider training for a Class 2 training course licence anyway as once you have gained this you will automatically get your Cat C1 licence too. Furthermore, if you passed your driving test before 1997 you will not need to take the Cat C1 training course as you will already be eligible to drive a Cat C1 vehicle. If in doubt, check your driver’s licence and see.

Training to drive HGVs/LGVs can be done on courses that fit around your current work and life routines. What’s more, licences such as the Cat C1 can be gained on courses that take just one week. Gaining an HGV Class 2 licence can quite literally open up the world to you, especially if you continue to study for your Class 1 licence. Train as an HGV driver and who knows where you’ll be heading next…

Want to Travel the World? Train for your Class 1 Licence!

The world of work can often be one that’s full of the same old routines, the same old faces, and the same old stress. Perhaps you’re one of those people who get the same 7.38am train into London every morning. You’ll probably have your head in the paper and barely look at the other commuters onboard. Or maybe your routine involves an arduous stretch on the M25 just keeping your fingers crossed that there’ll be no delays or accidents to keep you from arriving in time. Perhaps you work at home alone and you just stare at the same computer screen day in, day out, just getting up for the odd cup of coffee to keep you going. If you like things the way they are, then that’s fine, but there are plenty of people who could be grasping for something more from life – the chance to see the world perhaps. If that’s you, why not do something completely different and study on a Class 1 training course to gain your Cat C+E licences?

A Class 1 training course can only be undertaken once you’ve got your Class 2 licence under your belt, but after that, the world could quite literally be your oyster. You’re wondering why?

We’ve all seen those huge lorries hauling goods up and down the M1. Well check out the number plates! Many of them are from overseas and their drivers will be from abroad too. Ok, so you won’t be traveling the world in a luxurious cruise ship or in first class on board British Airways. However, you will be traveling and you’ll be getting paid for it.

Deciding to undergo a Class 1 training course is a great way of bucking the system. You’ll have no more dull commutes sitting next to people you barely recognize even though you’ve been doing the same journey for three years. You’ll be on the road and traveling from one place to the next and seeing the changing landscape along the way. Ask any happy HGV driver training UK and we’re pretty sure they’ll tell you it’s a rather liberating experience.

One you’ve got your Class 1 licence you’ll be qualified to drive vehicles that are over 7.5t and have a cab that separates from the trailer. Class 1 vehicles are big and hefty and can often weigh in at over 40 tonnes. They’re used the world over to shift bulk goods from one place to the other. Class 1 lorries can either consist of a fully articulated vehicle (which means the cab splits from the trailer), or a rigid body class 2 vehicle which has a large trailer attached with a draw bar. Either way, they’re vehicles that are heavy to handle and need a driver with some serious skill and training under his or her belt.

If you’re sick of your normal daily grind, and fancy seeing a bit of the world, why not think outside the box and consider a class 2 and class 1 training course? Who knows where tomorrow will take you…