How to get the most out of your LGV Driver Training Course

If you’ve just signed up to study on one of the many LGV driver training courses available in the UK, good job! You’re about to take the first steps on a path that will hopefully lead to a fulfilling career, rewarding prospects, and great experiences. If this is the first time you’ll be undertaking training for quite a while, here’s how to make sure you get the most out of the whole process and leave as a fully qualified LGV driver.

Prepare

If you’re about to start studying on one of the UK’s hgv driving training courses, it’s wise to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. Training can often be intensive and be squeezed into a solid week of work. With that in mind, it’s wise to make sure you’re well rested and you know what you’ll be doing in the week ahead. It’s also a good idea to make sure you know exactly where the training centre is, so that there are no last minute panics on the day. Arriving flustered for your first day is never conducive to studying.


Don’t Neglect the Small Stuff

When intensive training is required, it’s vital you make sure you’ve got food that’s going to keep you energized and focused. Don’t make the mistake of stocking up on junk food. Brain boosting foods such as tomatoes, blueberries, wholegrains (swap white bread for wholegrain for instance), and oily fish are great to help keep you switched on. Steer away from foods that are high in sugars as while they may be what you’re craving if you’re going through a mental slump they’ll quickly make you crash and burn. Bananas are a great energy-boosting food so opt for one of these instead of a chocolate bar or doughnut.

Do your Homework

With Lgv driver training courses often being extremely intensive in nature, it’s wise to do as much prep and homework as you possibly can. That way you’ll make sure you’re up to speed with all the terms and technology and you won’t feel like you’re losing the thread. Work through theory tests, view videos, and do as much as you can to ensure you get that great pass rate first time round.

Training to be an LGV driver is a great way to secure your future. Jobs are available all over the UK and the demand is constant – so training in this line of work makes great sense if you want job security. Once you’ve passed your LGV driver training you’ll be able to choose work that fits around commitments like family and other work if you have it. What’s more, with around 70,000 jobs in this line of work available in the UK right now, you can rest assured that you’re making a wise move when you sign up to train on one of these courses. To ensure you get the most out of it and you pass first time, be prepared, be well rested, and be ready to achieve your career dreams.

So you want to be an HGV Driver – Here’s How

You’ve thought long and hard about your career choices and you’re now considering a life on the road as an HGV driver. You’ve made a good choice – especially seeing as there’s been a considerable shortage of drivers in recent years. What’s more, HGV driver training in the UK can be quick, affordable, and you’ll usually be able to find a training course in a location close to you. Here are our top tips on how to become a qualified HGV driver…

Research

Before you jump straight in and choose the first course you find, it’s wise to do a little research. There are a number of organizations offering HGV driver training in the UK, but some are better than others. So –

•Check their credentials
•Call them up and ask about their pass rate
•Compare the costs of training at various establishments
•Think about the time it will take (and money) for you to get to the training course and home again and factor this in
•Find out how long the training takes

Once you’ve thought (and got answers) to these things, you can make your choice wise in the knowledge that you are well informed.

Train

You can usually train to become an HGV driver in as little as a week. The courses are intensive and highly practical so you’ll need to be on the ball. To help you pass first time, it’s wise to make sure you –

1.Are well rested – get to sleep early throughout the week
2.Eat the right foods to keep your brain and body functioning (bananas, nuts, and oily fish are all good)
3.Do your homework – go over any notes you made during the class at home so you are constantly refreshing your memory

Money

If paying for your course is a problem but you want to get trained as quickly as possible, consider asking about finance. Many top training establishments are able to offer course candidates finance arrangements for their course fees. That means, instead of paying for it all in one go, you can spread the cost of the course fee over a series of months. This is helpful if you don’t have a large wad of savings in the bank or can’t siphon off that amount from your cash flow.

Stay in Touch

HGV driver training UK centres are often able to help with recruitment, so when you’ve passed your course it’s wise to stay in touch. Try and build a relationship with those responsible for recruitment and you could be first in line for any jobs that come their way. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your fellow course mates as they too may hear of available jobs – so you can all help each other out if needs be.

Training to be an HGV driver is intensive and hard work, but if you set your mind to it, you should be able to pass your tests and get out on the road. The job can be rewarding, regular, and well paid so train hard and smart and you’ll get there…

Top Tips for HGV Drivers to Stay Alert on the Road

Driving long distance can take its toll. You’ll be concentrating for long lengths of time and you’ll be in charge of a hefty vehicle so it’s vital you’re alert and in control. There have been many horror stories of drivers falling asleep at the wheel and wreaking all sorts of havoc, so stay alert, focused, and on the ball.

Rest when you need to

We all need sleep and that’s a fact – and there’s no getting around it. Sleep gives our bodies and brains the vital down time in order for it to repair, rest and rejuvenate. You need sleep in order to function to the best of your abilities. Trying to cheat on sleep is a fool’s game so make sure you get regular rest breaks, and sleep a good 7 hours at night if at all possible.

Eat Properly

Feasting on junk food at service stations is a seriously bad habit, plus it won’t do you any favours. Not only will you put on weight (especially as you won’t be able to jog it off afterwards because you’ll be back in your cab), but it will make you feel sleepy and groggy too. If you want to stay alert on the road you need to eat smart not dumb. So ditch the carb-laden noodle pots that are sky high with salts, sugars and other nasties, and opt for fresh food as much as possible. Make your own sandwiches and that way you’ll know what’s gone in them, eat healthy snacks like –

•Fruit
•Veg sticks with hummus
•Yoghurt
•Nuts

Be Mindful

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that helps you to stay in the moment and stop your thoughts from trailing off. Driving for long distances can be hard on your brain and you may often find yourself thinking about all manner of disconnected things such as HGV training finance payments to a past relationship that’s gone wrong. If you can though, try and bring your thoughts back to what you are doing now, where you are driving to, and focus on where you are. Doing this should help keep your brain focused on the here and now which is vital for staying alert on the roads.

Think back to your HGV Training

Cast your mind back to your training course. Maybe you were worrying about meeting your HGV training finance payments, or perhaps there was something going on at home. How did you pull yourself out of it and get back to the task in hand? Maybe you left the room for a short break and came back in more determined to focus. You can do this on the road too – just pull over, refocus, and then get back to the driving.

Staying alert is vital to succeed as an HGV driver, so practice these top tips and hopefully you’ll be able to concentrate and complete your journeys calmly and alert.

Training to be an HGV Driver? Here’s what to look for…

So you’ve crossed the first hurdle and you’ve decided you’re going to train to be an HGV driver. Give yourself a pat on the back! Making that first definite move to changing your career is often the hardest part – especially if you’re already midway through your working life and have family and other responsibilities to think of. But here’s the good bit – there are some really great HGV training centres across the UK so if you make the right choice and choose wisely you’ll be in safe hands when it comes to your training. So before you choose, what should you look out for?

First off, as with any educational institution, it’s always wise to check out their credentials. Reputable HGV training centres should be able to answer ‘yes’ to a number of the following (if not all)… They should be associates of the RHA (the Road Haulage Association), and members of the FTA (Freight Transport Association). Furthermore, HGV training centres should be regularly inspected by awarding bodies to ensure they are following correct procedures, and training people to the right standard.

Alongside all this, you should also ask to check out their pass rates of previous candidates. If a training centre is training people and getting a poor pass rate, it says something about the quality of their training. As well as the pass rate, consider the location of the training centres, and the number of training centres they own/run.

Training for a new career can be hard work, and it will take a considerable amount of time. You’ll need to study, pass tests, and be assessed. With that in mind, it’s wise to consider the location of your training centre. The closer to home, the better. You’ll save money on travel costs, and be able to fit the training in around your work and life more easily.

There are many HGV training centres around the country, and while many will work hard to train you to the best of their ability, some will work extra hard to take things even further. Look out for HGV training centres which have attached recruitment centres so that they can help you find work once you’ve gained your licence. This can ease the whole ‘job hunt’ process considerably, and should make finding work that little less painful.

So, there you have it – everything you need to think about when choosing your HGV driver training centre. One final thing to think of though is just how long your potential training centre has been training for. If it’s only been open for a few years, it may not have the level of expertise that some of the older centres have – but that’s not always the case. Before you sign up to training of any kind, always make sure you check out the institution beforehand and make sure their credentials are up to scratch. This, after all, is the most reliable way of ensuring you’ll get training that’s top-notch, accredited, and destined to get you on the road.

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.

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…