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 not feel Lonely on the Road

So you’ve finished your driving course at the LGV training centre, and you’re about to set off on a long haul mission to the back of beyond. It’s going to be five days and you’re wondering how you’re going to cope without your usual home comforts and family interaction. To help ensure you stay as connected as possible here are some tips to help combat loneliness on the road.

•Touch base

A 5-minute phone call doesn’t take a large chunk out of your day, so make the effort to stay in touch. Complaining about being lonely works both ways – you need to actively ensure you’re doing everything you can to stay in contact. If you’ve got a smart phone or laptop with you there are loads of ways of staying in touch. Why not try – 

• Whatsapp – you can send photos, videos, and messages for free using wifi
• FaceTime – this free app on your iPhone allows you to connect with family and friends using the video facility on your phone so they can see you and you can see them
• Skype – free and easy. Use with a camera or simply use it like a phone
• Text message – if all else fails, a few text messages now and then wouldn’t go amiss and it will let your family know you’re safe and sound

Talk

Stay in contact with fellow drivers (mates you made at the LGV training centre and new ones on the road) when you can. Plus, when you stop off for breaks, make sure you get out of your cab and have a chat with someone. Whether that's the café owner, or fellow drivers – a bit of verbal interaction can help ease that feeling of isolation. And remember, all other long distance drivers will probably be feeling the same – or will have felt it at some point so they'll get where you're coming from if you just need a chat.

 Read

If you can’t interact with anyone, divert your attention to something else and read a good book. This is a great way to stop yourself thinking about issues in your own life and get absorbed in another world altogether.

Watch a Film

Likewise with the book above – forget about your own worries and lose yourself in a film. If it’s a good one, hopefully by the end of it you’ll have forgotten what you were worrying about in the first place.

Exercise

It may sound like a bit of a random one, but if you’re feeling down and a bit lonely, a bit of exercise could help boost your mood. If you’re on a break, don’t stay slumped in your cab, get out and stretch your legs. A little walk – or a brisk run – will get the endorphins going and help to bust those blues out of the water.

Being away from your loved ones can be hard work, but if you establish good habits from the off, you should be able to stop any feelings of loneliness in their tracks.

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…