Lorry Driver Shortage

[Benzowner]

Could this all have stemmed from the change in driver license in 1996? Until then when you passed your test you were allowed to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry, which was the vehicle of choice for carrying bulky light goods. Many of those drivers, and I employed quite a few, went on to do their HGV test. Now with no 7.5 tonne drivers progressing through and the population of HGV drivers getting old we had to rely on foreign drivers to fill the gap. The drivers can earn a lot of money, which in the end we will pay for in increased prices.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

No, it's because the Eastern Europeans who were the bread and butter drivers in the UK now need a works permit to work in the UK after brexit.
My brother in law owns a very large haulage company( who did work for a company I used to work for) and most of his drivers were Polish, nice guys and good at their jobs. They've now found it more financially viable to work for non UK companies.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Triple whammy , Brexit , Covid and IR35 tax changes , or quadruple whammy if you add to the fact that our government does not class truck driving as a skilled job !!.

Two of those things can not really be changed right now but if Boris changed their tax and skill status some of them might come back.

Breath not being held......

Many in the industry saw this coming long ago but the brains who 'run' this country said we could replace them all with 'home grown' talent ....I guess their crystal ball needs a new battery .

 

[Deleted member 150136]

Ir35 has changed a lot of peoples lifestyles.

 

[flowrider]

My son has an HGV license and he tells me the hours are long and the pay is rubbish hence why he is reluctant to go back in to it.

 

[chic0821]

Roll on the cashless society, then everything goes through the banks. They are squeezing people with IR35, but how many billions in lost tax is paid to the people who want paid in cash. How many non liveried white vans sit outside very expensive homes. A lot of then will be declaring just minimum wage. End of rant

 

[Darrell]

Ir35 has changed a lot of peoples lifestyles.

Same in construction.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi I , I let my HGV licence lapse.

Needed the licence for my job but never worked as a professional driver.

If you look at the standard of many HGV drivers on the road why are they held in such high esteem.

I can tell you why they are of such a poor standard but you won't believe me.

 

[Darrell]

How many non liveried white vans sit outside very expensive homes.

Or maybe it’s because they’ve grafted and don’t want to advertise what they do due to the chances of getting their vans broken into.

You’re more than welcome to look at my expensive house with a white Transit, Porsche 911 and a Volvo XC60 outside. I’ve never been a LTD company.

 

[Petrol Pete]

None of the older guys I know in the trades have sign written van's , no need to advertise as they have more work than they can handle. The younger guy's seen to go for the van's with the alloys , metallic pain and go faster stripes.

But back on topic, from what I have seen the 'specialist' drivers (fuel/chemicals etc) seem to be doing OK but many drivers are just fed up with how they are being treated when dropping. having to hang around for ages despite having a time slot and then being denied basic toilet/shower facilities etc. Mostly anecdotal from various tv and radio interviews I have listened to.

Does not sound like a 'dream job' to me

 

[Tramper]

I can tell you why they are of such a poor standard but you won't believe me.

Oh go on do tell, you sound as if your in the ‘know’

 

[Deleted member 159894]

Is there a shortage of stroppy Northeners?

 

[Deleted member 150136]

Is there a shortage of stroppy Northeners?

Don't be ridiculous!

 

[zipdip]

Well the mistake was to stop people taking the lessons and having the HGV 1 test ,also companies have for years screwed the costs of transport down and so wages have been impacted for drivers,but it is all changing maga big transport company with a big contract for renewal has put in a bid 10% more than at present and was asked to resubmit and put the same quote in,it has got to the point where they do not care if they keep the contract or not,I allowed my HGV1 to lapse because I had no need for it,all I need to do is take the medical,but then spend loads of money to pass the hours and health and safety and all the other nonsense,has the job got easier well the trucks today are mostly auto,so no splitting gears ,but younger people want to be home every night and you have to be comfortable with your own company,but of course we have mobile phones now so even that is no longer a hurdle.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

None of the older guys I know in the trades have sign written van's , no need to advertise as they have more work than they can handle. The younger guy's seen to go for the van's with the alloys , metallic pain and go faster stripes.

I’m old, and my van is signed. And got alloys on. No metallic or stripes though.

I’ve got work booked in for the next 15 months but I still don’t see any harm in a nice work van with your name on it. IMO it’s a positive image, not a bad one.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Is there a shortage of stroppy Northeners?

F#%k off!

 

[markjay]

Jet pilot who lost his job in lockdown earns MORE as a lorry driver

Former soldier Aaron Leventhal, who lost his job as a pilot in lockdown when Flybe collapsed, said Britain is 'desperate for deliveries' with pay rocketing for experienced lorry drivers.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[markjay]

A doctor calls-in a plumber to fix a leaking tap in the surgery. The plumber duly arrives, and quotes an outrageous hourly rate. The doctor says we'll, I'm a doctor and I don't charge half that. Plumber says, when I used to work as a doctor, I didn't charge as much either...

 

[Darrell]

I’m old, and my van is signed. And got alloys on. No metallic or stripes though.

I’ve got work booked in for the next 15 months but I still don’t see any harm in a nice work van with your name on it. IMO it’s a positive image, not a bad one.

Two of my mates have these. Ones a tiler and the other is a carpet fitter.

 

[Darrell]

And the other. Neither are sign written.