Hi all, if you could take the time to read it’ll be much appreciated. Recently passed my Class 1 Test, license has

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:56 pm

Hi all, if you could take the time to read it’ll be much appreciated.
Recently passed my Class 1 Test, license has been returned to me already which makes a change for DVSA. I’ve got my Digi Card and have my CPC Mod 4 on the 21st. My issue is that I’m 18 Years old. I’ve applied for 30-40 Jobs, have gone into offices such as SRC Group, Skip Companies and many others. All from 7.5T, Tipper, to Haulage. All have the same issue, Insurance. All of which I’ve stated that I’m happy with a reduced salary to cover the insurance premium, but many don’t want to entertain.

Been told by many to go for a big firm such as maritime, Goldstart etc. so have been trying but no luck so far.
I’ve spoken to Agencies, their answer is it’ll be a struggle as firms will rather have someone with experience. Common sense.
Either 21/25 years old or over is all I’ve been getting back from the firms, so if anybody could lead me in the right direction, maybe there’s a few younger drivers on here that have been in my situation.
I’m based in Colchester, Essex. Thanks.

1005-rhyzo · Post by **1005-rhyzo** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:00 pm

Afternoon pal first of all congrats for getting g class 1 at such a young age.

1005-rhyzo · Post by **1005-rhyzo** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:00 pm

But unfortunately you will struggle to get work with only being 18 all I can suggest is keep registering with agencies.

1005-rhyzo · Post by **1005-rhyzo** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:00 pm

And try large companies like dhl xpo eddie stobart /culina I'm certain 1 of then will give you a start.

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:01 pm

1005-rhyzo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:00 pm And try large companies like dhl xpo eddie stobart /culina I'm certain 1 of then will give you a start.

thanks for the advice mate, I will give the ones listed a try. Thank you,

NICHOME · Post by **NICHOME** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:03 pm

Turners of Soham have depot at tilbury as do gold star and Macintyre all part of the turners group turners self insure is no need for insurance give them a call

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:03 pm

NICHOME wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:03 pm Turners of Soham have depot at tilbury as do gold star and Macintyre all part of the turners group turners self insure is no need for insurance give them a call

I’ll give them a go, thank you Nichome

kniKnarry · Post by **kniKnarry** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:06 pm

Hi Olicen,
We take any age class 1 driver if they have the right drive and work ethic. It's a shame you're not from Northampton.

Azrul3find · Post by **Azrul3find** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:08 pm

kniKnarry wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:06 pm Hi Olicen,
We take any age class 1 driver if they have the right drive and work ethic. It's a shame you're not from Northampton.

I called the office and they said I need to be 21

oliceller40 · Post by **oliceller40** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:09 pm

kniKnarry wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:06 pm Hi Olicen,
We take any age class 1 driver if they have the right drive and work ethic. It's a shame you're not from Northampton.

that’s a right shame, Atleast I know there’s some out there! Thank you,

1006.foxty · Post by **1006.foxty** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:11 pm

kniKnarry wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:06 pm Hi Olicen,
We take any age class 1 driver if they have the right drive and work ethic. It's a shame you're not from Northampton.

Love that mate

Orl5mand · Post by **Orl5mand** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:13 pm

There are companies that hire newbies

Orl5mand · Post by **Orl5mand** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:14 pm

but the pay won’t be as expected probably 13 quid an hour for start if you find it do 2 years with them and then you should be sorted

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:14 pm

Orl5mand wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:13 pm There are companies that hire newbies

Thanks mate, I’m not too fussed on the pay to start with.

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:15 pm

Orl5mand wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:14 pm but the pay won’t be as expected probably 13 quid an hour for start if you find it do 2 years with them and then you should be sorted

Aslong as I’m getting my foot in the door with somewhere

mcTruckers · Post by **mcTruckers** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm

Hi mate we’ll done on getting your license sorted.

mcTruckers · Post by **mcTruckers** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm

I know you’ve mentioned about agencies being tricky but see if there is one that have contacts with companies like Royal Mail, Evri, Amazon ect. I work for Royal Mail and there are lads in there now who are employed that are very 20 and I’ve also seen some younger lads on agency too. It’s coming up to Christmas soon so there will be a lot of agency staff getting pulled into firms like those. Might be a good way to get your foot in the door.

mcTruckers · Post by **mcTruckers** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm

Good luck.

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:18 pm

mcTruckers wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm Hi mate we’ll done on getting your license sorted.

thanks mate,

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:18 pm

mcTruckers wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm I know you’ve mentioned about agencies being tricky but see if there is one that have contacts with companies like Royal Mail, Evri, Amazon ect. I work for Royal Mail and there are lads in there now who are employed that are very 20 and I’ve also seen some younger lads on agency too. It’s coming up to Christmas soon so there will be a lot of agency staff getting pulled into firms like those. Might be a good way to get your foot in the door.

I’ve had a look on Royal mails website but nothing at the moment available in my area. I’ll give some more agency’s a call and hopefully they’ll put me down. Cheers,

mcTruckers · Post by **mcTruckers** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:18 pm

ollicen18 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:18 pm
mcTruckers wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm I know you’ve mentioned about agencies being tricky but see if there is one that have contacts with companies like Royal Mail, Evri, Amazon ect. I work for Royal Mail and there are lads in there now who are employed that are very 20 and I’ve also seen some younger lads on agency too. It’s coming up to Christmas soon so there will be a lot of agency staff getting pulled into firms like those. Might be a good way to get your foot in the door.
I’ve had a look on Royal mails website but nothing at the moment available in my area. I’ll give some more agency’s a call and hopefully they’ll put me down. Cheers,

yeah unfortunately mate a lot of the jobs going are internal, posties moving up to class 1.

mcTruckers · Post by **mcTruckers** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:19 pm

ollicen18 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:18 pm
mcTruckers wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:17 pm I know you’ve mentioned about agencies being tricky but see if there is one that have contacts with companies like Royal Mail, Evri, Amazon ect. I work for Royal Mail and there are lads in there now who are employed that are very 20 and I’ve also seen some younger lads on agency too. It’s coming up to Christmas soon so there will be a lot of agency staff getting pulled into firms like those. Might be a good way to get your foot in the door.
I’ve had a look on Royal mails website but nothing at the moment available in my area. I’ll give some more agency’s a call and hopefully they’ll put me down. Cheers,

I was 7.5T driver and moved over in June. Agency is the best way in for someone on the outside. Fingers crossed mate.

Brand6Tale · Post by **Brand6Tale** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:21 pm

I've had a full car licence for 20 years. Full bike for 5. Been clean for 10+ years no issues, convictions or claims.

Brand6Tale · Post by **Brand6Tale** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:21 pm

Applied for around 20 jobs since passing class 1 this year and they just won't entertain new passes. Even said to agencies I'd take a reduction on salary of 8-10k and they said if you have a steady good income they don't recommend agency work.

Brand6Tale · Post by **Brand6Tale** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:22 pm

I think you need to just get lucky as a new pass regardless of age.

1007_tops · Post by **1007_tops** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:23 pm

Unfortunately your age is against you.

peachBlab · Post by **peachBlab** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:25 pm

Goldstar have some young drivers that have just started so might be worth a try

Wii7llions · Post by **Wii7llions** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:29 pm

Try getting a shunting job get your foot in the door

GeRALDONE · Post by **GeRALDONE** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:29 pm

Best thing to do is try a family run firm, that’s how I started out!

GeRALDONE · Post by **GeRALDONE** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:29 pm

Even if you do class 2 work for a while and then move onto class 1 atleast that way you will gain some experience!

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:30 pm

GeRALDONE wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:29 pm Best thing to do is try a family run firm, that’s how I started out!

I do have one Family ran business that’s giving me some hope,

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:30 pm

GeRALDONE wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:29 pm Even if you do class 2 work for a while and then move onto class 1 atleast that way you will gain some experience!

so once I’ve completed the CPC they’ve asked for me to contact them again, thanks

jayfi5rozo · Post by **jayfi5rozo** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:30 pm

Advice, go to the local bus company who will put you through the test and get the larger vehicle experience there whilst at the same time keeping an eye out for any HGV work you my like.

jayfi5rozo · Post by **jayfi5rozo** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:31 pm

Overall as you get older you’ll always be in work either HGV or PSV. Get it done now and see yourself into the future plus your age won’t go against you!

Wii7llions · Post by **Wii7llions** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:31 pm

Life is so much harder for the young uns of today, I sadly have no suggestions for you, but I wish you well.

Keitzen981 · Post by **Keitzen981** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:31 pm

Try thames water, they took me in as a fairly new driver. They also take in new drivers.

morgant.barr · Post by **morgant.barr** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:32 pm

Hi m8 it might be a bit of a treck

morgant.barr · Post by **morgant.barr** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:32 pm

but try turner they own Goldstar as well so not sure if it the same they have there own company insurance and run an apprenticeship scheme for all ages so I would give them a shout

AlanKeSmith · Post by **AlanKeSmith** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:33 pm

I was 20 when I passed, and faced similar issues. When you are 25, you are then faced with 90 days driving in last 6 month and other silly requirements.

AlanKeSmith · Post by **AlanKeSmith** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:33 pm

I even resorted to van work. It gets in some driving days, money and you get used to driving around. Even electing to do second manning etc.

lung_hord · Post by **lung_hord** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:33 pm

going through the same thing as an 18 year old, impossible to find a class 1/2 job due to age and experience,

lung_hord · Post by **lung_hord** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:34 pm

I'm doing either 3.5tn or 7.5tn van driving via agencies to build some experience for Christmas time when the demand is higher

WayGCrossed · Post by **WayGCrossed** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:34 pm

Maritime accept new pass I believe they do a course for new drivers but they might b worth a try

hug6hecke · Post by **hug6hecke** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:34 pm

You looking for tramping work? If so I’ll give you a go on an assessment. Based Rainham Essex

Tandyck982 · Post by **Tandyck982** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:36 pm

Let me see what the deal is with my insurers and an 18 year old.
I know with 21+ they ask for 2 years min experience or higher excess.

Tandyck982 · Post by **Tandyck982** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:36 pm

I’ll see if that applies for you, I’ll update tomorrow mate.
We’re based in CO3.

ollicen18 · Post by **ollicen18** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:36 pm

Tandyck982 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:36 pm I’ll see if that applies for you, I’ll update tomorrow mate.
We’re based in CO3.

Thanks mate I really appreciate that!

victoolPRO · Post by **victoolPRO** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:37 pm

It’s possible, I got on agency at 18, just a little trickier that’s all

STEVANTSE · Post by **STEVANTSE** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:37 pm

Try the largest company's they usually have £2 million I'm a separate account as their own Insurance, most insurers only cover upto a maximum £2 Million claim anyway,

STEVANTSE · Post by **STEVANTSE** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:38 pm

I started with excel DHL Wincanton the day after I passed my class 2, legally it used to be how it worked regarding the insurance.

andexPeed · Post by **andexPeed** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:39 pm

To echo what others have said family run firms. You might start out on something smaller than you’d like for less money than you’d like but it’s a foot in the door. It’s what I’ve done. 2-300 applications and found a company willing to give me a start.