HGV Driver Shortage? WHY Join The Industry? HGV Wages  

You forgot driver behaviour trackers and driver facing cameras. Imagine working in an office and facing that intrusion.

Haha, bet you were dreaming of being treated like a human being 😂

@@nigelgregory4777 not much chance of that ! Trouble is , the people who work at giving out the jobs think they are at a much higher level than a driver and treat them accordingly.

I was about to say “are you for real” then I realised you was taking the p#*s. Yeh I wonder why there’s a trucker shortage🤔 treated like filth, most places won’t let us use toilets, too many dodgy firms and trucks on the road, and yes the likes of VOSA and the Police making life hard for us.

@@doveronefoxtrot4417 I do agency work so drive lots of different wagons. If they have those driver cameras facing me I just cover them up.

The chicken - egg situation. No experience = no job.. No job = no experience. And there is a big driver shortage in the EU countries! Just got my CE licence.. Certificates..lots of them and i also speak many languages + i have a professional & technical profile wich helps me adapt to any kind of job in this industry. But wait! I have NO EXPERIENCE so I'm no good. Had lots of talks with recruitment personell directly from companies..and got some answers.. " In a future ( means when I'll have experience 😂) we hope that would be able to offer you a position " 😑

I drived ten years in the US and ten years in the E U, now I am retired. Trucking industry does not seek for experienced drivers, they are are seeking for those whom may be easily controlled by them. Experience for them is an intellectual insult for me. Been there seeing that for 20 years from my life.

@@grigoresimion8744 Good point! In Spain actually it is happening and other countries too..Rumanía and neighbours..exactly what you're saying..those who shut up and do the work for low wages are doomed.. companies bring people from very poor countries to exploit them. Lithuanian companies abandoning drivers & trucks around Belgium, and drivers even get in to the prison given the pressures by their bosses in their work ak tachograph fraud. And in Italy, last month, a guy who was fighting for drivers rights got killed by the mob in the industry.

@@grigoresimion8744 thank you for supplying communities with essential goods for 20 years.

Eastern European truckers put brakes on returning to work in the UK. The FT have reported, using ONS data and interviews with European drivers revealing the truth behind the loss of 50,000 HGV drivers, decimating the road haulage industry. Many cited similar tales of poor working conditions for quitting, but other reasons included low wages, compounded by the IR35 preventing them operating as limited companies resulting in a significant cut to take-home pay. Truckers interviewed, reported driving now in Poland and Germany and having no plans to return to the UK, even if the pay was better, they reported that the IR35 was the final straw for themselves and many other Polish drivers. Reporting from what they knew, many drivers came back to Poland because they could no longer work as independent contractors. The ONS figures record 50,000 UK based drivers have left the industry, (all currently holding valid UK HGV licences) moving to construction sites and general services for better conditions and net pay, now IR35 had been rolled out. Let me include a quick calculation (which in no way fills the requirement for 140,000 drivers). The replacement of 50,000 truck drivers (ONS Figures) holding current HGV licences could be replaced over several years, by younger driver having to achieve C1 at £1,700.00; Followed by Class 2 (presently) at £2,000.00, then finally Class 1 at a further £1,700.00. Let’s not look at this as someone having to finance a career in trucking costing £5,400.00 to earn £28,000.00 pa. Look instead at the skills set lost by IR35 requiring replacement of 50,000 X £5,400.00. Total loss to the freight industry of 270 million pounds. The cost of this disruption will far exceed the supposed recovery of alleged unpaid tax by IR35. A 40 strong team charged with devising a method of allocating causes to the 33 billion pound "Tax Gap" came up with a recovery figure 1 million for IR35! I will reserve any acerbic comments at this stage accept to say that the cost to replace140,000 retiring drivers will be 817 million pounds. Time scale is computed from an average of the total number of passes from all UK test centres which stands at 38,214 per annum, however during the pandemic this was reduced to 13,214 for the year 2020/21, a shortfall of 24,551. Without reference to the shortfall it would take over three and a half years to replace 140,000 drivers and If your still awake well done for making it to the end of this post.

Sure has, working people nowadays are working much longer hours to have the same standard of living. No free time at all

Funny how in the last 30 years, wages of bosses at the top have increased by x70, while us at the bottom only by x15. Corporate greed is a race to the bottom, which has finally been reached. And thank you for keeping communities supplied with essential goods.

@@tomthomassony8607 people are earning less than they were 30 years ago. Back then I got £15.50 per hour. Worth at least £35 per hour now. Now? Drivers are getting £13 per hour

Thankyou for this insight into truckers pay. I’m now seriously having second thoughts about entering this industry. It looks like one step forward two steps back in this job. I wonder if I can get my £500 down payment to Hughes Driver school back?

@@simontimmins460 don’t even think about. Shit pay, treated like shit and it’ll put you in an early grave

That's an important part of the picture . Boris, if you are reading these comments you better get ready to fix a lot of stuff or you are history. The whole deal for drivers is crap.

Service stations are in short supply and charge rather alot to park overnight That's why lay-bys are jammed up with trucks and stink of pee

@@irvz2087 I feel that is in the national interest for the country to have an adequate infrastructure of facilities for drivers as an integral part of an adequate infrastructure of supply.

No more Eu drivers, very hard to come to Uk now.

@@RAZVANJUSTIN1 It's not its still easy

Yes and even the Polish and Romanian drivers went back home once they realised firms weren’t taking the p#*s and paying them less.

@@matty6848 you can get 1000 pounds in Romania for Hgv so with the cost of living thats 2000pounds in Uk, so its about the same money, and u live in your own country enjoy the sun and good food. Thats why they are leaving Uk

£6.30 an hour class 2.... £ 3.68 ph class1 pcv. Factory £9 ph......... Goodbye trucking.... Buses.... Now years later. On lot more and still in factory.... Dayshift.

Spot on mate. Couldn't agree more.

Im thinking of getting a class 2 licence to pick up works at weekends and supplement my income but this post has really put things into perspective!

@@WxM3008WxM Im the same, was exited to get my class 2 but the more i research the more it looks like a depressing job with very low pay.

me too, thats why i give up tramping, nights out for me only happen maybe twice a year. im never expected to do them

@@TruckerWillHiab I’m the same wouldn’t do it all the time but if I was asked now and again it would be something different

Its not a French regiment mate, you don't have to do anything if you don't want to use it🤭

Same with tesco mate, mid 90s, I had a great job, made us all redundant and they farmed it out to Stobarts....

I know someone that works for them at sittingbourne. They do nothing to even try and retain drivers and just try and plug the gap with agency drivers

@@mad7206 Yes that's because it's run by ex Tesco directors...so Tesco rules apply lol

A "temporary" increase in drivers hours, when the main reason most of us stopped driving was the execive hours! Honestly, they are thicker that pig sh*t.

On the plus side, Little Wilf, boris son, will never have to drive a lorry to make a crust.

Totally agree, or specialist work like hiab ect, I'm taking more a week on hiabs on 50 hour weeks day work than I was maxing hours away all week on containers

Driver's think my God those drivers at that company earn alot of money not realising that those drivers do stupid hours and night s out to earn that sort of take home pay.

One of my sons started at 21 got his class 1 and he is 53 now, l said he should think about packing up and coming to Spain to live, he said he will continue as long as he can get a licence.

There are decent paid hgv jobs and shite ones

It's a lifestyle rather than a job you're either made to be a trucker driver or you're not. There are decent jobs out there just as much as there are crappy ones. It's all about where your main goals are...money,how many hours you want to work..etc. If its not for you then that's fine but there are still people out there who do wish to have a career in truck driving. Personally for me it's about the community spirit...truckers stick together regardless of who they work for or where they come from they always help eachother out if they can. And that my friend is priceless.

@@MrsK2015 there are some good decent jobs out there, but they are fewer than crap jobs unfortunately. But yes there are some good firms who do actually look after their drivers. I do agency work so don’t really know what I’m coming into unless I’m working solid for a firm for 3/4 weeks.

Education.way to go.

There are already shortages of materials in the building industry.

Things are changing and fast. Wages have gone up lots im taking like 5+ per hour within 12 months

100 percent mate, too many lads working for chrome and shiney trucks, instead of getting good rates and spending time with their families, salaries, and day rates , instead of hourly pay, agencies using drivers as a commodity, the industry is a mess

spot on mate beinging saying tat for years but i wnt hold my breath

Same, waiting for the docs to arrive..

@Jim Bob If you watch some if Wills previous vlogs you will see that I have epilepsy and have only been allowed to do my driving lessons the past 2 years. Even when I pass I am on a medical review licence I will never be allowed to drive a hgv

@Jim Bob no need to be sorry I've accepted its a part of who i am and I allowed to stop me doing many things for a long time but I won't allow it stop me from being happy or trying to find myself and what I'm meant to do in the world. Positivity and kindness is key to all good and happiness

It was nice a peaceful there that's for sure, I'm far from a fitness guy, was just a nice evening and saw a ideal opportunity to have a wonder and get away from the truck for a bit, I never have and never will park in a layby overnight, industrial estates, truckstops and services for me usually

I wouldn't say I NEED the extra money, I take home £600 ish for a 50 hour week no nights out, I only do maybe 3 nights out a year, the Saturdays are about 4 hours work for £100 and just goes towards a extra family holiday, I get what your saying and I agree too many people accept jobs on poor pay, I can assure you I'm not 1 of those

They never will , they need the workforce to fund their extravagant lifestyles. Ok for some hey !

@@julianday yep, there will always be enough for everyone to have a decent living, yet those at the top would rather just squeeze the life out of all of us

"Thought about going back as retired 2018" Alan, you mention you have to now renew you medical every year! Under current UK HGV legislation, you must re-new every year when over 65? You must be insane, even considering going back to OUR Industry @ your age I,m 10 years Younger than yourself Sir, and MIGHT consider returning to the Industry if the going rate ( Wage ) increased to at least £20.00 per hour! Think about it Alan?......................................................................................................

Yes agreed. Why we have to do 4/5 CPCs is beyond me? It’s nothing but a money spinner.

Just going through my training being paid for completing by my company am I making a mistake? Or is it worth getting the licence

@@toont6749 If it's free take it. Who knows, things might improve in the future, but don't believe you're going to make any kind of a career out of it.

@@johnv9681 are the wages really that bad?, i live in east london and see plenty class 2 work advertised at around £14-16 an hour, and class 1 at around £17-20 ph most with increased rates for night and week end work. Is this complete bullshit? I’ve also seen many job adverts inviting new passes to apply, I know London is a bit of a bubble when it comes to rates of pay and cost of living so might be different for those outside but I can’t seem to get a sense of realistic earning capability. I could live comfortably on 30k-40k a year and see many jobs advertised at around 38k-40k for class 1 work. I do want to do both my class 1 and 2 but constantly come across bitter (no offence) ex drivers such as yourself in youtube comments on HGV videos.

Class 1 work around Thurrock you’ll hit 40k without busting your bollox

@@benm4454 We are ‘bitter’ for a reason. The rates now are what they were 15 years ago! You really think 14 an hour or 17 for class 1 in London is a good wage? Many of the rates you’ll see are for Ltd, which the government is now cracking down on, but are advertised to draw you in. Yes, you can earn 600 take home a week, but you’ll be doing 12/15 hour shifts and sleeping in a lay-by 5 nights a week. 40K a year for say a normal days work of 10 hours, five days a week?? In your dreams. There are around 70K drivers in the UK who have a HGV licence and aren’t using them. There’s a reason for that.

Wouldn't say your working, your still at your work place but free to dispose of your time how you see fit

@@TruckerWillHiab so ... Then youre allowed to drive your work equipment home and be with your family, or you going to take your family on board of your work equipment ? And all that while youre delivering some load to soem place as well as guarding that work equipment and load on your own as an acting security guard. Where do you draw a line as a trucker ?

Are you paid for hours not spent driving?

If you dislike tramping that much why are you still doing it? There’s really no need to tramp out all week, can earn the same money on day work if you look around l, even more so now… companies are crying out for drivers and are paying too money for them

who isn't money hungry? isn't that what we go to work for? i actually hate my truck, that volvo i was only covering for the week, i usually drive a clapped out DAF CF, im only doing 10 hour shifts so hardly maxing hours for them and am taking home trampers money for only 50 hour weeks and home everynight

ive never done European work so i couldnt comment on that, all i would say is if your a single man with no children, hobbies or social life then go for it, if you have any of the above id personally forget about the idea of doing over sea work

Due to tax laws the average rate is still £30, if your employer also pays for parking you could well be taxed

I was following my Tom Tom truck nav, I knew exactly where I was going anyway I’ve been twice before. Weekends hardly gone, I start at 7 home for 12 ish, I wouldn’t work every weekend, each to their own I guess, I do only work 10 hour days though and home by 5 every night, only have 1 night out in maybe 6 months so I’m home every night to sit and eat dinner and spend quality time with my children every day

I also don’t go fishing or to pubs ect, every spare min I have is spent with my children making memories. Can’t fault a guy for working a extra couple of hours every couple of months for a few extra quid to pay for a extra holiday for the family, not like I’m sitting on my arse on benefits

We are being replaced through mass immigration. Why care about a house that won't be yours next week.

In 1976 , Me and my mates from School (age 14 ) had part time jobs on the local ind estates , washing Lorries , sweeping up etc . But now there is NO work ethic untill after College at 18-19 Y.Old . So thats 5 years lost and never used a sweeping brush or pressure washer .

@@emclearance5694 most firms would happily have 14/15 year olds doing Saturday jobs for them, but they can’t do it now because of H&S reasons and insurance reasons..

Same here mate, start training on 30th August! Did all medical, theory etc jan 2020 and have been waiting until now! Seems we’re going to be entering when the demand is so high we should be able to get jobs in the past we wouldn’t have stood a chance without experience... maybe a little harder for yourself being under 25, but nevertheless good opportunity ahead I hope at least..... and wages going up a bit :)

@@kohtime Best of luck to you mate, I'm sure there might be a bit of a battle at first but we'll get there.

@George Purves Thanks for the good luck wishes, hope you are settling well with your class 1 and enjoy it, that money sounds fantastic.

@George Purves £25 a hour is lies don't beleive that

You not worried about self driving trucks coming along in the next 10 years?

The problem is that the only realistic solution is more investment in self-driving trucks. As long as the hours are bad and the travel gets you nowhere really interesting (like, say, the EU), pay won't get people to take these jobs. Higher pay will, of course, mean that those who do the job stay longer. We've seen this with nursing. We grandly say it's a calling rather than a job, because no one actually does it unless they are psychologically wired for it, and then they burn out in a relatively short time. We've tried pay, and that helps with retention, but not much. The only thing that actually works without completely restructuring how the system works is to import nurses.

Was in Oxfordshire, the volvo is a 540, lovely truck but yes Suffolk is a lovely area

@@TruckerWillHiab yep it’s all lovely down that way as long before ill health we spent years going to North Norfolk. We stayed near Sheringham on Norfolk Coast as you might know Will. Caravan Park called Kelling Heath Holiday Park. Beautiful area Pal. 👍

@@rossmcgarrie9787 bleeding wife has me camping there next weekend 🤣

Stop in a services and use the showers there last thing at night before finding parking or 1st thing in the morning

@@TruckerWillHiab thank you

skin care wipes or baby wipes work too, but its not good as a shower itself

1st comment again! Well done mate

I do agree with a lot of your comments, although I do think your way out with the percentages, I also disagree that it’s the old skool drivers earning the better money, the trouble is companies no if you give alot of drivers a brand new shiny truck they’ll work for peanuts and work max hours

@@TruckerWillHiab I agree with the truck thing, all the ones coming in to me are driving 2021 lorries in brand new clothes and they look like they’re on holiday in Spain, the old school drivers have older lorries, know how to drive them and stay well alert while on site and watch for instructions. Everyone has to start somewhere of course and learn the ropes but when I started in this game you started on the roughest machine or lorry and worked hard to earn your way into a nicer one. Nowadays you’re given the best ones straight away and they all never learn to appreciate it.

what came first the chicken or the egg. you pay peanuts you get monkeys. you cant have ya cake and eat it.

Always been allowed to do 15hour days intact I’m sure it use to be 16 hours back in the day, but yes the extended hours is only to benefit the company not the driver

Office jobs aren’t for me, I tried it and spent my whole day looking out at the lorry’s

tool

Your top line will be a grand. Until your taxes come out.

@@herbie70philip This is exactly why folk no longer want to do it. If you can't make a grand a week trucking then why even bother ???? I was working in a bread factory doing a 4 on 4 off shift. I would walk away with the same money as a truck driver.

There’s plenty of drivers. The ir35 rules made a lot of blokes change jobs. The problem is agency’s . They keep all there drivers for the supermarkets who pay big big money. Now the agency’s have to pay holiday pay tax and national insurance. The self employed days are over.

?

Baby wipes and a bottle 😂😂

All depends we have a load of lorries that are manuals and the last company i worked to had manuals to safer to get manual so your not limited to companys you can work for

yes ,maybe 90% ive been driving class c for 3 years and only one week i had manual one... now depends on the company u can look for automatic one only ...