Published on 12, July, 2020
I currently in a large depot of a well-known multi-national road haulier, specialising in transporting hazardous chemicals and other palletised goods. My day-to-day duties include: minor fitting jobs on tractor units and trailers (such as changing headlamp bulbs and retorquing wheel-nuts), yard maintenance, checking the condition of chemical delivery hoses and operating a fork-lift truck.
But in the last year or so, due to the loss of several major contracts, I have become increasingly fed up of my current job, so I decided to apply for a class 2 HGV licence. Here is the story so far:
I went for a D4 medical with a doctor who specialises in HGV medicals on 17th March this year and passed it with flying colours and he was confident that I would get my licence back within a fortnight of sending it off.
Sent off the licence on the following day (via recorded post) back to the DVLA in Swansea, and then waited for the brown envelope with my licence to return through my letterbox. But less than a fortnight later, I recieved a letter from the DVLA stating that needed more information about my ASD from my GP and a consultant at my local hospital. So after a fortnight of frustrating phone calls, the DVLA sent me another letter saying that they now have the info they need to process my licence and one of their doctors to make a decision.
However, since the end of April when that letter was sent, there has been no progress whatsoever regarding my licence. I am ringing them at least once a week for a sitrep, but their advisors keep saying that my documents are on a "priority" list, so I don't know whether they are just trying to "fob me" off.
I feel like that my life is stuck in neutral at the moment, and am becoming extremely angry about the lack of progress. I'm also extremely worried that my licence might fall in the hands of a doctor on an ego trip and prolong the process even further.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Woohoo! I'm pleased for you.
I joke sometimes it's enough to think about complaining
Just to inform you that my licence has returned today!!
I will give that a bash within the next couple of days and inform you about the outcome of this.
Thanks for the advice.
Next time you ring ask them how to make a complaint about the long time this is taking. Ask them to give you a definite timetable for the licence to be processed. Get the name and direct dial number of who you are speaking to, and say you want to call them back if there is further need to discuss the process.
Here is their complaints procedure
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about/complaints-procedure
Thing is, if you are polite and ask about complaining they will likely try to divert the complaint by prioritising your license (yes, it's a NT game). Speaking to one person makes it THEIR responsibility.
If you can't do this (and none of my little family can without a meltdown) ask if someone can be your agent dealing with the DVLA and do things like this. I'm agent for my stepkids and their Dad with 4 government agencies and 2 health authorities!
It might seem like a cop-out but today at work I spent 40 minutes helping an NT guy who couldn't read well complete a form. As someone employed (indirectly) by the government it is my job to help clients and it is no shame if someone can't do it for yourself
I could do with being a bit fitter as some of the work is quite physical , and the hours of work each week are 50+, possibly up to 70. It's not so much the physical driving of a truck that worries me, but will I get stressed out if I'm severely delayed by traffic. If I could have a drive in a yard, and perhaps go out with a trucker, tho obviously I can't drive the truck myself, but that would give my an idea of what a working day is like for a trucker.
I'd like to get my cat A and C licences, as just driving cars is boring, yes my Cat C even if I never use it commercially, but just to say I can drive a HGV. Tho I can beat most people in what I've driven, having driven 2 British Railways Class 31 diesel locomotives. I could see myself in a railway museum with my polishing cloth shining up the locomotives or enthusing visitors about them. My Mum has paid for myself and her to go on a day trip, with a 4 course lunch behind "Tornado" locomotive, I think it was meant to be my Dad's 50th wedding anniversary present, tho he died a number of years back. Tho is very nice to be riding behind Tornado at speeds of 75mph, tho have travelled behind her before on the Nene Valley Railway , tho restricted to 25 mph, I feel that I'd love to be on the footplate rather than pigging out in the train, putting fire in her belly or driving her!!!!
Hi there!
You could choose a training firm that has an off-road maneuvering area, so just to start with, you can get to feel what a wagon is like to drive before hitting the Queen's highway (I wish I could let you do a few laps in one of our trucks in our yard since it's on private land!) A lot of training firms nowadays use trucks with automatic gearboxes (or manual if you prefer).
Also for the people who tried to put you off a trucking career: screw them all!! Don't take their word for it. As I always say to myself: You need to experience it before you reach a conclusion. As in any type of job, HGV driving has its perks and pitfalls. So when you are up to it, just give it a bash.
It would be super to have yet another queen of the highway!
All the best for the future!
I had a similar thing in 2015, tho I got mine back as I passed the medical for a provisional Cat C licence. My mum has said she'd pay for my LGV course. I was inspired that females could be truckers from seeing Fiona from Eddie Stobart Trucks and Trailers , and Lisa and Mia from Ice Road Truckers. I know some people have tried to put me off, tho I feel that I'd like to test the water before deciding if HGV driving is me. My other favourite thing is working is a museum, or using history and heritage. I think I would be right at home in a railway or transport museum. AS a teen I always wanted to be a train driver or join the RAF, I did work on the railway, when I left school, 'til I got made redundant!!