Lorry drivers and getting diagnosed.

Yes I can understand you. I don’t like new people. I am careful round new people. I drive hgv1 (articulate) lorry’s ) . Don’t let it stop you. Mate 

Yes I can understand what you mean. I am the same. I drive a class 1 hgv ( articulated lorry). I grew up on a farm so I didn’t mix much either. I still don’t. I am also someone who as very little tolerance of stupidity and anyone who should be intelligent but does stupid things. 

Good one, as I found out, meltdowns can be useful 

Similar thing happened with me last year. Was working for company and had same run every day and loved the routine. You could have set your watch by what time I got to same place every day. I got to my drops and my brew was waiting cos they knew I'd be there at that time. And then we got a new Transport Manager who changed everything. Different runs everyday changed at the last minute, extra drops thrown on. I hated it and had a full on meltdown one morning and threw the keys at him and told him to go deliver it himself!!! 

Best thing I did as I'm much more calm and happy now and I know what I'm doing and when I'm doing it

I was doing a night trunk, was happy with it as it was a routine, everything happened at the same times, they tried giving me a second trunk to do with no notice, I told them what they could do with it, and walked out. I did like the class one work, just got anxious with reversing. Getting 12.25 per hour now on 7.5t, and working for an excellent company with a fantastic manager.

That's good that you've found something you're a bit happier with. I'm a Class 1 Driver and am doing Agency Driving now because I prefer the freedom it gives me and I hate being tied to one employer. I can pick and choose when and where I work to a large degree. 

Just lately I've been getting quite a bit of work on the 7.5 tonners which I quite enjoy. I suppose it depends what you're delivering and who you work for. Last week I was working for a large company delivering janitorial supplies to prisons and hospitals etc. Nice easy work,  all on pallets, just put it on the tail lift and drop it at the main stores. Nice easy work and they're not constantly chasing you on the phone.

I love driving the big artics when it's just one drop trunking work but definitely not on a multi drop. The stress and unpredictable nature of multi drop is too much for me and overloads my senses.

When I signed up with Agency i disclosed my Autism/Aspergers to them and they don't have a problem with it. I specified to them what I want and don't want. For example no multi drop, no white goods home deliveries, and they were fine with it. I get plenty of nice work.

UK currently has a massive Driver shortage, around 60,000 HGV Drivers short with that figure set to increase after Brexit. So us lorry drivers are in quite a strong position as we are in very big demand.

Hiya,

I’m a lorry driver too, and waiting for my appointment to come through for diagnosis. I told  the manager at my last job about it, as was off sick for 2 weeks with anxiety and depression, I was fine driving rigids, but the artics sent me over the edge, reversing into warehouses etc when there was little room for manoeuvre, the stress got too much.

The manager said that DVLA only need to be informed if your condition affects your ability to drive, however, if your stress level was above low to moderate, you wouldn’t be allowed to drive. I ended up walking out of that job after a meltdown with the transport staff.

I’m now driving a 7.5t vehicle for a parcel delivery company, the pay is very good, and the number of deliveries isn’t phasing me too much at the moment.

I've been driving HGV for over 20 years and only relatively recently had my diagnosis of Aspergers, although I've always known, as had my GP it turns out.

I think being Autistic actually makes me a much better and safer driver. I take in more detail, remember more, am much more thorough and methodical and notice things others miss.

I am the only Driver in the company to be accident and incident free for over 5 years so that pretty much says all you need to know.

DVLA says that you need only notify them if your condition affects your ability to safely drive a motor vehicle. I wonder how many people wearing glasses have informed the DVLA or indeed their insurance company that they wear them for driving.

Hi Kim, 

Wow! Heavy Haulage is a pretty impressive niche to be in. I'm in general curtainsider haulage so I take my hat off to you. 

I expect with the size of the gear you carry around and some of the pretty inaccessible places these idiots that sit in offices expect you to squeeze into, the odd bump and scrape is parr for the course and unavoidable.

My company does not know about my autism and aspies, I hide it pretty well apart from if they try and change my run and I have a meltdown in the yard. It's really good that your firm rates you so highly and regard you as such a good driver. Most of the companies I've worked for treat us HGV Driver's really badly, like something that they've trodden in on their shoes, it's good to get a decent boss who actually values you as an individual.

Best wishes to you and keep up the great work!

Andy 

Hello Andy, I appreciate the comment. I’ve had a few accidents recently but I work in heavy haulage and move some very big loads, wide long and very heavy. So I put it down to just having a bad run of it. Especially being I went so long with none. Work think I’m a good driver, they even assessed me recently again after having a couple small accidents. 

Regards 

Kim :) 

Hi Kimmy, 

I'm a 45 year old Trucker with Autism and Aspies. I'm the only driver in our company who has not been involved in an accident or incident in the past 5 years. What does that tell you my friend?

I drive a HGV and I work nights, I prefer nights as the roads are much quieter and less stressful for me, and I drive the same route every night. Perfect really. 

There is only a legal requirement for you to inform the DVLA and DVSA if your medical condition has an impact on your ability to drive a vehicle. Ask yourself how many people out there do you see driving with glasses on, I wonder how many of them have informed DVLA that they wear glasses????

By virtue of the fact you have already proven yourself to be a safe and competent driver and have passed the prescribed LGV driving test, not to mention surviving the boredom of the Driver CPC!!!

Stop worrying yourself buddy and enjoy your driving career. 

Best wishes and keep on truckin'

1. Andy the Trucker 

Hi everyone, 

bit of an update. So I went to the NHS who wouldn't diagnose me. They palmed me off a bit and still haven't given me any help for my horrific anxiety problems at the moment. 

I got fed up and decided to pay privately, its cost a lot of money. But at least I have a diagnosis. The Dr diagnosed me as having Aspergers, ADHD, Dyspraxia and some OCD which drives me nuts. 

Im quite pleased. Even on the way home with my mum, things started making sense. Just like oversensitivity to things and some other stuff. 

I spoke to my manager at work who is supportive. He actually said it before I'd even mentioned it. His friend has aspergers so he sees a few of his traits in me. I told him about a tantrum I had with a mechanic because I didn't want to sign something. I knew I was being difficult, but I was struggling to not be like it. I said that to him and he said about his friend acting similarly. He said well it's good now we know. We can try help you when you get how I do. Which is really positive. 

Thanks everyone :) 

Arran said:

A friend with AS took a driving test in a car before the theory test was implemented and has C1 and C1+E on his driving licence. This allows him to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry and tow a 750kg trailer but he has never had any subsequent medical tests since he got his licence. 

Thats called grandfather rights. Passing before 97. I didn't get any of that :/. But I have CE allowing me to drive any size truck. 

IrkaBlue said:

Hi Kimmy,

It appears to make you an even more careful driver. As far as I can tell, the Gov UK site only states that you must disclose it if it can affect your driving. From all accounts, you've had no accidents or troubles without being diagnosed? If you seek a NHS diagnosis, then I'd be doubtful that your doctor would rule you as incapable of safely driving. To be a Lorry driver, you've had to do further testing, haven't you?

You've proven yourself more than capable of handling your job. I checked the DVLA M1 form and I don't think you would have anything to disclose that would disqualify you. 

I don't think you should hold back from getting a diagnosis. From research, it seems that the chances of you having your licence revoked are very slim. 

Good luck! 

I hope that this was helpful in anyway.

-Irka

Hi Irka. 

I didn't realise that. I have actually read it but didn't acknoledge that bit. I've had a couple but it comes with the territory in heavy haulage. No more than anyone else to be honest. I've had a lot of tests. 12  total I think I counted. Had another medical as well recently which was more stringent than a normal hgv medical. 

Thanks again, dr is going to call today :) 

Kim :) 

A friend with AS took a driving test in a car before the theory test was implemented and has C1 and C1+E on his driving licence. This allows him to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry and tow a 750kg trailer but he has never had any subsequent medical tests since he got his licence. 

Hi Kimmy,

It appears to make you an even more careful driver. As far as I can tell, the Gov UK site only states that you must disclose it if it can affect your driving. From all accounts, you've had no accidents or troubles without being diagnosed? If you seek a NHS diagnosis, then I'd be doubtful that your doctor would rule you as incapable of safely driving. To be a Lorry driver, you've had to do further testing, haven't you?

You've proven yourself more than capable of handling your job. I checked the DVLA M1 form and I don't think you would have anything to disclose that would disqualify you. 

I don't think you should hold back from getting a diagnosis. From research, it seems that the chances of you having your licence revoked are very slim. 

Good luck! 

I hope that this was helpful in anyway.

-Irka