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.

Kimmy, 

You are NOT an idiot. 

You are a skilled, gifted professional driver. How many times do they screw up and just laugh it off? How many bumps and scrapes have they had? How many times have they taken a wrong turn and hit a dead end?

We've ALL done it, it's all in a days work.

I feel in the same boat as you, that the boss has it in for me and that others are mocking me behind my back and trying to stitch me up. They *** up an order and suddenly it's made to feel like it's my fault even though all I do is deliver what they have loaded on my truck. 

I wish they'd all just go away and leave me alone, life is hard enough without idiots making things more difficult. 

We should actually feel smugly superior to them though as we are blessed with this gift that they are not. We are more intelligent than they are.

Hold your head up high, the problem is theirs, not yours. 

Best wishes 

Andy 

I wonder, too, if it's a bit of the old 'woman in a man's world' thing.  It wasn't too many years ago that a job like you're doing was very much a 'man's' job (for some reason!)  So when a woman comes into the role - essentially, as they might see it, taking men on at their game - some of them might feel, perhaps, that their masculinity is under threat (poor flowers!).  Either that, or they want to use the opportunity to show that women aren't really up to the job.  So they will find every little thing and exaggerate it out of proportion.  Even though we live in more enlightened times, that kind of sexism is still rampant in many areas or employment - not just in pay inequality.  My late uncle was a fireman all his working life.  He retired from the service at around the time that more women were being accepted into it - and he was dead against it  (though he could never say precisely why with any conviction).  I said to him once 'If I'm in a burning building and someone is there to rescue me, am I going to refuse to be rescued because they happen to be a woman?'  He didn't really have an answer.  Surprise surprise!

That last point, I feel exactly that. The guys mostly seem to wait for me to screw up. Then they all carry on slagging me off and making things up. It really upsets me. I try my hardest all the time and it never feels good enough because everyone always shames me anyway they can. 

That's the way to do it. A vehicle check should take 15 minutes if done correctly. When I first started at my firm the transport manager looked at me like I was an alien when I asked him for a vehicle defect book and 2 spare digi tacho rolls. I had to tell him that it is a legal requirement to have a defect book in the cab and that you can get a PG9 for not carrying 2 spare digi tacho rolls. I refuse to drive it if it has so much as a side marker bulb out. Like you say it is my licence, which has been clean for over 20 years. My truck has to be absolutely spot on for me. I can't be doing with crisp packets and coke cans shoved in the door pockets either. They are always clear and polished, maybe a couple of cleaning cloths in there and a can of polish. 

I've driven mini-buses for years, but my new firm wanted me to take a proficiency test - which I did today.  Learned some interesting stuff.  When I start driving for them, I'm doing it by the book - or not at all.  Full vehicle check (how long does it take? minutes), all windows and mirrors spotless, all floors clear and clean, stop at the garage for tyre pressures.  No one else bothers.  We've recently had a vehicle break down a couple of times because they just have an annual service - and that's all they get.  They can moan, but it's my licence.  And I'm responsible for the safety of the passengers.

Oh yes, people just don't get it atall do they. My run is my run, but occasionally if another driver has dropped a clanger or something then they might stick an extra drop on me for the airport for example. Not in itself a huge deal but it completely throws my regular routine into chaos and believe me all hell breaks loose!

The same as if another driver uses my truck I hate it. I have my truck exactly how I like it. Cab is always absolutely immaculate, mirrors always clean and set how I like them, all the settings for everything are set up to my liking and if anyone dares to touch anything I have to start polishing my cab all over again. 

I used to be a bus driver but I found that I just couldn't deal with people anymore. I was really good at the job and learned all the routes in no time, it was just dealing with passengers and havinto talk to them I just couldn't handle. I am definitely NOT a people person. That is why I am a lorry driver, I can sit on my own and nobody tries talking to me

Glad I'm not alone with the 'change of run' anxieties!  I've lost count of the number of jobs I've had over the years where something has changed at the last minute - and I've lost it, while all the others have said 'Get over it!  It's nothing!'

I've just turned down a better-paid job just along the road from me (I currently have to commute to work) because it would have involved alternating shifts, occasional 14-hour days, and the prospect of perhaps having to step in at the last moment to work extra hours to cover lateness or sickness.  All of that is anathema to me.  I'd originally applied for a day service position, like I currently have, but this is what they offered.  Nightmare!  I've explained my reasons for turning it down - and some people just think I'm being over-fussy.  'Not committed enough' was another comment bandied around!

Ah, that's guys - unfortunately.  Happens in every environment - even where I work, in autism care, where people are trained to be more receptive and understanding.  I still get my leg pulled by people who should know better.

I'm very cautious as a driver.  I annoy people sometimes because I'm a stickler with speed limits.  My one real problem is that I have a hopeless sense of direction, and if I get lost or take a wrong exit, I can really go through the roof with anxiety.  I wouldn't want to be a passenger with me!

I think, when people are ribbing you for something, it makes you far more self-conscious - like they're just looking out for you to make a mistake.  In those circumstances, I do tend to make silly mistakes - because I'm trying much harder than normal not to make any.  And the more I make - the more they seem justified in believing I'm an idiot.

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 

Hey Tom, thanks for the message. 

This all seems to corilate to what the guy that diagnosed me said. He said we’re generally more aware. And as you say, I think we’re more cautious. I certainly ask a lot more questions about everything and find out more detail to take the most care. 

I’m not sure if you mean record about driving incidents or about as a person at work. The former I’m not sure about but the latter I do get on well. I’m not one to moan, I keep to myself and usually always get the job done in a safe manner. I’m so forgetful though. I seem to get picked on by all the guys though. Not sure if it’s just me being a women in a male environment or that I’m just a ***. I do wish they’d leave me alone though. 

Hi Kimmy,

I'm not a lorry driver - but I've held my driving licence since 1979 and have never had either an accident or any points.  I've also driven mini-buses regularly, up to the limits we had on pre-1997 licences.

Interestingly, I had mini-bus training today for my new job.  I mentioned to the instructor that I'd been diagnosed (nearly 3 years ago) with an autistic spectrum condition, but that it had never affected my driving.  He didn't seem at all bothered about it.  Four of us had a road test, and I was the only one who didn't need to repeat any moves.

As others have said, if anything I think it's made me a more careful driver.  I like to drive in peace - no music, talking, and definitely no phones - and give it my full concentration.  Maybe that says something. 

In spite of the accidents you mentioned, I'll bet you're much more careful than most - and you've probably got a better record.

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 :)