Back in the 1990's when I started my hgv career agencies were the way into a company. The company had a vacancy and phoned the agency for a driver. If you did a good job, got on with the other drivers and managers and you seemed OK they would potentially give you a job. Then companies realised that they could call the agency for a driver when busy and and save money by not paying a driver when work was quiet. That's when agencies became desperate to sign as many drivers as possible so when companies rang for drivers that particular agency could provide drivers. They don't care if you have no work on a regular basis as long as you were there when needed. This is a crap situation to be in. Also, there are quite a number of brown nosed drivers who hover around the agency when not working to keep themselves at the forefront of the agency staffs minds. They get the cream of the work. Bottom line, agencies are OK for some, but no use for many others.
Hey Dave thanks for your comment! Agencies work a little different now but since I passed my test I've been in work. In fact, I've been with the same haulage company now for over two months. Just had a 50p pay rise from Driver hire too!
@@TruckLoadz thinking about the way some modern haulage companies work, I expect you'll have quite a bit of work if your area has plenty of companies around it. They'll probably rely on agencies a lot more and have less permanent guys. Just be aware that if things get quiet work wise, your phone could stop ringing. I always preferred a permanent contract with a firm with guaranteed hours, not the uncertainty of agency work. Depends on your personal circumstances. 50p an hour is a good increase! I'm now working local buses and we're considering strike action as we've been offered a pitiful 10p raise after two years! I wish you luck in your new career and hope the rot and disillusionment doesn't set in too soon!!
As an agency driver what happens when you turn up to a job ? Do they just throw some keys and paper work at you , and that’s it ? Or do they check your licence and spend abit of time with you going through things ?
Usually the license stuff and all that is done by the agency so generally they will just hand you the keys and paperwork. Most places will go through things though about the drops/job/route and tell you who to call if you have any issues.
Yeah I would explain why you are waiting for some time to your examinar. Don't be afraid to pull away but make sure you are ready and watching. Good luck mate!
Just passed my test and having the issue with everywhere wanting experience. That's a good tip about asking why, I'll give it a go
Yeah always good to be up front about it. If they dodge the question or give you a rediculous answer just dodge the company.
Good luck mate!
How did u get on?
Well I worked with the agency for 6 months then done my class 1. Now working for the same company I was with on the agency as a employed driver 👍
Back in the 1990's when I started my hgv career agencies were the way into a company. The company had a vacancy and phoned the agency for a driver. If you did a good job, got on with the other drivers and managers and you seemed OK they would potentially give you a job.
Then companies realised that they could call the agency for a driver when busy and and save money by not paying a driver when work was quiet. That's when agencies became desperate to sign as many drivers as possible so when companies rang for drivers that particular agency could provide drivers. They don't care if you have no work on a regular basis as long as you were there when needed. This is a crap situation to be in. Also, there are quite a number of brown nosed drivers who hover around the agency when not working to keep themselves at the forefront of the agency staffs minds. They get the cream of the work.
Bottom line, agencies are OK for some, but no use for many others.
Hey Dave thanks for your comment! Agencies work a little different now but since I passed my test I've been in work. In fact, I've been with the same haulage company now for over two months.
Just had a 50p pay rise from Driver hire too!
@@TruckLoadz thinking about the way some modern haulage companies work, I expect you'll have quite a bit of work if your area has plenty of companies around it. They'll probably rely on agencies a lot more and have less permanent guys. Just be aware that if things get quiet work wise, your phone could stop ringing. I always preferred a permanent contract with a firm with guaranteed hours, not the uncertainty of agency work. Depends on your personal circumstances. 50p an hour is a good increase! I'm now working local buses and we're considering strike action as we've been offered a pitiful 10p raise after two years!
I wish you luck in your new career and hope the rot and disillusionment doesn't set in too soon!!
Hi Dave yeah I wanted to get on agency work to build up my experience in different jobs/trucks.
Been great so far!
Great advice. Thanks
As an agency driver what happens when you turn up to a job ? Do they just throw some keys and paper work at you , and that’s it ? Or do they check your licence and spend abit of time with you going through things ?
Usually the license stuff and all that is done by the agency so generally they will just hand you the keys and paperwork. Most places will go through things though about the drops/job/route and tell you who to call if you have any issues.
I failed my test hgv he put me undue hesitation he said I played it too safe
Yeah I would explain why you are waiting for some time to your examinar.
Don't be afraid to pull away but make sure you are ready and watching.
Good luck mate!
Btw I had my test Friday, video(s) will be up very soon :)
Driverhire Norwich; F**cking useless! never bothered to ring back a year ago. Work for another DH franchise; brilliant! Plenty of work.
Wierd, they've been great with me. Ring me every week with more work.