Hgv

Bryando

Is there any funding to long term sick people like myself whom wish to gain a HGV licence?

Been on Income Support and DLA for numerous years.

Oldernotwiser

You need to be aware that certain health conditions will impact on your ability to get an HGV licence.

http://www.licencecheck.co.uk/government_guidelines

Hammyman

Bryando wrote: »

Is there any funding to long term sick people like myself whom wish to gain a HGV licence?

Been on Income Support and DLA for numerous years.

Forget it. 10,000's of experienced HGV drivers looking for work. Someone with no experience is going to find it hard. Not only that, firstly you need to apply for a licence which you will need to take a medical for and doctors charge between £100-£200 for a HGV medical whether you pass or fail it. Any funding if there was any would only cover Category C. You really need C+E which means funding another £2000 of training. And then you'll also need to do a Drivers CPC before you can be employed at another few hundred quid. And finally, another £20 or whatever it is for a digital tachograph card. Then you're going to need to buy a Satnav, maps etc.

And then once you get a job, the average working week for lorry drivers in the UK is 55hrs incl breaks. The maximum working day is 15hrs with the maximum working week 84hrs - if you finish work 11hrs after you've started its been a good day - 10hrs is an early finish. Starting times or finishing times are typically 4am-6am - I'm up in East Yorks and I'd be doing a delivery in Bristol at 8am after doing a 200 mile journey to get there. You have no control over when you finish or even where you end up taking breaks.

If you've been on long term sick, I can't see you suddenly managing to do a 60hr working week from the off and they won't give a toss whether you've been on the sick or are disabled. The only thing that counts is getting loads shifted - if the wheels aren't turning, the wagon ain't earning.

Starting lorry driving costs £1000's, even if the lessons are free.