HGV Industry Myths

There are plenty of myths that have been in circulation for many years about the HGV road haulage industry. Several major ones are listed below:

Myth: Trucking is a dirty industry

Truth: Indeed there are some jobs that are dirty. However, the majority are clean. Uniformed drivers are common place within the industry and with companies such as Wincanton and Eddie Stobart pushing this hard, this myth is finding it increasingly difficult to survive.

Image is everything in modern business. Vehicles are expected to be washed regularly and drivers are expected to wear a uniform.

Myth: Trucking is a sector dominated by men

Truth: The majority of truck drivers are male. However, there is an increasing amount of female drivers on the road. There are many stories that fly about that highlight the growth of the female workforce in this industry.

Myth: Trucking is a lonely job

Truth: It depends. Some people like to spend time on their own. Some do not. There are driving jobs out there that employ drivers for (say) ten hour shifts meaning that they are at home most nights they drive. Other companies employ drivers who leave on Monday morning and do not return until Friday night. Naturally it can be lonely at times but it is highly dependant on the driver as well as the frequency and locations of the drops.

Myth: Trucking is moving pallets from A to B

Truth: There are various types of trucking jobs available. Not everything can be palletised. Such jobs can include driving:

• Bulk tankers (such as milk, powders, petrochemicals, gases and other liquids)
• Curtainsiders (carries palletised loads, bags, etc)
• Multidrop vehicles (small rigid vehicles used for multi-drops around town and city centres)
• Box trailers (used for carrying cages to supermarkets, etc.)
• Tippers (small rigid tippers that specialise in local quarry work to large articulated tippers specialising in long distance work)
• Flatbeds (Used to carry goods of such a nature they would be unsuitable for a curtainsider or box trailer)
• Car transporters (used to carry vehicles to dealerships)
• Specialised units (brick carrier, refuse collection, skip lorries, etc.)

Myth: Trucking is a dying industry

Truth: Trucking cannot die. If it were, how would products be transported to supermarkets? How would milk get from farms to dairies? How would cars get to dealerships without using excess mileage? Trains, planes and boats can take these so far but cannot deliver them to the end user as efficiently and cost effectively as trucks!

Myth: The haulage sector is full - there are no jobs available

Truth: There are loads of jobs available. That is why this website has been developed. It has been suggested that by 2010 there will be a shortage of over 100,000 drivers in the industry. Think seriously about a career in trucking. There are thousands of companies out there all specialising in different systems to collect and distribute products. If you do not like one system try another! There are plenty of companies out there!

It should be noted that like any industry you cannot get a job just like that. You will need experience and commitment. You will have to compete for a job and the influx of migrant workers recently means that there are more people wanting the job.

Myth: Trucking is a low paid job

Truth: Drivers wages typically start off at about £6 per hour and that is in an area not hard hit by shortages. Agencies typically pay more to drivers but this work can be limited and infrequent. However, if you are sensible and have your head firmly on your shoulders, you can earn more than the majority of desk jobs.