Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Life as a HGV driver

  • 05-09-2012 6:24pm
    #1
    CJ_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭


    Hi all,

    Just wondering if there any HGV drivers out there (or anyone that knows one) that could offer some insight to the hours worked, pay and general quality of life as a HGV driver.

    It's just something I might look at as an alternative.

    Cheers.


Comments

  • #2
    bigroad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,219 ✭✭✭bigroad


    I Hav been a hgv driver for ten years.Unless you have a love for trucks or have access to a good driving job i would not bother if i was you. If you think its a handy job think again.There is no minimum hgv wage ,it is based on the national min wage which is 8.65.It goes up from there ,but mostly its around 11 to12 euro per hour .That includes working nights and weekends need i say more.


  • #3
    donkey balls
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,554 ✭✭✭donkey balls


    As someone who has worked in the transport industry and as a driver the working week can vary between companies along with pay and T.&C,many a time I've would have started at 0500 and finish at 2000 that day this would be seen as normal days work,Now most companies pay by the hour others will pay by the day these companies who pay by the day would pay anything between 70/90 euro a day so do the maths on it if your working 15hrs a day for 80€.
    Another thing is the cost of getting all these licences and keeping then valid the ADR licence/(petrol tanker ) would cost just under .€1000 yet you would be lucky to get a job for the min wage,Not to mention the responsibility that you as a driver would have a typical truck costs around 100k then include the trailer and the load and the weather you have to put up with starting at crazy o'clock in the morning /.


  • #4
    CJ_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭CJ_


    Thanks for the feedback.

    As regards say working a 15hr day - would that be for 5/6 days a week? Or is it a case of working that long say 4 days a week?

    I'm guessing it's the former as times between journey's vary...


  • #5
    bigroad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,219 ✭✭✭bigroad


    max is 15x3 and 13x2 days .But european directive says no more than 48hours average working time in a week over 17 weeks .If you want more info on working/drvining hours go to the RSA website .The main problem with hgv driving is there is no real collective union .What happens then is that each contractor undercuts the other to get work .Then they hire cheap east european drivers .That means irish drivers find it to difficult to pay their bills with 350 euro per week.Diesel price up ,drivers wages DOWN.Thats how it works,its a race to the bottom.


  • #6
    CJ_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭CJ_


    bigroad wrote: »
    max is 15x3 and 13x2 days .But european directive says no more than 48hours average working time in a week over 17 weeks .If you want more info on working/drvining hours go to the RSA website .The main problem with hgv driving is there is no real collective union .What happens then is that each contractor undercuts the other to get work .Then they hire cheap east european drivers .That means irish drivers find it to difficult to pay their bills with 350 euro per week.Diesel price up ,drivers wages DOWN.Thats how it works,its a race to the bottom.

    Sounds pretty grim!

    But I'll definitely check out the RSA website.

    Thanks for the info.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement