Long distance lorry driver - AMA

[firsttimedad79]

Like the title, but boring I know, but ask me anything :)

Thank you for this thread. I have found it fascinating!

When you're on a dual carriage way or mway and you see another truck will be joining shortly you'll move over if possible

Can you explain why some trucks will then match your speed and keep you stuck in the middle lane?

You did the courteous thing and moved over, you didn't have to, you had the right of way. I don't get trucks that won't at least allow you to pass and pull back in

@Goodbye2020Hello2021

Strange question but you might know the answer! Do you have any idea (a good guess will do) what the ALL black (absolutely no graphics/signage) double decker coaches are for ... They have blacked out windows too. I saw two closely following each other on the M6 recently. My guesses: Music/Band Tour buses (but why would they be on the m6 during Covid times?) Transporting loads of prisoners... 😂

They're known as band buses. The front downstairs is where the driver sleeps and then a big lounge and kitchen for the occupants. Upstairs they sleep about twelve ppl all bunk beds, I wouldn't fancy it. Depending on the layout there will be either a lounge at the front or back and a master bedroom at the front or back

@FrankGrillosFloof

I think this is more of a US thing but could and would you consider getting a truck cat to accompany you in your cab on your travels?

No, most places don't allow pets on site, in wagons or otherwise :(

Plus I'm not good with pets lol

@user1471550643

I have scared myself stupid driving my 7.5 tonne horse lorry on the motorway when stuck in tramlines. What is the best way to tackle them? Should I just let the wheels drop into them or try and drive along the centre? Thank you

Just let them guide you, they have been created by many many lorries before you!

If you think it's scary in a 7.5t try it in a 44t loaded with beer (the load moves all the time as the pallets aren't wrapped), that can cause a brown trouser moment!

As a kid my ambition was to be a lorry driver. As it is I’m stuck in an NHS job at the top of my lay band with nowhere to progress to.

I’d still love to be a lorry driver and this thread has reignited that, however I cannot reverse a car with a trailer on for all the tea in China. I’m fine without a trailer! Can the reversing thing really be learnt to a high enough standard or am I doomed?!

@Snog

Why do you have 15 hour working days but your max driving time is 10 hours a day?

Ok, let's start at the beginning with this one, I'll try not mansplaining (but this may not be entirely possible as I'm a man!)

I'm going to explain the sets of rules we have to follow about driving and working time.

Driving Time:

We are restricted to 9 hours driving per day. For every 4.5 hours of driving we have to have a 45 min break. This break can be split into a break of 15 mins & 30 mins (but we can't do 3- mins & 15 mins). Twice in a fixed week (Mon 0000 - Sunday 2359) we can have a 2nd 45 min break and drive 10 hours in the day.

Sounds simple so far yeah? Now I'm going to totally confuse you as we also have to abide by the working time directive which is a different set of times.

Now some terms you'll need before I start are:

Duty time - the time I am on duty from start of shift until I finish.
Working time - time I am actually physically working/driving.
POA - period of availability - a time when I am on duty, but not working. Doesn't contribute to working time.
Break - a time when I am not working. Still on duty but doesn't contribute to working time.
Rest - period of time when I am not on duty, so between shifts.

My duty time is max 13 hours a day, but 3 times a working week (a working week is the week I am on duty, not to be confused with the fixed week above) I can extend this to 15 hours. Also if I am held up somewhere and can have a continuous 3 hour break I can do a 15 hour day as it's counted as split rest.

Working time breaks are as follows:
0-6hrs no break
0-9hrs must have 15 mins before 6 hours and remainder before 9hrs
Over 9hrs an extra 15 min break.
Say I have my break at 8 1/2hrs and I'm doing a 15 hour day I would have to have 2 further 15 min breaks as the 6 hours resets after every break.

My working time breaks can also be used as driving time breaks. So if I had a 15 min after 3 hours of driving for example then my next driving time break would only need to be 30 mins. Once I've had this 2nd break both working time and driving time are reset ready for next block.

I can drive for a maximum 56 hours in one week, but a maximum of 90 hours in any rolling 2 week period.

I can work (don't get this mixed up with duty time!) for a maximum of 60 hours per week. Over a 26 week fixed period my average weekly working time cannot be more than 48 hours.

My weekly rest is 45 hours (my weekend) but can be reduced to 24 hours as long as I repay the lost rest hours by the end of my 3rd working week :)

I hope this confuses the hell out of you all like it does us!

@TabbyStar

I remember lorry drivers using CB radio in the 70s/80s, obviously technology has moved on, has anything replaced this?

Mobile phones.

But there are still quite a few on cb. I have one in my wagon but it's for contacting the escorts if I ever carry a wide/long/oversize load.

@CrotchBurn

Do prostitutes hang around the parking lots trying to get drivers interested or have I just been watching too many shitty crime series.

One of DPs acquaintances was a lorry driver for decades and when he retired he couldn't handle it and set up like a lorry cab set up in his shed with the radio etc. Can you imagine missing it to that extent when you retire?

If you hadn't been a lorry driver, what other jobs were you considering?

Why did you become a lorry driver and not a taxi driver?

Is there really good camaraderie at those lorry driver restaurants?

Were you sad that Little Chef closed?

I've never seen any, but doesn't mean they're not there!

I was a van driver, I would have just stuck with that if not doing this. Was delivering drugs to pharmacies so was better money than what I'm on now!

Couldn't be a taxi driver, I don't like people lol. I'm a loner so enjoy my own company :)

There can be, if you get the right crowd. The foreign drivers can be friendly and like to give out beer :). I've had a few nice cans of foreign beer :)

A little, but more from childhood. They were all closed by the time I started driving lorries :(

@Burnthurst187

When you're on a dual carriage way or mway and you see another truck will be joining shortly you'll move over if possible

Can you explain why some trucks will then match your speed and keep you stuck in the middle lane?

You did the courteous thing and moved over, you didn't have to, you had the right of way. I don't get trucks that won't at least allow you to pass and pull back in

Are you talking about a truck letting another truck in or a car letting a truck in?

If it's the first, then yes it's annoying as neither of us has the speed to get ahead. By rights the lorry on the inside should ease off to let the other lorry in. Unfortunately the newer batch of drivers think they own the road and can't seem to work out courteous manoeuvres.

If it's a car then to be fair you have the ability to give it a little bit more speed to get past. Lorries take some work to get up to speed especially if fully laden which is why we try not to slow down if we can.

@Muchtoomuchtodo

As a kid my ambition was to be a lorry driver. As it is I’m stuck in an NHS job at the top of my lay band with nowhere to progress to.

I’d still love to be a lorry driver and this thread has reignited that, however I cannot reverse a car with a trailer on for all the tea in China. I’m fine without a trailer! Can the reversing thing really be learnt to a high enough standard or am I doomed?!

That's why we have training. I bet you've never been professionally taught how to reverse a car trailer as most people already had this on their licenses up until 2000 I think it was.

Lots of people haven't even towed a trailer, let alone reverse one before becoming an hgv driver. So you've got a head start as at least you know the concept!

Also lorry trailers don't reverse like car trailers, they aren't so easy to jack knife :)

@Muchtoomuchtodo

As a kid my ambition was to be a lorry driver. As it is I’m stuck in an NHS job at the top of my lay band with nowhere to progress to.

I’d still love to be a lorry driver and this thread has reignited that, however I cannot reverse a car with a trailer on for all the tea in China. I’m fine without a trailer! Can the reversing thing really be learnt to a high enough standard or am I doomed?!

Also, look at virgin experience days, they have a lorry driving experience for £99 that might help you see how it all feels :)

No cab cat! There goes my plans for a career change then.

Thanks for answering and great thread!

OP this is one of the most fascinating AMA threads I've seen (up there with the laundry powder scientist).

Hat tip to your skills and work; near where we live, is a supermarket in a city centre location, into which all delivery lorries reverse. That is, when they arrive at the edges of the supermarket, they have to reverse from the busy city street into the loading bay.
I am always fascinated by the speed and dexterity with which they pull up in traffic, then reverse in across the 2 lanes of cars.
Thanks.

I'm Bewildered by your reply!
Do you mean that your working day is 15 hours made up of 10 hours driving time and 5 hours of non driving breaks?

@Snog

I'm Bewildered by your reply! Do you mean that your working day is 15 hours made up of 10 hours driving time and 5 hours of non driving breaks?

Usually around 8 hours of driving, couple of hours of loading/unloading (can do this a few times a day) and breaks etc....

Is it true that truckers use prostitutes a lot?

@FrostedCranberries

Is it true that truckers use prostitutes a lot?

I can't speak for all of them, but me and the ones I know don't!

And for those who think it's glamorous, I'm now in me wagon on a Sunday night as I've got to start at 0330 in the morning :)

Oh and it's -1 outside lol

@firsttimedad79

And for those who think it's glamorous, I'm now in me wagon on a Sunday night as I've got to start at 0330 in the morning :)

Oh and it's -1 outside lol

Hope you have the heater on!

My partner is in at 0430 tomorrow so has his night heater set ready.

@Sirzy

Mine is running. Just about getting warm lol

OP I just want to say, as a nurse, that I always felt the unsung heroes have been the lorry drivers and supermarket workers who have ensured that the whole country still had access to food throughout.

Really interesting thread!

@FionaMacCool

OP this is one of the most fascinating AMA threads I've seen (up there with the laundry powder scientist).

Hat tip to your skills and work; near where we live, is a supermarket in a city centre location, into which all delivery lorries reverse. That is, when they arrive at the edges of the supermarket, they have to reverse from the busy city street into the loading bay.
I am always fascinated by the speed and dexterity with which they pull up in traffic, then reverse in across the 2 lanes of cars.
Thanks.

My OH (long distance) is a HGV driver and on the days he delivers where I live, depending which store he's delivering to I could sit for hours just watching him reverse his Truck off the road and into a delivery point. I'm such a geek! He often tells me that too lol

@HopingForOurRainbowBaby

Oh god never watch me reverse!!! It's not pretty lol

OP, in your first message you said that this thread was ‘a bit boring’ but it’s been anything but!

I have to travel regularly to care for a relative an hour away from home and I always drive the long route (A and B roads) to avoid the motorway and Lorries/trucks.

I know this sounds REALLY pathetic and ridiculous but this week I went on the M6 instead thanks to this thread!
Reading your responses made me realise that lorry drivers were not out to crush my car and kill me! 😂😂😂 (I did say ridiculous!).

It was quiet obviously due to travel restrictions but I drove a steady 60 all the way and kept a decent distance behind the truck in front - You are right... because I did that the truck behind stays a good distance from me.
It was so easy!
I know your intention wasn’t to help a pathetic driver like me but I want you to know that giving us all an insight into what you actually do has been helpful. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

My next question! Have you enjoyed having quieter roads/motorways? Has it made things MUCH easier?

Thank you!