The driver shortage is getting worse, but there are good reasons people don’t want to do the job these days, says Mick Rennison
Wanted: 60,000 truck drivers. Must be thick-skinned, willing to be bullied by bosses, hated by the public and paid the same wages you could earn working in a supermarket. Must be able to understand reams of legislation and expect to pay heavy fines if you get it wrong. You’ll have to pay at least £3000 for your training and then, because you’ve had no experience, sell your soul to an agency just to get a start.
If you get a job with nights away you will be expected to park overnight in lay-bys or on industrial sites, pooing under the trailer and washing out of a saucepan. You will be responsible for the security of your wagon and its load throughout the night, so best if you’re a light sleeper. You will, of course, be paid for this inconvenience – sometimes as much as £25!
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Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
