Who'd Be A Truck Driver?

The driver shortage is getting worse, but there are good reasons people don’t want to do the job these days, says Mick Rennison

- 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!