Train Routes

Driving a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) is certainly a lot different than driving a car.  The size of the Lorry alone is very intimidating to the new LGV driver.  Once you are in the cab of the vehicle, you will notice the vast number of controls at your fingertips as well as you will be sitting up higher then you were when you were driving a car.  The following are some basic general tips that you should use to avoid the great intimidation when you start out as an LGV driver.  Following these tips may also prevent any unwanted accidents while on the road.The very first thing you should be aware of when you are driving a Lorry is that you will need to break earlier and more often then you would while driving a car.  The LGV that you are driving is well over two times the weight of a car that you normally drive, so your stopping distance in the Lorry will be longer, especially when you are carrying a full load.    The same adjustments will also apply when you need to turn.  The Lorry is longer than your car, so you will need to adjust your times accordingly to turn to avoid possibly clipping a vehicle or running over the curb.The next tip that the beginning driver should be aware of is the acceleration of the Lorry.   The acceleration on the Lorry is far slower than the acceleration for a car.  Initially starting out, the Lorry is slower than most of the cars out on the road.  Remember, cars are built for speed, and the Lorry is built for transporting heavy materials over the road.The third thing that you need to be made aware of while driving a large goods vehicle is that you need to be absolutely aware of the overall dimensions of your Lorry.  Pay close special attention to the height and weight of your vehicle, as many underpasses and bridges may not accommodate the weight and height of the Lorry.   You will need to plan your route ahead of time to avoid a potential accident.  Also, many vehicles have a trailer that is wider than the cab.  You will need to consistently drive towards the center lane than you would when you drive a car.  By doing this will ensure that your trailer is in a good safe position while driving to your destination.Finally, take great care in securing your load as well as placing the load in your trailer.  An unsecure load may break loose and fall out of the trailer causing a possible accident with the driver or drivers behind you.  Driver’s should get into the habit of always checking the status of the load after each stop—even when you stop to get something to eat.By following these basic tips, a beginning LGV driver will gain the confidence that he or she needs to become a successful driver.  Many careers as an LGV driver have been cut short due to negligence by the driver.

Short LGV training courses can be completed in as little as 5 days. You might be wondering what doors of opportunity such a short training course opens. To look at this issue in the right perspective, it would be enlightening to know what components are attached to these types of programs. Perhaps the most important components are the instructors themselves. 5-day LGV training courses are only conducted by highly qualified and experienced instructors. In fact, these instructors have clocked numerous hours as LGV drivers, making them well versed not only in the job itself but also with the various intricacies that are associated with it.Aside from the instructors, the institutions that offer these programs are committed to supporting you every step of the way as you proceed in your career as an LGV driver. This means that their services do not end with the course. They will see to it that you pass the exams, the interviews and prosper in your career.Now, what type of career does such a profession hold? As is mostly the case, when one talks of a career it is difficult to separate the issue of compensation. In this particular case, the salary that is in question is somewhere within the range of £2,200 per month. Needless to say, this should be considered high by practically any standard.Aside from high salaries, there are benefits such as pension schemes, holidays that run up to 25 days a year, and hospitalization plans. The working schedule is one of the most flexible in the country as you are allowed to choose when you want to work. If you are more comfortable getting up late then you may start your day accordingly.Perhaps the most desirable attribute of this job is its security. Goods will always have to be transported and thus LGV drivers will always have work to do. As a benchmark, it is noteworthy to know that in the present scenario, businesses in the UK stand to lose over £1 billion if the supply of drivers does not improve. It is therefore expected that these businesses will continue have attractive offers for interested applicants in order to prevent such losses.There are also other training courses that last for months. While graduates of these programs also end up as LGV drivers, there is one obvious advantage if you take the shorter route. It won’t take long for job seekers to discover this golden opportunity. Therefore, being able to submit your application earlier would give you a head-start advantage. What’s more, many of the 5-day courses are run by well-established companies that are well informed in the industry. They also have the right linkages. Hence, if a job opening is posted, they will be one of the first to know. By knowing who hires and who is looking for a job, these companies will also be able to provide the right match-ups.