The Wheels Are Turning - 02/09/2025
It is Tuesday 2nd September 2025 and my ADR training is booked.
September 15th - 19th is my study week.
When I called ahead to confirm some details I was informed there was just one place remaining on this course; I guess it was my lucky day.
I will be ready and I will ensure I recap all of the study material I've gone through with ChatGPT.
I am still not convinced the study material it uses is up to date, but as I've mentioned previous, whatever is outdated won't be much and this course will fill in the blanks.
Another thing I learned is that this course is not online - it is classroom based.
I am quite happy about this to be honest.
Online would have enabled me to make lunch and keep my rumbling tum and stinky farts to myself, but a classroom environment would be more beneficial.
The cost was as expected or in that ball park.
There was some discrepancy regarding the fee listed on the website and the actual cost. It's not a major difference but I think I owe the training provider some cash; a bit for a fourth day of CPC hours and a few pounds on top of the listed course price.
By the end of the month I will be welcoming all vacancies from reputable companies.
I think I want to get on tanks; maybe only Class 2 to begin.
I don't mind delivering gas out in the sticks either.
I don't particularly want to do general haulage of ADR packages but if that's all that is on offer then so be it.
At some point I am going to have to use my Class 1 privileges and start driving artics.
I've been taking a look at the job market doing ADR work and I am second guessing whether I am making the right decision doing this course.
My target salary is £21/hr; this is what I desire.
Would I compromise?
I guess so.
£17/hr was my target doing Class 2 moffett work and I've managed to reach £16.50 without pushing too hard.
Once I've worked 250 shifts for this agency I'd be pushing for £18/hr.
The only issue is, £18/hr is fine but not being permanent with permanent worker's benefits is not perfect.
Perhaps, £21/hr doing agency ADR work is more realistic than being permanent and earning that rate?
I've got to be real here; almost every permanent job I am seeing advertised at the moment does not pay close to what I desire.
This does not mean higher paying jobs do not exist.
Here are examples of roles I've come across
Location: WOSL fuel terminal, Kingsbury, Tamworth B78 2EF
Full job description
About us
Shamrock Haulage Ltd is a small family ran petrol tanker fuel haulage business in Tamworth. We are professional, rewarding and customer-focused.
Our work environment includes:
- Relaxed atmosphere
- On-the-job training
- Safe work environment
We are seeking an experienced Petroleum Tanker Driver to join our team on a permanent Monday to Friday day position basis with 1 Saturday morning in 4 if required. The successful candidate will be responsible for safely transporting goods and materials from WOSL and BP Northampton fuel terminals to Barton Petroleum depots, following all applicable laws and regulations. The ideal candidate will have a valid class 1 driver's license, ADR, CPC, PDP, a clean driving record, and the ability to work on your own initiative following training provided. We are looking for someone who is reliable, punctual, and has excellent customer service skills. This vacancy is based on a Ltd company basis and is paid weekly on standards.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct daily vehicle inspections to ensure that all safety regulations are met.
- Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
- Follow safety regulations and traffic laws.
- Load and unload fuels in a safe and efficient manner.
- Communicate with office, customers, and other drivers.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £800.00-£1,300.00 per week
Licence/Certification:
- Class 1 license (required)
- PDP (required)
- ADR (required)
They want experience.
£800 - £1,300 isn't great because I can gross £800+ during a busy week doing around 50 hours moffetting Mon - Fri doing a day shift and no weekends or nights out.
This job doesn't mention nights out, overtime or what the Saturday rate is.
It also doesn't mention how £1,300 is achieved.
They will probably work the driver like a dog in order to hit that wage.
I'm guessing.
It seems like a self employed role as it says it's based on Ltd. This means the wage and benefits are questionable.
There may be very few perks to this job. But it might be possible to command the highest rate.
Sadlers Packaging has a strong job description and a wage to match, but it's not ADR work.
Location
Sadlers Carton Stockholders Ltd, 10 Tilton Road, Birmingham B9 4PE
HGV Driver Job description
About us
A family-owned company established in the 1950's, based in the centre of Birmingham.
Sadlers Carton Stockholders Ltd is a rapidly growing business in Birmingham B9 4PE. The Company values hard working individuals and rewards hard work with great pay packages.
What we do:
We are the largest supplier of new and used cardboard boxes in the UK. We process millions of reusable and obsolete cartons on an annual basis and deal with some of the top companies within the UK. We collect and deliver generally within a 120-mile radius of Birmingham.
Our work environment includes:
- Higher than Average Pay Levels
- Weekly Payroll
- Workplace Pension
- Holiday Overtime Pay
- Convenient Location
- Onsite Parking
- Safe work environment
- Training
- Day Work, Monday - Friday (plus 5 hours overtime on Saturdays)
- Regular 48-50 hour working weeks
- Annual Christmas Shutdown
- Paid CPC Courses - Overtime not paid for attending
- Free FLT Counterbalance Training and Certification
What we are looking for:
- A Minimum of 3 years Class 1 Driving Experience
- Right to Work in UK
- No Criminal Record
- Valid, Clean HGV Class 1 UK Driving Licence
- Valid CPC & Digi Tacho card
- Good Understanding of English Language
- Reliable, Hard Working Individual
- Long Term Employment Prospect
The role:
You will be part of our strong team of drivers, starting the day between 5AM-7AM, delivering goods to maximum of 3 or 4 customers on the way to a collection point, within a 120-mile radius of Birmingham. Load-up & swap and drop trailer exchanges on a daily basis, loads comprise of palletised new and used cardboard boxes. Normal return to site around 3-5pm for unloading and loading for the following day.
We are looking for a professional, reliable and honest Driver who is looking for long term, mutually beneficial employment. Some of our driver have been with us for 40 years plus!
You are required to assist with manual labour on occasion, you’ll be joining our warehouse team to help with any loading/unloading/sorting of packaging that is required. A forklift licence will be provided by us once you have established yourself within the company.
What you will get in return:
Salary: £949.00 - £1100 per week
- 29 days paid holiday including bank holidays and holiday overtime paid
- A modern, well maintained, fleet of Mercedes vehicles
- Brand new trailers
- Basic weekly pay based on 40-hours is £632.97 (8:00am – 17:00)
- Weekly additional bonuses - accident/attendance & time keeping bonuses - £104
- Paid weekly
- Job security
- 10 hours per week average over time, £21.20 per hour
- Scheduled overtime Saturday work (7:00am - 12:00 noon)
- Saturday scheduled between 7 – 10 times per year
- Christmas bonus based on the company performance
- Uniform
- Training
Job Type:
Full-time, Permanent
Salary Average:
£49,000.00 - £53,000+ per year
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 12 hour shift
- Day shift
- Holidays
- Monday to Friday
- Overtime
- Weekend availability
Supplemental pay type:
- Bonus scheme
- Performance bonus
- Safety bonus
- Yearly bonus
Benefits:
- Company pension
This role looks alright and the description is very rich.
I get the feeling that a decent work/life balance probably isn't achievable.
I get the impression that they expect their drivers to do long hours; doing 12 hours every day is a no no.
12 hours driving for a company, then 1-2 hours commuting 6-8 hours sleep leaves not much time during a week.
From the outside, I don't mind doing warehouse duties since I've done this while working for CCF; I was forklift trained and helped load/unload and assist with picks.
It breaks up the monotony doing additional duties but the CCF team were a good bunch so it made working with em far easier than working with grumpy arseholes.
I might have considered this type of role but there are too many unknowns; do they really value their drivers hence the wage or do they demand the impossible hence the wage?
What about Vita Gas?
Location
Telford
Full job description
We are seeking a flexible dedicated and skilled ADR class 1 / class 2 gas cylinder/ tanker Driver to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for transporting LPG gas cylinders safely and efficiently, ensuring timely deliveries while adhering to all road safety regulations. This role requires a strong commitment to customer service and the ability to manage logistics effectively. Must hold a valid ADR licence class 2 packages/tanks
Duties
Operate lorries/ tanker in a safe and responsible manner, ensuring compliance with all traffic laws and regulations.
Conduct pre-trip inspections of the vehicle to ensure it is in good working condition.
Load and unload gas cylinders, securing it properly for transport.
Deliver gas cylinders to designated locations, maintaining accurate records of deliveries made.
Communicate effectively with dispatchers and clients regarding delivery schedules and any potential delays.
Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the vehicle, ensuring it is presentable at all times.
Complete necessary paperwork, including delivery receipts and logs, accurately and promptly.
Skills
Proven experience as a Delivery Driver or in a similar role within commercial driving.
Strong knowledge of road safety regulations and best practices for flatbed driving.
Excellent navigation skills with the ability to use GPS technology effectively.
Strong organisational skills with attention to detail in managing delivery schedules.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, demonstrating strong communication skills.
Physical stamina and strength to handle loading and unloading tasks efficiently.
If you are passionate about driving and delivering exceptional service, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity as a Truck Driver. please no agency's
Job Type:
Full-time, Permanent
Expected hours:
40 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
No mention of wages so it must be shockingly poor or amazingly good.
I don't know what to make of this but the fact they do not use agencies could be positive; CCF didn't use agencies and their package was exceptional with all due respect.
Honestly, looking at job prospects this morning does not fill me with confidence.
Quality roles that tick all of my boxes are few and far between.
Ultimately, what do I want?
✓ First Class 2 ADR job
✓ Easy commute in both directions
✓ £21/hour or £46,410 per annum based on a 42.5 hour week
✓ Working hours between 0500 & 1800, Mon - Fri
✓ No weekends, No nights, No tramping
✓ Overtime payable with allowance after 8.5 hours
✓ Excellent route planning
✓ Easy to navigate routes with easily accessible delivery and collection points
✓ 99% address accuracy
✓ Regular runs to same clients allows shaving time off deliveries
✓ An established routine can reduce delays at delivery locations
✓ Regular runs help build relationships with regular clients
✓ 2-8 deliveries per day but number isn't as important as the hours of work
✓ New, cutting edge, well-maintained equipment; fleet, navigation and tracking etc
✓ Allocated vehicle
✓ Endless supply of equipment for drivers; PPE, Uniform, Stationary
✓ Stress-free working environment
✓ Great team
✓ Tidy depot
✓ Health and safety conscious workplace culture
✓ A company that demands the best from their team and supports them to achieve that status
✓ Great benefits package
✓ Great bonus packages
✓ Exceptional ongoing training and development packages
✓ FORS gold accredited company
✓ The role need some day to day excitement
✓ I get to see a lot more of the idyllic Great British countryside
- Driver Days, where drivers had their say
- Truck wash contract
- Endless supply of good quality uniform
- Endless supply of PPE
- Truck interior cleaning products
- Tight health and safety policies
- Discounted Share Scheme
- Employer matched pension
- Group-wide product discounts
- Well trained warehouse staff who exhibited safe loading practices
- Great team
- Good workplace culture
- Good working environment
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