Category Archives: News

Driving for Life, not driving out Life

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The number of fatalities and injuries associated with road accidents is an ever challenging problem with statistics showing improvements in some areas but a rise in incidents in others. With the competitive environment evolving a graver and more sinister social condition, the responsible attitude and the care of modern drivers has degraded. There are so many safety protocols that have been implemented in the past few decades, but the modern driver is plagued with modernisation that has driven off many humane values and replaced them with careless attitudes.

A big difference can be made in the driving schools themselves. Especially the people who drive for a living need to be aware of road safety more than any other road user. For example, lorry driver training includes in-depth discussion and advice about road safety and related psychology. Therefore a truck school is an institution suitably equipped with the knowledge and training methods to change driver attitudes before they undertake a huge social responsibility.

Safety is a not only a driver’s commitment, there are factors in the whole infrastructure that can influence road safety. Even the best drivers cannot drive safely if the driving conditions are not satisfactory. The roads should be in perfect order for drivers to retain full control over their vehicle. Furthermore, street lights and road signs should be properly maintained. Mishaps caused by erroneous signalling leading to fatal accidents are not unheard of.

Then comes the social responsibility factor. It may be hard to change the values and attitudes of an adult but to release them as responsible drivers into society, a significant attempt should be made. If the proper seeds of thought are fed into them while they are still amateur drivers, they will eventually adopt responsible attitudes. Safety is more or less a habit that has to be practiced regularly. A driver must be responsible at all times. Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving with the symptoms of an illness or under strong medication, driving in bad weather conditions and when the vehicle is not functioning properly should be avoided at all costs. Drivers should have the willingness to yield and adhere to the road regulations, and the patience to endure the complete driving experience.

Congestion is another factor that can lead to bad driving and eventually to road accidents. Dangerous overtaking maneuvers and road rage are common consequences of congestion. Public awareness of alternative routes and the decentralisation of heavily crowded business areas are solutions for this.

The Road Rage Factor

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According to the AAA Foundation for traffic safety, road rage is a pressing issue that keeps increasing the number of casualties by leading into senseless traffic disputes. Aggressive driving and road rage are two terms which are used interchangeably, as much similar the origin of the duo be, they are distinguished by their end result. Road rage is a psychological phenomenon where the uncontrollable anger leads into violence. Aggressive driving may stop at an obscene gesture or curse but road rage commonly leads to a lot of damage and even deaths. Aggressive driving may encompass tailgating, high speed driving, running stop lights and signs and weaving through traffic.

Road rage can happen to anyone yet in severe cases can be against the law. One major distinction between aggressive driving and road rage in the legal platform is that aggressive driving is considered a traffic violation while road rage is counted as a criminal offence.  The implementation of the law however is controversial; road rage being a psychological factor, there is no solid way to derive the motive of certain traffic violations. Thus the laws surrounding road rage are more inclined towards subjectivity due to the lack of explicit bounds. The understanding of road range therefore cannot be in a narrow perspective, we’ll have to consider things in a wider angle.

Road rage as mentioned above is psychological. The road rage and aggression can be caused in several ways. The causes range from loss communal feelings and shared values to home problems. To mention a few, traffic congestion leading to inconsistent driving speeds, being late to appointments, anonymity, disregard of law or clinical mental conditions can cause road rage. Anonymity is when a driver feels detached and insulated from the surrounding. This can lead to a psychological misconception where the driver feels like an observer rather than a person who is involved in the process. They may mentally reduce the impact of their actions to nearly that of playing a video game.

Drivers should be made aware of road rage from professional driver training. Especially those who drive as a career and are therefore more at risk of such dangers due to extensive time spent on the road. Lorry drivers are advised against such malpractice and how to manage difficult situations from other road users in truck school as a part of their lorry driver training. For more information contact HGV Express for full details on the expert training we provide to keep drivers alert, safe and well equipped for any challenges they may face out on the road.

Continental’s New HDW2® SCANDINAVIA Truck Tyre

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Snow fall can be heavy and driving through snow without preparation is risky. When you purchase tyres for the winter check for the sign of a snowflake on the sidewall. The snowflake symbol indicates it is specifically made for winter, to provide good friction and grip on snow covered roads. Driving on regular tyres in winter increases the potential risk to you and other road users and at the very least, if caught, you may end up paying a fine. There is a legal requirement for trucks in most countries, trucks should have winter tyres with a minimum tread depth of 6mm. Those who fail to comply are vulnerable to a fine of 5000 Euros.

The Continental Scandinavia HDW2 XL tyres (315/60 R 22.5 XL, 315/70 R 22.5 XL and 355/50 R 22.5 XL) are customised for higher load capacities and maximum grip over the winter season. The Scandinavia collection does not compromise mileage or fuel consumption as its rolling resistance is low.

Continental’s Commercial Marketing Manager, Tracey Hyem, announced “During the last few tough winters, Continental Scandinavia winter tyres for tractor units, rigids and semi-trailers proved that optimum traction and fuel economy can be achieved. The new sizes on the Scandinavia 2 generation will provide operators with additional traction and safety on the roads in snowy and icy conditions”.

The HDW2 tyre is the key to a smooth drive in winter because it is specially manufactured for their axle positions. The tyre’s tread geometry is highly capable of guaranteeing optimal traction and directional control. The tread comprises three-dimensional, lateral and longitudinal sipes in single-direction formation. For safe HGV training and operation we recommend HDW2 tyres for trailers attached to your truck.

The HDW2 tyre is peace of mind for truck drivers as it helps them to carry heavy loads safely in extreme weather conditions. Many drivers across Europe will experience roads with compacted snow between October and March. Continental tests report, the HDW2 has proven to deliver 10% more grip on ice and snow than the previous generation HDW winter tyres. Transport companies are advised to heed to winter with the new model of winter tyres before stocks run short. The tyre is ideal for terrain driving as well; as the tyre wears, the tread pattern wears into a structure similar to a summer tyre.

A New Method of Hazard Prevention for Silo Tankers

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Entry into silos is highly hazardous. Some unique characteristics of the stored material can cause risk as well. The enclosed space of a silo can contain harmful material and may have low levels of oxygen. The operators could become buried under material flow inside a  silo within just a few seconds.

Often the insects breed within tankers thus inspecting and cleaning of silos is crucial to prevent product contamination. Accessing a silo tanker should be only conducted by experienced or trained operators.

The height of a silo is about four metres and the only access method is the top hatch on the roof. The operators need a ladder to to access the entry point which is associated with potential risk. That’s why tank operators are advised against accessing tanks alone.

Wincanton, supply chain solutions provider, in collaboration with Felbinder, manufacturers of tanks and tank components, has come up with an inventive solution for hazard prevention. The solution is low-level, side access to the silo tanker. The solutions provide the combined benefits of both tipping and silo tanks.

With the new design an operator can access the silo tanker via side access points. It is near the ground level so operators will not fall and it’s a lot easier to call for help whenever needed. The low-level, side access points for silo tankers provides a better visual inspection of the floor and walls of the tank without entering the tank. Finally the side access introduces a straightforward and safe method of full cleaning regime between loads which enhances vehicle utilization as well.

The new design of silo tankers offers around 5% payload benefit compared to tipping tanks. At the moment four vehicles of the new design are being trialled and so far the feedback of operators and drivers were positive. Effective tanker and HGV training is crucial for proper risk management and safe operations. Still it is not clear how the side access points can be applied to the large silo tanks that are mounted above ground and multi-compartment silos designed by splitting a conical, single compartment silo. If it is proved to be practical and safe in the operational environment the new low-level, side access points can turn into an industry standard.

Choosing a truck school

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Driving a lorry on today’s busy roads is a big responsibility, and you will want to make sure that you get the very best of HGV training and a course which covers every aspect of lorry training. You will need to have a clean current car driving licence and be over 21 years of age before you are able to undertake lorry driver training for vehicles over 3500kg. Funding a course is a big investment, and you also have to consider the ongoing training for the Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC).   Selecting a good truck school at the outset is very important.  You will need to consider location, reputation of the training provider, whether the training provider has the qualifications and expertise to deliver the HGV course and value for money.

There are many centres around the UKoffering both class 1 training and class 2 training.  You can find the one nearest to you by looking it up on line.  There are three tests you will need to take, and every centre should include them in their HGV training course.  The theory and hazard perception test, practical driving test and the CPC should all form part of the course for it to be a valid course.  The theory will include information aboutUK and EU regulations relating not only to the practicalities of driving but also weight restrictions and other relevant matters.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is part of the Department for Transport (Dft) which governs all matters relating to driving on Britain’s roads. At the very least the truck school you select for your training should be registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).  Every HGV training centre is checked and approved by the DSA to ensure that they are adhering to standards of safety, delivering accurate and current information through their course, and satisfy themselves that only qualified instructors are employed by the centre to deliver the course.  The DSA will also check that the lorries which are used for the course meet the strict standards for training vehicles.

As with any other course, HGV training can vary from centre to centre within the parameters of those set by the DSA.  You may know someone who has been to a particular centre and is happy to recommend their services.  Some HGV training centres offer extra services such as assistance with finding your first job and ongoing support once you are employed.

Different truck schools have different fee structures, so you will need to shop around for the best price.  However, it will also depend on how far you are prepared to travel to undertake the course.

Lorry driving offers a rewarding and varied career.  Once you have successfully completed your lorry driver training you will be able to choose between driving nationally or internationally, work flexible hours, and earn a good salary.   You might even decide to purchase your own lorry and become self employed.  Passing lorry driver training and becoming a lorry driver opens doors to a great new way of life.

Lorry Training

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When deciding which lorry training you want to do, you will need to consider which types of lorry you plan on driving and what kind of work you want to do.  Vans and small lorries up to 3.5 tonnes are used for local deliveries, with bigger lorries used for longer national and international haulage. A lorry up to 3.5 tonnes can be driven on an ordinary car licence, but if you want to tow a trailer and passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 you will need to take a car and trailer test.  In order to be able to drive a lorry over 3.5 tonnes and up to 7.5 tonnes you will need to undergo lorry training at an approved centre. Successfully passing class 1 training will entitle you to have a category C added to your existing licence.

The first step is to get a provisional C entitlement on your full car driving licence, followed by passing a driver’s medical examination.  You will then be ready to book in for lorry training.  The examination contains elements of theory as well as practical, and the Drivers Standards Agency (DSA) theory manual is a good starting point.  This can be purchased from any bookshop which stocks HMSO materials.   Some lorry training centres offer an aptitude test before you book in for the full HGV course.  This will give you an idea whether you are suitable to drive large vehicles.  As with driving cars, hand and eye coordination are very important, as well as being able to identify potential hazards and take avoiding action.

If you want to progress to class 1 training which will entitle you to drive lorries over 7.5 tonnes and articulated, you will need to take further lorry training.   When you have passed the class 1 training you will be qualified to drive any type of vehicle on the road and have the C and E categories added to your licence.

Lorry training is an ongoing process and you will need to keep your Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) up to date. The CPC was introduced as an EU directive and aims to improve the status of professional drivers. The CPC keeps you up to date with new regulations and helps improve road safety. If you are a new driver and have recently passed your lorry training, the CPC applies all professional HGV and PCV drivers. The regulations were introduced in September 2008 for PCV drivers and September 2009 for HGV drivers.

HGV driving can be a very lucrative career, especially if you have passed the class 1 training.  Although there is currently an economic downturn, there is still a demand for lorry drivers with good qualifications and experience. Whether you want to drive locally, nationally or internationally, if you have successfully completed a HGV course and kept your CPC up to date, there is still a lot of work for lorry drivers. Lorry driving gives you the opportunity for flexible working and self employment, if you think it is for you.

Pros and Cons of being a lorry driver

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If you are considering a career change and thinking of becoming a lorry driver you will want to think about the pros and cons.  You must have a clean full car driving licence before you can even apply for HGV training.  Even if you do not have any points but have a drink driving notice on your licence you may find it difficult to find work even if you have passed a HGV course.

The main benefits of being a lorry driver are that you will have flexibility of working hours, need never be without a job, and there are many opportunities for employment or self employment. Prior to the recession, you were guaranteed work and a high salary if you had successfully completed lorry driving training.  This has changed over the last few years, as with other types of employment.  The recession has affected all industry sectors.  After completing your HGV training, you can start looking for a job and often the training provider will be able to help and point you in the right direction.

Qualified lorry drivers can work on day contracts, delivering goods to within their local area.  There are also longer haul overnight runs available, as well as international deliveries.  It will depend on what you want to do, and of course the work available.  Having passed your HGV course and have Class C and E categories on your licence, you will have more choice as work becomes available.

On the down side, there is a lot of paperwork to complete to remain within the UKand EU regulations. Vehicle weight (laden and unladen), and whole host of other legislation must be adhered to when you are a lorry driver.  It is not just a matter of driving the lorry. Allowable driving hours are just one restriction you will need to stick to. All of this information will be included in your HGV training and you will need to be able to understand both the theoretical and practical aspects of being a lorry driver. A tachograph is fitted to the gearbox of a vehicle which records the speed and distance the vehicle has covered within a set period.  The tachograph has been fitted to all relevant lorries and buses manufactured after 1st May 2006.  This restricts how many hours a driver can drive within a 24 hour period, and using the “tacho” is part of the HGV training.

If you are in a position to purchase your own lorry and become self employed, you will still need to have successfully passed a HGV training course before you can start working on contracts.  Being self employed means even more paperwork as well as the driving, marketing and seeking out contracts.  Whether you want to work for an employer or be self employed, being a lorry driver is a great career.  The hours can be long and you may be away from home for long periods, especially if you go on international runs, but your HGV training will stand you in good stead for making a good income.

Becoming a lorry driver

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If you are thinking of becoming a professional lorry driver and want to be able to drive vehicles with a laden weight of over 7.5tonnes, you will need to undergo a HGV Training course.  Being a qualified lorry driver opens up opportunities for working locally, nationally and internationally.  Once you have passed your HGV Course you will have great flexibility in your working hours, be able to deliver multi-drop deliveries, drive box container or curtain-sided vehicles and transport livestock.  The work can take you all over the country.  There is great camaraderie within the trucking world and you will make new friends and become part of a network of lorry drivers, keeping in contact with radios and helping each other out with any known difficulties in routings. Depending on whether you drive locally or nationally, you will learn a lot about the geography of theUK and, if you also accept international assignments, aboutEurope as well.

It is important that you get good information and identify a suitable Truck Driver Training School from the outset.  You should always check that the organisation offering the course has the Driver Standards Agency (DSA) accreditation.  There are three tests you will need to take to complete HGV Training.  The first is the theory and hazard perception test which is a computer based multiple choice test followed by video clips of hazards which are developing. The earlier you are able to identify the hazard, the higher your score will be. The second test is the practical driving test, and the third is the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).   You will also need to undergo a medical to prove fitness for driving.  Once you have passed all three parts of the HGV Course, you will be entitled to take up your first job as a professional lorry driver.  Ongoing HGV Training is required for all new professional drivers, and you will be required to pass the four Driver CPC module tests and do 35 hours of periodic training every five years.   This will keep you up to date with any new regulations which may be introduced.

HGV and Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) drivers are in high demand and once you have successfully passed your Lorry Driver Training, you will be able to earn a high salary and have security of employment.   If you already have a category C1 licence and have passed your car driving test prior to 1997, you will automatically be entitled to drive a vehicle up to 7.5tonnes laden weight.   You will then only need to upgrade to a Category C licence which is a rigid lorry with a fixed body between 7.5 tonnes and 18 tonnes.   For larger articulated lorries, you will need a Category C+E licence, and pass the relevant HGV Course to enable you to upgrade your licence to this level.

The cost of undertaking Lorry Driver Training is high, but the investment is well worth while, given the flexibility, job satisfaction, job security  and high earnings potential of a professional lorry driver.

HGV Training

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Before selecting a HGV Course you should do some research and check that the HGV Training provider is actually qualified and can issue legal documents which will be accepted by the DVLA for upgrading your driving licence.  There are brokers who will point you in the direction of accredited HGV Training but they will charge you several hundred pounds for the privilege.  HGV Training is expensive and you will want to make sure that you get the best for your money.  Look for a centre which is approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) which is an executive agency of the Department of Transport.  The HGV Training provided by registered DSA centres will provide you with the best training available and meet all the safety standards laid down by both theUK and EU regulations.

Before embarking on HGV Training you will need to have a clean current car driving licence.  Most people who passed their car test prior to 1997 will already have categories C1 and C1+E on their licences. New EU regulations require lorry drivers to pass the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).  This is in addition to the initialHGV Course.  This applies to any driver who does not have a Category C1, C or C+E  and includes successfully passing two further examinations, a practical test and a case study.  The CPC also requires professional lorry drivers to undertake a set number of hours per year towards compliance with the regulations, and is extra HGV Training to keep lorry drivers safe on the roads and up to date with new regulations.  HGV Training is ongoing as professional lorry drivers are required to keep up with health and safety issues.

There are many benefits of being a lorry driver.  Once you have completed your HGV Training you will be able to demand a high salary, job satisfaction and have what most people can only dream of – job security.   The flexibility of hours and opportunities for self employment are further advantages.  You will be in charge of your own career.  Once you have completed your HGV Training and have some experience, you will be able to pick and choose your jobs, or retire early.  Some lorry drivers work only part of the year, or work on contract.   You will have the flexibility to be able to work locally, nationally or internationally while earning a great salary.

HGV Training also includes getting qualified to drive a horse box or trailer.  If you passed your driving test after 1997, you will need to take a test to drive a car and trailer.  A category C1 licence entitles you to drive a lorry of no more than 7.5 tons fully loaded.  HGV Training is available for horse box owners who want to drive fully loaded lorries over 7.5tons and gain a category C licence.  It important that you calculate the weight of the horse(s) into the weight or you may be driving illegally.  The HGV Course specially designed for driving horse boxes takes 5 days.

Lorries are big heavy vehicles and are dangerous in the wrong hands. All road safety considerations will be taken into account during your HGV Driver Course.  Whether you are planning on being a professional lorry driver or are a more recreational driver driving large vehicles, you will need to undergo the relevant HGV Training.

HGV Courses

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Driving on today’s busy roads is dangerous and there are many accidents every day.  If you want to be a lorry driver, you should make sure you undergo the best HGV Training possible at a centre which registered with the Driver Standards Agency (DSA).  The HGV course will include a mixture of stringent practical and theory tests which are designed to make sure you have all the knowledge you need to drive safely on modern roads and motorways.  There are two sets of regulations you will need to be familiar with and will be included in your HGV course.  European Union (EU) regulations if you want to drive in Europe, andUK regulations for driving in theUK.

Manoeuvring a large vehicle is just one of the things you will learn on your HGV course.   You will be taught that you need to consider other road users at all times.  Some car drivers do not realise just how much room a lorry takes when making a turn at a roundabout for example.   You will learn about braking distances.  A heavy vehicle takes much longer to slow down than a car, and during your HGV course you will be taught the theory about braking distances before you put it into practice on the road.  Driving laden and non laden vehicles is very different, as anyone who has driven a horse box or loaded van will tell you.  The same vehicle will react differently to attempts to slow down quickly when it is laden than it will when not laden.   Your HGV course will teach you all about laden and unladen vehicles and braking distances as well as how much load you are allowed to carry.  Foreign regulations are different than in the UK, and if you are a foreigner taking an HGV course in theUK with the intention of driving in theUK, you will need to follow theUK regulations.

The weight of the unladen vehicle will dictate whether you can drive it or not.  An HGV course which includes Class 2 training will allow you to drive a light goods vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes.   If you successfully pass Class 1 training, you will be able to drive articulated lorries.

The costs of attending a HGV course are quite high, over a thousand pounds.  Sometimes the government gives grants towards the training, and your HGV training centre will be able to provide you with information.    Once you have your certificate, the HGV training centre may also be able to help with finding your first job as a professional lorry driver.

There are many HGV training centres in the UK and you will be able to find one near you by doing an internet search or looking in Yellow Pages.   Before taking the HGV course, you will be required to take a medical and have a clean full car driving licence. Once you have successfully completed the HGV course, your car driving licence will be updated to reflect your new qualifications with a category C or category E, depending on which HGV course you have taken. You will then be able to seek work as a well paid lorry driver.