Questions for the qualified drivers..

[ragandbone]

Any info much appreciated:
1, What is the real likelihood of a newly qualified driver being involved in an incident that would prevent them from moving TOCs? I appreciate it’d be down to how good / diligent / professional the person was - but what kind of “average” figure could you put on it?
2, What are the types of incidents that would prevent a move of TOC? Is it only the major ones, or will any incident count?
3, Does the following seem realistic?
Year 1 – training.
Year 2 & 3 – gain driving experience.
Year 4 – move to a TOC that is constantly advertising for qualified drivers.

I currently live in an area where the local TOC rarely advertises for trainee’s, therefore it seems my only real chance - apart from joining in another grade - is to up sticks and move. But couldn’t up root the whole family – so would need to have a good chance of moving back as soon as possible.

Cheers

 

[choo~choo]

Most tocs will have you bound in for a certain amount of years so you couldn't leave

 

[Class2ldn]

Its only two years your normally required to stay but even then its never enforced.

 

[BravoGolfMike]

This depends entirely on which TOC you want to move back to.

Firstly, don't worry about having a career limiting incident. The serious ones (SPADs, collisions) are actually quite rare and you are unlikely to have one in your first couple of years. Also, depending on the company you wish to move to something like a SPAD may not automatically mean you will not be accepted. I know someone who moved with a recent SPAD on their record, they were open and honest in the interview and demonstrated how they have put an action plan in place to prevent it from happening again.

Your timetable is fairly realistic but obviously depends on how often your target company recruits. Not much use if they recruit a few months before you become eligible. Most companies want you to hae been qualified for 2 years. Some companies don't care how long you have been qualified and will take you on the day after you passed out, others who seem to think they're better than everyone else want 3 years incident free.

If you can tell me who you wish to apply to eventually it might help get more specific info.

 

[choo~choo]

May just have to give a longer notice..

 

[Dave1987]

Any info much appreciated:
1, What is the real likelihood of a newly qualified driver being involved in an incident that would prevent them from moving TOCs? I appreciate it’d be down to how good / diligent / professional the person was - but what kind of “average” figure could you put on it?
2, What are the types of incidents that would prevent a move of TOC? Is it only the major ones, or will any incident count?
3, Does the following seem realistic?
Year 1 – training.
Year 2 & 3 – gain driving experience.
Year 4 – move to a TOC that is constantly advertising for qualified drivers.

I currently live in an area where the local TOC rarely advertises for trainee’s, therefore it seems my only real chance - apart from joining in another grade - is to up sticks and move. But couldn’t up root the whole family – so would need to have a good chance of moving back as soon as possible.

Cheers

Depends entirely on what incidents you have had. Having a couple of Cat A SPAD's on your record then to be honest your stuck with your current TOC but then again triggering a TPWS overspeed loop a couple of times makes you very unattractive to other TOC's. unfortunately (he prepares for the barrage of criticism) the buck stops with the driver, if you are wrong routed and take it, it is your fault and goes on your file even though its the siggy who has wrong routed you.

 

[TDK]

Any info much appreciated:
1, What is the real likelihood of a newly qualified driver being involved in an incident that would prevent them from moving TOCs? I appreciate it’d be down to how good / diligent / professional the person was - but what kind of “average” figure could you put on it?
2, What are the types of incidents that would prevent a move of TOC? Is it only the major ones, or will any incident count?
3, Does the following seem realistic?
Year 1 – training.
Year 2 & 3 – gain driving experience.
Year 4 – move to a TOC that is constantly advertising for qualified drivers.

I currently live in an area where the local TOC rarely advertises for trainee’s, therefore it seems my only real chance - apart from joining in another grade - is to up sticks and move. But couldn’t up root the whole family – so would need to have a good chance of moving back as soon as possible.

Cheers

Anyone can have an incident at any time, it is quite rare for a driver to have an incident in their first year but year 2 the statistics rise considerably due the driver becoming complacent, happens quite a bit. There is no average figure on it. You will find in general the ones who have the incidents are the ones who think they know it all after 5 minutes and think they are invincible, this is from personal experience but there is a definate trend.

To be fair any safety of the line incident is going to affect your chance of moving TOC's and even more so for an inexperienced driver.

You last part does not seem realistic as if your intention is to move TOC's after 4 years why not wait for the job that is for you? However the time line is realistic where as it is 1 year for training the 2 years Post Qualified. I do think with some companies you need to give 6 months notice in the first 3 years as well that will also scupper your chances of success in a move.

 

[ragandbone]

Thanks very much for all the replies chaps.

If you can tell me who you wish to apply to eventually it might help get more specific info.

My nearest driver depot is New St Birmingham - and at the moment London Midland seem to be crying out for qualified's. But obviously that situation may change completely by the time I could apply as a qualified driver.
But bearing in mind their current shortage (apparently) of drivers - what's the chance of getting in without the full 2 years of post qualified driving?

And regarding long notice periods for newly passed out trainees - I gather Northern have a six month period - but is that really enforced? Could they actually stop you from leaving sooner?

 

[Dave1987]

Thanks very much for all the replies chaps.



My nearest driver depot is New St Birmingham - and at the moment London Midland seem to be crying out for qualified's. But obviously that situation may change completely by the time I could apply as a qualified driver.
But bearing in mind their current shortage (apparently) of drivers - what's the chance of getting in without the full 2 years of post qualified driving?

And regarding long notice periods for newly passed out trainees - I gather Northern have a six month period - but is that really enforced? Could they actually stop you from leaving sooner?

GA have a six month notice period, they won't release your driver file during that period so you are useless to your new TOC until they hand it over. LM are currently crying out for qualified drivers but they have a lot of internals currently being trained and I think they will fill all the vacancies once they are all passed out. I think your best bet from where you sound like you are located is FGW as First do have trainee positions come up now and then.

 

[Class2ldn]

Im starting with a new toc and my two years isnt up yet so it can be done.