I’m in the process of getting my C licence (Theory done, waiting on a test date) then will be getting my C+E. I already have a transport of livestock certificate under 8 hours for the small holding I have. Is it worth getting the over 8 hours? As driving hours are restricted to 9/10 hours a day would I ever really be driving for more than 8 hours? As I would have to take loading and unloading time into account? Are there any of qualifications I should consider getting? What sort of wage could I expect to earn? How many days a week would I normally work? With driving hours and other work. Would I be better off only doing 4 days so that on the 5th day I can use that for farming at home. I’m based on the powys/herefordshire border. If anyone knows of any companies local that are looking for drivers? Just looking for general advice/guidance.
Advice on getting into Livestock haulage
- Thread starter Timo245
- Start date
- Location
- East Sussex
Yes get the over 8 hour qualification, lots of stock travel for more than 8 hours every day. Multiple pick ups will soon clock 10 hours plus.
You are in a good place as plenty of livestock, but you will need to perhaps look at working as a second driver for double manning with some companies.
You will need to be as flexible as possible with many livestock drivers leaving home on a Sunday and lucky if they get home again the following Saturday!
You are in a good place as plenty of livestock, but you will need to perhaps look at working as a second driver for double manning with some companies.
You will need to be as flexible as possible with many livestock drivers leaving home on a Sunday and lucky if they get home again the following Saturday!
- Location
- East Sussex
Not 10 hours driving, loading and unloading time is not driving time.
Have to make sure you get a full weekend off every two weeks plus a 24 hour sometime!
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I'd hate that, pulling into places after dark, trying to manoeuvre around all the machines sat in the road, everyone in bed
If you get hurt could be lying for hours,
Having to deal with yardstaff at mart, many thicker than a dockers sandwich.
Having worked at marts I can only imagine floating is a worse job.
If you get hurt could be lying for hours,
Having to deal with yardstaff at mart, many thicker than a dockers sandwich.
Having worked at marts I can only imagine floating is a worse job.
Northeastfarmer
Member
- Location
- Cleveland
Don’t you work at the mart as yardstaff?
@Willie adie Many yardstaff are farmers helping on the day, and I think your last comment was unnecessary. Without the people willing to work maybe one or two days a week for the marts they would not be able to run.
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
Drivers hours regs (briefly):
Can only do any "hire or reward" work 11 days a fortnight
Can only work 60 hours max per week
Must finish daily work within 15 hours of start time
RTD break required after 6 and 9 hours
Driving break after a total drive of 4,5 hours
Etc. etc. etc.
You need to remember that once you put yourself within the scope of Drivers hours regs, ALL WORK you do (including for yourself with a view to profit) is within the scope of the regs-who is going to work on your smallholding on the days you are required to be "Resting"? Even just spending a couple of hours checking your stock is "work"
You can't be a "part time" lorry driver as your other job/work is governed by your Driving Regs compliance
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Don’t be put off
It’s a job with high job satisfaction and responsibility
You will be very employable especially with the right attitude
As Frank says many outfits you are basically away tramping for the week as that’s how the job is now but you’d be using the best kit
PM me if you like and I’ll see if I can put you in touch with some firms
It’s a job with high job satisfaction and responsibility
You will be very employable especially with the right attitude
As Frank says many outfits you are basically away tramping for the week as that’s how the job is now but you’d be using the best kit
PM me if you like and I’ll see if I can put you in touch with some firms
- Location
- West Wales
Get your head around tachographs first. I know loading sheep here which is usually 100-200 at a time with very good loading facilities it can be 30-40 minutes to load by the time the sawdust is on, ramps etc down and paperwork filled in.
Probably better off reliefing for someone first. Take the rough with the smooth, some days might be 1-2 pickups for a full load and other days it could be 8-10 farms. If I have less than 40 lambs i do tend to run them closer for my haulier which can be 3-20mile depending if their in my area or not, I know how critical tacho hours are so I’m more than happy to help my haulier but I know others that will demand they pickup 10 from the farm
Probably better off reliefing for someone first. Take the rough with the smooth, some days might be 1-2 pickups for a full load and other days it could be 8-10 farms. If I have less than 40 lambs i do tend to run them closer for my haulier which can be 3-20mile depending if their in my area or not, I know how critical tacho hours are so I’m more than happy to help my haulier but I know others that will demand they pickup 10 from the farm
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I did yes, and that's how I know!!
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
Yes and many aren't, there are some great yards men, I've worked with and tried to learn, but there are many that are like watching retards f**king door knobs
@Willie adie not all men!
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I've seen them turn up in trainers, in hi vis, some scared of cattle, some thst can't read. Some that can't count, ( and I'm not the best counter) some that don't know a stot from a hiefer, some that don't know different breeds, some that don't know broken mouths, indeed an ex yards manager once asked after 3 hrs of checking teeth " em what are we looking for!?". Yes yards manager, many that won't shift thier arse.
Yes you can't expect them to read minds and know ( in fact you can expect that as it seemed to be mandatory).
Many that dont give a f**k as theyre off at 5 or when sales finished and so someone else will sort it.
And I've seen some top class guys, that were fantastic to work with, installed confidence in fellow drovers, some who could think of the next person in the chain of operations, some who can keep cool under pressure, there are good ones but thier numbers are dwindling..
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
Aye but most of the useless f**kers were male
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Anyway back on topic I’d say yes do your over 8 hours - and all
species . There’s some interesting specialist work . Cork airport had a fleet of French wagons with breeding pigs to be flown to China recently
Finding the first employer to take a risk on you with minimal experience will be the first challenge but don’t sell yourself short or get taken advantage of
Many fleets now moving to compartment lifting tray type trailers. Much easier for different species loads two ways and from a drivers point of view easier washing out and no more crawling under decks getting cr@pped on
species . There’s some interesting specialist work . Cork airport had a fleet of French wagons with breeding pigs to be flown to China recently
Finding the first employer to take a risk on you with minimal experience will be the first challenge but don’t sell yourself short or get taken advantage of
Many fleets now moving to compartment lifting tray type trailers. Much easier for different species loads two ways and from a drivers point of view easier washing out and no more crawling under decks getting cr@pped on
Last edited:
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Get a job for a livestock haulage firm and learn the ropes - it aint all beer and snapchats, but that way you get out and see a LOT and you're covered as far as progressing your licence goes, and meet a heap of people.
All of this can benefit your holding, I signed up as a "fulltime" driver but my boss is flexible and understanding that I have more on than just driving his trucks around.
I do however dig my toes in as far as licence upgrading goes, quite happy driving a fert spreader and doing a bit of livestock/bulk - rather than backing 5-axle trailers into 4-axle places, in the dark, in the mud
the big perks of course are all the networking you get to do - getting your name out there is increasingly vital in agriculture - and being able to borrow gear in the weekends, to go collect your bull or an implement etc etc
I certainly wouldn't be in a rush to become an owner-driver, self-employed or buy a rig
All of this can benefit your holding, I signed up as a "fulltime" driver but my boss is flexible and understanding that I have more on than just driving his trucks around.
I do however dig my toes in as far as licence upgrading goes, quite happy driving a fert spreader and doing a bit of livestock/bulk - rather than backing 5-axle trailers into 4-axle places, in the dark, in the mud
the big perks of course are all the networking you get to do - getting your name out there is increasingly vital in agriculture - and being able to borrow gear in the weekends, to go collect your bull or an implement etc etc
I certainly wouldn't be in a rush to become an owner-driver, self-employed or buy a rig
Willie adie
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
I've respect for most floaters bloody dangerous job, need to have your wits about you, the patience of a Saint, bravery, and good slice of luck.
IMO I don't think driving a stock wagon and keep your own stock is a good idea. It would be fine most of the time but this time of year when they are bring a lot of sheep from Scotland and north England down Devon and Cornwall you could be out for 6 days and maybe stuck in Aberdeen for the 7th waiting for a load down on Monday morning. To be stuck 400 miles from home when you want to sorting problems out on you own farm will be very frustrating. I think if you are driving a stock wagon that has to be your life and you have except waiting in markets all day to get a load at night.