Archives 2021

HGV Drivers spend many hours on the road, it’s part of the job. And whilst we may not immediately think that air pollution is something that those inside vehicles need to worry about, the reality is that drivers are some of the most vulnerable when it comes to traffic induced air pollution.

In some studies, air pollution has been found to be 10 times higher in vehicles than outside on the road. In addition, pollutants in the air can cause a wide range of illnesses, such as cancer, heart and respiratory disease, as well as mental health being at risk.

Organisations employing drivers must do more to ensure their team members are safe. In addition to the safety of drivers, these disorders can lead to a lack of alertness, in turn leaving other drivers at risk.

Organisations must start to invest in technology that can purify the air drivers breathe whilst driving, as well as educate drivers on the risks of air pollution and encourage drivers to care for their health and wellbeing.

For more information about our online driver CPC courses, contact 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

It’s that time of year where most of us across the country are expecting a wintry snap. Snow can cause hugely hazardous conditions, and it’s even more important for LGV and HGV drivers to be fully prepared – here’s our top tips.

Make sure you are prepared. It’s important to make sure you’re ready to face any challenge – we recommend you stocking up your vehicle with de-icers, jump leads, salt, a torch, a blanket and extra coat, and plenty of fuel at all times.

Keep up to date on conditions. Keep an eye on the latest weather reports where possible – Just keeping an ear to the radio is enough to know if conditions are about to get worse.

Drive safely and smoothly. Take your time, slow down, and allow plenty of extra space between you and other vehicles. Try to maintain a consistent speed and don’t make any sudden moves!

Make sure you inspect your lorry thoroughly. Before making a hazardous journey it’s vital you make some basic checks to ensure your vehicle is road worthy. Check the tyres and lights are in top working condition and not covered in snow. Check your fluid levels and battery too.

For more information about our online driver CPC courses, contact 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

Despite all the pressures being faced by the supply chain at the moment, it’s important to stay safe when driving for a living. For example, it’s easy to accidentally drive longer than legally allowed and tempting to do so when deadlines are tight. But it’s definitely not worth this risk to a professional driver!

Driving for longer hours has its risks. Drivers who are tired risk accidents, both minor and major, that can potentially have a serious impact on the driver and the company they work for.

Driving beyond regulated hours can have serious consequences for both the driver and the organisation they are employed by. In recent cases, drivers found going beyond the regulated working hours lost their licence for 12 months.

Companies who allow drivers to work beyond the regulated hours face tough penalties too. Organisations can face suspension of their transport licences, which can have a huge impact on their productivity, and individuals deemed responsible for allowing such offences to happen could find themselves also unemployed.

So with all those risks in place, is it really worth driving longer than permitted?

For more information about our online driver CPC courses, contact 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

If you drive for a living across the country, it’s handy to know what makes a welcoming and well stocked service station, and where they are. So, in case you missed it, Which named the top 5 service stations across the UK – And here they are!

1. Gloucester Services, Gloucestershire (M5)
2. Tebay Services, Cumbria (M6)
3. Cairn Lodge (M74)
4. Norton Canes (M6)
5. Wetherby (A1M)

Have you visited any of these service stations recently?

There are many features that make a god service station. Not only does the range of amenities available make a difference, but other factors such as levels of staffing can make a huge difference to the overall experience.

Long distance drivers should always aim to take regular breaks from driving – And the better the service station, the more satisfactory the break!

For more information about our online driver CPC courses, contact 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

Fuel continues to be a huge expense in the logistics sector, and as such it’s vital that LGV drivers remember to consider fuel efficiency when driving. Here’s our top tips!

Have you got cruise control? Cruise control is becoming more and more standard in LGVs, and for a good reason – computers can calculate correct speeds and efficient fuel consumption better than any human. So make good use of it!

Are you block changing? By block changing gears, say from second to forth gear, rather than working up through the gears, you’re absolutely improving your fuel efficiency – so make sure you’re block changing where safe and possible to do so!

Is your engine STILL running? Turn your engine off if you’re not moving anywhere – even if you’re trying to stay warm with the heating on! You’re eating up more fuel than you realise!

Are you feeling resistance? Fuel efficiency in LGVs in particular can suffer from resistance – there are easy ways to combat this, such as plotting less hilly routs for LGVs where possible.

For more information about our online driver CPC courses, contact 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

LGV and HGV driving has been a lucrative career choice for a long time, with many people enjoying the flexibility and financial rewards from driving for a living. But traditionally speaking it’s mostly been men that have taken up these types of roles, and whilst it’s clear that the sector is still dominated by male drivers, things are slowly starting to change. For women, there has never been a better time to consider LGV driving for a living!

Technology has changed the role of drivers for the better – where previously strength and size of workers was an important factor, this is no longer the case, with new technology opening up the role to more people.

With the shortage of drivers continuing to be a huge problem for multiple supply chains, encouraging more women to apply for LGV driving roles could be a fantastic solution to solving the shortage problem but also diversifying the sector.

There are many benefits to LGV driving for a living. Lots of organisations can offer flexibility on work shifts, and the financial benefits are huge!

For more information about our online CPC driver training and to book your next training session, contact us on 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

Long distance lorry driving is a rewarding career with excellent benefits. It can also be fast paced and busy, and learning how to manage large vehicles over long distances is key to a long and successful driving career. Here’s our top tips.

You’re bigger than everyone else! Spatial awareness if key when driving large vehicles – give other vehicles lots of space in front of you as heavy vehicles will take a longer time and distance to break effectively. When changing lanes, be aware of your many blind spots, diligently use your indicators and try to change lanes as little as possible – only when it’s necessary!

Look after yourself. Make sure you take your regular breaks every time, and make sure you are able to get enough sleep between trips. If you’re feeling too tired to drive, never risk it – stop the vehicle in a safe place and where possible aim to take a 15-20 minute power nap.

Maintain your vehicle. It’s important to have a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance just in case. Check your vehicle thoroughly before you start any long journey.

What are your top tips for long distance lorry driving?

For more information about our online CPC driver training and to book your next training session, contact us on 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

Clearly based in the UK the one thing you can expect from the weather is rain. For those who drive for a living, it’s important that they remain safe whilst on the road during rainy conditions. Here’s how.

Slow down! The speed limit is designed for ideal conditions – rain is certainly not ideal. Your braking distance will be increased – stay safe and slow down, leaving plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front.

Headlights? There’s no harm in putting your headlights on if visibility is low – and rain can sometimes bring darker conditions. So shine a light!

Watch out for hydroplaning. The technical term for losing grip of the road, it’s more likely you’ll experience this in the rain. If you start to hydroplane, lift your foot off the accelerator and steer straight.

Stay alert. It’s easy to drive almost subconsciously, especially if you’re driving along a known route – make sure you stay alert at all times.

For more information about our online CPC driver training and to book your next training session, contact us on 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

According to recent news reports, a shortage of drivers and other skilled workers is still the biggest challenge faced by the logistics sector. With many organisations and supply chains needing skilled drivers, what is being done to alleviate the driver shortage?

It’s clear that it’s a competitive market for skilled workers and political and economic uncertainty due to Brexit and Covid-19 has left workers seeking security elsewhere. This, coupled with increased and changing customer demands for a seamless service has left finding skilled workers and drivers challenging to some organisations.

Organisations are tackling this shortage by investing in new technology, streamlining their processes as much as possible. The government have also stepped in to review current legislation as well as increasing capacity for HGV driving tests and training. Here at WeTrainCPC we provide low cost CPC training for all drivers, making sure drivers are safe at all times despite the pressure.

For those considering a career change, driving provides a number of benefits, including flexible hours, full training and a competitive salary. Why not give us a call to find out more?

For more information about our online CPC driver training and to book your next training session, contact us on 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.

Do you drive long distance for a living? There are lots of benefits to driving work, including the excellent salary, flexible hours and freedom whilst working. But spending several hours alone every day at work can be challenging, and drivers should be aware of feeling lonely and how to tackle it. Here’s how.

Speak out and share how you feel. There are thousands of long distance drivers across the UK, and chances are you’ll know lots of them from your work– Speak out about how you’re feeling and share your story. Make sure your employer is aware if you’re finding things tough.

Stay in contact when you can. Call your family and friends in your break time and use social media to share pictures and keep in contact with everyone. Hearing a friendly voice can do the world of good!

Look after yourself. Eat well, take breaks when you need to, and make sure you look after yourself when you’re driving over long periods of time. Failure to do so can not only leave you feeling out of sorts but can also be dangerous when you’re driving for a long time.

For more information about our online CPC driver training and to book your next training session, contact us on 01582 383033 or rue@wetraincpc.co.uk.