Could you be a driver by trade?

With shortages of HGV drivers and a rise in demand for online shopping, it is safe to say that drivers are in high demand right now! As we saw from the recent fuel crisis as well as the shortages of foods on supermarket shelves, drivers are one of the most important things when it comes to keeping the country running smoothly and efficiently.

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Whether working for a company like these couriers Slough based UK TDL or driving fuel tankers all over Britain, a job in driving is something that is certainly worth doing. If this is something that you are considering, here are some of the things that you need to be aware of before going into a professional driving job…

Concentration is important when driving. If you find it hard to keep your concentration on something, then a driving job may not be for you! Before driving it is important to make sure that you have had a good night’s sleep and are feeling alert and well as a lapse in concentration can lead to an accident. When you are driving for a living, you will usually be required to drive long distances and on roads that are not familiar to you, so it is important that you are able to concentrate on things like road signs and directions too.

Another requirement of being a good driver is good communication skills. Although the work may be quite solitary at times, it is important to be a good communicator as you will not only be having to relay information to other employees and managers, but you may also have to deal with incidents on the road and of course with customers. There is also often a lot of paperwork involved in driving, for example you may need to fill in a daily vehicle check sheet, or you may be required to complete forms and reports, so written communication skills as well as verbal ones are important to have.

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A good attitude is important in any job, but in a driving job it can make the difference between life and death. This is not the job for those that can experience road rage, as you will need to ensure that you are driving safely and responsibly. Remember also that when you are driving professionally for a company you are representing that company so if you decided to roll the window down and shout at a fellow road user, or do a dangerous manoeuvre, that would also reflect on the company. The key to being a good professional driver is to practice something called defensive driving. This makes you a better and safer driver, and many companies will run in house training courses on this so you will have an opportunity to learn more as you are in the job.