Easier to steer than my Punto By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine All belly and no brains. It's what most people think of lorry drivers. But the industry wants to shake up preconceptions and attract more women. So what can a new female recruit expect?
Easier to steer than my Punto By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine All belly and no brains. It's what most people think of lorry drivers. But the industry wants to shake up preconceptions and attract more women. So what can a new female recruit expect?
It sounds like the start of a bad joke. What do you get if you cross one careful, female Fiat Punto driver with a 54ft articulated lorry, that weighs 32 tonnes when fully loaded?
It sounds like the start of a bad joke. What do you get if you cross one careful, female Fiat Punto driver with a 54ft articulated lorry, that weighs 32 tonnes when fully loaded?
But the bigger joke for some is that I'm the answer to the haulage industry's prayers. Facing a recruitment crisis, I'm the type of driver who could steer it clear of danger. In the world of lorry driving, women are much in demand.
But the bigger joke for some is that I'm the answer to the haulage industry's prayers. Facing a recruitment crisis, I'm the type of driver who could steer it clear of danger. In the world of lorry driving, women are much in demand.
If you picture the average British lorry driver, chances it's a white, middle-aged man. The UK haulage industry is dominated by them and over the next 10 years as many as 80,000 could retire.
If you picture the average British lorry driver, chances are it's a white, middle-aged man. The UK haulage industry is dominated by them and over the next 10 years as many as 80,000 could retire.
Surprisingly smooth to drive
Surprisingly smooth to drive
It will leave a large hole to plug, at a time when haulage firms are having trouble recruiting. As many as 24,000 each year will be needed, says Skills for Logistics (SfL) - the body overseeing lorry driver training in the UK.
It will leave a large hole to plug, at a time when haulage firms are having trouble recruiting. As many as 24,000 each year will be needed, says Skills for Logistics (SfL) - the body overseeing lorry driver training in the UK.
It could impact on us all. The doomsday scenario of empty supermarkets shelves is dismissed but if firms have to ramp up pay to recruit drivers that cost could trickle down to the consumer.
It could impact on us all. The doomsday scenario of empty supermarket shelves is dismissed but if firms have to ramp up pay to recruit drivers that cost could trickle down to the consumer.
The situation has forced the industry to take a long, hard look at itself and ask why half of the population feel excluded from taking a job as a driver of Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs). Currently only 1.3% of the UK's lorry drivers are female.
The situation has forced the industry to take a long, hard look at itself and ask why half of the population feel excluded from taking a job as a driver of Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs). Currently only 1.3% of the UK's lorry drivers are female.
Mostly, it only has itself to blame. With strippers and even a sex shop - albeit recently closed - a "feature" at some road-side truck stops, this is one notoriously unreconstructed industry. Little has been done little, until now, to change that image.
Mostly, it only has itself to blame. With strippers and even a sex shop - albeit recently closed - a "feature" at some road-side truck stops, this is one notoriously unreconstructed industry. Little has been done little, until now, to change that image.
Sophisticated
Sophisticated
Which is why I find myself at the wheel of a hulking articulated lorry somewhere in Essex.
Which is why I find myself at the wheel of a hulking articulated lorry somewhere in Essex.
The location of the depot, run by Swedish haulage company Scania, is hardly promising. The most glamorous thing about this faceless trading estate is its "famous" Circus Tavern - home to darts tournaments. On weekends, the sound of pneumatic brakes gives way to the sight of pneumatic women for the tavern's "glamour" events.
The location of the depot, run by Swedish haulage company Scania, is hardly promising. The most glamorous thing about this faceless trading estate is its "famous" Circus Tavern - home to darts tournaments. On weekends, the sound of pneumatic brakes gives way to the sight of pneumatic women for the tavern's "glamour" events.
LORRY DRIVERS 300,000 LGV drivers in UK52% of drivers are over 451.4% are under 251.3% are female2% from ethnic minorities I feel the weight of expectation on my shoulders. I don't want to live up to any of the ridiculous stereotypes about women drivers - scatty, brainless, always doing our make-up... My instructor Phil Evans has comforting words.
LORRY DRIVERS 300,000 LGV drivers in UK52% of drivers are over 451.4% are under 251.3% are female2% from ethnic minorities I feel the weight of expectation on my shoulders. I don't want to live up to any of the ridiculous stereotypes about women drivers - scatty, brainless, always doing our make-up... My instructor Phil Evans has comforting words.
"Women are usually easier to teach, they listen and pick it up much quicker than men. Blokes usually get in a vehicle thinking they already know everything about driving and there's nothing I can teach them."
"Women are usually easier to teach, they listen and pick it up much quicker than men. Blokes usually get in a vehicle thinking they already know everything about driving and there's nothing I can teach them."
Looking at the dashboard, I don't know how they come to such a conclusion. It resembles an air-traffic control centre - a vast swathe of dials and lights.
Looking at the dashboard, I don't know how they come to such a conclusion. It resembles an air-traffic control centre - a vast swathe of dials and lights.
"It's a much more sophisticated industry these days," says Phil. With top-of-the-range lorries costing close to £750,000, he's not joking.
"It's a much more sophisticated industry these days," says Phil. With top-of-the-range lorries costing close to £750,000, he's not joking.
No sweat
No sweat
But, for me, the most daunting prospect is the gears. Articulated lorries have up to 16, with switches on the stick to change through them. And you don't pull off in first, it's usually third. It all feels very alien, but I get going without stalling.
But, for me, the most daunting prospect is the gears. Articulated lorries have up to 16, with switches on the stick to change through them. And you don't pull off in first, it's usually third. It all feels very alien, but I get going without stalling.
It may be 54ft long, but thanks to this new generation of power-assisted, super-responsive vehicles, the ride is smooth and the controls light to the touch.
It may be 54ft long, but thanks to this new generation of power-assisted, super-responsive vehicles, the ride is smooth and the controls light to the touch.
The dark clouds descendTurning the wheel takes less effort than in my Punto, which lacks power steering and elicits beads of sweat when parking at the supermarket.
The dark clouds descendTurning the wheel takes less effort than in my Punto, which lacks power steering and elicits beads of sweat when parking at the supermarket.
My instructor's conclusions about my lorry driving skills? Excellent clutch control, apparently some people take weeks to reach my level. I was even asked if I'd ever driven a LGV before. Maybe it's an attempt to butter me up, but I feel proud.
My instructor's conclusions about my lorry driving skills? Excellent clutch control, apparently some people take weeks to reach my level. I was even asked if I'd ever driven a LGV before. Maybe it's an attempt to butter me up, but I feel proud.
Yet driving is only one battle in the war to win women's hearts and minds - and the easiest.
Yet driving is only one battle in the war to win women's hearts and minds - and the easiest.
With the industry so male dominated for so long, some truck stops don't even have women's toilets and class a healthy meal as a side order of cooked tomatoes with a fry up. Things are changing but more needs to be done, says SfL. The major problem is most facilities are out of the industry's control.
With the industry so male dominated for so long, some truck stops don't even have women's toilets and class a healthy meal as a side order of cooked tomatoes with a fry up. Things are changing but more needs to be done, says SfL. The major problem is most facilities are out of the industry's control.
Life changing
Life changing
"The industry needs to prepare for women drivers," says a spokeswoman. "Warehouses, roadside facilities and public perception all need to improve."
"The industry needs to prepare for women drivers," says a spokeswoman. "Warehouses, roadside facilities and public perception all need to improve."
There are also misconceptions such as the long working hours and heavy lifting. Possibly the biggest is that it's a job for people who can't do anything else.
There are also misconceptions such as the long working hours and heavy lifting. Possibly the biggest is that it's a job for people who can't do anything else.
The UK's most famous trucker?Its champions argue it's skilled and drivers can rack up £50,000 a year and travel the world. Companies in Canada will even sponsor drivers who want to move from the UK.
The UK's most famous trucker?Its champions argue it's skilled and drivers can rack up £50,000 a year and travel the world. Companies in Canada will even sponsor drivers who want to move from the UK.
"It can be whatever you want it to be," says my trainer Phil, who has been in the industry for 16 years. "If you want to deliver goods in your local town and finish in time to pick up the kids from school you can. If you want to see the world and earn some good money you can.
"It can be whatever you want it to be," says my trainer Phil, who has been in the industry for 16 years. "If you want to deliver goods in your local town and finish in time to pick up the kids from school you can. If you want to see the world and earn some good money you can.
"There's just something about driving a big lorry, most people secretly want to try it out."
"There's just something about driving a big lorry, most people secretly want to try it out."
For the industry's sake, let's hope he's right.
For the industry's sake, let's hope he's right.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
I'm reminded of a woman I became acquainted with a few years ago at a local retirement home. She was a 70ish, pleasant, grandmotherly type with a quick smile and a jolly sense of humor. Only after I got to know her fairly well did it come out that during the 40s and 50s she had been a truck driver, driving both dump trucks hauling gravel and over-the-road semis (articulated lorries). (And she still loved to ride motorcycles.)Dan Hicks, Byron MN USA
From a drivers perspective the whole industry, as well as the nanny state government needs a shake up. To get to artic standard means PASSING two LGV tests these days. Truck drivers are treated with contempt at just about every destination and the entire country is sadly lacking in facilities inbetween. Drivers hours regulations? In which other job can you be heavily fined for taking a minute short of your 45 minute break and now even for taking a 30 minute break before a 15 minute rest? Until the public at large can be shown that we are not the scum of the earth nothing will change. Mark McGregor, Peterborough
Well, i've been a trucker for ten years so us girls are out there!! C'mon ladies - join up and lets change things!Sandy Crach, Leeds, UK
In Belgium we have female lorrydrivers for some time now, I saw the first one in the winter of 1975 ! ! When you talk to their male collegues the reaction is always "so what , she's one of the boys!". Of course you have somme guys who make stereotype jokes etc but we do also have that kind of remarks in football ! And from a scientific point of view they are no better/worst drivers than their male collegues.Paul Navez, Herne/Belgium
I drove class 1 in England for nearly 20 years i have now emigrated to Canada... Why?Less traffic... more money.... easier life and most importantly i am not treated like something a dog left behind and you trod in.the facilities here and in the USA are first class resonably priced and clean i can have a shower and 3 course meal in a truck stop for under $20 u.s you would be lucky to just park for that let alone eating in the U.K.I have been over here for 2 years now and both myself and my wife (she dont drive) have both said the same , it will take a undertaker to get us back to the UK.i would offer 1 piece of advice to anyone thinking of coming here be careful there are some excellant companies but also so downright awful onesNigel Burgess, Winnipeg Canada
Food services def. need to be revamped. Most on offer are fatty, stodgy, and unhealthy. Not only is it unhealthy, but its unappetising, even to middle aged white men who drive a lorry, such as my own husband.Kimberly S., Stoke on trent
