Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
Jun 19th 2008, 9:13 am
#1
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Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
Hi,
Thinking of taking my class 1 licence for NS. I've been driving fire trucks for over 10 years now, I wondered if anyone would like to venture an opinon on if this experience would give me a head start on driving class 1.
I don't really want to sign up for $8000 worth of 3 month training course only to find a bit of practice would do it, or a months custom course ?
Hope to be in valley sometime next year were feb 06 aor, and it's crossing my mind whether to travel over ahead of time and give it a go.
Cheers
Karl
Thinking of taking my class 1 licence for NS. I've been driving fire trucks for over 10 years now, I wondered if anyone would like to venture an opinon on if this experience would give me a head start on driving class 1.
I don't really want to sign up for $8000 worth of 3 month training course only to find a bit of practice would do it, or a months custom course ?
Hope to be in valley sometime next year were feb 06 aor, and it's crossing my mind whether to travel over ahead of time and give it a go.
Cheers
Karl
Jun 19th 2008, 11:57 am
#2
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
Hi and welcome to the mad house.
To be honest i would get your licence in the UK if you can just take your class 1 then do the tests over here (air brake & road test ) who ever you are coming out for should pay for these. As for actually driving them, well they are a bit like a jumbo jet trying to get round your town very loud and very cumbersome, good fun all the same. As for your experience of driving in the domestic quarter you should be ok as i guess you would have quite a bit of common sense being a fire fighter so should find the work ok over here. I am only guessing but would say you were home most nights and you might find this a bit of a pain if you are on long haul as you could be away from home from anything up to a week or more, other than that it's pretty easy going.
LOAFY...
To be honest i would get your licence in the UK if you can just take your class 1 then do the tests over here (air brake & road test ) who ever you are coming out for should pay for these. As for actually driving them, well they are a bit like a jumbo jet trying to get round your town very loud and very cumbersome, good fun all the same. As for your experience of driving in the domestic quarter you should be ok as i guess you would have quite a bit of common sense being a fire fighter so should find the work ok over here. I am only guessing but would say you were home most nights and you might find this a bit of a pain if you are on long haul as you could be away from home from anything up to a week or more, other than that it's pretty easy going.
LOAFY...
Jun 19th 2008, 2:24 pm
#3
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
hi can i ask why you say to the other person to take class one in the uk and then come over to ns and just do airbrakes and road test ,, well isnt the road test the same as taking your test in the uk ?? and does the uk licence cover you to drive over there or when you have re done your test do they take the uk licence of you. i am confused help as i am thinking of coming to ns my self as i have a job offer i have 24yrs up the road ex
Jun 19th 2008, 5:49 pm
#4
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
hi can i ask why you say to the other person to take class one in the uk and then come over to ns and just do airbrakes and road test ,, well isnt the road test the same as taking your test in the uk ?? and does the uk licence cover you to drive over there or when you have re done your test do they take the uk licence of you. i am confused help as i am thinking of coming to ns my self as i have a job offer i have 24yrs up the road ex
He / you will have to do the air brake regardless and will have to do a road test but not the training by this i mean a full course as the company who you drive for should give you time to get used to the trucks they have or will put you with a driving school for a week or two for this at there expense not yours. Some companies do pay you while you are training but not all and it is a small amount.
I think as KDUK is a fire truck driver he does not have a full class1 but as he can drive one of those he more than likely could drive a tractor trailer with no problem. I myself would find a good training company in the UK and explain to them what it is he was going to do and see if you could do a crash course and the test their as it would take less time and probably cost less than the $8000 he has said it would cost. The reason for me saying this is mainly the time factor that you would be out here doing training when you can already drive but still have to jump thru the hoops for the system.
You do lose your UK driving licence but most provinces just flip your car or motorbike one over but for a class1 you have to retake your test plus air brake, most of the fellas at the DMV will know you can drive so just need to see that you can keep it under control and are not a hazard to anyone else so it's more like doing an assessment test than the real thing.
If you need to know more try asking Andy_sheila as he lives in Kentville NS and could prob tell you more than me as i am in Prince Edward Island but i think it's not that different from here.
Just to make things clear Jasper as you have a class1 you would just have to do some driving around to get used to them and do the two test and then off you go.
All the best,
LOAFY...
Jun 19th 2008, 6:02 pm
#5
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
hi loafy all i can say is merci beaucoup!!!!!!
Jun 19th 2008, 6:06 pm
#6
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
Hi Jasper,
He / you will have to do the air brake regardless and will have to do a road test but not the training by this i mean a full course as the company who you drive for should give you time to get used to the trucks they have or will put you with a driving school for a week or two for this at there expense not yours. Some companies do pay you while you are training but not all and it is a small amount.
I think as KDUK is a fire truck driver he does not have a full class1 but as he can drive one of those he more than likely could drive a tractor trailer with no problem. I myself would find a good training company in the UK and explain to them what it is he was going to do and see if you could do a crash course and the test their as it would take less time and probably cost less than the $8000 he has said it would cost. The reason for me saying this is mainly the time factor that you would be out here doing training when you can already drive but still have to jump thru the hoops for the system.
You do lose your UK driving licence but most provinces just flip your car or motorbike one over but for a class1 you have to retake your test plus air brake, most of the fellas at the DMV will know you can drive so just need to see that you can keep it under control and are not a hazard to anyone else so it's more like doing an assessment test than the real thing.
If you need to know more try asking Andy_sheila as he lives in Kentville NS and could prob tell you more than me as i am in Prince Edward Island but i think it's not that different from here.
Just to make things clear Jasper as you have a class1 you would just have to do some driving around to get used to them and do the two test and then off you go.
All the best,
LOAFY...
He / you will have to do the air brake regardless and will have to do a road test but not the training by this i mean a full course as the company who you drive for should give you time to get used to the trucks they have or will put you with a driving school for a week or two for this at there expense not yours. Some companies do pay you while you are training but not all and it is a small amount.
I think as KDUK is a fire truck driver he does not have a full class1 but as he can drive one of those he more than likely could drive a tractor trailer with no problem. I myself would find a good training company in the UK and explain to them what it is he was going to do and see if you could do a crash course and the test their as it would take less time and probably cost less than the $8000 he has said it would cost. The reason for me saying this is mainly the time factor that you would be out here doing training when you can already drive but still have to jump thru the hoops for the system.
You do lose your UK driving licence but most provinces just flip your car or motorbike one over but for a class1 you have to retake your test plus air brake, most of the fellas at the DMV will know you can drive so just need to see that you can keep it under control and are not a hazard to anyone else so it's more like doing an assessment test than the real thing.
If you need to know more try asking Andy_sheila as he lives in Kentville NS and could prob tell you more than me as i am in Prince Edward Island but i think it's not that different from here.
Just to make things clear Jasper as you have a class1 you would just have to do some driving around to get used to them and do the two test and then off you go.
All the best,
LOAFY...
You shouldn't have the time to log on here and mess about...
Jun 19th 2008, 6:13 pm
#7
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
yo ive done my 740km today whats your excuse and dont get all beaten up just because you cant speak french avoir
Jun 19th 2008, 6:15 pm
#8
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
sorry davie mac ithought it was loafy
Jun 19th 2008, 7:34 pm
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
I've done my 7 days away in the beautiful hot south now on my days off and the weather here on PEI has just turned out nice. Time for a BBQ me thinks.LOAFY...
Jun 19th 2008, 7:35 pm
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Jun 19th 2008, 8:33 pm
#11
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
Cheers Dave
Jun 19th 2008, 8:39 pm
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
davie mac can i borrow your profile pic to stick on the back of all the uk tankers on strike as it reminds me of the saying ( dont panic captain mannering) ha ha ha
Jun 20th 2008, 9:07 am
#13
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
nice one loafy, thanks for the info. I rekon a bit more research is required. Your right about being home every night. I would be looking for short haul work only. I know the pay isn't as good, but I guess that would be the pay off for home life etc...
Jun 20th 2008, 9:34 am
#14
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
It's It's a ikkle baby
Jun 20th 2008, 3:11 pm
#15
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Re: Fire trucks to Big rigs in NS ?
with a fake welsh accent
with a lolly pop in his mouth 
Oh by the way 740 km is only half a days work here
Last edited by Gremmie; Jun 20th 2008 at 3:13 pm. Reason: forgot the sarcastic ending......
