HGV Recovery Driver / Recovery Patrol in Essex

Fantastic opportunity for a permanent, long-term career with a prestigious company. We are the specialist agency for the Breakdown & Recovery Industry and are currently recruiting for the top motoring organisation in the country! With over 25 years of experience working with this company, we can give you a full understanding of how rewarding being a Recovery Driver / Recovery Patrol is, and how you can combine your love of driving with your love of helping people.

Locations: Basingstoke, Reading, Maidstone, Purfleet & Dover

Start Date: August onwards

Company: Leading UK Breakdown & Recovery Organisation

Job Status: Full-time, Temp-to-Perm

What is Temp-to-Perm?

You start as a temporary driver with us (the agency) for a minimum of 6 months. During this time, you'll receive training, company uniform, holiday pay, and will work your contracted full-time hours. You'll be paid weekly on an authorised timesheet. After successfully completing the probation period, you could be offered a permanent contract directly with the company.

The Role:

Working as a Recovery Driver is highly rewarding as you are genuinely helping people in their time of need. It's interesting, and no two days are the same, so you'll never get bored! Working for this prestigious company, you will be required to:

• Attend roadside breakdowns of light vehicles (cars/vans).
• Load and transport to garages or home addresses.
• Deliver excellent customer care in sometimes stressful situations.
• Work in all weather conditions, independently and professionally.

What You Need:

• Licence: HGV Class 2 (LGVC) or higher (max 6 points for minor offences, no DD/DR/CD).
• Tacho & DCPC: Required from day one.
• Commercial Driving Experience: Will take freshly passed HGV drivers after Compliance Test and Driving Assessment.
• Recovery Driving Experience: Not required, the hiring company will provide full, paid training.
• Other Requirements: Good understanding of Drivers Hours and Compliance. Calm under pressure, self-motivated, and prepared to work in all weather conditions. Strong people skills; must be able to communicate effectively with the general public in stressful and difficult situations.

Training:

3-week Induction Training Programme:

• Week 1: From home.
• Week 2: Residential training from one of their training academies (accommodation, travel, and food expenses paid).
• Week 3: On-the-job training and mentoring from depot.

Shift Pattern:

Mixed shift pattern; start times vary 06:00 to 19:00. Rostered for 9 hours with flex-period up to 12 hours per shift (average 10 hours per shift). 28-day repeating pattern, which includes 2 weekends working and 2 weekends off within every four-week period. 3 x 5-day weeks and 1 x 3-day week. Overtime available as end-of-shift and additional days. Average 42.5 hours per week.

Pay and Benefits:

The company pays a flat rate for all hours worked for the first 12 weeks. A higher overtime rate is payable from the 13-week mark. Average pay as follows:

• First 12 Weeks (Basic flat rate for all hours including overtime): HGV2: £17.24 per hour (OTE: £38,000 per year). HGV1: £18.91 per hour (OTE: £42,000 per year).
• After 12 weeks worked (Basic rate 8 hours / OT rate paid over 8 hours per shift): HGV2: £22.40 Overtime Rate per hour (OTE: £40,000 per year). HGV1: £24.58 Overtime Rate per hour (OTE: £42,000 per year).

Note: Some Recovery Drivers can earn over £50,000+ depending on hours worked.

Permanent Employee Package:

If taken on permanently, additional benefits are added to the package including:

• Additional bonuses and incentives.
• Company pension.
• Employee discounts and rewards scheme.
• Health/wellbeing programme.

Vetting:

They will require full vetting including:

• Identity and Right to Work.
• Referencing for 2 years.
• DBS check.
• Adverse Credit check.

Note: If you have any unspent criminal convictions or cautions in the UK or abroad, you MUST declare them at the time of applying. You will also need to tell us if you have any CCJs, IVA, or bankruptcies. All information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and may determine if we can submit you for the position.

Why This Role?

Combine driving with helping people in genuine need. No multi-drops, no loading bay waits - every day is different. Paid training, uniform, great company reputation. Long-term career with excellent benefits after permanent offer.