UK Truck Driver Leaves Many Speechless After Revealing His Paycheck On The Internet

How one driver’s trucker earnings left many reconsidering a career on road.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• July 26, 2024

Driving on long highways all day and night might sound like a tedious and lonely job, and for many, it can be. With fewer people choosing to become HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers, it’s no wonder the profession faces a staffing shortage. Yet, one truck driver’s recent revelation about his earnings could change many minds.

For some context, the percentage of lorry drivers in the UK took a 16% nosedive between 2017 and 2021. Despite the job’s numerous benefits, it's not widely seen as an attractive career. 

However, Ashley Hale, a dedicated HGV driver, finds great satisfaction in his work. He frequently documents his chronicles on the road and shares them on his YouTube channel.

In response to a viewer's comment about the financial rewards of being a truck driver, Ashley decided to spill the beans. He shared details from his previous job at a now nonexistent company to avoid any awkwardness with his current employer.

Ashley’s previous role was as a 'tramper,’ a term for drivers who spend the entire week in their vehicle. He flashed his payslip on the screen while breaking it down for his audience.

The base pay was £625 for a 45-hour week which summed up to approximately £32,500 a year—a solid but not extraordinary salary. The real surprise, however, came with the additional perks.

Ashley Hale reveals his paycheck secrets, proving that life on the road can be both lonely and lucrative.

Ashley highlighted several lucrative extras. Overtime was compensated at double the regular rate, potentially adding an extra £261 per week. For working 'unsociable hours,' such as late-night shifts, he received a weekly bonus. 

Additionally, if he met performance targets, there was a £40 bonus up for grabs. The most substantial perk was the ‘nights out’ allowance which reimbursed him around £100 for accommodation and meals during overnight stays.

When all these extras were added up, Ashley’s weekly earnings could total around £1,000, bringing his annual income to just under £53,000. Not too shabby for a job many might overlook! 

When your trucker meals are on the house, those long nights on the road taste a bit sweeter.

This impressive figure put a new perspective on the financial rewards of the job, and suddenly, it sounded much more appealing.

The response to Ashley’s video was overwhelmingly positive. One commenter said, “HGV drivers are good people and should be paid well.” Another enthusiastic comment read, “This is fantastic, I am considering a career change and plan to get my license next year. This is fantastic insight.”

Many were also cheering him for racking up all those performance bonuses. It clearly shows Ashley’s level of dedication and passion for his job.

Ashley’s openness about his earnings successfully shed a light on the often-overlooked financial benefits of being an HGV driver. We’re glad to know that while the job might be demanding and lonely, the rewards certainly make up for it!

So, next time you see a lorry cruising down the motorway, remember that the driver might just be doing better than you think, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction.

Jesse