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Why Highly Educated People Choose Trucking | The Truth About HGV Drivers

Ramblings Of A Trucker

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It’s one of the biggest irritations in the transport industry: transport managers, office staff, or site coordinators who look at a driver in a hi-vis jacket and immediately assume they’ve only ever driven a truck.

In today’s video, I’m breaking down the massive misconception that HGV drivers are uneducated or lack intelligence. The truth is, the cab of a lorry is filled with people from all walks of life—people with degrees, former business owners, and highly skilled professionals who chose the road for reasons the office staff couldn't begin to understand.

I'm opening up about my own background to prove just how wrong these assumptions can be. Before I spent my days behind the wheel, I:

Worked on the *Google project*
Qualified as a *Motor Vehicle Engineer*
Sat as a *Company Director* three separate times
Studied at *University* and earned the letters after my name

So why am I driving a truck? Because it gives me exactly what a corporate office never could: the time and mental freedom to let my entrepreneurial brain flourish, map out new business ideas, and think clearly without a manager breathing down my neck.

Being a professional driver requires spatial awareness, rapid problem-solving, and immense patience—yet drivers are routinely talked down to like they don't know any better. It’s time the industry respects the people keeping the country moving.

What did you do before you got into trucking? What qualifications or past careers are you hiding in your cab? Let me know your background in the comments below!

If you're sick of the stereotypes and love honest talk from the cab, please **LIKE**, **SUBSCRIBE**, and hit that notification bell!

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20 Comments

@CT-pv9gu 2 weeks ago

Intelligent people are often alone, and enjoy their own company. That’s why I think they do it.

@DavidCaldicottMedia 1 month ago

I wasn't going to let my physics degree get in the way of fulfilling a childhood dream to be a truck driver !

@TomTricx 1 month ago (edited)

Software Engineer for 20 years, now studying for lorry driving (Sweden).

@kubizdalis101 1 month ago

After over 15 years of working as an engineering surveyor in the construction industry, I drive HGVs for a living. Never a dull day, plenty of time for self-reflection and planning the future projects. I'm really enjoying it and feel proud of what I do. I can see myself behind the wheel in my retirement age if things don't pan out as planned. Keep it up and all the best to you, pal.

@DmJeTeamster 1 month ago (edited)

Before trucking I was flying for 11 years as an Airline Pilot on Airbus A320/A321 all around Europe and some parts of the world. ;)

@athenasolive 9 hours ago

I cottoned on to this quickly; my first updated CV for Heavy Goods (14 years ago) was titled "Not Just a Driver!" Handful of qualifications and recently back to driving whilst I retrain in something else. Love my own company and being on the move hence often being drawn back.

@WilliamRocher 3 weeks ago (edited)

I grew up in a trucking family in Mexico but my parents convinced me not to become a trucker myself, I graduated as mechanical engineer, I learned english in my hometown, and after a few years working in an acids plant, I moved to Canada and I made my childhood dream become true, I got my class one license and I drove trucks all over USA and Canada.

@chrismcgowan5180 1 month ago

I’m a doctor and also hold a Private Pilot Licence. I drive HGVs occasionally, usually the odd day here and there, because I genuinely enjoy driving and it gives me a clear head while leaving mental space to work on my own business.

The main difficulty I’ve had is actually being taken seriously at HGV interviews, as employers sometimes assume that because of my medical background I’m not genuinely interested in the work or won’t stay.

Odd this came up in my recommended, never saw your channel before, was a nice listen.

@guccimink9845 1 month ago

I still don't understand why people or governments look down upon truck drivers. Every single countrys' economy, no matter where it is or at what state it is at, depends on trucks. Your livestock, furtiture, tools, materials for construction, chairs tables tvs all electronics, food, pampers, water, fizzy drinks, snacks, firewood, pellets, guns, drugs, tires, any and all equipment and materials for cars buses other trucks motorcycles airplanes etc. sand, windows, shoes, cranes, dirt, grass, fences, you call it, it has seen the back of a truck.

@RageAgainstTheEntropy 1 month ago

I’ve been an engineer for almost 25 years and I have an MBA from a near top US university in corporate finance and I’m getting tired of staring at computer screens. I occasionally visit industrial sites in my region and enjoy the 8 hour drive more than looking at the computer screen these days. Considering it. Funny this popped up in my feed. Thank you.

@JmAram-e9x 1 month ago

During the recession here in Ireland couldn't find driving work that paid enough to justify the hours, the government here offered the ability to go to college for free. I went back as a mature student, got my B.A in computer science and was Cisco CCNA qualified, left college and went to work for SAP, lasted 2 years before I just couldn't do the office thing any more. Went back on the road, still driving ATM.

@1000nandy 11 days ago

I worked as a laptop technician for 12 years, now I drive a lorry for living and I love it.

@fraserhill7064 5 days ago

Resonate quite a lot with your video here! I did well in school which got me into university but then decided it wasn’t for me so I became a joiner within a week starting with my apprenticeship and then worked in almost all aspects of that trade for 15years until recently had a lot of back problems and ended up having to get surgery so wanted to change career. I’ve just paid for my Class C+E training yesterday because I see it as something that will improve my mental health because of the freedom it’s gives but also the focus I’ll gain on other things I find important in my life. It’s great hearing your story from someone with so much experience as it gives me confidence that ive made the right choice! Thanks for making this mate!

@flatbedmike1 1 month ago

I’m a London lad and drive big truck in the USA. Clocking 6 figures and love my job and got a big house in Alabama after I lived by the beach in Hermosa Beach in Los Angeles for 23 years. You don’t just jump in a truck and drive, there are levels. I do oversize and have to conform to permits and be able to position weight on a 53 foot trailer and predict if it’s ok. You get stuck out in the desert you better have the ability to do repairs and have the parts on hand or you are fucked. Great video.

@ukaszmilewski9871 5 days ago

After more than 10 years in a few corporations on sales position I’ve made driving license for truck and completely change my life. In the beginning it wasn’t easy but after couple of months I’m free of stress, have energy after work for doing sport and don’t need anymore take a contact with people who doesn’t take care of me

@nurburg924s 1 month ago

Refreshing POV, well articulated. I grew up around trucks but ended up in construction, operations manager. Had a battle with Cancer last year and now returning to HGV driving after 20 years. (I'm a proud parent, I write music, was an IT technician etc etc) As you say driving gives you time with your thoughts, allows you to develop ideas while doing something enjoyable. Keep trucking and posting - Kind Regards new sub...

@automat8774 1 month ago

I did a masters in business analytics, now i'm driving hgvs

@danclarke6277 1 month ago

I recently left a 20+ year career in operations/production management at senior level to drive class 1. I absolutely love it, the feeling of freedom and accomplishment is very satisfying and I enjoy the time alone to reflect. Would never go back to my previous career, yes it can be stressful but it’s a different type of stress and I don’t take it home best decision I ever made even though the salary is half of what I left - happiness covers the gap in salary

@italiannoodle6446 1 month ago

I've had such difficult times believing that I exist. Watching this video and hearing your firm and encouraging voice let me realize that I do exist, that I don't just have to be a "good student" or traumatized individual or programmer or poet or musician, I'm more than what I do. I felt allowed to be who I am. Thank you

@viannaes 1 month ago

Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective on becoming an HGV driver. Your post was genuinely helpful to me. After nearly 30 years in IT—working inside data centers and in software engineering—I’ve been planning this transition for the past two years after needing a major change of pace. I truly feel like I’m saving myself with this move, and I’m thrilled to start driving as a second driver as soon as possible, making room for music, philosophy, outdoors activities, and more. Best wishes, and maybe we'll cross paths out on the road!