0
0
A teenager has become one of the UK's youngest HGV drivers, but cannot take to the roads as he has been unable to get insurance.
Gurrajan Dhaliwal, from Slough, Berkshire, passed his category C + E Class One driving test at the age of 18 years and two months in October.
But because of his age he has struggled to find a company willing to insure him.
Mr Dhaliwal said he hoped to start working next month.
Inspired to follow in the footsteps of his truck-driving father, the 18-year-old said his first lesson was "terrifying".
He said: "The vehicle is so long, if you turn wrong the back wheels can go on the kerb, you could injure someone, damage property or your own lorry, so you have to be very, very careful.
"The trickiest part is being on roundabouts and other road users not understanding how the lorry works because an HGV requires more than just its own lane to turn."
Applicants for a category C + E HGV test amust be over 18 and hold a full UK driving licence.
Licence holders are entitled to drive and handle articulated vehicles over 7.5 tonnes with a detachable or separate trailer.
Mr Dhaliwal said while passing the test felt "amazing" most insurance companies "won't even look at insuring me because of my age".
He said: "I know a few people a year older than me who have managed to find insurance so I am confident that I should be able to get insured."
The Association of British Insurers said it was unable to comment on individual cases but advised Mr Dhaliwal to contact an insurance broker who "may be able to help".
According to the Driving Vehicle and Licensing Authority 419 people aged 18 across Great Britain hold a category C+E HGV licence.
Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
GB Driving Licence Data
Parents call on council to keep Britwell children's centre open
Slough Borough Council told to "step up" its recovery by Lee Rowley MP
Drug dealer, 24, jailed for second time for selling
Jasmine Warrior Princess finishes 6 weeks of treatment after diagnosis
Royal award nominees Men’s Matters search for new trustees
Three friends prepare for fundraising road trip to Istanbul
Arrest warrant issued for Putin over alleged war crimes
Watch: Can Putin actually be arrested? Video
The mountain town buried by California winter chaos
Will Vladimir Putin ever face a war crimes trial?
Italy leaves children of same-sex parents in limbo
How Australia wrote the 'stop the boats' playbook
Searching for my daughter-in-law in the mud
Floods, awards and jewels: Photos of the week
Actor Sam Neill reveals cancer diagnosis
Is this a banking crisis – how worried should I be?
The penguins given world-first cataract surgery
When chasing Bollywood stars at any cost is your job
Putin's 'frustration and resentment against the West' Video
How have world leaders reached this point of no return with Putin?
Italy's impressive subterranean civilisation
What drives 'catty' workplace conflict
© 2023 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
source
