After a nationwide driver shortage, a recruitment campaign has brought in a batch of new drivers, including apprentice Laura, to the South Wales transportation company Owens.
In the first episode, viewers are introduced to Laura, who is being guided through her basic training by veteran truck driver Phil. Although only 1% of Britain’s truck drivers are female, it’s a life Laura has seemed destined for with her father, grandfather and uncle all Class 1 drivers.
One of the first challenges Phil sets her is reversing a fully-laden trailer into a parking bay.
As for Phil: his fourth wedding anniversary is coming up and he has a big surprise planned for his wife, Debs, which inevitably involves a truck. But the surprise will have to be put on hold temporarily as the couple await the results of Debs’ recent hospital tests.
Aside from person aspects, viewers will get an insight of the difficulties the transportation sector is facing right now.
Managing director Ian has worked at Owens for over 30 years. After inheriting the company from his father, he’s now in charge of keeping the whole business on the road. But these are unprecedented times. Between Brexit and Covid, the trucking business has been under severe pressure, and now, the rising cost of fuel caused by the war in Ukraine, could end up costing the company an additional £1million a year.