Bit of a long winded long over due update.
I started this thread about 3days before alphatrans’ sale to DFDS was announced, I’m still with the old alphatrans operation at the old H+L Merc dealer on the A160. We’re now known as DFDS logistics special cargo B.V. stuff has changed, but that’s not for here.
I wanted my HGV as a plan B (currently a trailer fitter/2nd man/■■■■■■ driver), in case it all went south.
I got my medical and theory tests passed early 2018, and started looking at various company’s. I was recommended to look at a J.M trucking. And i soon passed my MOD2 and MOD4 cpc tests using the training material supplied to me by JMT. That was about June/July 2018. I also placed a deposit for my CAT C training around that time aswell.
August, I emailed to pay the balance of the training fee, and to book my training, was given 1st-5th October.
August bank holiday, was driving back from Lincoln steam rally on the Saturday night, when I was involved in a head on collision on the A15 about a mile north of caenby corner
Won’t bore you with all the details, I was heading north, 50mph mainbeam on. When a vehicle heading south attempted an overtake on a brow of a hill on a solid white line.
I some how walked away from it.
I’m normally quite a mild person. And I’ll let stuff slide with idiot moves, but it changed me, I found my self reducing a woman to tears after she nearly hit me on a pedestrian crossing while she was on the phone.
My normal response would of been, make eye contact, roll my eyes and shake my head.
It’s still changed me, but I’m nearly back to “normal” what ever that is…
Training, long story short, it was extremely hard, and took it’s toll on me. I was still dealing with the after effects on me, insurance calls, police statements, dr’s appoitments. Took my test on the Friday morning and failed miserably. 14minors and 1 dangerous. It hurt, and I kicked my self for it. The examiner really shook me up as he didnt say anything to responded to anything i said.
It took a bit of encouragement from my work mates to try again (in the mean time, I’m shunting trailers around the yard putting them in places I never thought in could.) But I’m still driving the truck properly, push pull steering, mirror checks, doing everything by the book. I was still driving my car like a truck, waiting for the bigger gaps, holding back more.
Went to rebook my test, was initially given 9/10th of January. I declined that for personal reasons. (10th annerversary of my dad passing) and I was glad I did. It wasn’t the best day.
Rebooked for the 4/5th of February, and I’ll be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I was nervous. And if only told a few people at work, as I needed to take leave for it. Not even my immediate family knew. The way i saw it, the less people knew the less I’d have to tell if I’d failed.
Got in the truck on the Monday morning, had a chat with my instructor. Practised the reverse a few times, all good and got out on the road, it went well, few issues with forward planning and approaching hazards. But I soon got it mostly under control. I was.
Did about 7hrs behind the wheel. A long day, but I was looking forward to the test.
Test day, got to the yard, did some more driving around Grimsby, and cleethorpes. And went to the test centre. I had the same examiner again. But I was prepared for it this time. Carried out the reverse and went out for a drive. I can’t remember half the test route, but I remember a couple of things, going up the A1243 past the hospital I saw an ambulance racing up behind me on blue lights, road was clear both ways in front of me, so I dropped down to 25mph, and as the ambulance appcoached I indicated left and slowed a little more, by this point I think the examiner was going a little WTF at me, lifted up the clipboard and then put it down once he saw it pass me.
2nd and 3rd, incidents,
I’d turned right on to pywipe road heading to birchin way roundabout, asked to take the 2nd exit on to the A180. The road up to the roundabout was clear, and traffic flowing freely around it. Got to it, and there was nothing. No traffic in sight. I couldn’t believe it I rolled straight on to the roundabout with no traffic anywhere. I was shocked. I’d never done that in the 7yrs I’ve lived in Grimsby. And it couldn’t of happened at a better moment!
The final incident was at gilbey road roundabout, was asked to take the 4th exit off, moved over to the right lane, got a 3rd of the way around, when thump. I had a bird strike drivers side of the cab, we both watched the bird go from the top right of the wind screen to the bottom left and fly off, I made the comment of, “nearly had lunch there” and carried on as if nothing had happened, drove back to the test centre, with no issues apart from hitting a level crossing a bit quick… and pulled back in to the test centre. I wasn’t sure how I’d done, but it was announced that it met the standards required and passed.
One very happy person who is absolute over the moon!.
As for JM TRUCKING.
He can do just about anything you need.
Full hgv training packages.
Cpc courses.
Medicals
I can’t recommend him enough, and will be going back to him for my C+E training.
Sorry for the long winded post!