Well, after a disastrous rest of this week, and feeling downtrodden, (despite talking to the gaffer of the firm,) I decided to try to get a couple of more assessment drives. First one, which is based in Billingham, wanted to charge me £200 (like the last one) just for a sodding assessment 
. Also, they don’t have their own off-road area to practice reversing, so I decided not to bother with them.
The other firm on the other hand was a totally different kettle of fish! A renown training company on the A59, just outside York. The rig, a 64-plate Volvo FM420 was immaculate both inside and outside, still looking brand new! The assessment drive just consisted of a blindside reverse and then a circuit around Rufforth and the outskirts of York. I was extremely impressed with their instructor. Also,all their trucks have just two seats (driver and one passenger) instead of the typical three-abreast arrangement you usually find with most trainers, so all their courses are just 1-to-1. The best part of this afternoon was when we returned after the assessment drive, the instructor mention that I would only need TWO days of training to get me up to test standard.
Even though this company is a good hour’s drive from home, I think I now have my heart set on them. All I have to do now is select two dates from the list written on the back of the card they gave me.