Latest news and offers from Peter Smythe Transport Training

[Trucker Jimbob]

Just out of interest Pete are you running any sort of promotion at the moment? I was just setting out having passed my theory’s and have my medical in hand ready to start training and then we’ll as we all know the rest is lockdown history. Is it really even worth getting into at the moment with things being tight economically speaking? Thanks again, any info greatly appreciated

[Paul@PSTT]

Hi TJ. Nothing dramatic at the moment but you do have the option of registering with us, free of charge, to ensure your place in the queue. You could reasonably expect to be trained around 7 weeks from when we're able to start operating again - but could be sooner. You will, of course, get 10% discount being a Trucknet user - but let that be known to our team otherwise it causes havoc with accounts.

As for forecasting the demand for drivers, who knows? For the 49 years that I've been involved in driver training, I've seen several dips and peaks in the economy and tried to relate this to driver demand. I've never detected any firm pattern.

So I remain the same as always, I dont ever promise that someone will get a job straight away. It is up to each individual to weigh up the pros and cons. I would suggest that this isn't the best time to get into debt to pay for training with the potential for work being unknown. But if you were planning to train, and it sounds like this is the case, why not continue and see what happens at the end of it? No-one can tell you 100% what the picture will look like.

Sorry to be vague, but IMO that's the fairest assessment of the current and near future situation.

Anything else I can help with, just shout. To register, simply call Tracey (working from home) on 01623 555661. No payment needed. But when you are offered dates, you can accept or decline with no penalty.

Hope this helps, Pete

[Trucker Jimbob]

It does clarify things, thanks for the input Pete it’s very much appreciated.

I was literally at the step of booking the training when all this developed so It’s still very much at the forefront of my mind. That being said although I had no intention of indebting myself to complete the training it’s still unclear whether that money should be kept to one side for the time being.

I was interested to know if you offered a package and costs for something along the lines of beginner to class one/adr/tanker? Thanks again, cheers

[Paul@PSTT]

All sounds perfectly sensible to me.

Assuming you've got the theories done, these are your costs if you choose to train with us:

CAT C £1400
CAT CE £1700
MOD 4 £300
ADR £600

TOTAL £4000

Then deduct your Trucknet discount and the total is £3600.

But we dont ask for this in one hit. I would always suggest you pay for each part as you go. So your first cost is £1400 - £140 = £1260 for CAT C.

All practical training is 1:1 on an up to date vehicle. Use of our private test centre (you practice your reversing on the same bit of concrete you'll be tested on). Fully trained, qualified and registered instructor (strangely, not a legal requirement).

You also have the option of Pass Protection. This covers the costs of 3 retests (£900) at a cost of £300. Not transferable between courses. Some folks love this, others dont bother. Personal choice.

if you're more than 70 miles from NG17 3FW you'll get free accommodation for the duration of your training.

My honest advice is to register with Tracey 01623 555661. This will cost nothing. But it gets you in the queue for when training eventually restarts. At that point you can walk away, take the earliest dates offered, negotiate a later date. At all times, you have control and zero obligation. Once you've agreed dates you'll be asked for £200 deposit. The balance falls due a couple of weeks before the start of training.

If you haven't yet got the theories done, simply call Tracey and she will get it all sorted for you. It's what we do as a matter of course - total hand holding service!

Hope I've covered it all but feel free to come back to me or call Tracey.

Take care and stay safe, Pete

[rearaxle]

I always class it as an investment...let's face it, its one of those things that will only go up in price and not down

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[ROG]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=165263

Happy to let folks know that our cpc courses restart on Monday 29th June for the week.

Odd days available or the whole week. Special Trucknet user rate £68.75 per day fully inclusive. (Normally £80.75)

We've rented a local hall so ensure social distancing. Every precaution in place to ensure safety.

Simply call Tracey 01623 555661.

Limited spaces so dont miss out!

Pete

[ROG]

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING NOW AVAILABLE
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=165312

There may be some drivers who, whilst sat at home, have been considering their options. This is just to let it be known that we have instructor training on offer in June.

An experienced, unqualified instructor will spend 2.5 days with us at a total cost of £1400.

A competent driver with little or no instructional experience will spend a full 5 days with us at a cost of £2500.

Both rates include use of vehicles, training 1:1 by a thoroughly experienced specialist instructor, use of our site facilities, a fully structured training programme. Having passed, the costs also include membership of the National Vocational Driving Instructor Register.

Accommodation is NOT currently available due to Covid-19. All safety measures in place to ensure a safe environment.

Places available from mid - June

You must have held your C or CE licence for at least 3 years. If, for example, you've had C for 4 years and CE for 1, you can still qualify for C and upgrade at a later date.

Another quirk in the rules: If you've held D (bus) for 3 years you only need to have held LGV for 1 year.

Taking instructor training with us in no way infers an offer of employment with us. Though, if you ask us to, we'll keep your details so we can contact you should an opportunity arise. (Fully staffed at present)

Please note, the intention is not to open a discussion on whether or not qualified instructors are better than unqualified etc etc etc. It's simply an offer to wannabe instructors giving the opportunity to train.

Look forward to hearing from you, Pete

[ROG]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=165583#p2687214

As the title says, we can offer Mod 4 tests at our training centre NG17 3FG immediately. The fee is the standard £55. The object is to relieve pressure on DVSA examiners to free them up to deliver driving tests.

We can also offer vehicle hire for the test (not recommended but the choice is yours).

We are able to give training beforehand if desired.

You are welcome to arrive in a vehicle from another school and just pay the standard £55 fee. Any vehicle must comply with the minimum test vehicle requirements.

To be clear, we make no profit from these tests. It is, as I said, simply to take the pressure of DVSA examiners.

To book, simply call 01623 555661

Pete

[ROG]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=165679

Finally, we're able to open our office on Wednesday 1st July with a full complement of staff.

Whilst tests are meant to be happening from 13th, the current frustration is that tests still haven't been allocated. So this means that, at the time of posting, we still have no firm test dates.

We're always happy to chat with our candidates, but please bear with us when we cant answer your test appointment question just yet. I hope this will only be a few days and I'll keep the thread updated.

In the meantime, thanks to all for bearing with us. If you have training booked with us, we will re-arrange just as soon as we can offer a definite test date. And we're offering training virtually immediately for anyone who would like to take their course and hold a little bit back to have soon before their test when it's available. This is now becoming a very sensible option for some.

It has been said that the only way is up. And that's rarely been more true!

Take care everybody, Pete

[ajamiro]

Hi Pete,

What is your current cost for completing the Cat C practical training and test? I already have C1 on my license and have just completed my Module 2 and 4 CPC. I'm awaiting my CPC card arring in the post any time now.

Any help is appreciated

[Paul@PSTT]

Hi. Current cost of CAT C and test is £1400. Then take off your Trucknet discount and it's £1260. This is fully inclusive of:

1:1 training - with a fully trained, qualified and registered instructor (not a legal requirement)
Training on a modern vehicle (average age of our CAT C fleet is under 3 years)
Full admin back up from our customer support team
Private driving test centre on site - no time wasted travelling back and forth to test centre
All instructors NVDIR registered
School is NVDIR approved
Free accommodation if you live more than 70 miles from NG17 3FW
Courses available in September

Ask for reviews on here or check Google.

Remember, cheapest is rarely best. Buy cheap, buy twice.

Fire away with any questions, Pete

[ROG]

COURSE CANCELLATION FOR CAT C OR D

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=165988

This is so unlikely at the moment. But we have a cancellation course (Covid suspect) starting 19th August with test at our private test centre on 25th. CAT C or D only.

Accommodation available free of charge if you live more than 70 miles from NG17 3FW.

CAT C (allowing for discount) £1260 fully inclusive.

Call the office 01623 555661.

This wont hang about so shout up if you want it!

Pete

[Paul@PSTT]

Gone! We dont often get a cancellation, but when they come they go just as quick.

Maybe better luck next time!

Pete

[ROG]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=166188

Pleased to let folks know that my fantastic team have got the waiting time for courses back to around normal at 4 weeks. This follows the devastation of lock down and the huge backlog of people awaiting patiently for training and test. The team have worked incredibly hard to get everybody in and I'm proud of their achievements.

So, as we stand today, we have courses and tests available late September with plenty of space in October.

Thanks to everyone for bearing with us during a very difficult and trying time.

Good luck all, Pete

[ROG]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=166281

I continually review customer requests and try to act on them where I can. As a result of that, we're now offering a choice of two CAT C courses. For many years, we've offered a 14 hour, 1:1 course with test at our private driving test centre. On the whole, it's very successful. But some folks have expressed concern that they would feel more comfortable with more training. So, with immediate effect, we're offering the same course with an addition 6 hours. This (as the mathematicians will have worked out) is 20 hours + test. This is in excess of the industry standard, will offer more comfort and give the candidate more choice.

Clearly this costs more. But at £270 more for the extra 6 hours, it's remarkable value for money.

So, for clarity:

CAT C Course - 14 hours £1260
CAT C Course - 20 hours £1530

All our prices are fully inclusive of VAT, test fee, vehicle hire, fuel, insurance, 1:1 training with fully trained, qualified and registered instructor and courses culminate with a pre-booked test at our private driving test centre (the first in the UK).

As always, free accommodation if you live more than 70 miles from NG17 3FW.

Out of interest, the choice is also available for bus training.

Always here to help, Pete

[Paul@PSTT]

Too much doom and gloom LOL! Whilst the driver training section of our company is forced to close during lockdown, we can still offer some services. Not only can we offer them, but at greatly discounted rates!

Driver cpc periodic training: Starts Monday 9th Nov till Friday 13th Nov. Normal rate £80.75 per day. Special rate (1st come, 1st served) £38.75 per day fully inclusive.

Driver cpc initial Mod 4 training and test. Monday 16th Nov. Training am, test pm. £199 fully inclusive. (The test WILL take place as we have our own examiners on staff).

Starter Packs. (Comprises Medical, online theory training, classroom theory training, all theory tests booked and paid for at your local centre) £175 fully inclusive.

And look out for the Christmas Prize Draw to be announced shortly.

Our office is being manned with skeleton staff during lockdown. If you dont get an answer immediately, please keep trying. Office open Mon/Fri 0900 - 1700.

Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

Take care all, Pete

[M65Chris]

Any offers in the pipeline Pete/Paul?

Done my Class 2 with you guys back in October and looking into Class 1 in the near future.

[Pete S]

I'm out of that particular loop. Suggest you give Paul a ring 01623 555661 and keep your fingers crossed!

Take care, Pete

[Crawleytrucker]

Any details on adr courses?

[Pete S]

I'm sure there will be some scheduled. Give the office a call 01623 555661. Remember to tell them you're a Trucknet user to get the discount.

Pete S

[Class2ldn]

How much is the current c+e course?
I know it was 1400 last year, has that changed?

[Pete S]

Whilst I am no longer "in the loop", I believe the course length has been increased by nearly 50% and the fee is now £1725 minus the 10% Trucknet discount.

The free accommodation if travelling more than 70 miles still stands together with the many other benefits of training with PSTT.

All the best, Pete S

[Pete S]

The new 3a test is available NOW at the Sutton in Ashfield site of Peter Smythe Transport Training. Simply call 01623 555661.

Test Fee £40
Vehicle for test (if required) £30
Practice with PSTT vehicle £30 30 minutes
Practice with any other vehicle - not available.

Pete S

[driveress]

Is there a long waiting list for C+E training?

[Norbert Daggett]

I spoke to PSTT on Friday and they told me the earliest for B to C+E would be the end of June.

[driveress]

Thanks for that. I’m doing my C next week and I had kind of hoped to do C+E quite soon after but training school said earliest is late September So, I was wondering how typical that sort of wait is.

[Pete S]

You will find that waiting times fluctuate like the wind. As trainers become consistently busy - to the point where the waiting time becomes unacceptable - many trainers will increase their capacity. This will suddenly bring the waiting time forward, in some cases, by months. The prime difficulty is that, whilst many trainers are able and happy to increase their fleet, the better trainers will struggle to recruit skilled instructors and neither is there the time to train instructors at present. And even having overcome that hurdle, without DVSA supplying increased test numbers, it's frustrated at that point as well.

So it's not easy to deal with sudden increases in demand as the industry is witnessing at the moment. Unless you're not too fussy about who is instructing and whether or not there's actually going to be a test at the end of the course.

My advice is to book with a reputable trainer - no matter how far ahead. Then call weekly to see if there's any way of bring the course forward. You might just drop in on a day when capacity has been successfully increased.

Take care, Pete S