Received my licence back on Aug 9th after several phone calls to DVLA
Mon 11 Aug
Phoned to arrange funding due to being on the sick I was able to access funding had to call back on Tues
Tues 12 Aug
Made the phone calls I needed to theory & HPT booked for 27 th Aug 9.15 am
Assessment booked 16.00 pm
Wed 27 Aug
Theory passed 95 / 100
HPT 74 / 100
Assessment drive to to bad was a bit rusty as not really driven for some time ( some bad habits
)
Thur 28 Aug
Booked course and test
Thur 11 Sept
Arrived at Tyne & Wear LGV training centre 8.45 start at 9.00 My instructor Simon drove out of the yard as was a bit tight then ran through all the truck with my I adjusted the seat / steering wheel as we were in an Iveco cargo Started off ok not too many problems as I was on a 1-1 basis didnt hit anything
so was happy this was on the first part of the drive
Stopped for a coffee break
Then the problems started as the Iveco decided to break down
at first Simon thought it was just the exhaust break in the on position, which sits on the floor under the steering column thick black smoke coming out and loss of power we stopped to adjust it, still no better we were still losing power still smokin well we then decided to stop in a layby on the A1
he then called another instructor ( Mick ) who was not far away and pulled in behind us tried to tilt the cab forward but it wouldnt go as there was a leak on that
a quick look then a few words and phone calls Simon decided he would drive it back to repair yard where they disconnected the exhaust break they also found another problem with it
I then drove it back to centre it felt much better we did get back a little early due to the problem with the truck but called it a day we were goin to do some reversing Simon was quote happy with things so far although there are some things that ned to be improved nothing major he did say he has seen worse even after 4 days so there is hope for me
Have got used to the 4 over 4 gear box quite easily
Fri 12 Sept
Today was a better day was handling the truck much better gettin used to the gears and always using my mirrors was out for quite some time
When we got back we did some reversing this was done in the rain not too many problems ( but that is my weakest point )
I did make the time up from yesterday
Wed 17 Sept
The day started off fine had a good drive no problems was out with Colin this time on a 1-2 which was good Colin was pleased with the drive he said he felt relaxed which is a good thing I think
We swapped drivers for a while and instructors to Kevin
Then I got back in the drivers seat and disaster hit the kerb at least twice
crunched the gears selected wrong gear on approach to a junction rolled back slightly
Did the controlled stop I was not to bad on that but could be better second was a lot better though time for a swop much to my relief after about an hour we swopped back
I drove back to the centre this was a much better drive no mistakes I reversed back into the bay no problem there
Thur 18 Sept
Went well today had Jason as the instructor on a 1-2 basis again nothing really happened
Fri 19 Sept
Had Kevin again my drive was much better just goin over the same things with a bit more practice on the controlled stops, up hill starts down hill and angled
more reversing much needed for me
Mon 22 Sept
had another instructor Mike who was good we had a good chat gion round today seemed to go slow and drag a little had a lot of driving in no mistakes
Tue 23 Sept
Had to be in yard early as other driver had his test at 10.00 we watched him do his reverse and controlled stop then went for a coffee he failed everyone thought he would pass
I drove back but it was quite somber in the cab had a lunch break then went out with Mike again
Wed 1 Oct
Had to be at centre for 7.00 as had an 8.15 test left the centre in plenty of time drove to Gosforth test station Sandy Lane no problems
Time for test did the reverse in 1 was well happy then the controlled stop went well even though it was wet
had to turn right out of test station anyone who knows where this is will know that it is quite a busy road but got out quite easily thanks to the artic drivers 1 coming from the tight and the other from the left who let me out approached the roundabout turned right then left to the end past the back of Newcastle airport continued round the route the examiner did talk a little but not enough to put me off
Arrived back at the test station and those words Well Done You Have PASSED
4 minors a good drive keep up the good standard
Watch this space for next 1
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