Start class c training on monday- NOW PASSED

[johnny boy 1]

Hi all, the time is nearly here for me, ive saved up and waited for so long for this day. I start on monday with EP Training, 7.30 sharp but will get there earlier to grab a cuppa. Strange im not nervous at all to eager to get on with it and pass. Ive taken all your comments and advice on board, Ive read the books, i drive everywhere and imagine im behind the wheel of a truck just to get the practice in. I will do a day to day diary next week, got my test on Friday at guildford.I dont like to tempt fate but i cant wait to see that pass banner from Rog lol. im off to relax and dream of trucks, omg how sad does that sound, must get myself a wife lol. take care all and keep smiling!!

[garnerlives]

Good luck with it fella, when you get a bit cheesed off that the instructor has said the same thing for the 50th time, that is when it has sunk in and when it gets to your test, you'll hear the guy in your head saying it, and you'll think i'm mad from what i'm saying but tis the true! Good luck with it and be confident but not over confident!

[farmer]

best of luck to you mate


when i tried the test the first time i got on ok with the instructor and got a really bad case of nerves when i tried the test

through no fault of my own i failed the first test due to a brake chamber bursting
then tried a further twice but i think nerves just got the better of me


compared to when i did my bike test different instructor on every lesson not so nervous when it came to the test


so my advice to you my friend is if you have the same instructor all week see if you can get a different one prior to ur test
obviously depends on the size of the training company but may help

me i havent given up on my class 2 yet looks like my current employiers will be putting me through in the next couple of months already had the driving assesment

again let me wish you the best of luck and hopefully there will be another class two driver in our midst this time next week

[ROG]

I dont like to tempt fate but i cant wait to see that pass banner from Rog lol.

It's ready and waiting

[garnerlives]

Just out of interest do you have a driving job lined up, or will you be joining the ever increasing group of us that are searching?

[ROG]

Just out of interest do you have a driving job lined up, or will you be joining the ever increasing group of us that are searching?

Newbies - Jobs, Agencies & EXPERIENCE & Is this country short of drivers ?

[johnny boy 1]

I do have a job lined up with a local haulage company plus im on manpowers books who have been so helpful so far. Im not taking anything for granted and i dont believe anything anybody says to me with regard to work until i have the keys to a truck firmly in my little mitts. I no its going to be hard this year and i can assure you the only reason i want a job in this industry is because ive already had a taster doing long distance in a puddle jumper and loved it.

[mikewhi]

Good luck pal.

[kenno78]

Good Luck with the Training Johnny 1 !!! I passed my C+E Wag and Drag at Guilford in September Mate! Plenty of Tricky little Bends on those Test routes' watch out for the "Foxes corner" if you go on that route, as im sure your instructor will take you along there. Hope all goes well for ya Matey Let us know how ya get on : :
Good Luck and Enjoy it

[allikat]

Good luck with it mate, and well done on having a job lined up before you laid out your money on training. Very smart.

[ROG]

I will do a day to day diary next week, ....

I look forward to that

Have FUN whilst training - it's makes the experience much nicer and most learn better when it's made enjoyable

[Flipside]

good luck mate, you have done well to get a job lined up before you have passed.

my instructor had a big stick in the cab, he used to warn me only twice after that it got sore he he he.

after a while i made sure i got my driving squared away.

enjoy yourself and the training

oh and try not hold your breath too much, makes life a little uncomfortbale when going through built up areas

keep us posted with you diary

[youngluke]

gud look with the training fella, i did my c and c+e last june+july loved it just keep your cool and you will walk it

[rocket reverse]

gr8 attitude m8, take it steady n u will have no probs, all the best..

[russjp]

Best of luck to you mate

[johnny boy 1]

Thank you all, will try not to let you all down, im now sitting here still not got any nerves and still excited. Just had manpower on the phone do i wand a weeks worth of shifts, make me laugh, i explained im busy all week doing my class c, to which she replied is that a no then, lol. Will post a diary tomorrow night fellas abd prob have a 101 questions to ask. Take care all,

[OllieNotts]

Good luck and happy trucking

[Dusty321]

still not got any nerves and still excited.

Lets hope that mindset stays with you til you pass!

All the best!

[joedwyer1]

good luck johnny boy

[Lee G]

good luck mate and dont forget wednesday will be the worst day out of them all!

where is todays diary then? were all waiting!

[johnny boy 1]

Evening all. Woke up this morning, still no nerves, still looking forward to it and what did i see when i opened the curtains, 2 inches of snow.

Made my way to the training center in bookham, 7.30 start but i got there at 7.

Sorted all the paperwork out , met my instrutor, Paul, wot a smashing bloke.

Made our way to the farm where the trucks are kept, by this time nerves had set in, walked us round the truck, explained in detail what every button and knob does in the cab, then he drove us to guildford.

He pulled into a snowy, icy layby, asked if we need a wee then turned to me, and said your first.

Well the truck is a Merc with a 12 speed box and a splitter, what a smashing truck to learn in.

Off i went, got all my mirror, signal manouver in the right place, had slight probs approaching junctions too fast then havting to break hard.

Pulled into the test centre at guilford for a coffee and to change drivers. I prob learnt as much from the other driver as i did from driving.

We drove 3 times each, averaging about 1 hour 15 mins.
I hit the curb only once when i saw the whites of another approaching truck drivers eyes, im so sorry to you if your on here.

There is so much to learn, but on the way back it sort of all clicked into place.

I sussed the gears out, i remembered about the mirrors and always checking my blind spot. On reflextion all the advice given on here has really helped, but its not as easy as it looks guys, you have to be so alert all the time and car drivers omg they have no idea about trucks at all .

I had a good day and cant wait for tomorrow. Will post more tomorrow fellas.

[teatree]

Good read Johnny Boy 1

All the best for tomorrow

Stu

[joedwyer1]

wow 12 gears. is that like 6 over six or something? 8 is plenty for me!

[ROG]

wow 12 gears. is that like 6 over six or something? 8 is plenty for me!

Using this type of gearbox is easier to train with BUT can cause problems post test.

Imagine a straight 6 gearbox like the staight 6 in a car and then add a switch which splits each gear into high and low.

When the truck is empty, like on training & test, you can get away with only using the high mode in each gear so the splitter switch is never used just like driving a 6 speed car.

When the trainee comes across a range change gearbox for the first time - either on a post test C truck or worse, when starting C+E training, it can be a nightmare - imagine trying to learn a new type of gearbox and an artic at the same time

GEARBOX OPERATION - A simple intro (With Pics)

[OllieNotts]

So true about car drivers having no clue! I have found though now I drive an arctic with no L plates they arent as bad as they were training or on test where they're frightened to lose all of 10 seconds of there life waiting behind us
Stay alert and drive safely and calmly and you wont go wrong mate

[V8Actros]

very best of luck to you fella

[starfighter]

When I learned it was in a Scania 4 series with the range change four over four. Never had the pleasure of a splitter.

[tranny00]

good luck your halfway there

[joedwyer1]

so johnny boy. how did it go today?

[johnny boy 1]

Evening all.
Another good day, got into the habit of mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors.
First drive of the day went realy well untill second to last corner on the way back i rushed to get out of a junction, didnt think and mounted the kerb, get a earful from paul who was more updet cause id done so well previous to that.
Second drive was ok but for some reason i was approaching roundabouts far to fast and getting into a state, wrong gear, wrong lane and worst of all forgeting to indicate.
We stopped and had lunch on the hogs back, i gathered all my thoughts and on my last drive back to the yard it all came together, didnt put a foot wrong or wheel ,
Off to dunsfold tomorrow to practice reversing, going to take my camara in case i run into the stig Is it me or is it very tiring, im shattered today, worse than yesterday.
Im not used to concentrating on anything for more than 2 mins, ask my other half.
Anyway all in all not a bad day realy, will keep you all informed.
Cheers fellas, Keep smiling.