Hi Everyone,I have read a lot of info and advice from others experiences so I thought I would share mine,
I had my first Class C driving assessment with J Coates who also booked my theory/hazzard perception tests and supplied training DVD (this can be done easily by yourself) I arranged to take the drive at Northampton it took a bit of finding as their location is in a section of carpark also there is another driving school based in the same carpark who will do their best to give you wrong directions,so I finally found J Coates the lorry was brand new but must have been on the lowest size/weight limit to be classed as a class C it was also Auto,driving it felt easier than I expected due to the size and auto box and the instructor was very good ,driving in Northampton is a bit like a real life Hazard perception test lots of opening car doors cars pulling out people running across the road etc etc,I know this is like most big towns but not sure if I would like to take me test there.
Second assessment I took with CTT in Leighton Buzzard,totally different experience you actually meet the people running the school,the lorry was a bit daunting on first site as it was proper size it felt totally different to drive it was also auto but felt bigger and heavier also suprising how quick it picked up speed compared to the other one,Leighton Buzzard felt better to drive round the streets are a bit narrower but not as chaotic as Northampton can be also good instructor.
So I have booked my course through CTT ,reasons being they are local to me,the test routes are locations I know,the lorry is I think more real world,I wouldn’t have liked to pass my test in the small one then the shock of driving the bigger one first job,also CTT have CPC course on site.
I am not trying to say one is better than the other,the smaller lorry could get your test easier but not the experience of driving something big,the bigger one may not be as easy to pass the test in but seems to me that most class C lorrys out there are that size so best get used to it now.
Shaun
Good luck on your test.
Personally I would prefer to take my test in smaller truck to make it as easy as possible. That being said the truck should be a very small factor in you choosing a school. The important thing is that you get on with your instructor and that the school is professional sounds like you made the right choice.
I’ve noticed a few schools have a few of these Cat C trucks that are essentially 7.5 plated to 10/12ton. Be interesting to know if this is standard practice.
I found CTT to be a bit rough and ready vehicle wise, but still perfectly serviceable, and I liked the instructor a lot, I would recommend them to anyone in that area.
Shaunb:
Hi Everyone,I have read a lot of info and advice from others experiences so I thought I would share mine,
I had my first Class C driving assessment with J Coates who also booked my theory/hazzard perception tests and supplied training DVD (this can be done easily by yourself) I arranged to take the drive at Northampton it took a bit of finding as their location is in a section of carpark also there is another driving school based in the same carpark who will do their best to give you wrong directions,so I finally found J Coates the lorry was brand new but must have been on the lowest size/weight limit to be classed as a class C it was also Auto,driving it felt easier than I expected due to the size and auto box and the instructor was very good ,driving in Northampton is a bit like a real life Hazard perception test lots of opening car doors cars pulling out people running across the road etc etc,I know this is like most big towns but not sure if I would like to take me test there.
Second assessment I took with CTT in Leighton Buzzard,totally different experience you actually meet the people running the school,the lorry was a bit daunting on first site as it was proper size it felt totally different to drive it was also auto but felt bigger and heavier also suprising how quick it picked up speed compared to the other one,Leighton Buzzard felt better to drive round the streets are a bit narrower but not as chaotic as Northampton can be also good instructor.
So I have booked my course through CTT ,reasons being they are local to me,the test routes are locations I know,the lorry is I think more real world,I wouldn’t have liked to pass my test in the small one then the shock of driving the bigger one first job,also CTT have CPC course on site.
I am not trying to say one is better than the other,the smaller lorry could get your test easier but not the experience of driving something big,the bigger one may not be as easy to pass the test in but seems to me that most class C lorrys out there are that size so best get used to it now.
Shaun
Nice read Shaun, this is why it’s important to have at least assessments, it sounds like your decision was based on a gut instinct which there is nothing wrong with that.
All the best in your training.
Paul
Do CTT have a website ?
ROG:
Do CTT have a website ?
Does that make a difference?
Paul 
ROG:
Do CTT have a website ?
They are on your recommended list of trainers ROG, surely you know 
All the best with it.Pete 
Shaunb:
http://cttlimited.com/
TA - could not find it on google for some reason
F-reds:
ROG:
Do CTT have a website ?They are on your recommended list of trainers ROG, surely you know
Not my list per se but compiled by members experiences
I chose to do my class 2 training with ctt as it’s 5 minutes from my house, i went to meet them last year and done a,assessment and they are all sound and helpful.
Yes the trucks aint rop of the range or eye candy but price was very good,down to earth people and help you with everything you may need
I also took my cpc with them.
I am back there in February for my class 1.
I personally, cant fault them and recommended them to my mate who was looking into driving.