Hello people first things first apologies to Peter Smythe. I keep messaging him regarding doing class C+E training with his school and I think I’ve done it 3 times now and not followed through. Not because I didn’t want to but things got in the way (money).
Well the financial difficulties I have just been through have finally turned around and I can actually start saving up for training.
The problem is after watching all these people on the interent (driving schools) do the manoeuvre I start doubting myself. The manoeuvre I know I will crack it’s all the bits after it ie winding the legs and taking out the cables etc.
I’m just worried I’ll never be able to pass the test and be stuck driving home shopping vans for the rest of my life.
In the back of my head I know I can do it as I did my class C and I had the same thoughts then.
Surely I cannot be the only one thinking the same things■■?
Also I spoke to my opticians the other day regarding me needing glasses and she said that mine are very weak glasses.
She said I’d have to have another test and then have a form to send off to the dvla.
Any advice on any of my questions would be much appreciated
Thanks in advance Thomas
With the uncouple/couple all you need to remember is to take it slow. Think things through logically. When you’ve backed under the trailer and felt/heard the unit go “clunk”, you know you got to do the tug test. With the uncouple first thing you do is secure the trailer so the trailer brake must go on, then down comes the legs so we know that once we take off the airlines the trailer is going nowhere.
Also, if you already have Cat C, why are you still driving Dot.com vans around?
Thankyou Radar 19.
Your advice is much appreciated.
I’m still currently driving home shopping vans around because it’s safe and will use the money I earn to do my class C+E then I can look for employment elsewhere.
Thanks again Thomas
Radar19:
Also, if you already have Cat C, why are you still driving Dot.com vans around?
Agreed you can you get class 2 work that is pretty much the same to class 1 work. I.e tankers/supermarkets even trunking.
adam277:
Radar19:
Also, if you already have Cat C, why are you still driving Dot.com vans around?
Agreed you can you get class 2 work that is pretty much the same to class 1 work. I.e tankers/supermarkets even trunking.
Thanks Adam I just want to get my C+E out of the way while I have a safe income.
I don’t want to go into class 2 work then get laid off etc
montytom:
Thankyou Radar 19.
Your advice is much appreciated.
I’m still currently driving home shopping vans around because it’s safe and will use the money I earn to do my class C+E then I can look for employment elsewhere.
Thanks again Thomas
It is better the devil you know but I do think you should start looking for Cat C stuff. It looks better when you do pass your C+E that you have some experience in a large vehicle. Do you work for a supermarket or other large company of such?
I work for a large supermarket chain (im not allowed to mention there name though)
I do do agency work when I have time off etc but class 2 doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I’ve had enough of walking up 100 steps to do a delivery and end up doing 30 drops a day.
montytom:
I work for a large supermarket chain (im not allowed to mention there name though)
I do do agency work when I have time off etc but class 2 doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I’ve had enough of walking up 100 steps to do a delivery and end up doing 30 drops a day.
You can and will get artic jobs that are 30+ drops a day. They do send artics out with Palletways stuff on them and on the subject of drop numbers, tomorrow I have 3 and I’m class 2. One in Eden Bridge, one in Croydon and one in Crawley. When you go for looking for jobs, they will ask you want experience you’ve had so if you can say that you’ve done a year on Class 2, it will stand you in a better position. Its not impossible but it will certainly help your case.
Like I said there is plenty of class 2 work that is not multidrop.
adam277:
Agreed you can you get class 2 work that is pretty much the same to class 1 work. I.e tankers/supermarkets even trunking.
Montytom …just to clarify that you can drive tankers but of none hazardous stuff as you need an ADR license for that… 
My own advice is stop stressing about stuff you viewed on youtube etc etc… just book your training, listen to the instructor and then its down to you… it would have been a bonus if you was currently using your class 2… but hey we hear where your coming from when your paying for it yourself
Plenty of info on here to chew the cud over and more than enough ppl to ask for advice…
No need for apologies! IMO the web is very much a mixed blessing. Loads of info, some of which is accurate, some not so clever. Problem is in knowing which is which! I prefer to stick to the old fashioned ways of having it explained, demonstrated and practiced. It’s worked for me for many, many years and I aint about to change anytime soon!
Confusion can set it at an early stage if information comes from too many sources.
When you book your CE, ask for the coupling and uncoupling info to be sent to you. That way you’ve got a head start if you want it.
Pete 
Radar19:
montytom:
I work for a large supermarket chain (im not allowed to mention there name though)
I do do agency work when I have time off etc but class 2 doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I’ve had enough of walking up 100 steps to do a delivery and end up doing 30 drops a day.
You can and will get artic jobs that are 30+ drops a day. They do send artics out with Palletways stuff on them and on the subject of drop numbers, tomorrow I have 3 and I’m class 2. One in Eden Bridge, one in Croydon and one in Crawley. When you go for looking for jobs, they will ask you want experience you’ve had so if you can say that you’ve done a year on Class 2, it will stand you in a better position. Its not impossible but it will certainly help your case.
Thanks radar I didnt realise that class C + E would have that many drops.
My main aim is to drive artics but if I have to drive something smaller for a year then I will leave my current job and do so.
Thanks again for your help Thomas
adam277:
Like I said there is plenty of class 2 work that is not multidrop.
Thankyou Adam I will have to hunt that sort of work out if I cannot get class C+E work straight away.
Thanks again Thomas
Swampey2418:
adam277:
Agreed you can you get class 2 work that is pretty much the same to class 1 work. I.e tankers/supermarkets even trunking.
Montytom …just to clarify that you can drive tankers but of none hazardous stuff as you need an ADR license for that…
My own advice is stop stressing about stuff you viewed on youtube etc etc… just book your training, listen to the instructor and then its down to you… it would have been a bonus if you was currently using your class 2… but hey we hear where your coming from when your paying for it yourself
Plenty of info on here to chew the cud over and more than enough ppl to ask for advice…
Thankyou Swampey.
I will do just as you say,
Last night I went into work and got my hours for the next couple of weeks and truth be told Ill see if I can use the agency to get some more work.
As you say class C experience is a bonus.
Thanks again Thomas
Peter Smythe:
No need for apologies! IMO the web is very much a mixed blessing. Loads of info, some of which is accurate, some not so clever. Problem is in knowing which is which! I prefer to stick to the old fashioned ways of having it explained, demonstrated and practiced. It’s worked for me for many, many years and I aint about to change anytime soon!
Confusion can set it at an early stage if information comes from too many sources.
When you book your CE, ask for the coupling and uncoupling info to be sent to you. That way you’ve got a head start if you want it.
Pete
Thankyou Pete, When I get it booked I will definately ask for the info to be sent to me.
Thanks again Thomas
Last night I went into work and got my hours for the next couple of weeks and truth be told Ill see if I can use the agency to get some more work.
As you say class C experience is a bonus.
Just watch them hrs and ensure your following the required rest periods
As far as the number of class one drops 30+… Im not saying Radar is wrong… number of drops depends who you work and what your dropping
Swampey2418:
Last night I went into work and got my hours for the next couple of weeks and truth be told Ill see if I can use the agency to get some more work.
As you say class C experience is a bonus.
Just watch them hrs and ensure your following the required rest periods
As far as the number of class one drops 30+… Im not saying Radar is wrong… number of drops depends who you work and what your dropping
Of course but you get those sorts of jobs, even if the majority of your work is one hit wonders.
Radar19:
Swampey2418:
Last night I went into work and got my hours for the next couple of weeks and truth be told Ill see if I can use the agency to get some more work.
As you say class C experience is a bonus.
Just watch them hrs and ensure your following the required rest periods
As far as the number of class one drops 30+… Im not saying Radar is wrong… number of drops depends who you work and what your dropping
Of course but you get those sorts of jobs, even if the majority of your work is one hit wonders.
Most I’ve done on Class 1 multi-drop I think is 18, although it’s normally more like 12 on average. In my experience it’s not the same as Class 2 multi-drop (for the same firm) as the drops on Class 1 are a lot closer together, and often on just a couple of industrial estates. As a result, parking and waiting is a lot less stressful, but I’m sure there are a few jobs/runs that as Radar says, could be a nightmare!