Got back home last night having been on my class 2 course. Didn’t have internet access whilst away, so here is a breif outline of the course.
Day 1
Was met at Stanstead by Garry, my instructor, and met the other trainee. First impressions were that this was going to be easy. Iveco cargo, 6 speed box, no problems. Garry was in fact a subbie for qualitas with his own truck. But with over 17 years instructing experience, he knew his stuff.
Started off at North Weald airfield for practice on the reverse, gear change exercise & controlled stop. My first drive was actually going backwards!!! Everything went ok. Had o nice drive back to Basildon before being dropped at the hotel. Yes I made a few numpty mistakes but I soon spotted them for what they were.
Day 2
First stop, Basildon lorry park for some more reversing, also did a walk around the lorry in preperation for the show & tell questions. (we had to wait to get onto the reversing area) Then we had a drive down to Purfleet to check out the test centre to see what we were up against.
After that we took a drive down to Southend for some town centre driving. After swapping seats with the other driver, i’m thinking this isn’t going to be so easy. I think i might be coming back for the retest!! Garry thinks I will be fine. (yeah right)
Next down to Canvey Island for more gearchange practise. Again OK. Tomorrow is going to be more intense, covering a couple of the test routes. Purfleet has27!!!
Day 3
Back down to the test centre again, to familiarise ourselves with the area before I drove back to Chelmsford (Had to pick up my CPC course from the Qualitas office) via one of the test routes. Quite a good drive, I may even make it yet. After lunch, it was my turn again. Oh dear!!! All the numpty mistakes came back, wrong gear, rolling back etc. No way I will pass like this!!! More reversing and controlled stop practise. These were OK. Garry thinks that if I fail, it will be on a silly mistake. (or 2 or 3) Oh well, this time tomorrow it will all be over.
Day 4 Test Day
Was picked up from the hotel, then off to the lorry park for more reversing!! Rotten so and so closed the bay up to just over the width of the lorry. Still managed it though. Then off to the test centre. If I drive like this then I have no chance!! Numpty mistakes again. Suddenly it is test time. Did the show and tell, reverse and controlled stop. (wheels locked breifly on the stop as it was wet) oh well I’ve failed, relax. At least I will know what to expect next time. Carried on with the drive. Narrow roads, mini roundabouts, dual carrigeway and more town centres. Also the sun came out for the first time all week, reflecting on the wet roads.
After the longest hour of my life we turned back into the test centre and parked up. ready for the immortal words. THAT CONCLUDES THE TEST…AND I’M PLEASED TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE PASSED!!! 
What■■? No■■?
sorted all the paperwork, then i got the test report. Lets see where I was weakest…hang on the sheet is blank!!
NO MINORS!!! 
I’m sure luck was on my side cos that was not my best drive of the week.
I know what everyone means about the grin factor now, although it still hasn’t sunk in yet. New year and I will be going back to do the c+e. Just got to get the funds. Qualitas may be one of the new schools but I would recommend them if you are looking for a school (admins please remove last sentance if this is in breach of the rules)
Roll on the first class2 drive
Stuart
. You might start to come down in a fortnight or so 
.
