Passed my class one on 30th December 2013 and now after a number of emails and phone calls to firms got a break and have two interviews and driver assessments setup for next week. Really nervous so any advice and tips most welcome.
On the assesment,there may be a short tacho hours questionaire to fill in.
Or a short trip in the truck.The importance of doing safety checks on the truck and a walk around check.
Check road tax/O Licence expiry/oil level/radiator coolant level/enough water in the windscreen wash bottle.
Test the horn and wipers.All the lights.
Dog clip secure.
Reseach the firm and quote some facts and figures at the interview,this shows an interest.
Try not to run down previous employers.Try and relax the night before.see a film at the cinema to take the mind off the subject.
Tell the truth, no BS (you’ve only just passed your test) ask the assessor how to check the oil (if you’re not sure, every wagon is different)
Last assessment I did, the assessor said that the tractor & trailer were all good to go, I did the walk round anyway, shows you know what you are doing.
Take your time (it’s not a race) on the drive, 2 hands on the wheel, check mirrors & don’t kerb it or put the assessor through the windscreen.
Know your speed limits, Highway code & as Toby said-Tacho/Drivers Hours.
Don’t panic if there is no dipstick to check the oil.Some are electronic on the dash.
Before reversing under the trailer,adjust the height from the cab controls.
Let us know how it goes.
Any road drive assessment will be based on safe, legal and convenient(as poss) driving in that order - it is not a DSA test drive
If it is a tacho test,the same subjects come up;
In two weeks what is the driving limit-90 hours or 56 and 34.
What is the daily driving limit- 9 hours.
How many times can that be extended- twice to 10 hours.
When does the working week start and end-
Midnight Sunday to Midnight Sunday.
Working time directive.
After 6 hours work a 15 min break.
6 to 9 hours work a 30 min break.
Over 9 hours a 45 min break.
But Eu driving hours take presidence.
Weekly rest is 45 24 45 24 in that order.
Show 15 mins to do a pre trip safety check.
Daily rest is 11 hours reduced to 9 hours 3 times a week.
No compensation is required.
Check trailer brake is applied before backing under. Make sure the unit park brake is applied. You don’t have to hurry, take your time and think about what you are doing. The vast majority of assessors are brand new and will not be expecting perfection but concentrate on safety and good courteous driving. Leave a proper gap between you and the vehicle in front whether moving or stationary.
And best of luck!
Hot bath with Radox and a cup of Horlicks does wonders to relax the mind the night before.Kalms are good from Boots, a natural remedy made with dried lettuce and Valerian. 
toby1234abc:
Daily rest is 11 hours reduced to 9 hours 3 times a week.
Not quite Toby 
It’s been mentioned to you before (more than once ) that a driver can reduce their daily rest to nine hours three times between weekly rest periods, which isn’t the same as the incorrect bit that I’ve quoted.
If you want to ignore the difference or you don’t understand it, then you can please yourself… but is it fair to post it where newbies might end up being confused by conflicting advice??
toby1234abc:
If it is a tacho test,the same subjects come up;
In two weeks what is the driving limit-90 hours or 56 and 34.
What is the daily driving limit- 9 hours.
How many times can that be extended- twice to 10 hours.
When does the working week start and end-
Midnight Sunday to Midnight Sunday.
Working time directive.
After 6 hours work a 15 min break.
6 to 9 hours work a 30 min break.
Over 9 hours a 45 min break.
But Eu driving hours take presidence.
Weekly rest is 45 24 45 24 in that order.
Show 15 mins to do a pre trip safety check.
Daily rest is 11 hours reduced to 9 hours 3 times a week.
No compensation is required.
where does it say that ■■ it could be 24 45 24 45 .
It is also possible to have 2 reduced rest periods one after the other
VOSA guidelines say 45,24,27,45 is perfectly acceptable as you are having one normal and one reduced rest in any fixed two weeks
John
dieseldave:
toby1234abc:
Daily rest is 11 hours reduced to 9 hours 3 times a week.Not quite Toby
It’s been mentioned to you before (more than once
If you want to ignore the difference or you don’t understand it, then you can please yourself… but is it fair to post it where newbies might end up being confused by conflicting advice??
As an extra warning to newbies on the same thing…
The DSA theory test question on this designed by PEARSONS is this …
How many times a week can a driver reduce their daily rest?
And the correct answer for the test is 3
The question I assume was supposed to be between weekly rests and not week because the correct answer to the question posed is 6 and 6 is one of the options !!
How are newbies supposed to learn correctly when those in charge get it wrong?
ROG:
dieseldave:
toby1234abc:
Daily rest is 11 hours reduced to 9 hours 3 times a week.Not quite Toby
It’s been mentioned to you before (more than once
If you want to ignore the difference or you don’t understand it, then you can please yourself… but is it fair to post it where newbies might end up being confused by conflicting advice??
As an extra warning to newbies on the same thing…
The DSA theory test question on this designed by PEARSONS is this …
How many times a week can a driver reduce their daily rest?
And the correct answer for the test is 3The question I assume was supposed to be between weekly rests and not week because the correct answer to the question posed is 6 and 6 is one of the options !!
How are newbies supposed to learn correctly when those in charge get it wrong?
I’ve always said the rules are too complicated Rog… simple is easy to follow then you get people that want to manipulate wording to fit more time in…
chevmac:
It is also possible to have 2 reduced rest periods one after the other
VOSA guidelines say 45,24,27,45 is perfectly acceptable as you are having one normal and one reduced rest in a fixed fortnightJohn
The issue is not explained very well in either the VOSA guide or the regs themselves
Appreciate all the advice, will report back next week.
ROG:
chevmac:
It is also possible to have 2 reduced rest periods one after the other
VOSA guidelines say 45,24,27,45 is perfectly acceptable as you are having one normal and one reduced rest in a fixed fortnightJohn
The issue is not explained very well in either the VOSA guide or the regs themselves
Rog your comment is incorrect in this case
It is given as an example, page 22, in GV262-03 as exactly how the driver can comply with the regulations - not really sure as to how much clearer it can be explained 
The following tables are examples of how a driver’s duties might be organised in compliance with
the rules on weekly rest, which allow two reduced weekly rest periods to be taken consecutively.
This complies with the rules because at least one regular and one reduced weekly rest period have
been taken in two consecutive ‘fixed’ weeks.
45 hours’ rest
24 hours’ rest
27 hours’ rest
45 hours’ rest
copied directly from the above publication
chevmac:
ROG:
chevmac:
It is also possible to have 2 reduced rest periods one after the other
VOSA guidelines say 45,24,27,45 is perfectly acceptable as you are having one normal and one reduced rest in a fixed fortnightJohn
The issue is not explained very well in either the VOSA guide or the regs themselves
Rog your comment is incorrect in this case
It is given as an example, page 22, in GV262-03 as exactly how the driver can comply with the regulations - not really sure as to how much clearer it can be explained
Does it explain clearly that this is legal…
Weeks holls
work mon to sat
reduced sun
work mon to sat
reduced sun
work mon to sat
Regular sat + sun
chevmac:
The following tables are examples of how a driver’s duties might be organised in compliance with
the rules on weekly rest, which allow two reduced weekly rest periods to be taken consecutively.
This complies with the rules because at least one regular and one reduced weekly rest period have
been taken in two consecutive ‘fixed’ weeks.45 hours’ rest
24 hours’ rest
27 hours’ rest
45 hours’ restcopied directly from the above publication
always better to post the link fella cause some times there are updated regs that aint hit the normal desk…
and to be honest the best of best links are in the .gov or even better the EU law regs site they tend to be more of a Legal format though …