Had my assessment drive with GTG today to see whether 5, 7 or 10 day course was needed.
I was out with 2 instructors one instructing me and the other guy was new to it so he was being given instruction off the other.
I was to be fair a shambles with the 8 speed splitter gear box, constantly looking down to see the box and not watching the road. It will get easier to use im sure but it unfortunately contributed to me being told I need the 7 day course. Not ideal, as putting myself through this is proving really costly, I suppose Id be better with two extra days though than a resit.
Pulled me up on a few things that didn’t happen but could’ve happened. Although checking my mirrors, need to check them more incase im not clearig things. I do think at one stage if I’d continued to come out from a corner I may have taken a post out, at least that’s what I was told.
Not a great drive and I was slow and hesitant with it but probably focussed too much on that splitter gearbox. Too much respect given to it I think.
TJ82:
How long are their days? 7/10 days is excessive to learn to drive a lorry 16-20hrs is normally all it takes. 4hrs a day = 4/5days
Just the normal full day 2:1 training. Think you get 2 x 1.5 hour sessions as driver and same as 2nd learner in the passenger seat.
They seem to think that if I struggle with gears into 2nd day then I wouldn’t be ready if the test came first thing on the 5th day. I know I wasn’t great with gears today but I’ve never set foot in that size of vehicle before never mind have any experience with an 8 gear splitter so id imagine I wouldn’t be free flowing with them. I think if I was in again Id be fine.
Annoying ive been told 7 days despite not stalling, kerbing, hitting anything.
Yes it’s my class 2 im going for initially and then class 1 and adr as soon as I can. Some people say do it all. Others say don’t waste time on ADR until I’ve had a year or twos experience.
7 days is going to be an outlay of £175 for the medical and theory/HP, study material and assessment drive. Then we will be talking about £1590 for the 7 day course for class 2 on top of that which seems an awful lot.
Edit: should have said ive already had the medical and got theory tests booked etc and my provisional back.
2:1 training…I’d hate be sat in a passenger seat and paying for the privelage,as already stated go with someone that offers 1:1 training and I guarantee they will get you on a 5 day course.
If he is charging you £1600 for 7 days plus the other guy they same he is making £500 a day and your paying roughly £76 an hour to drive the truck based on 3hrs drive a day,does he drive a Ferrari?
ckm1981:
2:1 training…I’d hate be sat in a passenger seat and paying for the privelage,as already stated go with someone that offers 1:1 training and I guarantee they will get you on a 5 day course.
If he is charging you £1600 for 7 days plus the other guy they same he is making £500 a day and your paying roughly £76 an hour to drive the truck based on 3hrs drive a day,does he drive a Ferrari?
probably! GTG are part of Arnold Clark. I’m sure he has a few expensive cars in the drive.
tachograph:
Have an assessment with at-least two training companies before deciding who to go with.
Cheers just booked ritchies there just now for the second assessment drive on Monday afternoon.
You wont go wrong with Ritchies, I can highly recommend them. I done my class 2 with them, then done my ADR and I’m currently doing my class 1 with them, test tomorrow.
All the guys are spot on and all the trucks are good, the class C are all Volvo 4 over 4 range changes, there’s 5 of them all the same. The C+E tractors are all the same too Volvo I-shift autos, 4 of them. You do
the reverse ect in there place too. The training was 2.1 over 4 days with test on the 5th day. It cost me £1075 for each course including test fee.
tachograph:
Have an assessment with at-least two training companies before deciding who to go with.
Cheers just booked ritchies there just now for the second assessment drive on Monday afternoon.
You wont go wrong with Ritchies, I can highly recommend them. I done my class 2 with them, then done my ADR and I’m currently doing my class 1 with them, test tomorrow.
All the guys are spot on and all the trucks are good, the class C are all Volvo 4 over 4 range changes, there’s 5 of them all the same. The C+E tractors are all the same too Volvo I-shift autos, 4 of them. You do
the reverse ect in there place too. The training was 2.1 over 4 days with test on the 5th day. It cost me £1075 for each course including test fee.
Cheers for that.
I was originally going with Ritchies then changed to GTG. I have to be honest the set up is great at GTG but I’m now doubting my choice. So I’ll see how Ritchies feel on Monday afternoon, it’s £30 for an assessment drive but I’m looking at it as experience.
Highfield Heavies still feature in my thoughts just now. Quoted £975 with them and the women was very good.
tachograph:
Have an assessment with at-least two training companies before deciding who to go with.
Cheers just booked ritchies there just now for the second assessment drive on Monday afternoon.
You wont go wrong with Ritchies, I can highly recommend them. I done my class 2 with them, then done my ADR and I’m currently doing my class 1 with them, test tomorrow.
All the guys are spot on and all the trucks are good, the class C are all Volvo 4 over 4 range changes, there’s 5 of them all the same. The C+E tractors are all the same too Volvo I-shift autos, 4 of them. You do
the reverse ect in there place too. The training was 2.1 over 4 days with test on the 5th day. It cost me £1075 for each course including test fee.
Cheers for that.
I was originally going with Ritchies then changed to GTG. I have to be honest the set up is great at GTG but I’m now doubting my choice. So I’ll see how Ritchies feel on Monday afternoon, it’s £30 for an assessment drive but I’m looking at it as experience.
Highfield Heavies still feature in my thoughts just now. Quoted £975 with them and the women was very good.
That’s all you can do m8, go for a drive and see if it feels right.
I know of Highfield heavies but don’t know anything about them other than its a woman that owns it, I’ve never heard anything bad about them though.
H4L:
I was to be fair a shambles with the 8 speed splitter gear box, constantly looking down to see the box and not watching the road. It will get easier to use im sure but it unfortunately contributed to me being told I need the 7 day course. Not ideal, as putting myself through this is proving really costly, I suppose Id be better with two extra days though than a resit.
Pulled me up on a few things that didn’t happen but could’ve happened. Although checking my mirrors, need to check them more incase im not clearig things. I do think at one stage if I’d continued to come out from a corner I may have taken a post out, at least that’s what I was told.
Not a great drive and I was slow and hesitant with it but probably focussed too much on that splitter gearbox. Too much respect given to it I think.
No offence but what did you expect them to say, if as you said you were a shambles and may have taken a post out, hardly going to say anything else.
I did all my C CE D and forklift with GTG and highly recommend them.
H4L:
I was to be fair a shambles with the 8 speed splitter gear box, constantly looking down to see the box and not watching the road. It will get easier to use im sure but it unfortunately contributed to me being told I need the 7 day course. Not ideal, as putting myself through this is proving really costly, I suppose Id be better with two extra days though than a resit.
Pulled me up on a few things that didn’t happen but could’ve happened. Although checking my mirrors, need to check them more incase im not clearig things. I do think at one stage if I’d continued to come out from a corner I may have taken a post out, at least that’s what I was told.
Not a great drive and I was slow and hesitant with it but probably focussed too much on that splitter gearbox. Too much respect given to it I think.
No offence but what did you expect them to say, if as you said you were a shambles and may have taken a post out, hardly going to say anything else.
I did all my C CE D and forklift with GTG and highly recommend them.
None taken buddy.
Nearly took a post out “as they said” being key quote.
I’m my own worst critic so me saying its a shambles is probably harsh. Seriously, pulling people up for things that didn’t occur? That’s like saying "oh by the way big man im going to mark you down for stalling that lorry. I know you didn’t but you could’ve.
Not the best experience but I took what they said on board, discussed with two lorry drivers in the family and discussed expectations with other training providers. It’s unlikely I’ll continue with them after the theory but at least I’ve not laid out any serious money yet.
Heard good stuff about them instructor told pal ( iv yay kin drive roon glesga toon sentur in thi summir ye kin drive anywhir way au that skurt aboot n no krash ) Worked for him … I went to Jim Mayer Kilmarnock so I would recommend those guys. We both passed so 50/50… But I had 2 minors he had 9. . NO I CERTENLY AM NOT …
Heard good stuff about them instructor told pal ( iv yay kin drive roon glesga toon sentur in thi summir ye kin drive anywhir way au that skurt aboot n no krash ) Worked for him … I went to Jim Mayer Kilmarnock so I would recommend those guys. We both passed so 50/50… But I had 2 minors he had 9. . NO I CERTENLY AM NOT …
Skirt in Glasgow during the summer…whatever do you mean
It frightens me when the summer comes in and the primark babes battle for control against the matalan massive. Some really need to except that these places don’t cater for them and move onto the plus size stores. It would result in safer streets.
probably! GTG are part of Arnold Clark. I’m sure he has a few expensive cars in the drive.
. NO I CERTENLY AM NOT 
…