hi htmldude, most 18 tonners are 6 speed manuals, same as a car, so very easy to adapt to. However most MAN 18 tonners produced in the last 6 years are auto, DAF are always manuals as the auto box is naff, and the same goes for iveco, Volvo are not auto either as they didn’t have a good box to offer until recently, and well who would buy a scania 18 tonner, they are too heavy.
I like your name htmldude, i went to northumbria uni and did degree in webdesign.
I got a shock when I jumped into a 26 tonner Merc thinking it would be a six speed.
LGVTrainer:
Crossing Hands when turning corners - Not too bad provided you do not release the steering wheel and watch it spin back on its own after turning.
Tockwith Training:
Steering, steer however you want, they will judge your ‘control’, spin the wheel at your peril!
This surprises me, I was fully expecting to have to go back to ‘feeding’ the wheel - two hands, top to bottom and have been trying to get back into the habit whilst driving my car.
The test has modernised over the last 10 years, its no longer - my way or the highway, the examiner will judge - did it work well? was it safe? did it or could it cause a problem to road safety etc. etc.
However, not all instructors have moved with the times so you might get shouted at if you cross your hands! thats why it pays to do an assessment - to see what sort of person is going to train you.
I really don’t get why some Instructors need to shout. All it does is that it makes the trainee more nervous and then prone to more mistakes. Last thing a trainee needs when they paying so much money is to be made to feel like a muppet.
truck-n-me:
I really don’t get why some Instructors need to shout. All it does is that it makes the trainee more nervous and then prone to more mistakes. Last thing a trainee needs when they paying so much money is to be made to feel like a muppet.
The only word an instructor might need to shout is STOP
truck-n-me:
I really don’t get why some Instructors need to shout. All it does is that it makes the trainee more nervous and then prone to more mistakes. Last thing a trainee needs when they paying so much money is to be made to feel like a muppet.
Totally agree. I got accepted into the fire service a couple of years ago on the retained basis. This was a dream come true. Training lasted eight weeks but midway through the seventh week I had to quit.
It was a nightmare of constant shouting and being made to feel stupid and useless. My mate who trained with me was in the Queens guards and he likened the experiance to his army basic training. I understand this was to make us stronger mentaly but it just wore me down.
Im not saying that driving instructors are like this in any way. Im saying that being shouted at in a positive constructive way works for some people where it does not for others.
I cant abide shouting. We operate a strict “no shouting” policy which is fully explained to any new trainer joining us and they must adhere to. Some candidates have commented on how “laid back” I am and how I don’t get agitated or raise my voice. Like I say, you pay me to talk to you - I’ll do that all day. But you haven’t paid me enough to be shouted at!
An instructor who shouts IME is not an instructor at all. Simply a licence holder who sits in the passenger seat. This person will not be capable of reading the road and calculating the candidate’s response (or lack of response) early enough to be able to talk the candidate through the situation calmly and without panic.
But it’s well known that few “instructors” are registered and qualified beyond holding a licence.
Maybe folks would be well advised to ask to see the blue instructor badge. That doesn’t guarantee that you wont be shouted at - but at least it’s a start.
Pete 
I’ve come across quite a few ex-army instructors, they are the only ones that generally shout orders, normally they don’t last long with most driving schools as they will get complaints from customers. Pete, you sound like me! Trainees comment on how laid back I am, i think it comes from being around training drivers from a very early age, riding around in a driver training bus in the school holidays. Thats a thought, what do you think is most difficult, passing the driving test in a coach or rigid lorry? I know what I think is more challenging.
Peter Smythe:
My tuition for correct speed is simple “Drive as fast as you can, all the time”…
Are you an ex-tipper driver, Peter?
Selective quoting I know, but it made me laugh.
Tockwith Training:
I’ve come across quite a few ex-army instructors, they are the only ones that generally shout orders, normally they don’t last long with most driving schools as they will get complaints from customers. Pete, you sound like me! Trainees comment on how laid back I am, i think it comes from being around training drivers from a very early age, riding around in a driver training bus in the school holidays. Thats a thought, what do you think is most difficult, passing the driving test in a coach or rigid lorry? I know what I think is more challenging.
I passed my bus back in the days when it still operated out of the old LT school at Chiswick and then my class 1 at Swynnerton. I know which was the harder and more demanding … Chiswick by a mile!!!