If you take your test in a rigid pulling a trailer, does it give you full C+E entitlement with no restrictions? For example, after passing in said combination, would someone be able to jump into an artic legally.
Yes, you can take the test in a rigid plus trailer and get a full CE which would allow you to drive an artic. Obviously the vehicle would need to comply with the minimum test standards.
Thank you
taximan:
If you take your test in a rigid pulling a trailer, does it give you full C+E entitlement with no restrictions? For example, after passing in said combination, would someone be able to jump into an artic legally.
YES - BUT consider this…
Your first job is likely to be on artics and they are different 
Why put yourself through the extra stress and pressure on your first day in a new job 
A lot of training companies use W&Ds because it is a cheaper option than buying a proper artic.
My advice - LEARN IN THE TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT YOU WILL BE DRIVING.
Stuie:
I applied for a transfer in Feb. when I passed my C and heard nothing so I took the C+E in July. Yesterday I got a phone call, for an assessment drive and interview for today.
Interview was ok. now out for a drive in an artic (I did my test in a waggon and drag) what a difference. Driving forwards was fine. Just took bends a bit wider and kept out a bit more on roundabouts watching the rear wheels.
The gear box was not good to say the least it was a 4 over 4 with another button for half gears.It was so stiff I had trouble getting 5 and 6 it was a real heav ho.
Now the reverse, in the w/d I eventually did ok I knew how to control it. The artic no hope the instructor helped and we eventually got into the bay( no one and a half vehicle witdth) it was about 3" off the tyres so tight.
So I thought I had blown it.
Then I got a phone call saying I have the job. They said the main drive was ok and they will teach me how to reverse.
So pleased!!!.
As a conclusion waggon and drag are so different to an artic. I wish I had trained in an artic.It was a real wake up call.
Hi mate, i passed my class 1 with a wagon & drag & got a class 1 job straight away. I’ll tell you the same thing i tell everyone, going from a wagon & drag setup straight into an artic is completely different. I had to retrain myself to reverse etc as its completely different. My instructor used both artics & wagon & drag. I told them i wanted to learn in artic & i was talked out of it by instructor. Said i should pass easy way then learn to drive artic while being paid. Should never of listened!!! Use an artic mate…trust me!!!
tyler4164:
Hi mate, i passed my class 1 with a wagon & drag & got a class 1 job straight away. I’ll tell you the same thing i tell everyone, going from a wagon & drag setup straight into an artic is completely different. I had to retrain myself to reverse etc as its completely different. My instructor used both artics & wagon & drag. I told them i wanted to learn in artic & i was talked out of it by instructor. Said i should pass easy way then learn to drive artic while being paid. Should never of listened!!! Use an artic mate…trust me!!!
exactly the same thoughs on this . i did my test in one of my old employers wagon and drags (full length) then when i passed my test they put me in a artic and sent me on my way 
. totally diffrent reverse required and it took some picking up 
jon
I will be learning in an artic, course is in a couple of weeks, just wondered, if i was struggling if i had other options for re test etc, I have 2 years experience of multi drop on rigids and if its easier to do wagon and drag i might consider if i keep failing artic, i am confident though, was told i need 20 hour course after my assesment, i was very nervous, felt like a fish out of water, but i do feel that once i get used to the size of the vehicle and how it handles etc, i should be ok.
taximan:
I will be learning in an artic, course is in a couple of weeks, just wondered, if i was struggling if i had other options for re test etc, I have 2 years experience of multi drop on rigids and if its easier to do wagon and drag i might consider if i keep failing artic, i am confident though, was told i need 20 hour course after my assesment, i was very nervous, felt like a fish out of water, but i do feel that once i get used to the size of the vehicle and how it handles etc, i should be ok.
Do you know the width of your C rigid ? - the artic is no different when in a straight line - just longer - It will seem to shrink by the end of the first day - I promise 
Have a read of the CE Artic tips by accessing them through the link in my signature - it may help
Cant remember width of last 1 i drove(freightroute volvo 2 axles) but have previously driven 3 axle 28 tonner with a split box almost straight after passing my C, talk about in at the deep end. " er, what does that button on the gearstick do?" 
For what it’s worth, I passed my test on an artic (back in 1985) and haven’t had any difficulty taking up trucking again and converting to A-frame wagon and drag, even though the w&d is a lot bigger (25m).
I was a bit intimidated at first by the idea of reversing the a-frame, but haven’t had any problems so far. The key for me was to think about it in the same terms as reversing the artic - ie simply using the front half of the vehicle to push the trailer where I want it to go. Much easier than thinking about it in terms of which way to turn the steering wheel 
Artics are still commoner in the UK anyway aren’t they?
taximan:
Cant remember width of last 1 i drove(freightroute volvo 2 axles) but have previously driven 3 axle 28 tonner with a split box almost straight after passing my C, talk about in at the deep end. " er, what does that button on the gearstick do?"
All standard LGVs are generally the same width 8’ (2.5 metres) wide
Thats the EJECTOR SEAT button if your vehicle reg is X007 SPY
ROG:
All standard LGVs are generally the same width 8’ (2.5 metres) wide[
Luxury (said in Monty Python northern accent )
My rigid is 2m60 wide, and its trailer is a 2m50 wide skelly /shipping container. Doesn’t sound like much of a difference but it’s enough so that I can’t see the trailer when reversing in a straight line. Have a guess how helpful that is