I’m quite new to this forum, and would like some advice please.
I’ve now taken my C+E test and failed 4 times in a row, and although they’re due to my errors there is no consistency in the reasons for failure so I don’t know what to focus on.
Reverse and uncouple / recouple have been fine every time.
Failed first time because I almost took a wrong turn, and needed verbal direction. 4 minors and one serious.
Second was because I was too slow on approaching and leaving junctions and roundabouts. 6 minors.
Third time was due to clipping a curb while passing another lorry… 1 serious and zero minors
My latest test was today and I got 9 minors and 3 were due to driving over the speed limit (40-45 on a single carriageway).
My instructor is telling me that he can’t understand what is going wrong, because he says I’m a good driver, and less confident drivers they’ve had pass first time.
The failures are obviously legitimate, I’m just not sure what is the best approach I should take to make sure I pass 5th time round.
are you relaxed on the tests? Sounds like your a little hyped and as such getting a bit carried away. I think there is some herbal stuff that relaxes you without impairing reactions (kids sometimes take it before gcse’s - rescue remedy?)
welder:
are you relaxed on the tests? Sounds like your a little hyped and as such getting a bit carried away. I think there is some herbal stuff that relaxes you without impairing reactions (kids sometimes take it before gcse’s - rescue remedy?)
Rescue remedy is great. Little yellow spray bottle. Spray it on your tongue and it relaxes you. I had some before my car driving test.
It sounds as if you are almost there. The 3rd attempt was particularly unlucky with zero minors. I would say the problem is your concentration level.
Things like not watching the speed closely indicates that you are allowing other things to distract you. Treat the test as lots of little mini tests, each lasting about 30 seconds. Really concentrate on everything relevant for the next 30 seconds on the road then repeat the exercise 120 times. Before you know it the test will be over and perhaps a different result.
When candidates find the act of driving relatively easy they sometimes slip back into bad habits and as you know it only needs to happen once on the test for it to all go wrong.
Try to teach yourself to concentrate on everything harder. Road signs, other vehicles signals, the mirrors, everything. You should be quite mentally tired at the end of the test due to the amount of concentration.
It sounds to me as though you are up to test standard but have just been a little unlucky. I clipped the kerb more than once on my test but he just let it go. Kepp at it is my advice.
Try doing a commentary (talking to yourself - it’s really not a sign of madness!) That tends to focus the concentration as I tend to agree with John (LGV Trainer) that this could be the problem.
To do a full commentary to advanced driving standard is difficult but I’m not suggesting that. Simply have a go at talking yourself through the drive. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have time to tell yourself everything. But it should attract attention to things like speed limits.
Examiners have no problem if you talk all the time you’re on test. They’ve seen (and heard) it all before.
Well said Peter and it does work I know because i did it when I passed my C then didnt do it on my three fails C/E but on the fourth time i said to the examiner dont think im goin mad if I talk to myself as im just giving myself a few gentle necessary reminders … .
Bulsta its a lot to do with nerves mate i Failed my first C and I Failed three times on C+E and each time was silly things very few minors and and a serious IE wrong lane on a roundabout each test due to my 1 st trainer shouting at me instead of stopping me and explaining it like my new trainer did . so every time I came to that same roundabout i just lost it Big time so on my 4th test I Talked myself round it … and it worked …Plus while your telling your self what to do you will forget the nerves and that the examiners there
as for the overspeed bit if the truck has a cruise control USE IT get up to the max speed aloud and IE 40mph on single carriage ways hit the button at 38 mph
Best of luck mate ( I know how it feels ) but when you pass wow its better than ■■■
+1 to all the advice already given I used rescue remedy on my test as I get so uptight on tests knew I could drive the veh but pressure of being on test i was even told by examiner that I could breathe now when returning to test center and maybe try and get one of those little red bull shots might hone your concentration a bit before you go on test ,
you know you can do it just try and calm down a bit nerves are good but too many and you make mistakes , i wish you all the luck in the world on your next test , I know how it feels failed twice my c+e but as yambol says when you pass …
this may not make a lot of sense (to me it does) but my approach was to concentrate but at the same time try not to think too hard. too much of one will counteract the other. e.g if you know you have made a mistake do not think about it at all, but concentrate on what’s coming up next. and alternatively when you’re thinking about planning an approach say, to a roundabout, do not concentrate on one aspect.
HAD MY CLASS 2 LAST WEEK AND WAS BIT SLOW TURNING AT JUCTIONS, FOCUSING 2 MUCH ON MY TAIL SWINGS AND STUFF BEING TO SLOW, MY TRAINER TOLD ME DAY BEFORE TEST… SHOW CONFIDENCE OR THE EXAMNIER WONT GIVE U LIENCSE. SO THE DAY OF MY TEST I JUS WENT FOR IT, AND PASSED, SO ITS CONFIDENCE AS WELL IS TO DO WITH IT, GOOD LUCK 5TH TIME BULSTA,
Thanks for all the great advice, much appreciated!
On reflection i think it’s a combination of both things, getting too worked up before / during the test, and this probably is contributing to momentary lapses of concentration…
I’ll take the advice on board, and will let you know!
Thanks again all!
P.S. i’m waiting for my re-test date at the moment, and someone mentioned that the test requirements of the reverse manouevre are changing at the end of March. Does anyone have any more information on this and will this have any impact on how the reverse is being taught at the moment?
bulsta:
P.S. i’m waiting for my re-test date at the moment, and someone mentioned that the test requirements of the reverse manouevre are changing at the end of March. Does anyone have any more information on this and will this have any impact on how the reverse is being taught at the moment?
The reverse area is going to be smaller. If you have been taught the theory to reversing and have that in your head then you shouldn’t have a problem adapting to the situation.
If you have been taught… 2 turns here and 1 turn there then you may find you need to be retaught.
i’m waiting for my re-test date at the moment, and someone mentioned that the test requirements of the reverse manouevre are changing at the end of March. Does anyone have any more information on this and will this have any impact on how the reverse is being taught at the moment?
Vehicles with trailers: 4 vehicle lengths (instead of 5)
No change between cones A and B (still 2 vehicle lengths)
Garage max of 12 metres
Width of area 11 metres (used to be 18 metres)
Don’t think about going for test on the reduced area without practice.
When ours was changed in October we gave free training to all trainees affected by it. I would hope any self respecting trainer would offer the same.
For the benefit of anyone reading who is about to test on a rigid:
3.5 vehicle lengths
No change between cones A and B (still 2 vehicle lengths)
Width of area 11 metres (used to be 18 metres)
Garage: 1 vehicle length max 12 metres
In all cases, 2 forward shunts are allowed at any point during the exercise but there is a minor mark for each one. You should leave the cab and check the final stop position. If needs be, you can move the vehicle back into position but you should not leave the cab again to check. This is not counted as any sort of “shunt” and attracts no mark. You can touch the barrier - but not lift it’s feet. Best to aim to stop at the forward edge of the box and play safe.
I know because i did it when I passed my C then didnt do it on my three fails C/E but on the fourth time i said to the examiner dont think im goin mad if I talk to myself as im just giving myself a few gentle necessary reminders … 
.
its a lot to do with nerves mate i Failed my first C and I Failed three times on C+E and each time was silly things very few minors and and a serious IE wrong lane on a roundabout each test due to my 1 st trainer shouting at me instead of stopping me and explaining it like my new trainer did . so every time I came to that same roundabout i just lost it Big time so on my 4th test I Talked myself round it … and it worked …Plus while your telling your self what to do you will forget the nerves and that the examiners there
