Passed my class 2 in July and after cutting my teeth with various class 2 work have decided to take the leap and try to get the full license.
The thing is most of the trainers seem to do C+E training with a drag trailer (including the guy i did my class 2 with). I don’t want to do this because as i see it 95% of the vehicles on the road are unit and trailer. I want to train for the work i will be doing.
Can any one recommend a trainer in Derbyshire (or surrounding counties) that uses a tractor unit and trailer as a training vehicle. Also would like a trainer that trains you to do the job as well as pass the test. I would like to spend plenty of off road time learning how to maneuver the trailer in preparation for starting work. Willing to pay more for quality training.
Many do C+E with W&D then do a few hours training on artic but if you want a recommendation for a place that’s not too far from you and very handy for M1 then perhaps … dataacademy.co.uk/category-ce
That will be loaded with 8 tonnes in 8x1 tonne IBCs of water as that is now the requirement for the test
Check out the link in my signature for the C+E training tips etc
calsdad:
Also would like a trainer that trains you to do the job as well as pass the test. I would like to spend plenty of off road time learning how to maneuver the trailer in preparation for starting work. Willing to pay more for quality training.
DATA will do that even if you want it post test as an added extra - my guess is that they will take you to some empty real life places in some industrial estates for practice reversing - saying that, try reversing it to where it is parked in that picture!
I would suggest you rethink a little to achieve the same end result but saving money as well. I would go back to the original trainer (assuming you were happy with them - you haven’t said otherwise) and complete the CE on w+d. Then go to Data - who are very good - and do a few hours with artic.
The advantages are that you wont have to become familiar with a different vehicle, area, trainer. And it will be easier to pass the test.
All the training in the world on an artic does not prepare you for the “real world” if you dont pass.
The conversion from w+d to artic is very straightforward and can be completed within 2 hours. Any further time is simply confidence building.
Worth noting that, whilst artic is without doubt the most popular configuration in the UK, the numbers of w+d are increasing rapidly. I did some training last week for an artic driver who was scared ■■■■■■■■ when it came to w+d.
The choice is yours obviously. Just trying to shed some light.
Save money - that got my interest. How would that work.
I Had no problems with the trainer that i completed class 2 with, 4 minors and examiner said my standard was above average, he did the job i paid him for well. What became obvious when i started work (Agency) I had passed my test but wasn’t ready for work. First shift on a twin rear 26t for the Co-op with 9 drops in central Birmingham and it came un-done. I went back to the drawing board and was lucky enough to get 10 weeks at the same company in a job that involved lots of yard shunting where i could practice my reversing (often making straight forward shunts harder to improve my skills). When i went back to multidrop found it a lot easier and had a lot more success.
I have thought a lot about class 1 and observed drivers working as i have been doing my class 2 work. To be honest the idea of sort off starting again with a new vehicle fills me with fear. Remembering my experience with class 2. I have already decided i will chose my work carefully and avoid any store work and try and stick to rdc work for the first year to reduce the chances of really tight spots and a high number of maneuvers per shift for the first year. Want to get class one because i enjoy the driving side of the job more than the multidrop that seems to be the majority of class 2 work.
Not really concerned about new roads, thats the job i do as an agency driver. Same with the truck, you should see some of the rusty nails i have driven in the last six months. Confident i can adjust to the truck and a good trainer will show me all the areas to watch on the test routes.
If happy with C trainer then do C+E in W&D with them as you will be familiar with their set up etc so a better chance of passing first time- getting the licence at this stage is the priority - then look around for extra artic training
Understand what you are saying. It’s just I’ve made my mind up that i dont want to train with wagon and drag. Want to spend as much time as possible in an artic before the first paid shift.
Not trying to be awkward, just feel that is what i need.
I really dont understand the logic. My statement about it being cheaper is based on the chances of 1st time passes. These are far more common on w+d than artic IME. Being trained on an artic wont set you up to drive any and all artics. That goes for any vehicle.
You have also completely discounted the prospect of driving w+d having got your licence.
I have no idea which end of Derbyshire you are; Ian Markwick is ok at Newton, Notts but you’ll end up with a test at Watnall. Say no more!
It’s worth travelling to DATA at Leicester. I sent my own son-in-law to them once he’d passed his test. It does achieve a bit - but anyone understands you really learn the art on the job.
As I’ve said, I believe your logic to be flawed but, at the end of the day, you’re the customer and you must be comfortable with the decisions you make. Maybe you should give w+d a try and also an artic before you finally decide.
I passed in a drag,totally different to an artic as pivoting at different angle,blind straight away,however having the benefit of drag i get offered more,almost double what i get for driving an artic when the work is there !
Thanks for the time you have taken with your responses. Experienced opinion is valued.
Sorry my logic seems flawed. I have pretty much taught myself how to get by on class 2 (after purposefully doing 6 months of 7.5t work first). Understand i will be in the same position when i start class 1. Think its the fresh memories of some of the spots ive ended up in that is maybe clouding my thoughts. Getting in to the same sort of positions with a vehicle twice as big, although hopefully my class 2 experience will help particularly with planning outs.
Think Your argument has been persuasive, coming round to the thinking that it would be best to do w+d then go to data and have a day being taught how to drive the arctic. w+d wil be another string to my bow when chasing agency work.
Just read the other thread on auto, just when i think ive made my mind up.
The auto discussion is reasonably simple: the powers that be have decreed that, provided you have a manual car licence, you will get a manual truck licence regardless of the transmission fitted to the test vehicle. This is a complete turn around from not many years ago when they decided we had to have a minimum of 8 forward gears. But hey ho. It’s up to us to try and keep up!
IMO there’s no question that everyone should be able to handle a truck gearbox. Whether this is learned before or after the training course is simply up to the individual. There is no question that it’s going to be easier to pass on auto. I speak having had many years of training/testing on auto buses for various large bus companies. So I speak from experience on that one.
It has comparisons to the w+d v artic discussion. In a perfect world everyone should enter the industry being familiar with both. But why make it difficult to pass the test?
You do have a chance to save a big chunk on the training fees if you want to pm me with your name and address before New Year’s Eve. There’s no catch and no obligation. Worth mentioning if you’re considering going w+d.
Think the auto would be an advantage for me, Been driving a DAF 4+4 regularly for last two months, so pretty comfortable with manuals now ( kiss of death next shift will be in a manual with a configuration i havent driven yet). Wouldn’t panic about getting a class 1 with a manual box once passed.
Took Pete’s advice off this thread (and thanks to the voucher) passed my C+E yesterday.
Just to add to whats already known on here, the training, kit and professionalism of the set up is top class. My trainer (Roy) was very calm and concise and got me to exactly where i needed to be in 14 hours crammed into two days.
I got 5 minor faults, after a complete panic of the trailer drop which i recovered from. Examiner switched one of the air leads on the trailer to prove the point it was a “new trailer”. When i got back to it they werent how i left em. After 15 minutes of head scratching i worked it out. By this time the air tank was all but empty, the fact i realized I had to refill the tanks seem to impress him enough to get me through. Pete might be worth adding this to the training in case the (person not sure of his parentage) does it again. I had to work it out for my self, just the sort of panic you dont need before the reverse.
Anyway on ward and hopefully upwards. Off to Scania in Worksop next week for some training on the artic before I make myself available to the agencies i use for class 1 work.
