thanks mate, getting a run with them, how much did you pay for 16 hours if you dont mind me asking■■?
they seem a lot more flexible on hours which helps me as at the minute I am fitting it around work due to no holidays left till Jan.
got a free assessment drive with “Enterprise” on Tuesday. Called Redrose who said they would call me back with a time but have not yet and even emailed them but no reply which is a shame as I thought they sounded good.
Hi guys,
Good thread here, really good to get first hand experiences,
I have my medical at the end of next month, so im basically right at the start but looking forward to the journey,
Im 35 and changing careers too biker, 
So is it the norm that you will pay for an assesment or are they usually free ? is it a red flag either way or ?
I always thought that an assessment was free, every one that I had was. I understand that time is money etc but you’d think that they would want to make parting with your hard earned a little more palletable lol
Red rose are superb. I switched from Enterprise at Manchester because I found it quite tough on the Stockport test route.
Passed C and CE first time with Red Rose after having a mare on tests out of Bredbury test centre.
eagerbeaver:
Red rose are superb. I switched from Enterprise at Manchester because I found it quite tough on the Stockport test route.Passed C and CE first time with Red Rose after having a mare on tests out of Bredbury test centre.
Hang on a cotton picking second… 
A few days ago it was the ice, wet leaves and low sun.
And now it’s the test route■■? 
What’s next mate? 
Like buses. Just finished reprimanding one bellend on the pro forum, and now another pops up.
Some quick editing there Beezle! Lol.
How are you my old van driving buddy?
Yeah, my first post was probably a little too tenuous…
So thought I’d slap a bit harder!
I’m OK pal, still VAN driving, but been messing with the Artic’s in your yard some more. So I’ve don’t plenty of coupling now and starting to get over the fear of the trailer smacking me in the back of the head! As well as getting used to the distances to lower and raise the suspension, etc…
I’m sure it should all help, and hopefully get me up to speed quicker in my lessons.
Other than that I’m bloody knackered!
Sod this VAN driving for a laugh!!!
How are things with you mate?
Yeah good pal. With regard to your reference to air suspension; I found that VERY little is mentioned during your training.
Obviously this is dependant on the vehicle you are using for your lessons. I was in a knackered old DAF CF. When I got my first job on artics, I was in different tractor units with remotes for the air. Took a bit of fiddling around before I got the hang of it. I was in one of our Formula One Merc Actros’ last week, and its slightly different again to operate the remote.
It amazes me when I see some NEW newbies ■■■■■■■ around at our place. It would appear that the latest craze is to drop trailers whilst your lift axle is up. This means that the trailer is dropped ’ high’. Not too good if your tandem unit (single rear axle), will not raise high enough to engage the pin in the fifth wheel.
Hence the long, slow, low-ratio handle wind. And lots of swearing.
Yep, I’ve seen people complaining about that on the main forum!
I’m being taught to back up reasonably close to the trailer, at normal ride height.
Then drop the suspension, and back up some more to get the 5th wheel under.
Once under, but still short of the pin, then to raise the suspension and lift the trailer a little.
After that comes the fun part, ram it home!
Then a couple of tugs, and that’s the driving part done…
(Obviously the ride height needs to be reset once the legs are up…)
As for what you’re saying, are they raising the suspension above normal ride height, and then dropping the trailer? 
Watching the shunters at my old place you sound like you’re doing it all wrong.
You have to aim to have the 4x2 unit only on 2 of its wheels at any given point.
You then select which trailer you may or may not want to connect up to.
Wheel spin the unit round at full lock to position yourself vaguely in front of said trailer.
Next is the crucial part…
Engage reverse and nail that accelerator hard down to the floor, almost punching through
The floor.
Then it’s a simple case of going backwards until you hear an almighty bang. Now you have to pray that the bang was the pin engaging and not the fridge unit meeting the back of the cab.
Now you half wind the legs up so it just clears the uneven yard and speed bumps and rag it round Tommi Makinen style to the next empty bay.
You then reverse at warp factor 9 leaving the trailer on the ■■■■ and unable to get the dock leveller on.
Repeat process many times a day whilst bitzhing about anything, everything and everyone you can.
Evil8Beezle:
Yep, I’ve seen people complaining about that on the main forum!I’m being taught to back up reasonably close to the trailer, at normal ride height.
Then drop the suspension, and back up some more to get the 5th wheel under.
Once under, but still short of the pin, then to raise the suspension and lift the trailer a little.
After that comes the fun part, ram it home!
Then a couple of tugs, and that’s the driving part done…
(Obviously the ride height needs to be reset once the legs are up…)As for what you’re saying, are they raising the suspension above normal ride height, and then dropping the trailer?
Ram home couple of tugs
U Little Dipper-Dave ?
Wee Man:
Hi guys,Good thread here, really good to get first hand experiences,
I have my medical at the end of next month, so im basically right at the start but looking forward to the journey,
Im 35 and changing careers too biker,
So is it the norm that you will pay for an assesment or are they usually free ? is it a red flag either way or ?
hi mate im your age too, medical should be around £50 assessment drive varies from nothing to £35 ive noticed. Hindley green says £30 but when I got down there it was £35 but im not arguing over a fiver lol. Redrose want £20 which is good but they dont want to get back to me lol must be a lost cause. Enterprise is free but I have heard the route is a tough one so im just using it as free practice lol. I would just look around your area and email the ones or call the ones that dont say anything online.
eagerbeaver:
Red rose are superb. I switched from Enterprise at Manchester because I found it quite tough on the Stockport test route.Passed C and CE first time with Red Rose after having a mare on tests out of Bredbury test centre.
I have heard that test routes a nightmare, suppose ill give redrose another call but this is the third time now.
I went with Enterprise. They were very good, although I did fail my CE 3 times (through nerves, not poor instruction).
I thought I would give Red Rose a try, to see if I faired any better. I had an assessment with them, but did not get a good vibe. I felt much more comfortable at Enterprise (probably because I spent so much time there)!
Passed with Enterprise with only 4 minors.
Eleanor:
I went with Enterprise. They were very good, although I did fail my CE 3 times (through nerves, not poor instruction).
I thought I would give Red Rose a try, to see if I faired any better. I had an assessment with them, but did not get a good vibe. I felt much more comfortable at Enterprise (probably because I spent so much time there)!
Passed with Enterprise with only 4 minors.
well done for passing!! just want to get started now. Called Redrose again gave my details told them I can do anytime I will just book the time off, said they would get back still waiting lol. 3 times ive tried now im not calling again, will see how Enterprise go and choose between them and Hindley green I think.
Hello everyone,
just an update for anyone folowing.
Had my assessment with Enterprise today. Went very well compared to my first. Nerves settled down and felt much more relaxed and comfortable. I found the detail of the training a lot more in depth even in the short amount of time I got. I was straight on the road today and had no major issues just the usual getting to know the size of the truck which comes I guess as you learn your trade and hope not to learn the hard way!
I was estimated I could do it within 16 hours but he said go for 20 to be safe which does show the difference from last time. Having saif this i did have a major help this time round… Automatic gearbox! didnt even think I would be in one of those but apprently I can pass and still go to a manual. Now I didnt have any real issues with the gearbox in my last assessmnent infact it was one of my better parts of the lesson, however not having to think what gear/when ect does take a load of and I found once my leg stopped twitching for the clutch It became much easier.= . All in all I think im booking in with Enterprise, my only concern is the test route is one of the hardest apprently. I`m sure I did this route when I passed my car back in 97■■ anyway I think I would get to know the test route very well do some driving in the car and on the motorbike and get a good feel for all the roads ect to give me the best chance. I really could do with a first time pass as at around £300+ a retest is not cheap! I feel I would rarther have an easier truck to drive in a harder route than the other way round I know many may say I should use a gearstick first and I understand why that is but for a complete novice I feel more comfortable this way round. Unfortunatly after 2 emails, 3 telephone calls later redrose still fail to contact me so they must just have too much work to want any more so I would say im done with the assessments now. Lessons with enterprise booked in for sat/sun 28/29 November so if anyone knows the route for the tests or any advice on where to drive/areas to cover let me know please.!!
There are several routes - mostly through Stockport and Tameside (Hyde, Denton, etc). McVities factory is one of the harder left turns, and it varies depending on the time of day(bus lane). Your instructor will make sure you are familiar with the routes. Good Luck.
Eleanor:
There are several routes - mostly through Stockport and Tameside (Hyde, Denton, etc). McVities factory is one of the harder left turns, and it varies depending on the time of day(bus lane). Your instructor will make sure you are familiar with the routes. Good Luck.
thanks Eleonor,
I know where Mcvities is so I will check that out! Be good to get started now!!!