" See you when I go shopping ".
PMSL Pete.
Few words about situation…
I have gone through training in Eastern European country and in UK as well - I think I can compare few things based on my experience.
- Theory part in UK is much, much, much, much easier than in Eastern European country…
- Driving part in UK is a bit harder because of higher traffic intensity on roads, tighter roads, and mainly more attention to Health & Safety “things” by examiner… but… in UK most of roads are well maintained compare to Eastern European countries so in a way you are kind a driving on “railroad tracks” - most roads have painted lines where over there most don’t have them, but in general - Yes it’s harder here - the driving bit, at least in more populated areas, maybe in far north of Scotland or Rural Wales it’s different.
I did my licence in Wallace.
- First time I did everything as instructed by school and instructor and Failed.
- Second time I did everything based on my plan and Passed.
Advise:
Think about what could be easiest time to pass test on roads, for example I had situation where school offered time and day that I didn’t like and I told them straight to f… off, I want that time, that day and that’s it… and everything worked well. “There is no point to do test on rush hour if all your training was at night…”
Choose safest bet, instead of recommended by instructor, it’s better to get several small mistakes than 1 that kicks you out of test, disregarding what instructor taught you… if he told you to jump, waiting might have saved you pass…
Real life experience:
After I passed my test and started to work, in one workplace I met another guy who did his licence in the same Wallace… just in different location…
I had a chance to drive with him in “convoy” for few days and see him “reversing and manuvering” multiple times…
Sitting in my cab and watching him from behind together with other drivers we came to one conclusion - “how the hell did he get his licence…■■?”
So - Yes, location and personalities can cost you licence.
Try different place with different people in different time of day.
Choose company only with “newish auto” trucks, I found out that Volvo and Scanias are easiest to drive for new driver and in your situation probably somewhere as more rural as possible.
Finishing training here will definately be cheaper than leaving it now and also if you will go to your country to do it you will have to do theory and hours as well which will definately add up to more than retest here.
Overall quality of qualification you get in UK in my opinion is higher than the qualification you get back there - skill you get here will be higher and also theory and CPC bits here are in much higher level, for example about food in theory questions…
Also take in consideration that:
- Most of training schools don’t use Scanias or Volvos. (I did my training in brand new DAF but one of my first asessments for job were in OLD Auto Scania with dodgy gearbox and clutch and I felt that that old clunky scania is multiple times easier to drive than that brand new DAF)
- I haven’t yet met school that would say that Class 1 training is easier on artic, and I have not yet met driver who would say that training is easier on drawbar - logic…? $$$ (maybe)
- One “youtuber trucker” once said - “being good driver doesn’t mean you’re good instructor and being good instructor doesn’t mean you’re good driver”, I would not recommend that instructor I had at Wallace to other, but I would also not call him the worst possible option.
“Don’t blindly trust people, carve your own way through “training”.”
Blacov89- It might not be what you want to hear but you said you’re best test was the one following your initial 14hrs or so training. I think it’s a false economy to think 4hr refreshers are enough to pass when you’ve taken the test before and failed.
If you still wanted to go down the HGV route i’d think about doing at least 1 day/ 1 day and a half extra training before attempting a test again- yes it will cost you money but the money you spent so far will be wasted if you have nothing to show for it.
Cat C is a difficult test to pass as most people are transitioning from a car to up to 26T in one go. With C+E most have become accustomed to and are comfortable with large vehicles so the step up isn’t so big.
If he doesn’t want to drive trucks, why be a member of a truck drivers forum, telling truck drivers■■?
Shall I start a new thread about how many of us give a monkeys?
Blacov89:
After another cat C fail and about £2500 spent, I realized this is not for everyone. I started it all late November 2014 and it is now July and I am with nothing. I am now trying to figure out what went wrong. Well I must say I trained with PSTT and unfortunately they can’t get me to pass however I can’t really fault the school which in my opinion is very good, new vehicles, trainers very professional, own facilities…first driving test at the end of my training I failed because i touched the cone on the reverse, okay nerves took over and had 4 total faults.
Still plenty of confidence… Booked retest and paid for cpc module 4
Some 6 weeks later I arrived for cpc training concluded with test and driving test. I know it seems like I’ve put myself in sh*t but it kept travelling to a minimum (230miles round trip) Managed to pass cpc and ust before test I had a refresher driver which lasted about an hour. New examiner this time, not sure how many of them are up in Mansfield. First problem 5 questions. He dropped a question I’ve never heard before and got pretty confused and this is how I earned 1 minor, which later became a drip in the ocean… What a drive I had, very difficult route, like 5-6 times I stopped in a safe place ( between cars, in a bay, on a corner, pretty much everywhere… I was given some misleading instructions. I was told to go right at the junction in Sutton where there was no righ turnt but road ahead went slightly rightish. I came back and I was told I didn’t pass because I rushed a roundabout, very arguably though as I moved off when the car slowly entered fairly big roundabout. on top of that I accumulated one more serious and some minor what brought total number of faults to around 7-8…
Yesterday there no was no cpc and refresher driver was swapped for extra 4 hours training. Again same man arrived for my test, well it is going to be tough. Off we went. A few questions, one which probably very unusual, operation of tail lift (actually not fitted on the training vehicle) passed it. We are in the cab about to go… More questions… “did you check your tilt cab is engaged?”, “did you check your load is secure?” It was a message you are going to a have a hard time young man. I really did. Well route was actually not too bad I felt very good this time. Stayed focused all the time, later I knew I made some mistakes but overall was pretty pleased, I had some problem with meeting oncoming traffic. I was told before the test that if not necessary to not take too much room however judgement is mine. So where I felt it would be a bit tighter I stopped to let the oncoming traffic come through (this is how I earned a serious for hesitation) To cut long story short at around 45-50th min of test I saw the paper with 3 minor so I knew I failed
I wasn’t doing tailgate mirror on tighter turns yy?
Never mind… I realized I will never pass with this man.
I am trying to find out the roots of this failure and it is hard to judge. I believe it is a combination of training, my abilities and personality and the examiner strictness. Unless there is more personal side of the story since I am not from England and maybe this is how someone tries to keep Eastern Europeans away from the industry.
This is how I wasted 2,5 grand and shattered my confidence. Funny enough this money would be enough to BUY me the license abroad and just exchange it for a UK one. I believe this is not the way and safety is paramount. Anyway my journey ends with PSTT and it is time to find alternatives as driving is apparently not my thing. Maybe I will check some other areas this time closer to where I live but I really doubt it. Another waste of hard earned ££’s
Hats off to those who passed with Mr Briggs in Mansfield.
your location is bedfordshire and your doing it in mansfield■■? why not just change the company you train with and see if another company can help you, just go talk to them and see what they can do
Re: Cat C test fail once again. End of journey
Postby kyk » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:26 pm
Few words about situation…I have gone through training in Eastern European country and in UK as well - I think I can compare few things based on my experience.
- Theory part in UK is much, much, much, much easier than in Eastern European country…
- Driving part in UK is a bit harder because of higher traffic intensity on roads, tighter roads, and mainly more attention to Health & Safety “things” by examiner… but… in UK most of roads are well maintained compare to Eastern European countries so in a way you are kind a driving on “railroad tracks” - most roads have painted lines where over there most don’t have them, but in general - Yes it’s harder here - the driving bit, at least in more populated areas, maybe in far north of Scotland or Rural Wales it’s different.
I did my licence in Wallace.
- First time I did everything as instructed by school and instructor and Failed.
- Second time I did everything based on my plan and Passed.
Advise:
Think about what could be easiest time to pass test on roads, for example I had situation where school offered time and day that I didn’t like and I told them straight to f… off, I want that time, that day and that’s it… and everything worked well. “There is no point to do test on rush hour if all your training was at night…”
Choose safest bet, instead of recommended by instructor, it’s better to get several small mistakes than 1 that kicks you out of test, disregarding what instructor taught you… if he told you to jump, waiting might have saved you pass…Real life experience:
After I passed my test and started to work, in one workplace I met another guy who did his licence in the same Wallace… just in different location…
I had a chance to drive with him in “convoy” for few days and see him “reversing and manuvering” multiple times…
Sitting in my cab and watching him from behind together with other drivers we came to one conclusion - “how the hell did he get his licence…■■?”So - Yes, location and personalities can cost you licence.
Try different place with different people in different time of day.Choose company only with “newish auto” trucks, I found out that Volvo and Scanias are easiest to drive for new driver and in your situation probably somewhere as more rural as possible.
Finishing training here will definately be cheaper than leaving it now and also if you will go to your country to do it you will have to do theory and hours as well which will definately add up to more than retest here.
Overall quality of qualification you get in UK in my opinion is higher than the qualification you get back there - skill you get here will be higher and also theory and CPC bits here are in much higher level, for example about food in theory questions…
Also take in consideration that:
- Most of training schools don’t use Scanias or Volvos. (I did my training in brand new DAF but one of my first asessments for job were in OLD Auto Scania with dodgy gearbox and clutch and I felt that that old clunky scania is multiple times easier to drive than that brand new DAF)
- I haven’t yet met school that would say that Class 1 training is easier on artic, and I have not yet met driver who would say that training is easier on drawbar - logic…? $$$ (maybe)
- One “youtuber trucker” once said - “being good driver doesn’t mean you’re good instructor and being good instructor doesn’t mean you’re good driver”, I would not recommend that instructor I had at Wallace to other, but I would also not call him the worst possible option.
“Don’t blindly trust people, carve your own way through “training”.”
Interesting post. But hopelessly misguided IMO. Why bother having any training at all if you’re just going to follow “your plan”. IME, doing this is what leads to problems.
I would advise newbies to take the quoted post with a huge pinch of salt.
Pete 
Peter Smythe:
Re: Cat C test fail once again. End of journey
Postby kyk » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:26 pm
Few words about situation…I have gone through training in Eastern European country and in UK as well - I think I can compare few things based on my experience.
- Theory part in UK is much, much, much, much easier than in Eastern European country…
- Driving part in UK is a bit harder because of higher traffic intensity on roads, tighter roads, and mainly more attention to Health & Safety “things” by examiner… but… in UK most of roads are well maintained compare to Eastern European countries so in a way you are kind a driving on “railroad tracks” - most roads have painted lines where over there most don’t have them, but in general - Yes it’s harder here - the driving bit, at least in more populated areas, maybe in far north of Scotland or Rural Wales it’s different.
I did my licence in Wallace.
- First time I did everything as instructed by school and instructor and Failed.
- Second time I did everything based on my plan and Passed.
Advise:
Think about what could be easiest time to pass test on roads, for example I had situation where school offered time and day that I didn’t like and I told them straight to f… off, I want that time, that day and that’s it… and everything worked well. “There is no point to do test on rush hour if all your training was at night…”
Choose safest bet, instead of recommended by instructor, it’s better to get several small mistakes than 1 that kicks you out of test, disregarding what instructor taught you… if he told you to jump, waiting might have saved you pass…Real life experience:
After I passed my test and started to work, in one workplace I met another guy who did his licence in the same Wallace… just in different location…
I had a chance to drive with him in “convoy” for few days and see him “reversing and manuvering” multiple times…
Sitting in my cab and watching him from behind together with other drivers we came to one conclusion - “how the hell did he get his licence…■■?”So - Yes, location and personalities can cost you licence.
Try different place with different people in different time of day.Choose company only with “newish auto” trucks, I found out that Volvo and Scanias are easiest to drive for new driver and in your situation probably somewhere as more rural as possible.
Finishing training here will definately be cheaper than leaving it now and also if you will go to your country to do it you will have to do theory and hours as well which will definately add up to more than retest here.
Overall quality of qualification you get in UK in my opinion is higher than the qualification you get back there - skill you get here will be higher and also theory and CPC bits here are in much higher level, for example about food in theory questions…
Also take in consideration that:
- Most of training schools don’t use Scanias or Volvos. (I did my training in brand new DAF but one of my first asessments for job were in OLD Auto Scania with dodgy gearbox and clutch and I felt that that old clunky scania is multiple times easier to drive than that brand new DAF)
- I haven’t yet met school that would say that Class 1 training is easier on artic, and I have not yet met driver who would say that training is easier on drawbar - logic…? $$$ (maybe)
- One “youtuber trucker” once said - “being good driver doesn’t mean you’re good instructor and being good instructor doesn’t mean you’re good driver”, I would not recommend that instructor I had at Wallace to other, but I would also not call him the worst possible option.
“Don’t blindly trust people, carve your own way through “training”.”
Interesting post. But hopelessly misguided IMO. Why bother having any training at all if you’re just going to follow “your plan”. IME, doing this is what leads to problems.
I would advise newbies to take the quoted post with a huge pinch of salt.
Pete
Totally agree about taking that post with a pinch of salt, i passed my class 2 test 2 weeks ago and i passed first time, my instructor was brilliant and taught me what i needed to know and gave me pointers when i needed them. it does not matter what time of day you do your test as when you have a job you will be working at busy times and quiet times. End of the day if your ready and competent you will pass, if you are not then you will fail and not because you picked a “quieter” time of day to do your test.
Peter Smythe:
Re: Cat C test fail once again. End of journey
Postby kyk » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:26 pm
Few words about situation…I have gone through training in Eastern European country and in UK as well - I think I can compare few things based on my experience.
- Theory part in UK is much, much, much, much easier than in Eastern European country…
- Driving part in UK is a bit harder because of higher traffic intensity on roads, tighter roads, and mainly more attention to Health & Safety “things” by examiner… but… in UK most of roads are well maintained compare to Eastern European countries so in a way you are kind a driving on “railroad tracks” - most roads have painted lines where over there most don’t have them, but in general - Yes it’s harder here - the driving bit, at least in more populated areas, maybe in far north of Scotland or Rural Wales it’s different.
I did my licence in Wallace.
- First time I did everything as instructed by school and instructor and Failed.
- Second time I did everything based on my plan and Passed.
Advise:
Think about what could be easiest time to pass test on roads, for example I had situation where school offered time and day that I didn’t like and I told them straight to f… off, I want that time, that day and that’s it… and everything worked well. “There is no point to do test on rush hour if all your training was at night…”
Choose safest bet, instead of recommended by instructor, it’s better to get several small mistakes than 1 that kicks you out of test, disregarding what instructor taught you… if he told you to jump, waiting might have saved you pass…Real life experience:
After I passed my test and started to work, in one workplace I met another guy who did his licence in the same Wallace… just in different location…
I had a chance to drive with him in “convoy” for few days and see him “reversing and manuvering” multiple times…
Sitting in my cab and watching him from behind together with other drivers we came to one conclusion - “how the hell did he get his licence…■■?”So - Yes, location and personalities can cost you licence.
Try different place with different people in different time of day.Choose company only with “newish auto” trucks, I found out that Volvo and Scanias are easiest to drive for new driver and in your situation probably somewhere as more rural as possible.
Finishing training here will definately be cheaper than leaving it now and also if you will go to your country to do it you will have to do theory and hours as well which will definately add up to more than retest here.
Overall quality of qualification you get in UK in my opinion is higher than the qualification you get back there - skill you get here will be higher and also theory and CPC bits here are in much higher level, for example about food in theory questions…
Also take in consideration that:
- Most of training schools don’t use Scanias or Volvos. (I did my training in brand new DAF but one of my first asessments for job were in OLD Auto Scania with dodgy gearbox and clutch and I felt that that old clunky scania is multiple times easier to drive than that brand new DAF)
- I haven’t yet met school that would say that Class 1 training is easier on artic, and I have not yet met driver who would say that training is easier on drawbar - logic…? $$$ (maybe)
- One “youtuber trucker” once said - “being good driver doesn’t mean you’re good instructor and being good instructor doesn’t mean you’re good driver”, I would not recommend that instructor I had at Wallace to other, but I would also not call him the worst possible option.
“Don’t blindly trust people, carve your own way through “training”.”
Interesting post. But hopelessly misguided IMO. Why bother having any training at all if you’re just going to follow “your plan”. IME, doing this is what leads to problems.
I would advise newbies to take the quoted post with a huge pinch of salt.
Pete
I do agree to a degree with you on this one Pete, however I know I got at least 1 minor because I didn’t indicate on a roundabout my instructor said there was no need to on. Should have known really as I felt I should have but followed what he said. I still passed with only 4 or 5 minors so I don’t really care but still, you must think for yourself. Your instructor doesn’t know how your examiner thinks (as a side note I didn’t train with Pete).
I also agree with others, book your test somewhere else. From what I’ve come to understand he should never have asked u about the tail lift as your truck didn’t have one. Personally I think it’s unfair for an examiner to ask you other questions while your driving, he should be letting you concentrate on the road. It’s twice as unfair for you as English isn’t your first language, thus taking even more concentration off the road.
Blacov89:
After another cat C fail and about £2500 spent, I realized this is not for everyone. I started it all late November 2014 and it is now July and I am with nothing. I am now trying to figure out what went wrong. Well I must say I trained with PSTT and unfortunately they can’t get me to pass however I can’t really fault the school which in my opinion is very good, new vehicles, trainers very professional, own facilities…first driving test at the end of my training I failed because i touched the cone on the reverse, okay nerves took over and had 4 total faults.
Still plenty of confidence… Booked retest and paid for cpc module 4
Some 6 weeks later I arrived for cpc training concluded with test and driving test. I know it seems like I’ve put myself in sh*t but it kept travelling to a minimum (230miles round trip) Managed to pass cpc and ust before test I had a refresher driver which lasted about an hour. New examiner this time, not sure how many of them are up in Mansfield. First problem 5 questions. He dropped a question I’ve never heard before and got pretty confused and this is how I earned 1 minor, which later became a drip in the ocean… What a drive I had, very difficult route, like 5-6 times I stopped in a safe place ( between cars, in a bay, on a corner, pretty much everywhere… I was given some misleading instructions. I was told to go right at the junction in Sutton where there was no righ turnt but road ahead went slightly rightish. I came back and I was told I didn’t pass because I rushed a roundabout, very arguably though as I moved off when the car slowly entered fairly big roundabout. on top of that I accumulated one more serious and some minor what brought total number of faults to around 7-8…
Yesterday there no was no cpc and refresher driver was swapped for extra 4 hours training. Again same man arrived for my test, well it is going to be tough. Off we went. A few questions, one which probably very unusual, operation of tail lift (actually not fitted on the training vehicle) passed it. We are in the cab about to go… More questions… “did you check your tilt cab is engaged?”, “did you check your load is secure?” It was a message you are going to a have a hard time young man. I really did. Well route was actually not too bad I felt very good this time. Stayed focused all the time, later I knew I made some mistakes but overall was pretty pleased, I had some problem with meeting oncoming traffic. I was told before the test that if not necessary to not take too much room however judgement is mine. So where I felt it would be a bit tighter I stopped to let the oncoming traffic come through (this is how I earned a serious for hesitation) To cut long story short at around 45-50th min of test I saw the paper with 3 minor so I knew I failed
Never mind… I realized I will never pass with this man.
I am trying to find out the roots of this failure and it is hard to judge. I believe it is a combination of training, my abilities and personality and the examiner strictness. Unless there is more personal side of the story since I am not from England and maybe this is how someone tries to keep Eastern Europeans away from the industry.
This is how I wasted 2,5 grand and shattered my confidence. Funny enough this money would be enough to BUY me the license abroad and just exchange it for a UK one. I believe this is not the way and safety is paramount. Anyway my journey ends with PSTT and it is time to find alternatives as driving is apparently not my thing. Maybe I will check some other areas this time closer to where I live but I really doubt it. Another waste of hard earned ££’s
Hats off to those who passed with Mr Briggs in Mansfield.
.
O my gosh, sound exactly like my experience. I’m very disappointed about their services and felt like you don’t have any change to pass if your are not English. I was training with RSM company in Basildon and the insctructur just tell to me in my face cause we coming and take their job. They invented a lot of silly stories regarding the rules : he put me 4 mistakes like how to pull over or approaching the roundabout to fast and than to slow and he said I drive under the speed limit when there was a lot of traffic and you can fly on top of them. I felt they just try to find you reasons to fail you and I read the reviews they are a lot of unhappy clients overthere. If I didn’t know all this rules I didn’t pass from the first time with 98 questions and all the other exams in just one day. They just try to robe you and book with them again and again. So disappointed…