I got my class 1 assessment booked for this thursday at
L&T in the artic which I think is a 03 plate mercedes benz axor.
The only concerns I have at the moment is the gearbox as I have
very little experience with range change gearbox’s and reversing
as it seems it is every new drivers nightmare. I will keep you posted
with regular updates.
Good luck convoy 
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Good luck, convoy!
Don’t worry about the your instructor will run you through it. All the gearboxes I have used (range-change, splitters, auto etc) have all been learnt by getting in the cab and waggling it 'til it finds a gear and basically getting on with it!
I done my lessons and test in a T reg Actros and the gerabox was a peice of ■■■■.
Push it up to go up the 'box, push it down to come down trust me, your instructor will make it clear and its easy to use if its the same as I had, took me ten minutes if that to get used to it.
Good luck on the assesment Convoy, sure it will be no problem. 
Just to add I didnt even use the range change etc… and that was enough to past the test.
Nice one Convoy, you will have no problem with range and split boxes, just take your time, as for reversing the instructor will set you off and with practice it will come. Good luck.
I think the gearbox is 4 over 4 and you have
to knock it over to get 5th to 8th gears.
Here is the little beauty
4/4 box is easy to get to grips with, its also good to see its not a minimum spec rig, that sets you up nicely for the real world, you’ll be fine.
good luck convoy
Good luck with the test Convoy 
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All the best with your test Convoy.
regards derek
hi convoy <a bit of cracking advice that I picked up off someone on here(sorry dont remember who but thanks anyway lol) was that when looking in the mirrors to turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction that you want the trailer to go I know it sounds silly but when your head goes (and it wil at some point) it does make sense and got me out of trouble on test - anyway good luck with training and test m8
Good luck with the test bud!
God only knows you deserve it! I reckon youll breeze through it 
Sorry it’s a bit late and thanks for the reply’s.
Things did not quite go to plan this morning as you will soon find out.
I had to be there for 11:00 hours for a one hour assessment costing
£25 pounds. So I set off almost a hour early heading down the M1
where I hit traffic around parkway and meadow hall junctions and
got held up. As soon as I got moving again I knew I would be late so
I phoned them and they rebooked me for 16:00 hours as he had a test
booked. I thought about waiting around but I had hours to wait so I headed
off home.
I went back home down the A1 this time and found it to be a quicker
route and less busy than the M1. When I got home I had some dinner then
went to vote and fill my car up with fuel. I set off just after 14:00 hours as I
wanted to make sure I made it this time even if I had a wait. I got there just
before 15:00 hours and parked up outside and waited.
About 15:45 I went to the office where I showed my licence ect and
paid the £25 pounds then me and the instructor went to the vehicle where
he showed me the controls ect. And then I took the truck out the gate
on to this quite road to practice the gears which I found very easy.
When I got to the top of the road leading from L&T I had to turn left
and go over this bridge which seemed to me a tight left. I went right
out to the bridge wall and started bringing it round nicely and instead of
going forward a little more I pulled in to my lane and run the back
wheels just over the kerb.
The rest of the drive went very well and I only hit one more kerb as I
brought it back in to early again. I really enjoyed driving this truck as
it was a really good drive and I did not want to give it back at the end
of the assessment.
I looked at the clock when I got back and it was 16:30 so I had about
30 minutes possibly 40 max as we may have gone out a few minutes
early but they have knocked the £25 pounds of the course price.
He also said I would need 16 hours but there is a long wait for the
tests as it seems they don’t block book they see when the truck is free
then call to get a test. They checked Sheffield which as a test for June
and weatherby and wakefield are booked to July even on Saturdays.
They where even considering Grimsby but did not ask about there
available dates.
The guy I had today seemed good but he is on holiday in June when
there is that test date for Sheffield. I have got to decide if I want to wait or
go for my second choice and see if he could get me in quicker as I want
to get back to full time work but I have got to have a good crack at getting
class 1 first.
i used l+t mate and found them to be spot on!
On first impressions they do seem very good and
they did deduct the £25 off the course price also
there truck is really good to drive and andy who I
had yesterday seemed a good instructor and we
got on well. I will just have to be patient and wait.