Just wondered if anyone has ever passed a class one and never used it.
I got mine about 25 years ago in a cargo and the smallest trailer in the world.
an have never driven an arctic since, ive done skips, grabs tippers but never an arctic an to be honest I dont think id want to now…
Anyone else ever done that ?
I think driving a artic is easy, driving a rigid is a lot more difficult IMO. How come you have never used it?
NewLad:
How come you have never used it?
I’m guessing because 25 years ago there wasn’t a 2-tier driving test, if you wanted to drive any type of HGV then you took the old HGV 1 test, driving schools didn’t even have rigid lorries then.
I took my own test in an identical vehicle, day-cabbed Ford Cargo and 20’ trailer, and anyone looking to drive a rigid vehicle would do the same, and just end up with more entitlement than they actually needed.
I went straight to a class 1 licence and my first driving job had really small artics.(NCL).
Stayed a couple of months then got a better job at a firm with only rigids.
Apart from a couple of chance encounters with an artic it was nearly 15 years before
I got a job driving them again.
Harry Monk:
NewLad:
How come you have never used it?I’m guessing because 25 years ago there wasn’t a 2-tier driving test, if you wanted to drive any type of HGV then you took the old HGV 1 test, driving schools didn’t even have rigid lorries then.
I took my own test in an identical vehicle, day-cabbed Ford Cargo and 20’ trailer, and anyone looking to drive a rigid vehicle would do the same, and just end up with more entitlement than they actually needed.
Thanks Harry, I remember now, an old work mate once told me that he only did his test in an artic, must have been very strange the first time you went around a smallish round about/tight corner in a rigid after only driving an artic
I got mine on grandad rights, but I’m sure I remember people taking hgv 2 etc on test.
I only have a class 2 licence and was wondering, it’s quite common for drivers to comment on artics being easier to drive, why is that? Is it because you find a rigid cuts in more or are you just used to driving artics?
I passed my class 1 in 1991 and the first job I got was class 2. Did it until 2006, been doing a bit of allsorts since, mostly class 1 agency but plenty of other stuff too. I do loads of building work and supplement my income with a bit of adhoc driving.
So yes, I’d fall into that category. Made the transition easier than I thought I would, always wondered about reversing, fancy gearboxes and the dreaded blind side reverse. It’s all good.
Diversion2:
I only have a class 2 licence and was wondering, it’s quite common for drivers to comment on artics being easier to drive, why is that? Is it because you find a rigid cuts in more or are you just used to driving artics?
I’ll put an artic wherever you want, I’ll put a rigid wherever I want.
Artics really will go places a rigid wont. As for day to day driving rigids are in my experience easier as you can feel how they are reacting better.
Tipper Tom:
Diversion2:
I only have a class 2 licence and was wondering, it’s quite common for drivers to comment on artics being easier to drive, why is that? Is it because you find a rigid cuts in more or are you just used to driving artics?I’ll put an artic wherever you want, I’ll put a rigid wherever I want.
Artics really will go places a rigid wont. As for day to day driving rigids are in my experience easier as you can feel how they are reacting better.
I’d beg to differ there…
As an artic obviously takes up more room to start with you just would not get them into some roadside deliveries I’ve encountered without them sticking out too far and blocking said road. 
I take your point but we both know that you’ll (or should I say one will) turn an artic in a space where you’d not turn a rigid.
I’m not suggesting artics are better than rigids I think it depends what work you intend to use the lorry for.
I passed my class 2 last month and taking my class 1 next month wasn’t sure about taking the next step and going for the class 1 but on my assessment wasn’t enjoying it at first but once I got into it I thoroughly enjoyed the experience can’t wait to start training not under any illusions it will be tough as I will have turned 50yrs old a couple of days before the training starts I fully intend to use my class 1 if I pass that is
Good luck with the test mate.
To answer the other question, I just find that there is far less steering action when going forwards in an artic, a rigid just seems to take an age to turn and the space needed to do a u turn is a joke
NewLad:
Good luck with the test mate.To answer the other question, I just find that there is far less steering action when going forwards in an artic, a rigid just seems to take an age to turn and the space needed to do a u turn is a joke
Thanx Newlad will do a wee diary of the training for anyone to read should be interesting reading I’d imagine cheers for the support