Found out today i start my class 1 lessons on monday. nervous is an understatement.
Right im off to read rog’s tutorials and scour you-tube
ps before anyone says its short notice and wonders why i didntknow before hand im doing the gov bootcamp thing so you only get booked in once you have achived all the rest of the stuff.
As someone who paid thousands of pounds to become a HGV driver…
I am a little annoyed that licences are being given out like candy.
adam277:
As someone who paid thousands of pounds to become a HGV driver…I am a little annoyed that licences are being given out like candy.
i had to pay a couple of thousand pounds to get my now effectivly usless class 2 licence so i look at it that i just paid for my class 1 in advance but i take you point.
cooper1203:
Found out today i start my class 1 lessons on monday. nervous is an understatement.Right im off to read rog’s tutorials and scour you-tube
ps before anyone says its short notice and wonders why i didntknow before hand im doing the gov bootcamp thing so you only get booked in once you have achived all the rest of the stuff.
What did you have to do before getting to this stage? I signed up in Dec and have so far done a couple of webinars but now it’s all gone quiet. Not had a plan, roadmap etc or anything despite me asking. Be good to know what is upcoming based on your experience.
Good luck with it mate. You will do just fine as it is easier than class 2 tbh. Plus you have class2 experience.
adam277:
As someone who paid thousands of pounds to become a HGV driver…I am a little annoyed that licences are being given out like candy.
You better have a pop now at any 74 year old drivers as they got their candy first or ex service personnel who got them at 18
adam277:
As someone who paid thousands of pounds to become a HGV driver…I am a little annoyed that licences are being given out like candy.
I paid for my Class 2 and Class 1 myself, but doing it myself did not involve waiting for 18 months; consider the wages that could be earned during this waiting period to get something for “free” and it looks a lot less like a bargain.
Zac_A:
adam277:
As someone who paid thousands of pounds to become a HGV driver…I am a little annoyed that licences are being given out like candy.
I paid for my Class 2 and Class 1 myself, but doing it myself did not involve waiting for 18 months; consider the wages that could be earned during this waiting period to get something for “free” and it looks a lot less like a bargain.
found out about it on feb 3rd. signed up on feb 11th test date is march 17th so 6 weeks end to end dont know if i could of done it quicker with a training school but the 2,200 it would of cost me (plus loan intrest) to do my class 1 and cpc isnt sitting in the training schools bank account
cooper1203:
Found out today i start my class 1 lessons on monday. nervous is an understatement.Right im off to read rog’s tutorials and scour you-tube
ps before anyone says its short notice and wonders why i didntknow before hand im doing the gov bootcamp thing so you only get booked in once you have achived all the rest of the stuff.
Look, Coop, you’re taking a test to drive a lorry, that’s it.
If you fail - take it again learning from your failure. I failed my first CE test, everything went wrong - second time aced it.
Don’t put yourself under undue stress - so what if you ■■■■ up the reverse or something - just apply again.
Despite my inability to pass my CE test first time, I went on to become a qualified RTITB instructor.
Socketset:
cooper1203:
Found out today i start my class 1 lessons on monday. nervous is an understatement.Right im off to read rog’s tutorials and scour you-tube
ps before anyone says its short notice and wonders why i didntknow before hand im doing the gov bootcamp thing so you only get booked in once you have achived all the rest of the stuff.
Look, Coop, you’re taking a test to drive a lorry, that’s it.
If you fail - take it again learning from your failure. I failed my first CE test, everything went wrong - second time aced it.
Don’t put yourself under undue stress - so what if you ■■■■ up the reverse or something - just apply again.
Despite my inability to pass my CE test first time, I went on to become a qualified RTITB instructor.
I don’t think there’s any necessity to fail your first attempt. No prep necessary, it all comes from your lessons.
No prep necessary, it all comes from your lessons.
That’s correct however it also depends on how you respond to the lessons. Hopefully you will have a decent patient instructor who knows the score.
Listen carefully and if you are not sure, ask again and again.
As a matter of interest how many days training will you receive?
Remember it’s a basic test and anyone can pass. Once you pass then you really start to learn but don’t forget the basics of what you were taught.
Good luck.
jakethesnake:
No prep necessary, it all comes from your lessons.That’s correct however it also depends on how you respond to the lessons. Hopefully you will have a decent patient instructor who knows the score.
Listen carefully and if you are not sure, ask again and again.As a matter of interest how many days training will you receive?
Remember it’s a basic test and anyone can pass. Once you pass then you really start to learn but don’t forget the basics of what you were taught.
Good luck.
i belive its 15 hours including the test, they do 3 hour blocks however, they did say the longer it takes me to get the reversing and couple/uncouple its less time on the road. which is why i wanted to do some research.
The bit i cant get my head around at the moment is how an artic goes round a corner. I have seen a tri axel trailer and unit make a left turn between railings on the inside curb and railings on the traffic island with 6" or more to spare either side. However i cant do the same manouver from the same starting position in a 10 meter ridged without being very close to both sets of railings
cooper1203:
jakethesnake:
No prep necessary, it all comes from your lessons.That’s correct however it also depends on how you respond to the lessons. Hopefully you will have a decent patient instructor who knows the score.
Listen carefully and if you are not sure, ask again and again.As a matter of interest how many days training will you receive?
Remember it’s a basic test and anyone can pass. Once you pass then you really start to learn but don’t forget the basics of what you were taught.
Good luck.
i belive its 15 hours including the test, they do 3 hour blocks however, they did say the longer it takes me to get the reversing and couple/uncouple its less time on the road. which is why i wanted to do some research.
The bit i cant get my head around at the moment is how an artic goes round a corner. I have seen a tri axel trailer and unit make a left turn between railings on the inside curb and railings on the traffic island with 6" or more to spare either side. However i cant do the same manouver from the same starting position in a 10 meter ridged without being very close to both sets of railings
Reversing an artic is much easier than reversing a rigid, I detest rigids and reversing an artic once mastered is very hard to go back to a rigid.
cooper1203:
jakethesnake:
No prep necessary, it all comes from your lessons.That’s correct however it also depends on how you respond to the lessons. Hopefully you will have a decent patient instructor who knows the score.
Listen carefully and if you are not sure, ask again and again.As a matter of interest how many days training will you receive?
Remember it’s a basic test and anyone can pass. Once you pass then you really start to learn but don’t forget the basics of what you were taught.
Good luck.
i belive its 15 hours including the test, they do 3 hour blocks however, they did say the longer it takes me to get the reversing and couple/uncouple its less time on the road. which is why i wanted to do some research.
The bit i cant get my head around at the moment is how an artic goes round a corner. I have seen a tri axel trailer and unit make a left turn between railings on the inside curb and railings on the traffic island with 6" or more to spare either side. However i cant do the same manouver from the same starting position in a 10 meter ridged without being very close to both sets of railings
15 hours is not a great deal of time however it can and has been done. I am hoping it is not one to one and that you have another trainee with you.
Believe it or not you can learn an awful lot from watching another learner making progress and making mistakes. Sit back, relax and learn from him/her as well.
Regarding an artic going round a corner. Stop thinking about it so much. It will all fall into place after a few hours hopefully. Artics have certain advantages as do rigids.
Forget about your rigid and concentrate on how much room you need to give the trailer. Your instructor should keep you right on that.
As for reversing, some pick it up really quickly while others struggle. A good instructor can make all the difference with that. Anyone that starts shouting is wasting your time.
If you have reversed a tractor/trailer or a car/trailer it will come really easy. If you haven’t try to do so before your training if possible.
Now, stop worrying. 
I was assessed as needing 14 hrs.
Ending up actually doing 13 and passed no problem. I felt I could have done it with 10.
A mate went with same company and was assessed as needing 10 hrs and failed. Passed on a retest with no additional training.
Everyone is different.
jakethesnake:
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If you have reversed a tractor/trailer or a car/trailer it will come really easy. If you haven’t try to do so before your training if possible.Now, stop worrying.
The way they teach reversing is to do it by rote rather than teaching you how to do it.
In theory you could almost do it blindfolded.
Just don’t think you can you reverse when you pass! [emoji23]
stu675:
jakethesnake:
[.
If you have reversed a tractor/trailer or a car/trailer it will come really easy. If you haven’t try to do so before your training if possible.Now, stop worrying.
The way they teach reversing is to do it by rote rather than teaching you how to do it.
In theory you could almost do it blindfolded.
- Start in the right position
- A fixed amount of Right hand hand lock (my case one full turn) go back until you see the mark
- Left hand lock until such and such
- Reverse until you line up the mark with a thingy
Just don’t think you can you reverse when you pass! [emoji23]
Really, not always true I’m afraid. A lot depends on the instructor, the student and how much time is available.
There are plenty who can reverse after they pass…There are even ones who can reverse before they pass.
The method you mention is usually used by somebody who hasn’t the knowledge or patience to teach reversing correctly or if a student is really struggling to grasp the concept of reversing a trailer.
I wonder if your instructor made you aware the examiner can move the thingy without telling you. 