I start my driver training on Monday as was giving a cancellation slot the company are called Priestley’s near holbeach they use a 18 tonne Renault with a manual gearbox. Has any one done training with them or know of them is it best to train in a manual not a auto and a large class 2 vehical and not a smaller truck any advice on how to do things and what to expect gratefully received 
deck21:
I start my driver training on Monday as was giving a cancellation slot the company are called Priestley’s near holbeach they use a 18 tonne Renault with a manual gearbox. Has any one done training with them or know of them is it best to train in a manual not a auto and a large class 2 vehical and not a smaller truck any advice on how to do things and what to expect gratefully received
That is member Mothertruckers company - only ever hear of good reports from trainees who went with them
Les (MTs other half) usually does the training
ROG:
deck21:
I start my driver training on Monday as was giving a cancellation slot the company are called Priestley’s near holbeach they use a 18 tonne Renault with a manual gearbox. Has any one done training with them or know of them is it best to train in a manual not a auto and a large class 2 vehical and not a smaller truck any advice on how to do things and what to expect gratefully receivedThat is member Mothertruckers company - only ever hear of good reports from trainees who went with them
Les (MTs other half) usually does the training
Cheers Rog so I made a good choice you think am I best to do training in this type of truck a manual full size class 2
Wendy makes a nice brew and cooks nice cakes but other than that , what Rog said
I know from previous posts you are in your 40s so assume you got car licence before 1997?
That being the case you will need 35 hours of periodic dcpc if not got already if you wish to drive commercially after 09/09/2014
Priestleys have an auto artic now so that should be a breeze if you go for C+E
I think doing C in a full sized manual will be a great especially if that’s the sort of size you will be driving post test
Have you checked out the link in my signature below?
deck21:
ROG:
deck21:
I start my driver training on Monday as was giving a cancellation slot the company are called Priestley’s near holbeach they use a 18 tonne Renault with a manual gearbox. Has any one done training with them or know of them is it best to train in a manual not a auto and a large class 2 vehical and not a smaller truck any advice on how to do things and what to expect gratefully receivedThat is member Mothertruckers company - only ever hear of good reports from trainees who went with them
Les (MTs other half) usually does the training
Cheers Rog so I made a good choice you think am I best to do training in this type of truck a manual full size class 2
It kind of depends on how you view it. If you want the easiest conceivable test pass, then of course an auto is a bit easier. If you want to learn useful skills that will help you with your career then experience of a slightly larger vehicle and manual are good things.
It’s perfectly possible to achieve a first time pass in such a vehicle especially with a good trainer which you have.
Fairly recently I did my C+E in a manual full size artic (16.5m) and combined with a great instructor it was no problem to pass. I would stop worrying about it and go and enjoy it. Best of luck for your training. A training diary is always well received on here if you feel like doing a daily report.
BTW you say it is ‘full size’ - it probably could be worse; I would be surpised if you were learning in something as long as this 26 tonner (still cat C)
Hi,
I know Les and he’s a nice guy to talk to and calm, we drink at the same tea bar and meet up at the test station.
I think that they both had something to do with the Essex lad that won Toughest trucker or something.
I wanted the Scottish guy to win, only because I was living in Scotland back then.
Get Les to show you the toilet clip on his phone, made me laugh.
Good luck.
Maybe see you next week.
David
I work for Peter Smythe
I know Les from the old Sterling days when he was involved with the tea bar at North Weald airfield. He’s a good lad and a very experienced trainer.
Say hello to him from me and say hello to Wendy if you see her. Another very good trainer.
The right instructor is important, just as much as the type of vehicle you train in. I trained in manuals deliberately as I wanted that additional experience rather than automatic. However, it is arguable that training with an auto is equally wise as you’ll have enough on your plate worrying about everything else that no gear shifting means one less thing to have to deal with. Once you pass you will hopefully have bedded in some of the other basic skills leaving more scope to master a manual gearbox if/when you need to.
I would say size is important as, for me at least, this was the most significant part of the learning curve. Positioning, speed, length and cornering are all deeply challenging so the bigger you can learn with the more capable you will be.