Yesterday I took my class 2 test. apart from a few minor faults I clipped the B cone whilst reversing and it toppled over. I knew it would be a fail but continued with the test, when we got back to the test station the examiner told me I had failed. When my instructor returned to the wagon he told me that the distance between the A cones and the B cone was three metres shorter than it should have been because DSA had the wagon down as being 8 metres instead of 9.5, they did have the correct details for the vehicle but told the test centre it was 8 metres instead of 9.5. It would have been a pass only for that one serious. i have never had problems with the reversing exercise on two previous tests …So!..My question is what could the DSA do now to compensate me? (if atall) What are their options and what are mine, We have already appealed and are waiting for a reply…I would never have thought the DSA to make a mistake like this, has anyone else ever had this sort of thing happen to them? As if it hasn’t been hard enough trying to get into whats usually a male profession…Thanks for taking the time to read this, am looking foreward to reading all replies.
Welcome Tissima. Sorry to hear about your test, I must admit I’ve not heard of this happening before. I’m glad to see you’ve appealed although sadly, even if successful, the best they can do is offer a refund as they cannot alter the examiners decision.
As above I think all you will get is a retest maybe, I should try and pass the costs onto the instructor or the school. It sounds like they have made a mistake with the length of the truck.
On the other hand, the cone is there to reverse between, not over. It is no good knocking a gatepost down and then trying to tell the manager it was in the wrong place when out on the road
I agree in that I’d make sure the next test doesn’t cost you a penny…nor the practise lesson before it!
It is, however, a wonderful illustration of the problem with these reversing tests…they teach you to do a reverse rather than to reverse…so once you’re away from the test environment you’re still left having to learn how to back! 
As WHEELNUT said, once you’re on the road the gateposts can’t be moved… 
One quick word to the wise…
As if it hasn’t been hard enough trying to get into whats usually a male profession…
I’d start getting this one out of your head right now, because it really isn’t true any more. The way attitudes have changed in the last 5 years is incredible, and true discrimination is rare these days - banter, yes, but that’s not in any way the same thing.
99% of “discrimination” is perceived, and experience and hindsight tells me that most of what we see as such in the early days is far more about our own desire to prove ourselves than anyone else’s…and the the quicker you get that one through your head the easier a time you will have. Our pioneering sisters of 20 years ago had a “hard time”, the ladies of today just suffer from excessive pride, that’s all…
Sorry. I’ll get off my pet soapbox now… 
Good luck with the next test Tissima, and welcome to TruckNet UK! 
oy who’s Wingnut?
Shouldnt you be washing nappies or summat? 
It’s the Hormones. Take no notice.
And as an afterthought on women drivers
Im on holiday this week, and have spent a lot of time at bikemeets and rideouts.
There are more girls riding motorcycles than ever, they normally ride fast race bikes, better than we do and they certainly look better in tight leather than us 40 something blokes
Wheel Nut:
… Corrected.
Shouldnt you be washing nappies or summat?
I would but…but so far Rikki’s demurrage bill ( £25 p/h or part of ) works out at £1050…and still rising…
I think he should be re-christened “Tescos”… 
Welcome to TruckNet UK Tissima and I am sorry
to hear what happened to you regarding your test
and I wish you good luck for the next one .
Hi Tissima and Welcome to Trucknet.
As said already I’m sure the best you will achieve is a refund as the examiners decision is usually final and even though there is an appeals process I have never heard of an examiners decision being reversed.
I would definitley challenge them and get a refund, they charge enough so they should get it right, and why should you be penalised for their mistake?
Stick with it and good luck with the next test.
As for being in a male dominated profession as you put it, don’t let it worry you, if any male has a problem with it that’s their hard luck, pass the test and you have the same rights as everyone.
Wheel Nut:
His name’s Duane, I used to work with him . Welcome to TruckNetUK Tissima. I would definatley challenge them if that was the only thing you failed on, as it’s their mistake, not yours. Good luck.
Lucy:
As WHEELNUT said, once you’re on the road the gateposts can’t be moved…
You’re not trying hard enough…
Wheel Nut:
On the other hand, the cone is there to reverse between, not over. It is no good knocking a gatepost down and then trying to tell the manager it was in the wrong place when out on the road
But out on the road, you’re not prevented from getting out for a look or taking a shunt. The reversing exercise would be significantly easier if you could GOAL.
MrFlibble:
Lucy:
As WHEELNUT said, once you’re on the road the gateposts can’t be moved…You’re not trying hard enough…
I know a few people that have ‘moved’ gate posts…
I think he should be re-christened “Tescos”…
Every little help’s c’mon lucy stop hanging about,start the spring cleaning early.
MrFlibble:
Wheel Nut:
On the other hand, the cone is there to reverse between, not over. It is no good knocking a gatepost down and then trying to tell the manager it was in the wrong place when out on the roadBut out on the road, you’re not prevented from getting out for a look or taking a shunt. The reversing exercise would be significantly easier if you could GOAL.
Good point, the reversing exercise is meant to be a realistic manoeuvre but in reality you would and should GOAL if not sure. Just a reminder that you are actually allowed two shunts in the test should you need them.
Dont forget the reversing test is about driving a truck, it involves observation, steering and judging the width and length of a large goods vehicle.
Spending a week learning a test route and the layout of a particular test, doesnt make a driver, that starts when you pass the test.
It is designed to let an examiner see that someone understands what he asked.
maybe the cone was out of position by 9 feet but a single shunt would give you the room to get in between the cones
One thing I would add in Tissima’s defence is your lessons are to teach you to pass the test, so if you have been doing the reversing exercise in practice in one go, ie without a shunt, and are then faced with a closer placed cone on the test where a shunt is potentially required it creates a lot more unnecessary pressure. IMO when you do pass and start reversing on your own for the first time it’s a lot easier when no-ones around assessing you, even though the situations you can find yourself in are usually considerably harder than the test exercise 
Wheel Nut:
Dont forget the reversing test is about driving a truck, it involves observation, steering and judging the width and length of a large goods vehicle.Spending a week learning a test route and the layout of a particular test, doesnt make a driver, that starts when you pass the test.
It is designed to let an examiner see that someone understands what he asked.
maybe the cone was out of position by 9 feet but a single shunt would give you the room to get in between the cones
These things are set out to due specifiction. This is the examiner not doing his/her job properly. At least you know your good enough to pass next time Tissima, but the one thing I hate is someone who can’t do their job.
strangley enough…i took my test on the 7th and heard about someone clipping the cone…if thats you…then i’ve been at the same training centre as you Tissima…and…we had the same instructor…if it you, and you took your test at simmonswood test centre, theres a big outcry over that instructor…anyways i’ll go for now, good luck with your re-test as i know you got it due to the mistake
“H”