Hi,
I just failed my C test for clipping a kerb, gutted as I knew the turn and had been around it 4 times this week without clipping the kerb but let myself get intimidated by a bus on the test
However, the examiner also gave me my one of three minor faults for not checking tail swing when turning right.
I know and understand tail swing, but what is the correct way to check for it when turning, and how should I complete a right turn correctly when traffic is passing in the near side lane? This was at traffic lights with a right turn lane and light.
Sorry to hear you clipped a kerb ,three minors is a very good result , you cannot be missing many mirror checks if that is your result . Good luck next time
Hi Deefer, sorry to hear about your test result but you have to remember that the driving test is not like the real world, I’m sure you will pass next time.
Deefer:
Hi,
I just failed my C test for clipping a kerb, gutted as I knew the turn and had been around it 4 times this week without clipping the kerb but let myself get intimidated by a bus on the test
However, the examiner also gave me my one of three minor faults for not checking tail swing when turning right.
I know and understand tail swing, but what is the correct way to check for it when turning, and how should I complete a right turn correctly when traffic is passing in the near side lane? This was at traffic lights with a right turn lane and light.
Thanks!
I know OF tail swing as well but in my training it wasn’t ever something we covered I have to be honest and I don’t know of any training schools that actually teach much, if anything about it, so I will be watching this thread eagerly with some answers.
Good luck for the next test, and remember ‘only the best drivers pass second time’
What I remember being taught of tailswing when turning right is that if there is a large vehicle in the swing path you should hold back. Also keep checking BOTH sets of mirrors as you turn. Some vehicles have a larger tailswing path than others. I have driven a library ‘bus’ that had a huge tailswing and was having to hold back on a lot of the turns as other road users do not understand anything about the footprint of a vehicle that size in a turn.
Tail swing is caused by the overhang of the vehicle (the part of the body behind the rear axle) moving out the opposite way to the way you are steering. It occurs when turning left as well as right.
In reply to your specific question about turning right at traffic lights when there is traffic passing on your nearside a lot depends on the width of the 2 lanes. The closer the vehicles pass on your left the more cautious you need to be as the rear of your vehicle will take up part of the left lane as you turn.
If you are stationary before the turn, waiting for oncoming taffic to clear you have more time in which to analysie the situation on the left. The last thing to do before moving to complete the turn is to check the nearside mirror to make sure no vehicle will be forced to stop because of your actions. If you dont need to stop before completing the turn thoroughly check the N/S mirror on the approach and make a decision if it is safe to proceed with the turn or sometimes to wait for the traffic to pass on the left first. Each junction can be different depending on (a) the width of the lanes (b) The volume and physical size of vehicles passing you on your N/S.
Sam:- I am amazed you say you were not taught much about it because examiners tend to give a minor mark if no traffic was on your left at the time but a SERIOUS if traffic is there and you dont check
LGVTrainer:
Sam:- I am amazed you say you were not taught much about it because examiners tend to give a minor mark if no traffic was on your left at the time but a SERIOUS if traffic is there and you dont check
Hope this helps
To be fair, we were taught nothing about it, i already knew of it before my training though. But I do live in my mirrors so maybe that’s why i never got marked down for it.
I wasn’t taught much about tail swing either, and I did only get a minor fault as there was no traffic coming along the near side, but the examiner did say that it could easily have been a serious fault.
In this case, I was in right lane (right turn only) slightly over the white line on the offside to allow room for buses to pass on the near side, as both lanes are not very wide. Given a window of less than 20 seconds when the right turn light is green, and being in the centre of town so normally a constant stream of traffic going straight in the near side lane it would be almost impossible to turn without tail swing causing a bus to stop, or a car to alter direction.
How should this be approached in a test situation?
I don’t know of any training schools that actually teach much, if anything about it
Bit of a generalisation Sam. How would you know?
As stated, not checking for overhang before and during turning will be marked as a minor but can turn into a serious if it has any effect at the time.
I would hate to think that people weren’t taught this at even the most basic level.
Pete
Agree Pete, my instructors banged on and on about it…! ■■■■ right of them too…'cos I reckon it’s a very important point and not just to get you through the test.
Hi all
I got a minor on my C for the opposit checking to much on the Ns mirror when turning right and not enough on my o/s mirror . the reason being I am very aware of tail swing as when i was bus driving I actualy Caught a litter bin with the back of a bus pulling away from a stop to sharply and trying to avoid a car who had reversed in front of me . so dont ever want to make that mistake again …But I am now constantly on the N/S mirror when turning Right incase some one is sneeking to close down the inside as that back end swings out . got a minor on CE as well for that but you have two lots of swing out with them … …
Deefer:
I wasn’t taught much about tail swing either, and I did only get a minor fault as there was no traffic coming along the near side, but the examiner did say that it could easily have been a serious fault.
In this case, I was in right lane (right turn only) slightly over the white line on the offside to allow room for buses to pass on the near side, as both lanes are not very wide. Given a window of less than 20 seconds when the right turn light is green, and being in the centre of town so normally a constant stream of traffic going straight in the near side lane it would be almost impossible to turn without tail swing causing a bus to stop, or a car to alter direction.
How should this be approached in a test situation?
What actually tends to happen in that situation is that a larger vehicle ie a bus or truck is aware of what you are trying to do and holds back behind you giving you the opportunity to complete the turn. Another option you have (but this comes with a warning) is to take up part of the left lane, effectively preventing vehicles from coming past you. The warning I give is because we had a failure earlier this year where a candidate mistakenly took part of the left lane, then the lights went red. He actually prevented an ambulance with flashing lights from proceeding past him and the examiner had to order him to jump the red lights. Not very pretty.
Generally a decision has to be made based on what you see in the N/S mirror. Dont worry about a window of 20 seconds or less to go, the lights will go green again. As always in unusual situations take a minor mark for hesitation or lack of progress rather than a serious for causing others to brake or change direction. Every junction is different and even the same junction is different every time you get there. At the end of the day you do need skill and judgement to decide.
Hi there!Just had my class2 practical test and i failed cos i’ve done a mistake i was turning right at a junction when a car was coming towards me and the examiner had to stop me.Iknow it was dangerous and i ll never forget this.Will have a 2nd one next week.Also i think i was panic too much.
I was taught about tail swing and how important it was to check mirrors before turning to make sure any vehicles were clear. Surely all schools should mention something this important. But if in doubt make sure you check both mirrors constantly when making turns.
Hi!I failed my class 2 practical test twice now:)
First one was i didnt stop in time when a car was coming towards me and i was turning right at a junction,fair enough.
Second time forgot to indicate when i leaved the roundabout.
I had no problem with control and drive the vehicle but because of the size and the gears and etc i can not concentrate on the road enough.
I just decided now i will do c1 for now as i would do job with 7.5 delivery and then when i have more experience with it do the C.
Any suggestions?
thanks
Bad decision. You failed on roadcraft - not vehicle control. So the size of the vehicle makes no difference. You are setting yourself up for yet another fail. Spend some time sorting out your roadcraft skills before you take another test.
I wonder how many potential LGV trainees get an assessment of their general driving well before going into LGV training?
There are a number of organisations around the UK that give free assessment drives by simply sitting as a passenger in the potential trainees own vehicle
Surely this might save time and possibly money on the LGV training …
Done that dozens of times on various funded contracts. Achieves very little. Recently completed a contract for a large bus company where everyone was assessed on a Transit van. One of the candidates who failed the assessment miserably - he was dangerous - went to the management and got on the course. Passed 1st time with a smattering of minor marks. Some others who had glowing reports went on to fail the test. And others passed with no problem.
In my mind, there is no doubt that the general standard of car driving is poor. Naturally there are exceptions. But it’s our job, as professional trainers, to give everyone correct and thorough tuition that will get them on the right path. For me, I prefer to ignore all the negativity and just start putting in the good stuff.
I have fallen into the trap of generalising, so to be clear, not all car drivers are bad. But there are few people out there who cant be taught to drive a truck if everything is set up properly to make the exercise as straightforward as possible.
Some folk can “turn it on” at will. Others suffer with nerves. Some just cant drive but will succeed given proper tuition.
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