Endgame:
I’d mentally prepared myself for the reverse before any driving
Did your instructor inform you that these could be done in any order?
No, he’d not mentioned that the tests were taken in a random order, throughout the week we’d been up to the test centre and watched people go out on the test, and all of them took the reverse exercise first. Come to think of it, I’d only ever seen 1 lorry at the top of the bay, parked up and ready to go for the test all week, today there were 3! I just assumed that the reverse exercise was always done first. although, it’s not really an excuse for failing. I assume I would have done the same thing whether I’d of took it before or after the driving.
I think I knew deep down the reverse exercise was gonna be hit n miss because I’d taken longer than expected/needed with the actual driving. It wasn’t a case of I didn’t know how to do the reverse exercise, it was more that I hadn’t practised it enough to be confident in doing it. I tried to offer my instructor an extra £100 for 2 hours yesterday (for today) so we could practice the reverse, but he couldn’t fit me in. He was out on test from 8.30, picked me up at 12.00, and my test was at 2.30, so he’d been up since 6! There was just no way to fit any extra hours in.
I’ll have to learn from my mistake, and £115 is quite an expensive price to pay for something that could have been easily avoided. Think I’m going to go for another 4 hours training before my next test, and spend majority of that practising my reverse!
I could be wrong, but it looks like some training companies get you to a standard where you can pass you test and not to a standard where you should not only pass your test but prove competent on the road. This sounds strange I guess, because this is what the test should be about; competence. He told of previous candidates who he felt were not at all ready for the road on their own, yet they still passed their test.
When I was training my instructor was often telling me that what they were trying to show me wasn’t expected of me in the test but that I would find it useful when in a real life situation.
Frankly, to me, the reverse exercise is crazy! I am still not sure what this actually proves…but I accept I could be missing something!!
Endgame…I think yes your lake of general lack of driving experience could be letting you down, or it could just be you need a bit more time to be test ready. But imagine if you had passed your test, how would you feel about getting into the cab on your own for the first time to start your first job?
I think some people should be encouraged to have some extra lessons after passing their tests.
It can hardly be surprising that new drivers (me included in that!) find getting a job difficult. In the haulage companies shoes, think of the risk!
Endgame…really the very best of luck for the next test.
jonesy1985:
This, to me, seems a little concerning.
I could be wrong, but it looks like some training companies get you to a standard where you can pass you test and not to a standard where you should not only pass your test but prove competent on the road. This sounds strange I guess, because this is what the test should be about; competence. He told of previous candidates who he felt were not at all ready for the road on their own, yet they still passed their test.
No one drives to their best potential in a test situation. The DSA examiners job is to consider whether the person is safe on their own. 8 minor faults means Endgame was ready, and he was complimented on his safe smooth drive by the examiner. We all know that you really start learning as the miles clock up and experience builds but we all had to start somewhere!
jonesy1985:
Frankly, to me, the reverse exercise is crazy! I am still not sure what this actually proves…but I accept I could be missing something!!
It proves you know the length and shape of your vehicle and you can avoid a hazard that you can’t see (a cone blindside). I agree that it doesn’t prepare you for a lot of the things you have to do in real life but it is hard to imagine a practical test that would fit in a test center that is more realistic. It also served it’s purpose as (being blunt) it sounds like Endgame could do with more practice at reversing before he gets his license and this is to be expected if he only has 18 months car driving clocked up.
jonesy1985:
Endgame…I think yes your lake of general lack of driving experience could be letting you down, or it could just be you need a bit more time to be test ready.
I agree that this probably played a factor, and only 18 months driving experience would make it harder for sure. It also accounts for some of the struggles reversing, as quite a few people have at least messed around in a van and learned to reverse by mirrors before they jump in a lorry. But he worked at it and got to test standard on the road section and I think he did very well to just pickup 8 minors.
jonesy1985:
But imagine if you had passed your test, how would you feel about getting into the cab on your own for the first time to start your first job?
Probably the same as all of us did the first time we went solo! We take it slowly and carefully and gain confidence as the miles rack up.
I think what Endgame’s experience highlights (and someone above mentioned this) is that if you book a fixed length course with no assessment drive in advance it is possible to run out of time. A good assessment would have picked up that an extra day or two would be helpful, but it is very easy to be wise after the event.
Hi endgamer, unlucky on your test, but like some of the others, I think you’re being a little hard on yourself. Sounds like your went reasonably well except for you reversing.
On my c+e test, my reversing was at the start, and I nearly completely screwed it up due to my nerves, the trailer was way over to the left, and still in my left mirror (not good), I thought, well I have completely failed this one. But I stopped, shunted forward, stopped for five seconds, and tuck a deep breathe, and said to myself “focus, you can do this”, which I did.
Most training Companies only give you the training required to get you through the test to keep costs down. They also other extra training after you pass for more advance reversing.
Good luck next time, don’t worry you will get there.
jonesy1985:
This, to me, seems a little concerning.
I could be wrong, but it looks like some training companies get you to a standard where you can pass you test and not to a standard where you should not only pass your test but prove competent on the road. This sounds strange I guess, because this is what the test should be about; competence. He told of previous candidates who he felt were not at all ready for the road on their own, yet they still passed their test.
No one drives to their best potential in a test situation. The DSA examiners job is to consider whether the person is safe on their own. 8 minor faults means Endgame was ready, and he was complimented on his safe smooth drive by the examiner. We all know that you really start learning as the miles clock up and experience builds but we all had to start somewhere!
Yes of course I accept what you say, I just feel that there was really not much difference between passing my car test 10 years ago and then the class 2 test, in fact there were more manoeuvres for the car test! Once passed (and the CPC!) you are let loose on the road, on your own, responsible not only for yourself but your load, and as a professional driver you now have the responsibility of ensuring the safety of other road users. It is likely a new drivers first job is through an agency, so you’re unlikely to undertake an induction or assessment drive. I don’t want this to sound personal towards Endgame at all. I am in the same position! It is a shame that there are not incentives given by the state to haulage companies to encourage further training of newly qualified drivers. Government just expects us drivers to pay for all the training ourselves. Although what I will say, as someone who has lived in Hungary for 18 months, the quality of our driving generally is much better and safer compared to them!!
th2013:
jonesy1985:
Frankly, to me, the reverse exercise is crazy! I am still not sure what this actually proves…but I accept I could be missing something!!
It proves you know the length and shape of your vehicle and you can avoid a hazard that you can’t see (a cone blindside). I agree that it doesn’t prepare you for a lot of the things you have to do in real life but it is hard to imagine a practical test that would fit in a test center that is more realistic.
I guess for it to be more realistic would require more money being spent by the DSA, which in turn means more money being spent by us. So…OK…I am happy with the current reverse exercise now!
th2013:
jonesy1985:
But imagine if you had passed your test, how would you feel about getting into the cab on your own for the first time to start your first job?
Probably the same as all of us did the first time we went solo! We take it slowly and carefully and gain confidence as the miles rack up.
Of course, but I am just suggesting that perhaps failing is blessing in disguise (forgetting about the money side of things). He will be more prepared next time and more prepared for work. I will confess to feeling nervous about my first outing on my own in a couple of weeks time!
Next time I guess it’s just a case of be ready for either the reverse or drive part of the test first/last. But as I said, it shouldn’t really matter, as I think I would have fumbled it either way. I genuinely needed more practice at it, as I didn’t feel confident about it, whereas the drive itself - I felt comfortable with.
Wish I didn’t have to wait until mid May to retake and get a few hours in. I was contemplating finding another training school, seeing if they could go over the reverse me and getting in for a test, because my current trainer is fully booked up, and I’m eager to get my next few hours in, then the retest. It’s just I’d have to learn new routes (new DSA test centre) which in turn, could end up costing extra money. I feel that waiting nearly 3 weeks will make lose touch with what I have already lerant, and that I’ll have to end up going over things again, that I have already learnt!
Like, literally all I need to do is practice the reverse - maybe learn a new technique or something (people say all trainers have their own way of teaching different reversing techniques)
My instructor gave me the height/weight/length dimensions of the truck I drive, so I could find a test date (in Ahterton) ring him and let him know what is available. 30th of April was available, but he said he had 4 more courses over next week, and between himself and his son (also an instructor) there would be no way of getting any training hours in, which was gutting for me, because I want to get back at it as soon as possible.
If any instructors out there can sell me some training, within the North West sooner than the 15th of May, do let me know! I have until the 11th of May to cancel/rebook my existing test. Also, would have to be something similar to what I learnt in, which was an 06 plate 4 over 4 gear box DAF CF!
No disrespect to my instructor, he’s a great instructor and he got me to a driving test standard, but he’s that busy, he can’t fit me in until the 15th of May!
Any trainers out there that can help with my situation, feel free to PM me some info/prices. It would be muchly appreciated!
Waiting a few weeks or even a few months is not a problem - its like riding a bike when you have not been on one for years - bit wobbly to start but then off you go
ROG:
Waiting a few weeks or even a few months is not a problem - its like riding a bike when you have not been on one for years - bit wobbly to start but then off you go
I know what you mean ROG, I’m just really keen to get back at it. I loved every second of my training until the 2nd or 3rd day - even though I failed. Wish I could get back at it straight away!
I would have thought most trainers would have found time for a bit more reversing practice before the test if that was required. As for expecting the candidate to find their own test - ridiculous! A 3 week wait isn’t that bad, but in any case, it’s down to the trainer to organise himself so he can provide retests in a timely manner.
To change trainers at this point is a bad idea for the reasons already mentioned.
