Is it true that they are getting rid of the gear change exercise? if it is why?
I am just curious as i have my test on the 4th January for class 2.
fingers crossed as it is the 2nd time that i am taking my test.
thanks for all the support i have got on here.
I`m just in the middle of my class 1 and my instructor reckons its gone on the 1st of Jan for definite
yep just did my class 1, and was one of the last to have the gear change excercise, its gone as of Jan 1st I heard.
Whereâs ROG when you need him 
Itâs no more as of the 1st of January. Iâve seen it posted on the wall of the test centre (well Bishopbriggs) on all three visits I made since November. Iâm suprised Rog hasnât seen it at his local test centre.
See this DSA document ( Oct 07 / Section 3.41 / page 30 of 38 )
dieseldave:
Whereâs ROG when you need him
ZZZZZZZZZZZ⌠
WHO YELLED 
It is still only PROPOSED to be scrapped according to the DTC at Glos but this says different
See this DSA document [dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practic ⌠20DT1.pdf(](http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practical_test/dt1/Oct07docs/Chap%203%20Oct%2007%20DT1.pdf() Oct 07 / Section 3.41 / page 30 of 38 )
- being done away with eventually because it is now deemed that enough changes are being made on the general drive with the use of the min 8 gear ratio rule.
PS another proposal is to increase the minimum driving time on the C & C1 tests to 70 mins from 50 mins as this would then match up with the CE test overall time and give examiners a better overall view of the driving capabilities for the person doing their first lorry test.
Hello Rog,
Regarding the changes to the LGV and PCV driving tests as of January 1st 2008.
I completely agree with you regarding Cat. C and C+E tests - the Minimum Test Vehicle requirements now require test vehicles to have a minimum of 8 forward ratios (manual transmission vehicles only), however for C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E, D and D+E driving tests there is no requirement under the Minimum Test Vehicle requirements for these category of tests to have a minimum amount of ratios (listed as N/A in the DT1 form).
So shouldnât the Gear Change Exercise still exists for those not taking a Cat. C and/or C+E test??
I will say Iâm pleased to see that the Controlled Stop exercies is not being deleted, even though ABS is part of the MTV requirements (bar B+E tests) it doesnât guarantee that the pupil driving it will stop it in the required distance - donât know what your views are on that?
Richard
The Lyonator:
Hello Rog,Regarding the changes to the LGV and PCV driving tests as of January 1st 2008.
I completely agree with you regarding Cat. C and C+E tests - the Minimum Test Vehicle requirements now require test vehicles to have a minimum of 8 forward ratios (manual transmission vehicles only), however for C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E, D and D+E driving tests there is no requirement under the Minimum Test Vehicle requirements for these category of tests to have a minimum amount of ratios (listed as N/A in the DT1 form).
Richard:)
So shouldnât the Gear Change Exercise still exists for those not taking a Cat. C and/or C+E test??
I can only surmise that they want to have the same criteria (where possible) for every test type.
I will say Iâm pleased to see that the Controlled Stop exercise is not being deleted, even though ABS is part of the MTV requirements (bar B+E tests) it doesnât guarantee that the pupil driving it will stop it in the required distance - donât know what your views are on that?
All I know on this is that if the trainee does not get to 20 mph, apply the brakes at the cones and stop in control within a reasonable short distance, they will fail but they are given a max 3 goes at it on test with a minor for each one not performed correctly - usual thing, 3 strikes and you are out - well, not out on the road because if this test is failed then they will not do the road drive.
Sounds like the dumbing down process has started in LGV/PCV training.
Wonder what else theyâre going to take out of the syllabus to make it easier?
Expect to see Stevie Wonder in a truck before too long.
how does it make it easier removing the gear change excercise.
if anything makes it harder. that 5 mins doing the gear change excercise is another 5 mins driving the truck on the road. its not like your getting back 5mins early.
more likely to see driving mistakes driving than going through the gears. its not like by removing the gear changes your getting away with something and wonât have to use the gears during the test. prob better to access someone on their gear changes in a more real world sceanrio i.e. driving.
Itâs probably the only time you will use the first 2 gears.Most of the time you wonât go any lower than 3rd.Tricky bit is the 2nd to 1st.Plus there is the correct moving off/slowing down procedure and the mirror checks between changes.
They should leave it in the test.
Iâm against qualifications being devalued.
ROG:
All I know on this is that if the trainee does not get to 20 mph, apply the brakes at the cones and stop in control within a reasonable short distance, they will fail but they are given a max 3 goes at it on test with a minor for each one not performed correctly - usual thing, 3 strikes and you are out - well, not out on the road because if this test is failed then they will not do the road drive.
Really, so if a Serious and/or Dangerous Fault is recorded on the Controlled Stop section then the driving test is stopped for safety reasons?
When you say that a driving examiner will allow 3 attempts at the Controlled Stop, I presume that youâd only be allowed to do it again should you perform the exercise correctly but not reach the minimum speed of 20mph or brake before the cones?? I only ask as if you âdoâ reach the 20mph speed and brake after passing through the cones, but donât pull-up in a reasonable short distance surely that would be a Serious/Dangerous under Promptness?
Richard
The Lyonator:
I only ask as if you âdoâ reach the 20mph speed and brake after passing through the cones, but donât pull-up in a reasonable short distance surely that would be a Serious/Dangerous under Promptness?Richard
I think this is what the driver who took his test before me did (he got a serious) and I donât think he was offered the chance to redo the exercise. Iâve also heard that the controlled stop is as much about testing the roadworthiness of the vehicle as it is about driver skill.
The Lyonator:
ROG:
All I know on this is that if the trainee does not get to 20 mph, apply the brakes at the cones and stop in control within a reasonable short distance, they will fail but they are given a max 3 goes at it on test with a minor for each one not performed correctly - usual thing, 3 strikes and you are out - well, not out on the road because if this test is failed then they will not do the road drive.When you say that a driving examiner will allow 3 attempts at the Controlled Stop, I presume that youâd only be allowed to do it again should you perform the exercise correctly but not reach the minimum speed of 20mph or brake before the cones?? I only ask as if you âdoâ reach the 20mph speed and brake after passing through the cones, but donât pull-up in a reasonable short distance surely that would be a Serious/Dangerous under Promptness? Richard:)
they usually mark that as a minor and send you around again
Really, so if a Serious and/or Dangerous Fault is recorded on the Controlled Stop section then the driving test is stopped for safety reasons?
I have never seen a serious or dangerous marked on the sheet for this reason on the exercise but I have seen 3 minors marked and on this exercise the third minor goes into the serious box as it is an ongoing fault.
One trainee at Weedon kept timing his braking to stop his front end AT the cones - he did this 3 times - fail. We saw the examiner take a lot of extra time before the third attempt on the instruction phase but it made no difference - I suppose the examiner must have thought that âthis guy just does not understand simple instructionsâ and that would not go down too well on the road drive if he went out.
hope I made sense - this ZB mancold 
ROG:
It is still only PROPOSED to be scrapped according to the DTC at Glos
Maybe the Mafioso-looking Trevor Wedge 
should ask them to update their notice board
According to Peterborough Test Centre - which is the one we use regularly - they tell us that the gear change exercise is now defunct and will no longer take place as from January 1st 2008
Mothertrucker:
According to Peterborough Test Centre - which is the one we use regularly - they tell us that the gear change exercise is now defunct and will no longer take place as from January 1st 2008
Looks like Glos are a bit behind then - Iâll phone them when they open - no point in wasting time teaching it if itâs not going to be used.
Kenny1975:
how does it make it easier removing the gear change excercise.if anything makes it harder. that 5 mins doing the gear change excercise is another 5 mins driving the truck on the road. its not like your getting back 5mins early.
You arenât very confident are you?
I found that i failed on pulling away from the gear change exercise.
so if that isnât there i know i wonât fail on that but there are other things that they are looking out for that i can concentrate on.
thanks again
mutha-trucker:
I found that i failed on pulling away from the gear change exercise.
Was it trying to pull away in 1st gear?
just pulling away.
apparently i was causing an obstruction while i was trying to pull away.
DOH!!!
At least i wonât have to do that this time.
I could have had my test over and done with before xmas if the examiner hadnât been ill. now got to wait till the 4th January which isnât far away now.