passed lgv1 in 2015, never used it,returning to driving now, just failed 2 driving assessments on the reverse,any training providers 50 mile or so radius of Bury St Edmunds that would do a reversing based course, that anyone knows of? I would be grateful for any info , thank you
To be honest with you no amount of real advice is going to help you really, we can’t predict what angles if any you will be reversing from ? One thing you must remember is not to over steer or over compensate after you feel you are off line, when drivers are reversing and turn too hard on the wheel it means it is going to be even harder to get back in line, never look back except when reversing around a tight spot, try to use the mirrors for every movement and keep the trailer in view in those mirrors at all time.
You need to find some kind soul to let you practice in their truck, it’s the practice that will teach you.
Good luck 
I am pretty shocking at reversing artics as well. Never got on a bay first time and have an average of about 5 full on restarts and then about 20 shunts to finish it off. But I’m practising using a few companies as an agency driver. Some places don’t need an assessment - so I use them as paid training. I’d advise you to do the same - just never ever go in from the dark side. I tried it recently as I had no other option - only damage was to a street sign and a fence, managed to leg it before anyone noticed but it knocked my confidence.
Just take your time and get out an look a lot. I had one moron going mental with his horn at the services. I went and opened his door** and asked what the problem was - he ended up apologising. So just ignore everything else and learn at your own pace.
**I only did this after realising I was a lot bigger than him. Wouldn’t advise it if the bloke going barmy looks like he could give you a hiding.
Pat Hasler:
To be honest with you no amount of real advice is going to help you really, we can’t predict what angles if any you will be reversing from ? One thing you must remember is not to over steer or over compensate after you feel you are off line, when drivers are reversing and turn too hard on the wheel it means it is going to be even harder to get back in line, never look back except when reversing around a tight spot, try to use the mirrors for every movement and keep the trailer in view in those mirrors at all time.
You need to find some kind soul to let you practice in their truck, it’s the practice that will teach you.
Good luck
thank you pat
sammym:
I am pretty shocking at reversing artics as well. Never got on a bay first time and have an average of about 5 full on restarts and then about 20 shunts to finish it off. But I’m practising using a few companies as an agency driver. Some places don’t need an assessment - so I use them as paid training. I’d advise you to do the same - just never ever go in from the dark side. I tried it recently as I had no other option - only damage was to a street sign and a fence, managed to leg it before anyone noticed but it knocked my confidence.Just take your time and get out an look a lot. I had one moron going mental with his horn at the services. I went and opened his door** and asked what the problem was - he ended up apologising. So just ignore everything else and learn at your own pace.
**I only did this after realising I was a lot bigger than him. Wouldn’t advise it if the bloke going barmy looks like he could give you a hiding.
thank you sammy
What feedback did you get from the assessments ?
Might help focus on those particular points ?
Did they say your start position was ok?
Most assessors are helpful
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I think youre right that a day in a truck will sort you out. A bit of practise at reversing, plus maybe a bit of road time with an instructor. Id guess a school would give some sort of assessment drive first? One or two days would mean a better assessment drive plus make you a more confident applicant.
One mistake people make is not using the mirrors but sticking their heads out and looking down the side, this mostly makes the vehicle slightly curved and makes reversing in a straight line impossible.
You will be an expert one day 
dcgpx:
What feedback did you get from the assessments ?Might help focus on those particular points ?
Did they say your start position was ok?
Most assessors are helpful
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just think I need to have a refresher and get my head clear
Franglais:
I think youre right that a day in a truck will sort you out. A bit of practise at reversing, plus maybe a bit of road time with an instructor. Id guess a school would give some sort of assessment drive first? One or two days would mean a better assessment drive plus make you a more confident applicant.
I agree thank you
Pat Hasler:
One mistake people make is not using the mirrors but sticking their heads out and looking down the side, this mostly makes the vehicle slightly curved and makes reversing in a straight line impossible.
I’ve tried it both ways and still get it wrong 
I did a couple of days on agency shunting in Tilbury Docks, never had a problem reversing after that 
Had to fail a few last week, absolutely shocking didn’t even dare ask them to perform a blindside. New passes so asked them to give their instructor a bollocking for not preparing them for the real world.
Probably not as bad as Sammym though, nonetheless free training on agency and being chucked in at the deep end can be a fast track to perfecting ones skills or disaster.
Seriously though don’t let these knock backs get you down we where all crap once (well except me obviously).
suetay:
passed lgv1 in 2015, never used it,returning to driving now, just failed 2 driving assessments on the reverse,any training providers 50 mile or so radius of Bury St Edmunds that would do a reversing based course, that anyone knows of? I would be grateful for any info , thank you
Why dont you contact Pete Smith in the newbie section, he has good reviews, travel up and spend the night in a B&B … worth it for the practice, always try and plan your reverse, take as much speed as needed. DO NOT rush, little and often on the steering easier to correct … if you are going out of shape i.e. bending … stop move forward and start again. if it takes 20 attempts so be it any decent driver would offer advice … majority are muppets and would laugh abuse you our record you.
if you need to park up get out and assess where you need to reverse and go through it in your head.
hope this helps a tad.
I passed my class 1 late last year and also had to do an assessment in May of this year (I hadn’t driven anything since the test). To say I was bricking it was an understatement!
They went through everything before the assessment, it went well and (luckily) didn’t include a reverse. Everyone gets put with a regular driver for a week or so to learn the ropes and my reversing is finally coming together. Other drivers and shunters at various places have been really helpful because it was truly awful at the start.
The key to a good reverse is a good starting position. Make sure you go far enough past your bay that you have time to turn your trailer in, but not too far that it takes you a week to get there. I find a 45 degree angle to the bay with a slight bend in the tractor/trailer and the end of the trailer pointing to the entrance of the bay works. Slowly back up and make small adjustments on the wheel to straighten up whilst keeping the back of the trailer aiming to the bay entrance.
Any doubt in your mind, jump out and look. Oh, and don’t forget to open the doors before you dock.
Nite Owl:
The key to a good reverse is a good starting position. Make sure you go far enough past your bay that you have time to turn your trailer in, but not too far that it takes you a week to get there. I find a 45 degree angle to the bay with a slight bend in the tractor/trailer and the end of the trailer pointing to the entrance of the bay works. Slowly back up and make small adjustments on the wheel to straighten up whilst keeping the back of the trailer aiming to the bay entrance.Any doubt in your mind, jump out and look. Oh, and don’t forget to open the doors before you dock.
Spot on advice,starting position and how you set yourself up.