samledger1212:
Ye it wasn’t much fun can’t wait to get back at it tho get some reverse time in wasn’t bad just took me a couple of goes were as id like to do it in one go but in my defence it was a busy street and it was tight going in between 2 parked cars with bollards arthere side and it is a busy shop so had the people to contend with to so can’t beat my self up to much
First rule! The general public can sod off! When you start a reverse, it takes as long as it takes! They will not be there to help you fill in insurance information when you damage something. So do not let them influence your thinking. If you want to get out and check, then get out and check. Screw em!!!
Yes a long rigid does have a lot of overhang, which is even more fun when you have a tag/rear steer axle. And I wouldn’t say it is when you reverse you need to be really careful. It’s when you pull away, especially hard when you are tight to a curb or something else, that you really need your wits about you, as you can wipe out the whole width of a pavement on full lock!
But give it a couple of weeks, and you will feel a lot more comfortable with the vehicle. It just takes a bit of time to get used too.
At the moment you are probably a bit “rabbit in the headlights!”
Cheers evil ye your right mind was a bit mashed to be fair and ye it is when you pull out nearly caught me out a few times today still thinking I was driving the training vehicle but will get better as time goes on
Even after a years driving you can still ■■■■ it up good and proper, like I did in Bristol on Friday.
I was looking for a parcel place on Feeder Road so is normally accessible from Temple Gate where you turn onto Cattle Market Drive, turns out, you actually can’t because they have the road all dug up but muggins here chose to ignore the sign post warning you that the road was closed because I didn’t think it was that far down. Well, it was so I then had to get myself out which was not fun. Too long to turn in the road so I had to reverse back out past the traffic lights onto the main carriage way. I must of looked a right div sitting there arse about ■■■ waiting at a red light in reverse. A copper even sat there while I decided I wanted some of the street furtinue as a souvenir.
Evil8Beezle:
LOL - What was on the menu?
A cone? A railing? A bollard? A central marker? A traffic light? A road sign?
You booked it yet pal?
One of those button things that people push to change the traffic lights. I’ve only been to Bristol once now and I don’t ever want to go back. As for me Class 1, I’m down for my ADR course not next week but the week after, I’ll be speaking to the trainers and Tracy about it then i’ll book it again. Its gnawing at me now but the fear of the actual test is still there. Need to get it done though, the office is starting to get on my nerves.
You drive everyday yet are nervous of the test? You basically pass it everyday by holding down your job pal, so no need to be nervous…
The ONLY way you can or will fail is by not doing it. So get the on with it!!!
Can you explain how putting it off isn’t the same as failing, or failing yourself?
Evil8Beezle:
You drive everyday yet are nervous of the test? You basically pass it everyday by holding down your job pal, so no need to be nervous…
The ONLY way you can or will fail is by not doing it. So get the on with it!!!
Can you explain how putting it off isn’t the same as failing, or failing yourself?
Polite way of saying “grow a pair!”
Its more like “If I mess this up, I’ve lost 5 days holiday so I’ll have to lose more to pass this” sorta thing. When you’re agency you can get time off whenever you want, can’t do that fulltime. On my job, there is not an examiner watching my every move, I swear I’d fail before I drove out of the gate. That was something that Chris commented on when I went for it first time around. Moments at traffic lights where it would be been better to back off I would gun it because thats what I do when I’m on my own. I know its not big or clever and its not something I should do on test. He said I needed to get out of work mode and into test mode.
On the face of things, there is nothing wrong with the way I drove on test apart from the curb incidents. Everything was fine up to that point and then after it. I can’t honestly tell you why this has got to this point because I did something simular on my Class 2 test first time around. I hit the cone on the reverse yet I came back and passed it, with another school though.
Radar19:
Its more like “If I mess this up, I’ve lost 5 days holiday so I’ll have to lose more to pass this” sorta thing. When you’re agency you can get time off whenever you want, can’t do that fulltime. On my job, there is not an examiner watching my every move, I swear I’d fail before I drove out of the gate. That was something that Chris commented on when I went for it first time around. Moments at traffic lights where it would be been better to back off I would gun it because thats what I do when I’m on my own. I know its not big or clever and its not something I should do on test. He said I needed to get out of work mode and into test mode.
On the face of things, there is nothing wrong with the way I drove on test apart from the curb incidents. Everything was fine up to that point and then after it. I can’t honestly tell you why this has got to this point because I did something simular on my Class 2 test first time around. I hit the cone on the reverse yet I came back and passed it, with another school though.
And if you don’t spend 5 days holiday, you’re stuck with class 2… You do the maths!
OK you drive a bit aggressive day to day to get the job done, but you need to stop that, as the faster/quicker you drive in the test, the more you give yourself to get wrong! I’m sure you can drive, so drive in OAP mode and the most you should suffer is a few minors for hesitation. Next question?
You failed your class 2 first time around, but passed it afterwards. So again, why are things different now with class 1■■?
It sounds like negativity is the issue…
You need a slap with a wet fish!
You’re not frightened of the test, you are more frightened of the cost and lost holiday that puts pressure on it all…
Ye I no things still go wrong a pal of mine has been driving since 09 and he still hits the odd things think he ripped an entire fence down few weeks ago a metal one aswell so won’t of been cheap I drove really well on training all using my mirrors then yesterday thought I could drive that like a normal van not checking mirrors etc not braking in good time but I’ll get there.
I passed my class 2 4 weeks ago first time and I passed my class 1 Friday first time so trust me mate you will do fine on class 1 I don’t no why but I think driving the class 1 was easier than driving that class 2 truck yesterday specially turning that truck yesterday took for ever to turn and the brakes ■■■■ me they was shocking really shocking arse nip a few times
For the ones that don’t no Heron is one of the companies that advertise all the time they will start 10 drivers on Monday and 1 may still be there the following Monday, so don’t blame samledger for not going back
samledger1212:
Ye I no things still go wrong a pal of mine has been driving since 09 and he still hits the odd things think he ripped an entire fence down few weeks ago a metal one aswell so won’t of been cheap I
This thread for me is a good one. My first day on class 2 was with P&H, in one of the extended length 18 tonners. I almost got caught out a couple of times on tight turns, as the steering lock and turning circle was crap. The first couple of shops I got to were challenging. The truck felt very long, and I was worried whilst looking in the mirrors, about where the back of the wagon was.
In short, it was a baptism of fire. But I enjoyed the challenge. The tail lift was not the best, and wheeling overloaded cages off it took great concentration!
However, my mindset was that this is simply a ’ way in ’ to driving trucks. It was crappy, hard, often wet work, with trapped fingers, damaged goods, customers and members of the public causing me untold grief.
For any newbies reading this… STICK WITH IT. You are getting PAID to gain experience and learn the size/handling characteristics of a large vehicle! Then go for class 1,( which was always my end goal ), on curtainsiders. It is so much easier.
I now work on flatbed trailers, but still do a bit of curtainside work. NO HANDBALL, NO TAIL LIFT.
You have to earn your stripes in this game IMO. Don’t be put off!!!
Evil8Beezle:
You drive everyday yet are nervous of the test? You basically pass it everyday by holding down your job pal, so no need to be nervous…
The ONLY way you can or will fail is by not doing it. So get the on with it!!!
Can you explain how putting it off isn’t the same as failing, or failing yourself?
Polite way of saying “grow a pair!”
What’s the big class 1 goal here? I passed cat C 5 years ago, did an excrement (filter avoidance) job for nearly 3 years then got a good rigid job, I earn as much, if not more, than a lot of C+E drivers on here and am constantly thinking, should I or shouldn’t I? Do I need to? Is it worth the grand…
Polite way of saying I already have a pair that I’m happy with, more categories on the licence doesn’t necessarily equate to more wonga and if it does will I be working 70 hours a week?
Evil8Beezle:
You drive everyday yet are nervous of the test? You basically pass it everyday by holding down your job pal, so no need to be nervous…
The ONLY way you can or will fail is by not doing it. So get the on with it!!!
Can you explain how putting it off isn’t the same as failing, or failing yourself?
Polite way of saying “grow a pair!”
What’s the big class 1 goal here? I passed cat C 5 years ago, did an excrement (filter avoidance) job for nearly 3 years then got a good rigid job, I earn as much, if not more, than a lot of C+E drivers on here and am constantly thinking, should I or shouldn’t I? Do I need to? Is it worth the grand…
Polite way of saying I already have a pair that I’m happy with, more categories on the licence doesn’t necessarily equate to more wonga and if it does will I be working 70 hours a week?
Same here I don’t see some Zb fascination with class 1 most class1 drivers were class 2 1st so to keep slating class 2 is fruitless
every type of truck has its place and job to do !
I’m happy in my job but would like to take ADR
Horses for courses DB. For me personally, I have no interest in handball whatsoever, and for the same money, would much prefer to drive an artic, and read a paper whilst being unloaded. There are, as you rightfully say, class 2 jobs that pay as much as class 1 work.
I think Beezle’s attempts at motivation have been misinterpreted. Not his fault…he is a raging bellend.
samledger1212:
Ye I no things still go wrong a pal of mine has been driving since 09 and he still hits the odd things think he ripped an entire fence down few weeks ago a metal one aswell so won’t of been cheap I
was that fence Sainsburys at Telford,sameledger?
I don’t no mate I will ask him next week when I see him
eagerbeaver:
I think Beezle’s attempts at motivation have been misinterpreted. Not his fault…he is a raging bellend.
When you have fans, you also have critics…
I thought you’d have known that beaver!
I’m not SLATING Class C drivers, and i’m glad those above have found good class 2 gigs…
However that’s not the norm and the majority of class 2 work is crap or bloody hard work.
Ask Ash 001!
I don’t think it can be denied that having a class 1 licence gives you more options.
But for those that are happy sticking with class 2, good luck to you!
That truck I was in was one of them extra long rigid turning circle of cruise liner ship it was mercedes it was a right dog of a truck can’t wait to start and get some experience my dqc card come yesterday so can start with a other agencie next week
I cant say much as i only passed my class c week before last.
Im sticking with my current job until i gain c+e next year though,purely because im so new to the whole HGV thing and i want as much on my licence as possible before i leave my ■■■■ but not badly paid 7-5 job.
I hate Herons anyway,one of them stole all the fish from my dads pond last year
I only passed class c 4 weeks ago and c+e Friday looking forward to getting some experience on both just hope I don’t ding lots of things on the way lol bit nervous of that but I suppose it happens has any one dinged things on ere
most class1 drivers were class 2 1st so to keep slating class 2 is fruitless