I wish I had the chance to drive a fully laden truck during my learning. I asked all of the schools within a 30 miles radius and none of them could/would arrange it.
Seems stupid as the vehicle handles so much differently when fully laden.
I would like to see all training vehicles half loaded.
A 18 tonner weighs about 8 tonnes empty?? so a load of 5 tonnes making a total of 13 tonnes should work IMO
ROG:
I would like to see all training vehicles half loaded.A 18 tonner weighs about 8 tonnes empty?? so a load of 5 tonnes making a total of 13 tonnes should work IMO
wouldnt it be better surely if first off the learner drove around in an empty truck just to get the feel for it then continue learning in a fully freighed one so they can feel the difference in handling etc 
.
but what help would it be to a new driver if say they learnt in a fully freighted 44 tone curtain sider when they would be actually be driving a tanker with a load sloshing about in real life surely the driving would be totally different hence pointless
pecjam23:
if say they learnt in a fully freighted 44 tone curtain sider when they would be actually be driving a tanker with a load sloshing about in real life
Or sheet steel or coils or…or…
The list is massive and would possibly take a few months to train for the lot 
Hence the common phrase “You pass your test and then learn how to drive!”
tofer:
Hence the common phrase “You pass your test and then learn how to drive!”
Passing the LGV test is the start for drivers embarking on this career and to be fair I would say that 99.99% of those that pass recognise this fact 
The thinking on passing the car test tends to be different - “I have a licence so I am a driver” - tends to be more the norm…
I am a firm believer that when car drivers go for their first LGV test they are suddenly jolted awake as to how ‘lacking’ they have been since passing the car test.
This ‘second driver training & test’ seems to improve the general driving standard and I believe that it is because they have to start ‘thinking’ again.
Sort of backs up what I’ve said all along - there should be a second driving test for everyone which should be taken about a year after the first one and that test should be an ‘experienced driver’ test.
ROG:
Sort of backs up what I’ve said all along - there should be a second driving test for everyone which should be taken about a year after the first one and that test should be an ‘experienced driver’ test.
another test 
what exactly would this ‘experienced driver’ test consist of
offensive/defensive/tactical driving techniques - if they failed would they loose their licence to drive 
pecjam23:
what exactly would this ‘experienced driver’ test consist of
General safe driving - end of 
- if failed - more training or retest after more experience gained
Restrictions imposed after doing first test (to be determined) and those not lifted until second passed.
Lovelyperson:
‘…Yes,It’s cheaper to change Tyres self…’
It isn’t if I say ‘no-way, matey’
berewic:
blueroom1:
This was posted on RT.com earlier , any thought?I personally would of welcomed driving a loaded truck , I would of welcomed being shown how to open the doors and the curtains actually.
Would of saved me looking an arse at my first collection on my first day for Wilson Homes
click here for the artical http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/06/11/133945/dsa-proposes-using-laden-trucks-in-hgv-test.htmlSo how come you didn’t ask while you were being trained?
I did ask about driving with loads and opening curtains etc , lots of times I was told because it was taxed as training vehicle it couldnt carry goods ( I agree it could carry ballast) . I was also told they only taught what was in the test to pass it. not how to do the job.
I’m not complaining but agency’s tend to say, yes the driver can do that and then send a complete novice (me)>
I always ask if I dont know now but I was green having passed my test that week.
ROG:
berewic:
Built for purpose 1 ton concrete blocks would be saferRemoval for MOT might be an issue if they are the ones attached to the body? - water tanks on palletts might be easier to remove and, if necessary for any reason, can be emptied.
If they’re built for purpose, they will have rings or loops fitted for removal by forklift or Hiyab. They would also give the trainee experience in the use of chains and/or Hiyab. Apart from that they would stack easier and more securely, if shaped right, than water tanks on pallets. They wouldn’t rock around when mobile either, giving false impressions on general load movements. Anyone that has done tanker work knows what it’s like transporting liquids.
blueroom1:
berewic:
blueroom1:
This was posted on RT.com earlier , any thought?I personally would of welcomed driving a loaded truck , I would of welcomed being shown how to open the doors and the curtains actually.
Would of saved me looking an arse at my first collection on my first day for Wilson Homes
click here for the artical http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/06/11/133945/dsa-proposes-using-laden-trucks-in-hgv-test.htmlSo how come you didn’t ask while you were being trained?
I did ask about driving with loads and opening curtains etc , lots of times I was told because it was taxed as training vehicle it couldnt carry goods ( I agree it could carry ballast) . I was also told they only taught what was in the test to pass it. not how to do the job.
I’m not complaining but agency’s tend to say, yes the driver can do that and then send a complete novice (me)>
I always ask if I dont know now but I was green having passed my test that week.
I was only referring to opening the curtains. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.
I was fortunate when I started in this business. I learnt how to load, rope & sheet at 15yrs oldish. I started as a drivers mate for a fruit & veg outfit. I would start in the morning by driving a 7.5ton flat bed around the yard collecting various items out of numerous sheds and warehouses. I watched how the others stacked stuff and copied. The other drivers showed me how to do a dolly, rope and sheet. I passed my car test first time at 17 and got sent out in a van when I got back the same day. Within a couple of weeks I was out in the 7.5’s. I put myself though HGV school and passed HGV 1 first time too. Got a start on the agencies, then full time on BRS general haulage.
blueroom1:
‘…I … would of welcomed driving a loaded truck … being shown how to open the doors and the curtains actually…’
Some further thoughts:
Maybe simply taking the test and gagging for a pass whilst unloaded (gasp) was too easy for some.
I’m surprised that no driving school was able to accommodate the demand for reading a library book on lorry door & curtain opening.
(I can’t believe that we’re actually seeking a nanny on this stuff!)
Finally, as we busy ourselves getting altruistic after the event, we should perhaps be wary of:
The Easties creaming-off our jobs as their ‘test’ has them (I imagine) bunging the examiner some chocolate & ■■■■ over a gritty coffee in the cab of an unroadworthy hulk, abandoned in a desolate, pot-holed uranium plant.
The Portuguese copping EU accredited ‘transport qualifications’ off their uncle’s mate.
Happy Keith:
blueroom1:
‘…I … would of welcomed driving a loaded truck … being shown how to open the doors and the curtains actually…’Some further thoughts:
Maybe simply taking the test and gagging for a pass whilst unloaded (gasp) was too easy for some.
I’m surprised that no driving school was able to accommodate the demand for reading a library book on lorry door & curtain opening.
(I can’t believe that we’re actually seeking a nanny on this stuff!)
Finally, as we busy ourselves getting altruistic after the event, we should perhaps be wary of:
The Easties creaming-off our jobs as their ‘test’ has them (I imagine) bunging the examiner some chocolate & ■■■■ over a gritty coffee in the cab of an unroadworthy hulk, abandoned in a desolate, pot-holed uranium plant.
The Portuguese copping EU accredited ‘transport qualifications’ off their uncle’s mate.
I did actually open them after about 30 secends of pulling and struggling , I used a slight amount of artistic licence for effect. I was merely making the point that I was entrusted with a vehicle after absolutlely no training other than how to drive it around the highway and reverse it for 40 minutes.
Well done to everyone who was born with natural curtain opening skills I applaud you.
I dont want this thread to turn into foreign driver bashing as I don’t see any releveance I merely mentioned an article on RT.com nothing about foreign drivers blah blah blah. 
I was entrusted with a vehicle after absolutlely no training other than how to drive it around the highway and reverse it for 40 minutes.
Operators are obliged to give instruction on the use of any “equipment” (surely this includes trucks and their loading/unloading characteristics).
blueroom1:
‘…I did actually open them after about 30 seconds of pulling and struggling…’
My first time was similar because:
blueroom1:
‘…I was entrusted with a vehicle after absolutely no training…’
Which, upon reflection was my fault for being cocky/scared/keen - and not a role for a government official to nanny me on basics.
If I could get a load on my truck, I would take my pupils out in a loaded truck and deliver it, got paid twice then
berewic:
blueroom1:
This was posted on RT.com earlier , any thought?I personally would of welcomed driving a loaded truck , I would of welcomed being shown how to open the doors and the curtains actually.
Would of saved me looking an arse at my first collection on my first day for Wilson Homes
click here for the artical http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/06/11/133945/dsa-proposes-using-laden-trucks-in-hgv-test.htmlSo how come you didn’t ask while you were being trained?
Christ the instructors don’t even show them how to do the tacho’s ffs,wot’s the chance of them showing the learner how to open curtains/doors,that would mean getting their hands dirty and doing some work.It won’t happen. 
Happy Keith:
Lovelyperson:
‘…Yes,It’s cheaper to change Tyres self…’It isn’t if I say ‘no-way, matey’
I paid in Spain 13000.- Peseta.if i had done it myselfe i would have the money still in my Pocket
Its an excellent idea. I passed my (class 2) test on the mid December on an MAN flatbed 18tonner with 360bhp, pulled like a train.
I didnt start work until mid-January on a knackered E-reg Volvo FL6 ( 
) 18tonne tipper. The first time I took it out loaded I really stuggled to get used to it. To have loaded, even partially loaded, vehicles for test is far more representative of the real world and therefore a more valid test.