I had my assessment drive with PSTT today and it has opened my eyes you could say. I’ve been a rigid driver since August so I’ve sorta settled into that mode of driving. You know, point the front end into a corner and just watch the back end. Well I found out that doesn’t work in an artic. Having to watch the front end of the cab and the rear of the trailer as it tracks round (that was a new thing for me) is mental. Some the turns were crazy, having one mirror filled with the trailer while the other shows the trailer getting real close to things.
Still, Chris my instructor was calm and told me what to do, following his instructions I was able to get it round places I would even dream of. Once you get over the fact that the trailer tracks you begin to learn how to approach corners differently. I had a few " rizla" moments but after about 20 minutes or so I was settling in.
I will be back as soon as I can for my training, Chris asked me if I could do with 10 hours as that was what he thought I would need but I opted for the full course, gives me an extra 4 hours plus I get to use my voucher 
I also appear to of left my paper counter-part in the office 
Glad you enjoyed it; I’m going into the office this morning to book some courses and will post your counterpart back to you.
Pete 
Pete you know on your sig it says you are the only dsa accredited trainer between leicester and carlisle? does that mean in a straight line? or do you mean across the uk north of leicester and south of carlisle?
Nice one Radar! Its a good feeling driving bendys isn’t it?
Pete you know on your sig it says you are the only dsa accredited trainer between leicester and carlisle? does that mean in a straight line? or do you mean across the uk north of leicester and south of carlisle?
The nearest accredited trainer to us is Widdowson at Leicester. The next is System at Carlisle. So we are the only DSA Accredited Training Centre between the two.
So yes, across the UK, north of Leicester and south of Carlisle.
Also the first training centre to operate it’s own private driving test centre in the entire UK.
Pete
eagerbeaver:
Nice one Radar! Its a good feeling driving bendys isn’t it?
Its a very strange site to see the trailer following you.
Better than a strange man in a mac with a bag of sweets.
Unless they are kola cubes. Used to love them.
do widdowsons do training for the public? I thought they only trained their own drivers?
I love cola cubes, there’s a sweet shop in Leicester that sells em in little paper bags.
do widdowsons do training for the public? I thought they only trained their own drivers?
I don’t know. ROG is local to them so hopefully he’ll be able to tell us.
Pete
jbaz73:
do widdowsons do training for the public? I thought they only trained their own drivers?
I love cola cubes, there’s a sweet shop in Leicester that sells em in little paper bags.
just down the road from me…and i believe they do train the public.no doubt ROG will confirm
Best when you reverse a bendy into some where mirror full of headboard have to imagine where the back of the trailer is and remember what was behind you.
Worst thing is when you have been driving the artic and then go out in the rigid reversing is fun 
Artics are so nice to drive though 
Gillberry:
Worst thing is when you have been driving the artic and then go out in the rigid reversing is fun
Artics are so nice to drive though
this ^^lol don’t often go out in a rigid when I do chump of the week reversing well funny lol 
Peter Smythe:
Pete you know on your sig it says you are the only dsa accredited trainer between leicester and carlisle? does that mean in a straight line? or do you mean across the uk north of leicester and south of carlisle?
The nearest accredited trainer to us is Widdowson at Leicester. The next is System at Carlisle. So we are the only DSA Accredited Training Centre between the two.
So yes, across the UK, north of Leicester and south of Carlisle.
Also the first training centre to operate it’s own private driving test centre in the entire UK.
Pete
You’re not though… Where I did my training was a dsa accredited centre with a dsa examiner. I think you need to update your claims.
Pete you know on your sig it says you are the only dsa accredited trainer between leicester and carlisle? does that mean in a straight line? or do you mean across the uk north of leicester and south of carlisle?
The nearest accredited trainer to us is Widdowson at Leicester. The next is System at Carlisle. So we are the only DSA Accredited Training Centre between the two.
So yes, across the UK, north of Leicester and south of Carlisle.
Also the first training centre to operate it’s own private driving test centre in the entire UK.
Just to back up the statement: dft.gov.uk/fyn/lgv.php But I don’t see Widdowson on the list any more. Whether they are no longer on the list or if there is an inaccuracy I have no idea.
According to the gov website, there are 6 different accredited trainers in England offering training to the public.
Pete
You’re not though… Where I did my training was a dsa accredited centre with a dsa examiner. I think you need to update your claims
Please enlighten us. Who did you train with? Please bear in mind that having a test centre IS NOT the same as being DSA Accredited Training Centre. That may be where the confusion lies.
I have never made any claims I cant substantiate.
Pete
Peter Smythe:
You’re not though… Where I did my training was a dsa accredited centre with a dsa examiner. I think you need to update your claims
Please enlighten us. Who did you train with? Please bear in mind that having a test centre IS NOT the same as being DSA Accredited Training Centre. That may be where the confusion lies.
I have never made any claims I cant substantiate.
Pete
The real point is does it really matter, as long as Pete (whom I don’t know) is offering DSA accredited training to the next generation off truckers between Leicester and Carlisle, any other DSA accredited training center who are doing exactly the same between Leicester and Carlisle, but are not paying to advertise on here, and thus not supporting our free use off these forums, as PSTT are, can take a running. Well done Pete 
Radar19:
I had my assessment drive with PSTT today and it has opened my eyes you could say. I’ve been a rigid driver since August so I’ve sorta settled into that mode of driving. You know, point the front end into a corner and just watch the back end. Well I found out that doesn’t work in an artic. Having to watch the front end of the cab and the rear of the trailer as it tracks round (that was a new thing for me) is mental. Some the turns were crazy, having one mirror filled with the trailer while the other shows the trailer getting real close to things.
Still, Chris my instructor was calm and told me what to do, following his instructions I was able to get it round places I would even dream of. Once you get over the fact that the trailer tracks you begin to learn how to approach corners differently. I had a few " rizla" moments but after about 20 minutes or so I was settling in.
I will be back as soon as I can for my training, Chris asked me if I could do with 10 hours as that was what he thought I would need but I opted for the full course, gives me an extra 4 hours plus I get to use my voucher
I also appear to of left my paper counter-part in the office
Well done Radar, no matter what other may tell you, I for one still love this job, its a great place to be, been driving Artics 27 yrs now, the job has changed a lot, it is more heavily regulated, and to be honest it needed it, you are more closely monitored(sat tracked/isotrac and the like) but we really bought that on our selves, the same applies to speed limiters, drivers always been their own worst enemy. But when all is running well its great and when you overcome a challenge, you get a great deal off satisfaction. Good luck with your on going training
Having seen a pic of the overhang on that rigid of yours, I really don’t think it’s gonna take you very long to get the feel for, and adjust to, the characteristics of a bendy.
Good luck with it radar - reckon you’ll ■■■■ it!
Radar19:
Its a very strange site to see the trailer following you.
If you think that’s strange, wait until you see it trying to overtake you.