as the title says…
on Monday it is my turn to have an assessment with Royal Mail for HGV 1.
I have applied to be an ‘ad-hoc’ driver through the agency.
they gave me the option for a 6:30am slot or 9:30am or 12:30pm, I’ve gone for the 6:30am so that I can go to work after I’m done with this (I start at 10am work)
PS does anyone know:
do Royal Mail use only automatic class 1’s??
I’ve never driven an automatic, only a 16gear/splitter
Cool, good for you! 
I can’t help with the Manual/Auto query, as I know less than nothing! But if you don’t get any answers on that, there is someone called “mailman” on here you could pm. (I think there is a slight chance he works for RM! 
)
Best of luck!
Evil8Beezle:
Cool, good for you!I can’t help with the Manual/Auto query, as I know less than nothing! But if you don’t get any answers on that, there is someone called “mailman” on here you could pm. (I think there is a slight chance he works for RM!
Best of luck!
Thank you Evil [emoji1]
The only manuals we have are the 7.5t and the oldest 17t (2007). All current units are auto unless it’s part of the hire fleet.
Where’s your assessment at?
m1cks:
The only manuals we have are the 7.5t and the oldest 17t (2007). All current units are auto unless it’s part of the hire fleet.
Where’s your assessment at?
thank you m1cks
my assessment is at HWDC Langley (heathrow worldwide distribution centre)
it is on class 1 so guess automatic then, what a novelty 
the agency texted me saying to go with hi-viz vest and steel toe-cap boots so went off to buy them today as I had none
Sounds obvious but don’t forget your agency ID , licence, digicard and DCPC card or you won’t be going anywhere.
Also, give extra time to get there as security there can be a ballache (understandably)
m1cks:
Sounds obvious but don’t forget your agency ID , licence, digicard and DCPC card or you won’t be going anywhere.
Also, give extra time to get there as security there can be a ballache (understandably)
I will do m1cks thank you very much
am normally ‘very very’ good for interviews/assessments and arrive well prepared
my only worry is that I work a 13 hour shift the day before and I need to be strict in going to bed immediately when I get home the night before (ie 10pm) as I will have to get up at 4:00am and I do not function well with less than 6hrs sleep…
but ‘I will survive’
Oh and generate a code for your licence so it can be checked online ow the paper counterpart isn’t needed.
Luckily with HWDC there won’t be any tricky reverses as the bays are either really wide or at a herringbone angle (unless the stick you on a bay at the ILC - the building opposite)
m1cks:
Oh and generate a code for your licence so it can be checked online ow the paper counterpart isn’t needed.
Luckily with HWDC there won’t be any tricky reverses as the bays are either really wide or at a herringbone angle (unless the stick you on a bay at the ILC - the building opposite)
hahahaha I hope not 
I’ll let you know though
they didn’t tell me to generate a code, can’t it be done on the day?
nobodysdriving:
m1cks:
Oh and generate a code for your licence so it can be checked online ow the paper counterpart isn’t needed.
Luckily with HWDC there won’t be any tricky reverses as the bays are either really wide or at a herringbone angle (unless the stick you on a bay at the ILC - the building opposite)hahahaha I hope not
I’ll let you know though
they didn’t tell me to generate a code, can’t it be done on the day?
You do it yourself. Go online and look at your online licence (it’s the last tab at the top)
And:
Evil8Beezle:
nobodysdriving:
m1cks:
Oh and generate a code for your licence so it can be checked online ow the paper counterpart isn’t needed.
Luckily with HWDC there won’t be any tricky reverses as the bays are either really wide or at a herringbone angle (unless the stick you on a bay at the ILC - the building opposite)hahahaha I hope not
I’ll let you know though
they didn’t tell me to generate a code, can’t it be done on the day?
You do it yourself. Go online and look at your online licence (it’s the last tab at the top)
And:
hahahaha thanks again Evil8
PS do they tell me on the spot/on the day if I am ‘crap’ or ‘good enough’?
or do they send me a postcard in the post saying ‘goodbye’
No, they shred your licence there and then! 
I’m sure you will be fine, just be/feel confident and don’t rush.
But don’t take my advice as I’ve already said; I know less than nothing!
Best of luck!
Evil8Beezle:
No, they shred your licence there and then!Best of luck!
yes possibly
thank you
m1cks:
Oh and generate a code for your licence so it can be checked online ow the paper counterpart isn’t needed.
Luckily with HWDC there won’t be any tricky reverses as the bays are either really wide or at a herringbone angle (unless the stick you on a bay at the ILC - the building opposite)
Hi m1cks
sorry forgot to ask…
do you know if at the assessment they will ask me to sit a ‘test’ on drivers hours and other stuff? or is it mainly just practical? (ie vehicle checks, coupling/uncoupling trailer, reversing and driving?)
or anyone else know
Most likely practical. You will be expected to know your hours though and may get asked whilst driving round. Each VOC does things differently so some are informal and some are a bit more by the book.
As Evil says, don’t rush and make sure things are done right. Don’t be afraid to ask (mention you’ve not driven an auto before) and simple things like when leaving the vehicle, take your keys with you etc.
m1cks:
Most likely practical. You will be expected to know your hours though and may get asked whilst driving round. Each VOC does things differently so some are informal and some are a bit more by the book.
As Evil says, don’t rush and make sure things are done right. Don’t be afraid to ask (mention you’ve not driven an auto before) and simple things like when leaving the vehicle, take your keys with you etc.
thank you, your help and reassurance have been much appreciated (and thanks again to Evil too)
I’ll take it easy I’m sure I will be ‘ok’
ps through a friend I have found someone who will let me practice on an automatic before the assessment so all is looking up
nobodysdriving:
ps through a friend I have found someone who will let me practice on an automatic before the assessment so all is looking up
What did you step in?
That’s great to get some practice first, and from what I experienced of changed from manual to auto during my Class C lessons…
From the second I changed, I felt like I was driving a milk float!
Evil8Beezle:
nobodysdriving:
ps through a friend I have found someone who will let me practice on an automatic before the assessment so all is looking upWhat did you step in?
That’s great to get some practice first, and from what I experienced of changed from manual to auto during my Class C lessons…
From the second I changed, I felt like I was driving a milk float!
it will be a MAN I will practice with
I am not keen on automatics (cars/trucks/whatever), you have a lot more control with manuals, but what can I do if they decide to use them? (I do wonder ‘who’ had the ‘brilliant’ idea to make trucks automatic and why so many firms use them…to me it seems it is nobody who actually drives them!).
still, I will have to ‘put up with it’, grin and bear it
well…
I’ve done my practice today…
I definitely ‘do not’ like automatic trucks
also I must have suffered muscle wastage over the past years as I do not remember the break air-lines being ‘so hard’ to do back up when re-coupling the trailer (or maybe just old age■■?)
reversing is definitely one that just comes with doing it and doing it and in fact by the end of the practice session I was definitely heaps better than when I started
I also had a cyclist sticking himself between my trailer and the wall as I was about to set off at lights which just turned green (the little B****R) but I had eyes everywhere so I saw him, but crickey why do they have to? 
all in all it was ok, I am happy that all I need to do is get out on the road and ‘do it’