I’ve had a break from driving for over a year, I now need to go back to it. The question is will I still be able to control the unit and trailer like I used to or will it be like starting again. I’ve never had a break before of more than a few weeks, passed the test then worked hard on getting the 2 years experience most companies feel is a necessity. Before I finished I was happily getting in and out of waste recycling yards in various ridiculous locations around the country without too much drama.
After i’ve been off a few weeks the lorry feels huge at first, especially the length (cue Dipper Dave ) but within a few hours it soon comes back.
Just be a bit more of culture shock having 12 months in the world of normal.
Thanks for the response, I was hoping that was how it would be think i’m worrying about nothing. Having served 2 years as agency scum i’m used to different set ups and never knowing where i’m going. On new jobs i just take my time til i get used to it. Hope my first drive back isn’t an assesment with some jobsworth trainer.
The real world has been good, mon to fri, 9-5. Down the pub after work for a couple before tea. Shame the money is crap when you have no trade or specialist skill…
I had 8 months off then went back to it,it’s not something you forget how to do you’ll be fine.
I’m away from it now again have been for 6 months but don’t think I’ll be going back to it again.
8yrs completely off of the trucks and on my assessment drive at my interview I drove around a fairly narrow town with a few tight roundabouts and junctions to navigate and then had to do a regular 90° reverse followed by a 90° blindside reverse on a quiet industrial estate, It surprised me more than anyone that I nailed both manoeuvres without a shunt.
So no, I don’t think you really forget how to do it.
Just take your time, use your mirrors, and the rest should slot into place relatively quickly.
Definitely like riding a bike. I took a few years out and other than an initial “this seems larger than I remember” it was like putting on an old pair of slippers. Reversing in tight areas wasn’t as good as it used to be but could still get it to go the way I wanted.
truckyboy:
I fell off my bike once…didnt get back on one for 3 years…it felt like…
Being that unfit that it took you three years to get back on after falling off doesn’t count, probably best not to fall off it outside a 24hr Maccies either
Beginners all of you,I was off for 18yrs. When assesser and myself were in the cab first thing he said to me was what you looking for, my reply the gear lever. Within a short time it all came back so much that same day I amazed him by blind siding into the frozen bays at the old coop at halsowen you will be fine. Thebeardedone
i stayed away for several years…
1st trip the n/s mirror was 20 foot away.
2nd day was a nail biter.
3rd day till end of week,was ok,but watch what your doing.
2nd week was.ive never been away from this job and a doddle .
so i suppose its like riding a bike when your driving a truck.
and also like finding your misses as your ideal partner.
any old donkey will do to cut your teeth on,but once you know whats what,you make sure you get a thoroughbred
I had twenty two years away from Class 1. Due to circumstances I had to dust it off. Went out with a mate and drove for two hours. Started work next day.
I went two years away from artics to be asked if I fancied a day out of the office, my neck was doing fourteen to the dozen trying to check the mirrors as it seemed huge. Twenty mins into the journey I was fine I was back to the same low standards that I had struggled to achieve before.
P Stoff:
I had twenty two years away from Class 1. Due to circumstances I had to dust it off. Went out with a mate and drove for two hours. Started work next day.
Did you have to retake your test after 22 years away from it ?
P Stoff:
I had twenty two years away from Class 1. Due to circumstances I had to dust it off. Went out with a mate and drove for two hours. Started work next day.
Did you have to retake your test after 22 years away from it ?
That should never be a problem if you were at a decent standard before you stopped. If it was that difficult to drive after a long break they would have re tests or at least refresher courses.
) but within a few hours it soon comes back.
…i had a break from driving trucks for nearly 4 years and when i sat in a truck for the first time after the break
…but my reversing was a bit crap for a while 