montytom:
Thanks Evil8Beezle I hope I do pass. But if I don’t I have rag as my trousers split when I couldn’t find the bottom step
Not used to the 3 steps then eh? 
Or have you just got stumpy little legs? 
Peter Smythe:
All good so far then - apart from the ripped trousers!Hope it carries on going to plan; I’m sure it will.
I presume it was worth the journey.
Pete
Thanks Pete yes it was definately worth the journey. I’m not saying this to blow your trumpet but I felt comfortable which is the main thing.
Thanks again Thomas
Evil8Beezle:
montytom:
Thanks Evil8Beezle I hope I do pass. But if I don’t I have rag as my trousers split when I couldn’t find the bottom stepNot used to the 3 steps then eh?
Or have you just got stumpy little legs?
I just did the uncoupling and had my foot on the top one.
Then I thought the floor was closer and stepped on the floor and rip.
They are ripped all the way down to the knee 
montytom:
I just did the uncoupling and had my foot on the top one.
Then I thought the floor was closer and stepped on the floor and rip.
They are ripped all the way down to the knee
LOL, well I hope you packed a spare pair of trousers! 
Evil8Beezle:
montytom:
I just did the uncoupling and had my foot on the top one.
Then I thought the floor was closer and stepped on the floor and rip.
They are ripped all the way down to the kneeLOL, well I hope you packed a spare pair of trousers!
Haha yes I have a few spares luckily.
I had to woddle past people after my break so embarrassing
Day 2.
I arrived at 7.45 this morning and went in to reception.
At 8 o’clock we went out and done a couple of reverses.
One I messed up a little and had to do a shunt.
On the way back I over corrected but got it back in ok.
The trainer came up to me and said that’s very good. You knew you were over correcting the steering and you sorted it out.
After that we did a couple of trailer drops and re couples.
I’m always scared when pulling off the the trailer will fall over.
After that we had a road run.
I’m being honest now when I say this is my least favourite part as I messed up a couple of turns today.
I never hit any kerbs or anything but my trainer said please believe me I won’t get you into trouble.
I turned in to soon.
Another thing I do is put myself over in my lane at the junctions when I should be covering both lanes.
I’m going to sound like a bit of a tart but when we got back I told the trainer it was a rubbish run and he said isle wasn’t there are just a few bits to polish.
We went for a break and I sat in my car and I’m a big enough man to admit I sobbed.
I have been wanting this so badly and I just didn’t think then that I would be good enough.
I went back and had a word with Chris my trainer and he said that I am doing excellent and I should have more confidence in myself.
We did a couple more uncouples and that was the end of my training for today.
He had another chat with me regards to my training and we have a longer go tomorrow.
Thanks for everyone on here’s help to me over the last year or so I really do appreciate it.
Thanks again Thomas
I went back and had a word with Chris my trainer and he said that I am doing excellent and I should have more confidence in myself.
Trust Chris rather than your guts. He’s had many years of experience and he knows what “excellent” looks like. If you were struggling he would tell you.
So yes, have more confidence in yourself and carry on working at it.
Pete
I know I was training in the VAN as Evil calls it not an artic but I also had a stinker on the 2nd day which I was really angry about. Just go in tomorrow positive that you will correct those mistakes. Sure you will have a stormer tomorrow .
Peter Smythe:
I went back and had a word with Chris my trainer and he said that I am doing excellent and I should have more confidence in myself.
Trust Chris rather than your guts. He’s had many years of experience and he knows what “excellent” looks like. If you were struggling he would tell you.
So yes, have more confidence in yourself and carry on working at it.
Pete
Thanks Pete I have a long one tomorrow 12-5 so am trying to go in with an open mind.
Thanks Thomas
Newbie1985:
I know I was training in the VAN as Evil calls it not an artic but I also had a stinker on the 2nd day which I was really angry about. Just go in tomorrow positive that you will correct those mistakes. Sure you will have a stormer tomorrow .
Thanks thats what I am hoping.I am just relaxing in the b and b and will go in fresh and eager.
Thanks again Thomas
trying to go in with an open mind.
… and a dollop of determination wont go amiss!
There’s a lot to take in and it can be a shock to the system, not surprisingly. But you have an excellent instructor, superb truck and the use of the test centre reversing area to practice on. What could possibly go wrong??!!
Stay cool and you’ll be fine.
Pete
montytom:
We went for a break and I sat in my car and I’m a big enough man to admit I sobbed.
I have been wanting this so badly and I just didn’t think then that I would be good enough.
So you had a wobble, followed by a crisis of confidence due to a crap drive…
Don’t sweat that bit mate, as it’s probably not that uncommon to have a day that just doesn’t click and flow as you’d want…
Mine was test day!
I’m sure you’re up to the standard mate, the trainer will be positive but also realistic, so if they believe in you, so should you!!!
And for you I think the psychological aspect may be your Achilles heel, as I’m sure the pass figures would shoot through the roof if you could remove nerves from the test equation. For me believing that I could, or rather SHOULD pass the test, IF I drove the way I was capable removed all the nerves. So I was able to drive not feeling the pressure of the test scenario, as I’d switched my mind over to this WILL result in a pass…
Not sure if this is any help to you pal, but I’m basically saying believe if yourself!
Peter Smythe:
trying to go in with an open mind.
… and a dollop of determination wont go amiss!
There’s a lot to take in and it can be a shock to the system, not surprisingly. But you have an excellent instructor, superb truck and the use of the test centre reversing area to practice on. What could possibly go wrong??!!
Stay cool and you’ll be fine.
Pete
Thanks Pete I’m just trying to relax and think that tomorrow is another day.
I’m truly greatful for the training that I have had.
I just hope that I don’t fluff it due to nerves.
Thanks again regards Thomas
Evil8Beezle:
montytom:
We went for a break and I sat in my car and I’m a big enough man to admit I sobbed.
I have been wanting this so badly and I just didn’t think then that I would be good enough.So you had a wobble, followed by a crisis of confidence due to a crap drive…
Don’t sweat that bit mate, as it’s probably not that uncommon to have a day that just doesn’t click and flow as you’d want…
Mine was test day!I’m sure you’re up to the standard mate, the trainer will be positive but also realistic, so if they believe in you, so should you!!!
And for you I think the psychological aspect may be your Achilles heel, as I’m sure the pass figures would shoot through the roof if you could remove nerves from the test equation. For me believing that I could, or rather SHOULD pass the test, IF I drove the way I was capable removed all the nerves. So I was able to drive not feeling the pressure of the test scenario, as I’d switched my mind over to this WILL result in a pass…Not sure if this is any help to you pal, but I’m basically saying believe if yourself!
Thankyou Evil8Beezle I hope I’ve had my off day and tomorrow will get all the tight ones right.
I must admit every test I’ve had I always think I cannot pass but the amount of other people that get through then why can’t I.
I’m in the best place for a result.
Thanks again you’ve been a great help
Regards Thomas
Passing is a state of mind where you just RELAX and let it flow, it’s not being a nervebag jacked up on caffeine drinks…
Calm & chilled driving is key, where you’re just going along not feeling rushed, just as if Bob Marley on the stereo.
Letting things pan out as they do, without stressing about how they’ll go wrong!
So the default driving is just assuming the worst, and reacting accordingly…
Now I’ll annoy Pete and say that there is nothing wrong with risking a few “Hesitation” marks, as taking a few of them then you’re not 100% sure (which could lead to a serious) airs on the side of caution, so I’m saying you do the maths!
I can’t guarantee that you relaxing and not rushing through the route will result in a drive that’s easy and without incident, but I don’t think that you can argue against the logic of it helping massively! I know I drive better when I’m not under pressure and therefore more relaxed.
You shouldn’t be able to fail your test if always do what you have been taught, no matter what you encounter…
Or that’s the theory!
I prefer to work more along the lines of forward planning and anticipation. But, if ever you’re not sure whether to go or not, don’t. You’ll probably be correct. And if you’re not, as EB has said, you’ll pick up a driving fault or two for hesitation/progress. That’s always going to be favourite over risking it and failing cos you’ve slowed someone down.
Pete
Thomas I feel your pain buddy. We have good days we have off days it happens, accept it and move on tomorrow is a fresh day.
Look at my diary, one day good and pretty much as good as can be followed by a day where had it been test day I would have failed before we even got out the yard.
But it came good on test day, yeah I love bragging about getting a clean sheet although I am pretty much over that now, but you know what I would have been just as happy with 14 minors as it would still have been a pass and everyone has good and bad days, Just because someone passes first, second or thirtieth time with 0, 3 or 14 minors means diddly squat when all said and done. You have to remember you are learning something new and learning again how to pass a test as it is not something I would say any of us do in our normal lives, how many of can honestly say we drive 100% like we do on lessons/test in real life.
Have some belief in yourself, you can do it, take your time a little don’t rush things, slow it down a little when you know you are coming to a junction turn lights etc, give yourself time to judge the turn for the room you need etc. As EB said to me just don’t take your eyes of the ball.
As Pete said to me, the only way you will fail is if you give the examiner a reason to fail you, be confident in your ability and decisions but without being over confident, plenty of people manage to get a Class 1 licence who probably should not even have a car licence, if they can do it so can you.
Again take your time not too slow as you don’t want to be marked down for not making progress but give yourself time to assess and react to that is in front of you.
I have faith in you, and even if the worst was to happen you can always sit another retest it won’t be the end of the world. Don’t be too downbeat on yourself think positive.
Thankyou everyone for your kind words.
Day 3 is over.
Well that was alot better than yesterday. Had a little mishap though I went over a kerb as I was going a little to fast for the corner.
I felt alot better and things were going really well.
Today was the first time I thought yes I can do this.
I was left alone for alot of it without instructions as he said that I was doing everything perfectly.
I’m now going in with the mentality that I can do it as long as.I don’t bugger it up.
Thanks everyone for your help
Thomas
Hi MT
All the best of luck tomorrow.
When you pass please give the orange beastie a kiss from me as well.
Chris and the beastie got me through my test as well so you’ll be fine
Cate x
montytom:
I’m now going in with the mentality that I can do it as long as.I don’t bugger it up.
Correct you can do it, but forget the thoughts of buggering it up.
Think instead about how you will get it right, as that’s what you’re currently doing!!!
And when you pass, yes lick a few flies off the tangerine for me too!