So The Day finally came, Day 1 of training 
I was booked in to arrive for 7:30 with Nick at Peter Smythe’s new Yard in Stanton Hill.
Pleasantries exchanged we headed outside to check out our ride for the next few days. It was a 12t Iveco with a 4 over 4 range change.
We discussed some of the show me tell me questions that I could come across on Test day and the basis of the daily check etc.
With that done and dusted we headed off to an industrial estate around 15 minute drive away. Nick took the hot seat for this and talked me through the basics of the controls, letting me know what he was doing and why which helped.
We arrived at the industrial estate and now the butterflies were going overdrive. We set off doing a loop of the estate to get me used to controls and a feel for the size of the vehicle. After I got a little more confident we moved on to pulling off on a hill. The first 2 attempts whilst shakey got us underway and moved us the few feet I was asked to do. Feeling a bit better I then went to pull away and promptly stalled. Sods Law!
Next we moved on to breakfast time for 10 minutes or so and back in the Wagon. Nick decided I was confident enough to go out on the main rounds at about 8:45 so a little apprehensive but off we went. We covered roundabouts, left turns, right turns etc and after a good hour or so I was really starting to feel comfortable. We then came to a left turn filter on a hill. You guessed it, stalls galore! Nick was calm throughout and I managed not to kill anyone which was a bonus. It was decided that I was releasing the clutch a bit too quickly, and after that advice I managed not to stall on the hills again. Minor victory for me haha!
By this time I was starting to feel really comfortable and confident that I was in some manner of control and that the citizens of Mansfield and Sutton were no longer in immediate danger. I drove back to the yard for 11am and parked next to the Wagons Sibling. A quick chat and a debrief and it was decided that I had done really well, with only mirror checks what I need to put more work into.
So far I feel Nick is a great instructor and really looking forward to tomorrow. I think we have reverse to do tomorrow and looking forward to giving that a go. 
Sounds like it’s going to plan. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Pete 
Really impressed so far Peter, Nick has the patience of a saint thank god!
Well Today was also a good day. I had my nerves again this morning, especially when Peter Smythe turned up and parked his rather stunning classic car right infront of the motor I was to take out! Haha wisely I wasn’t allowed to go around it!
First on Today’s list were the immortal words mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors! After those words of encouragement we headed for the reversing area. I was looking forward to this part but a little apprehensive at the same time. My instructor Nick talked me through the process, pointing out lots of tips along the way. Then I was asked if I wanted a demo or if I was going to jump in myself, I decided to grow a pair and jump in myself to have a go. After a bit more of a bollocking for not using enough left mirror ( bollocking really is too strong of a word, I’ve not been close to getting shouted at!) I got her parked up where she needed to be in the box first time. I did however manage to put the tyre on but crucially not over the yellow line so I would have encountered a minor. This wasn’t good enough in my eyes so we reset position and tried again. Nailed it this time and the 4 times after so I was feeling pretty good at this point.
Today’s route was then discussed, starting off by heading to the m1 to go from 28 to 27. This went well and then it was off for more test route practise covering 2 different test routes pointing out weight limits along the way. Had a great afternoon and finished the day with 2 more reverse practices. Really enjoying it all and starting to look forward to test day. But not the actual test!
Having opted for the manual box I was worried I may struggle with it but so far it hasn’t given me any problems at all, except trying to make the ■■■■ thing go in reverse, sometimes you have to trade it in with the clutch pedal.
All in all another good day and looking forward to tomorrow.
So another good day. Thanks for leaving my car intact!
Just a tip for engaging reverse. If you’ve just driven forward, as is normal, and then want reverse it’s best to pause and give everything time to “calm down”. If you pull up and go for reverse, it’ll argue with you.
This isn’t unique to this truck so it’s a good tip for the future as well.
Keep on those mirrors!
Pete
What car is it Pete?
I’m not sure I’ll ever do enough mirror checks for Nicks liking haha I’m pretty sure if I don’t get it right soon I’ll start getting beatings with a mirror!
The car is 1935 Riley Kestrel 12/4. Been on the road since this summer following a 3 year professional restoration. Had been off the road for about 7 years previously. This is “Bluebell”
Beautiful car Peter!
Day 3:
Much of the same as Yesterday, we went over a test route after some questions and some more show me tell mes. Happily I had remembered all of the answers so that went well. Off we went on first test route. Early on i didn’t feel quite as good as yesterday and a few stupid mistakes were made. I wasn’t overly happy with this drive and my approach speed was a little quick on 2 roundabouts and I had a few mares with parked cars.
After the first route we headed back to the yard for a brew and Nick pointed out the error of my ways but reassured me if I kept my cool and calmed it down a little I’d be fine.
Brew done with we ventured back out for another drive and with me feeling a lot more relaxed I was able to assess situations better and had a much smoother drive which made me feel a lot more happy!
Mirrors were also word of the day but I’m told I’m getting much better with them so I’m hoping on Monday I can get it all together and have a better drive.
Reversing is first up on Monday and providing I pick up where I left off i shouldn’t do too bad with that. Apprehensive for test on Tuesday but I’m sure if I stay calm I’ll survive!
Test day must be coming soon! best of luck sound’s like your having a great time.
I’m loving it Ash,
Just nervous about the test. Nick has told me I’m more than capable of passing but the nerves really are creeping in big time. Got my Test on Tuesday AM. Half of me just wants it over and done with l, the other half of me is determined to pass first go, which is when the nerves kick in and I feel out of my depth. I think that’s why I had such a ■■■■ start on Fridays session, but calmed down at break time and put a better drive in after!
Also I’ll feel like a proper wally failing and then having to do my mod 4 training with the same instructor the day after!
Good luck Tuesday Nick! I’m booked in for November over a weekend. Can’t wait and I’ve driven 7.5s but no I’ve picked up loads of bad habits over the years. Trying to reprogram myself before my training with PSTT
Biggest thing I had ever driven was a car to be far. I found it easy to adapt to the width etc, it’s more the brakes that got me to start with and the handling characteristics I think more than anything. Annoyingly when I started to get a bit more confident I started approaching corners too quickly, I’m going with the slow and steady mantra now !
I’ve spoken to 2 of the PSTT instructors, Dave did my initial assessment and Nick is doing my training. Both of them are patient and helpful and I can’t see the others being very different. Just try and drill mirror checks and LARD into yourself and that’ll help
left
Ahead
Right
Down
Sounds so simple and stupid but it really has helped me!
Just take your time relax and slow it down mate, just take it easy as you don’t need or want to approach any situations fast. Try not to let the nerves get the better of you, the examiners are good they have general chat with you to put you and ease so you are not so nervous. you will smash it don’t worry 
Well had my last lesson this morning.
Felt like I drove like ■■■■. Nick disagreed and I trust him so I’m hoping it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
Felt i let myself down a few times, once on a left turn I slightly scrubbed the kurb. Nick says it would have been a minor but it ■■■■■■ me off none the less.
Next issue was a right turn at a 4 way junction. The exit opposite was clear when I started my right turn. There is a small felted section after you go through the lights just about the size of the truck and a filter light. The exit opposite gets green at the same time and when I went through the lights all was clear so I proceeded to make the right turn, as I did so a car appeared and I would have blocked them, failing a test. This threw me big time and I felt like a total ■■■■ for about 5 minutes after but managed to recompose I think.
Mirror checks have come on a lot but I still seem to be favouring the drivers side mirror for some reason.
Don’t feel like I struggle with the reverse, even when I cocked up my start position earlier.
Really nervous for tomorrow now! 
don’t be nervous mate, like I said the examiner puts your at ease. Have you read my training blog? This will help you I am sure if you have any questions drop me a pm fella
It’s ■■■■■■■ me off a lot, I know I have the ability and I feel comfortable enough behind the wheel, I just panic! Lol
I hate taking any type of test, for anything, even the word makes me nervous lol
I’m hoping as daft as it sounds I do get a chatty sort of examiner, there’s nothing worse than sitting there in total silence haha.
Got to keep a good eye out for weight limits too! I’ve probably done the reverse 10-15 times and each would have been a pass and I feel better knowing I’m test on the same stretch of concrete!
Your biggest danger now is talking yourself out of a pass! Learn from the negatives and grasp firmly onto the positives. And there’s plenty of them. How well could you drive a truck this time last week?
When you’re on test, most examiners will carry on a conversation especially if you start it. They are trained to put you at ease and most of them are very good at it. They will clam up when you’re coming into a more complex situation as they don’t want to distract you. If you think about your training, Nick will have used the same technique. This is part of the preparation for test.
Best tip now is to think positive and, no matter what happens on test, carry on working. Many folks beat themselves up for what is no more than a minor fault - and sometimes it’s not even that. But concentrate on the minor fault and then you’ll do something really silly and that’s where you grasp defeat from the jaws of success.
You know you’ve had good training in a sound vehicle and that you’ll take your test in a reasonable area. Everything’s stacked in your favour - just go and do it!
All the very best for your test, Pete
I’m with you on that Pete,I’ve got to say the quality of the teaching that I have received from Nick has been fantastic, couldn’t have asked for any better, I know that if I am Unsuccessful this time round that it certainly wont be because of the instruction that I have received, Nick has the patience of a saint!
I think it is the little things that I need to worry about more than the big things which for me feels like a good start, simple things like mirrors, the odd shoulder check and parked cars! Although If I have a bad day tomorrow you may need a new clutch for T23! if It’s a good day I’ll be booking C+E!
you will be fine lad, best of luck sure you will smash it, your in good hands!
So, test day is here and stomach is tying itself up in knots! Come 11:30 I should know wether I’m booking my retest or c+e!
