Passed my Cat C on the 8th of this month (1st attempt -thank god). However, I find it rather astonishing that considering how easy it is to incur a fail, my sum total experience of reversing a truck (my test vehicle was 11.2m, about 9T unladen, MGW around 19T) amounts to several goes on a cones mock-up and then the actual test one. Its all very well mastering a set-piece environment, knowing at what point to straighten out, and how to line your white rear marker peg on the stop line, but it hardly prepares you for the nasty manoeuvres lying in wait out there in the big, bad world! Seems to me theyve taken their eye off the ball in regards to this one, as I will now be learning how to reverse competently through necessity rather than as a result of being trained. Spose its just a case of slowly slowly, constant all-round observation, and third party guidance if needed or available. Even tho ive got my licence, I still think it`s a poor state of affairs.
I believe it’s about 2 years before being really competent but it’s unrealistic. The training is probably the best you can expect for the time and money.
■■■■■■■:
but it hardly prepares you for the nasty manoeuvres lying in wait out there in the big, bad world!
Have you done that yet? If not then you might find you surprise yourself, I know I did. The test is indeed very artificial but you’re mastering some basic principles 
Its all in the practice, I have been at this job now for only a couple of months in a rigid and find I can reverse it with ease in most places including backing into a workshop so they could get a bit of machinery off the back with the workshop hoist, this entailed folding the mirrors in while an apprentice was flailing his arms around, it was tighter than a nuns chuff and a small yard to position the truck in too 
If you need help it is important to ask, if you have an audience make a joke and add in the joke your a newbie and they will laugh with you not at you and very likely volunteer to help you.
Come back to this thread after two or three weeks driving and I bet you will wonder what all the worry was about 
Strangely the hardest thing is judging the distance behind you. It often appears that you are millimetres from something and when you get out find that you could park an aircraft carrier behind you.
Well maybe not, but I think the natural caution takes over in most cases.
I could place my motor anywhere but if I was to drive something different for the day I’d probably be a way off until I got used to it. I also find it far easier to reverse a vehicle with a decent amount of rear overhang, I used to drive some short bodied 18t fridges and the body stopped directly above the drive axle. I could never master those and always found it easier with the full length ones.
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive though
Put a white ■■■ packet or similar on the floor level with the rear of your truck so you can see it in the o/s mirror then note or mark a piece of the truck like it was on test - bit of white tape or tippex will work
That will help a little but trying to judge the n/s is not so easy and generally comes with experience
Think of the newbie artic drivers that blindside - they have no view once it reaches a certain angle
GOAL - get out and look
Drift:
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive though
Tag axles on beavertails are ace. 14’ of tail swing but a really short wheelbase, I try and load mine to keep tag raised as much as possible.
8wheels:
Drift:
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive thoughTag axles on beavertails are ace. 14’ of tail swing but a really short wheelbase, I try and load mine to keep tag raised as much as possible.
I find its a very bouncy ride with the axle up.
Sorry OP slight OT here 
Top quality responses, guys - thanks very much for all your comments and advice. Please feel free to keep em comin cos I aint never gonna tire of em!!
Drift:
8wheels:
Drift:
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive thoughTag axles on beavertails are ace. 14’ of tail swing but a really short wheelbase, I try and load mine to keep tag raised as much as possible.
I find its a very bouncy ride with the axle up.
Sorry OP slight OT here
IIRC your cab is the taller R rather than the lower P version, there’s a bit more to wobble about there. My old 6 wheeler had a P cab and used to float along nicely. Currently I have an R series sleeper on an 8x2 construction chassis which is high but I’ve got a crane to balance it out.
8wheels:
Drift:
8wheels:
Drift:
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive thoughTag axles on beavertails are ace. 14’ of tail swing but a really short wheelbase, I try and load mine to keep tag raised as much as possible.
I find its a very bouncy ride with the axle up.
Sorry OP slight OT here
IIRC your cab is the taller R rather than the lower P version, there’s a bit more to wobble about there. My old 6 wheeler had a P cab and used to float along nicely. Currently I have an R series sleeper on an 8x2 construction chassis which is high but I’ve got a crane to balance it out.
Thats correct 
Though the boss is talking of making one of these a rigid next year
I cant remember which one, the 59 plate is the older so it will be that.
■■■■■■■:
Top quality responses, guys - thanks very much for all your comments and advice. Please feel free to keepem comincos I aint never gonna tire ofem!!
■■■■■■■ this is how I learnt to reverse, I have to stick it in here of a night (excuse the pun ) if I am not out.
Drift:
8wheels:
Drift:
8wheels:
Drift:
I have a rear lift axle but never raise it as I hate the way it drives with it up (boss is fine about it) but when reversing I lift it and it improves the turn and lock, the over hang is massive thoughTag axles on beavertails are ace. 14’ of tail swing but a really short wheelbase, I try and load mine to keep tag raised as much as possible.
I find its a very bouncy ride with the axle up.
Sorry OP slight OT here
IIRC your cab is the taller R rather than the lower P version, there’s a bit more to wobble about there. My old 6 wheeler had a P cab and used to float along nicely. Currently I have an R series sleeper on an 8x2 construction chassis which is high but I’ve got a crane to balance it out.
Thats correct
Though the boss is talking of making one of these a rigid next year
I cant remember which one, the 59 plate is the older so it will be that.
Nice.
Most likely cheaper for the boss to do that than pay for my class 1
Every morning I get my hands on a big rigid, I’ve not got to the age yet where it bends in the middle.
I find reversing into somewhere easier then driving back out sometime but I spend all day in and out off places so it all comes down to practice.
If your unsure dont wait for what ever is behind you to fall over before you think"■■■■ I’m to close", get out have a look no matter how many times you need to. You’ll see other drivers banging there lorry in in one hit without there foot dipped on the clutch don’t try doing it as quick as them you won’t be able to if it takes the driver I’m front off you 30secs to back from the road onto a bay or whatever you won’t beat it do t try if it takes you 5 minutes so be it but in 6 months time the person behind you will watch you and think ■■■■ me I can’t get in there like that how did he do that. It’s practice mate but never become complacent look at the gate way your baking through look at the near side before you back in, is anything propped up against a wall/building before you try your reverse if the opening is wider then your truck keep as far as you dare go to the gate post on your drivers side you can see that side better and as long as you’ve checked there’s nothing on the other side that you could hit and you can see the gate way is
Wider then the truck you know you won’t hit on the other side.
If for example you pull upto your destination the yards on the left and on the edge off the drive parked on the side of the road there’s a car/van what ever and the roads not the greatest dont ■■■■ around trying to reverse around the car drive up the road turn around and come in from the other way it won’t take any longer and you’ve eradicated the chance of pulling the bumper of. Ill back past anything as long as I can see a bit of daylight I don’t care if I’m Half an inch away from something but I know when I’m
Pushing it , until you get some experience don’t push it to much . Take as long as it takes because its quicker to check and then check again than it is to explain why you didn’t and knocked someone’s car or wall. Remember an inch is a mile as long as you miss!. Remember that and you’ll do we’ll good luck.
Bless ya Karl - youre a star! One day I WILL be worthy, and im already chanting your post like a buddhist mantra. Oh, and Drift - I hope i`m not requested to pull a reverse like that one at this stage in the game!!
Another bit of advice.
Don’t trust any helpers or banksmen 100% if you think it’s going to hit it probably will, take a shunt and be on the safe side. I made the mistake of following the instructions of 2 banksmen on a site, I was watching one and caught my bumper on a gate post. However do take notice if they say stop or signal you with an outstreteched hand or arms crossed above their head.
It’s the same advice for all newbies as far as I’m concerned.
Take your time.
Concentrate on what you’re doing not what everyone “expects” you to do
Don’t worry about other drivers being “better” than you, we all started in the same place you are.
Get out and look… Twice, ten times, whatever you need.
If you’re getting frustrated take a breath close your eyes take another breath open your eyes and carry on.
HTH