Hi,
Possibility of RM assessment via agency. Are they likely to get me to blindside reverse, and if I leave the cab to double check should I turn the engine off. Even if I have to hop out multiple times??
Thanks in advance.
Fozzer
Firstly no chance will they get you to do a blindside reverse.
Checks, couple up, drive around the local area for 45 mins, back to depot, reverse on a bay, drop trailer.
With regards getting out of cab to look, as long as you have applied park brake I dont see how its safer turning the engine off and on each time 
royal mail never blind side reverse
Also dont turn engine off
Great company to work for over xmas
Evolved:
royal mail never blind side reverseAlso dont turn engine off
Great company to work for over xmas
The company rule where I work (XPO) is always take keys with you then you get out of the cab, for whatever reason.
Just goes to show that some of these rules are entirely arbitrary, and the rule makers hide behind the usual H&S cobblers.
I take it this is an agency driving assessment? Normally they don’t bother with anything to difficult reversing wise for the agency guys. Mainly because it’s nearly all bay work and a very easy reversing kind of job.
About taking keys out, I would ask the assessor just to make sure but I doubt very much it’s required.
Unless the assessor looks a bit of a likely lad, is he really going to nick a company vehicle on an assessment, he will have access to all the vehicles at anytime, if they have hi viz policies make sure its fastened, your boots and helmet are polished.
This is the professional forum and any stupid rules they have would be explained even before you touch the vehicle.
With Covid rules, I’m not sure how the driving on road segment is done. I was watching a new agency chap doing his reversing part the other day. The assessor had him do the exercise 5 different times from different angles onto a bay between 2 trailers.
You don’t blindside at RM.
They are quite strict on the vehicle walkround checks, looking for signs of leaks underneath etc in addition to normal stuff
Edit. Noticed your location. Is it Woking, Gatwick or Croydon ?
Woking is the tightest.
Croydon is ok, just a bit tight getting through the gate depending on the parking on the road.
Gatwick has the biggest yard, unless you count Jubilee, where you have so much room you can turn and drive away from the dock and reverse in a straight line back
Quickest way to get kicked out of RM is not refuelling at the end of shift or driving off with your tail lift still down.
All assessments are done on site due to Covid. The accessor will not get in cab with you. If you feel the need to ‘get out and look’ then that is fine, they would actually prefer that you did that. Just switch off and keep keys with you. With regards blind side reversing, it can be required at certain sites, usually the ones close to LHR. Unlikely to be an issue on assessment though.
The assessment is easy
35 hour week usually…
you must do a crb test filling in masses of questions in forms
you must tell them every single gap in the last 5 years and every firm you worked for in that five years even if temping everywhere…
All for 8 to 12 weeks of work 
Is it worth it…