Day Two - Tuesday
Started of with reversing. getting better. Building up my understanding all the time No two times the same but working out how it works. At times making it harder for my self than need be but most times correcting my mistakes
Out on another test route, gears better today. but still need improving
Back to yard introduction to uncoupling/ coupling and reversing practice untill my brain said no more.
So much better, if i keep on improving. with a lot of luck and a level head. I think i could just pass on Thursday.
Mike
ps sorry about spelling. Is there a spell checker in this forum?
Remember it is not a “Russian” gearbox
The spellchecker should be on your PC depends what you are using
Good luck with the training
RedlorryMan:
Day Two - Tuesday
Started of with reversing. getting better. Building up my understanding all the time No two times the same but working out how it works. At times making it harder for my self than need be but most times correcting my mistakes
Out on another test route, gears better today.but still need improving.
Back to yard introduction to uncoupling/ coupling and reversing practice untill my brain said no more.
So much better, if i keep on improving. with a lot of luck and a level head. I think i could just pass on Thursday.
Mike
ps sorry about spelling. Is there a spell checker in this forum?
And so did the rest of us after only 2 days instruction! You’ll get there, give yourself a chance… 
If we all could do it naturally we wouldn’t need a weeks training. So as 44t said, give yourself a chance. And enjoy it. It will all start to fall into place today for you hopefully. Then polish it up tomorrow ready for a test on Friday and a blue certificate.
Remember the acronym BLANK for your coupling. It kept me on target for remembering the sequence.
Reversing is one of those things that comes with time and practice.
Best of luck for you.
Dean
Third day Wednesday
Completed another day of my c+e training today. As on previous days Peter has worked me hard today.
Reversing
Mock test
More driving
coupling
And even more reversing.
Overall im very pleased with my self today. I felt today that i could actualy drive the wagon and drag outfut to a reasonable standard on my own. Dont think i felt like this, first time i took cat c test with another trainer five years ago.
Who knows with further practice in the morning. And some luck, I could actualy pass this thing!
So if you are out on the roads in the Mansfield area early Thursday afternoon. In a truck,van, bus or anything., and you see a PSTT Wagon and drag outfit help me out.
You will be fine. Keep your nerves in check. Give them a safe comfortable drive. Get the reverse and coupling procedure spot on and you will hear those immortal words. I’m pleased to tell you… 
From your last post I gather your taking test thurs afternoon , all the best with it keep calm give a safe drive and we will be here later to congratulate you 
jx
Thanks for asking. Yes my test was this afternoon.
However on returning to the test centre the examiner uttered the words none of us want to hear. “I sorry to say you have not passed!” And then issued me with my statement of incompetence to drive as prescribed by the Road Traffic Act 1988 
I failed. With four driving faults and one serious fault
I started with the uncoupling recoupling exercise.
Then the reversing exercise where for the first time I had to take one shunt before clearing the B cone never done this before but the rest of reverse went ok.
Then out on to the road the sun was out and the drivers of Mansfield must have been feeling good, because I had a very good drive and only picked up thee minor faults on the drive.
So where did it go wrong you may ask.
Right at the very start of the test I failed before my trailer wheels had even moved.
I uncoupled the trailer ok, and reversed to the side of the trailer. Ok so far. Checked the trailer then lined up to recouple having reset the kingpin. Reversed up to the trailer stoping approx3 feet from it checked alignment and height was ok.
The next bit to be honest I can not remember correctly thinking back I probably reversed back onto the trailer a little to slow. And I think the trailer did not engage, But the pin must have dropped and bucket twisted slightly. I think Mr examiner then called out to me that I needed to reset the pin. I then reset the pin and the rest of the recouping went ok.
So am I a record holder, im a little bit down. But the next test is already booked, and I can not fault the training I have received.
Sorry Peter I will try better next time!
Mike
Bad luck Mike. I also did a similar thing when I took one of my many attempts to pass CE with PSTT. I did not line up the trailer and coupling correctly. The rest of my drive had been spot on.
Sounds like you will get it next time though.
Best of luck mate and keep us posted
Both Mike and Dean have suffered with the same thing ie something happening during the coupling/uncoupling that has never happened during training. There’s nothing that can be done about that and we have to put it down to “one of those things”. It’s a far from satisfactory answer but it’s the fact.
But the chances of it happening again are very low so there’s every reason to believe that it will be a different outcome next time.
All the best, Pete 
Mike, sorry to hear your bad news, I’m sure Peter is as gutted as you, It will all go well in the end. Keep your chin up mate.
by Peter Smythe » Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:38 pm Both Mike and Dean have suffered with the same thing ie something happening during the coupling/ uncoupling that has never happened during training. There’s nothing that can be done about that and we have to put it down to “one of those things”. It’s a far from satisfactory answer but it’s the fact. But the chances of it happening again are very low so there’s every reason to believe that it will be a different outcome next time. All the best, Pete Peter Smythe DSA Reg LGV Instructor MANSFIELD, Notts truckdrivertraining.co.uk
Thanks for you post Peter. Im sure in my recouple today and in Dean’s the only person who actualy knows what happened was the examiner who i am sure had good reason to fail us.
Mike
I know no fail is a good fail, but 4 minors and one serious is a good fail …
i am gutted for you, you will pass next time and you have no one to apologise to for this is, it happens to all people ast times, and not a general rule of thumb but the best drivers normally fail first time!
gutted for you , but with 4 minors it would have been a pass and thats what you take away you know you can nail it next time if happens again and pin dont fall into place try just pulling forward with steering wheel turned to left and then should fall in as it gives it a bit of a wiggle enabling it to fall in but hopefully lightening wont strike twice wishing you all the best with your retest
jen x
Very bad luck Mike, for sure you,ll nail it next time, all the best
RedlorryMan:
The next bit to be honest I can not remember correctly thinking back I probably reversed back onto the trailer a little to slow. And I think the trailer did not engage, But the pin must have dropped and bucket twisted slightly. I think Mr examiner then called out to me that I needed to reset the pin. I then reset the pin and the rest of the recouping went ok.
(
Mike, sorry to read about your coupling problem.
I took my C+E exactly 3 weeks before you did, also at PSTT. Rather than suggest whet happened on your test I will tell you about my re-coupling.
Everything was fine as I reversed to the trailer. I heard the pin lock and did the 2 shunts to ensure it was engaged. As I got out to check the examiner had ‘mysteriously disappeared’ from my mirrors. When I checked the coupling the two pins were not in (ie. it wasn’t locked). It was almost as if the examiner had disappeared from view because he was pulling the release handle and checking that I would notice the pins were sticking out.
Alan
Everything was fine as I reversed to the trailer. I heard the pin lock and did the 2 shunts to ensure it was engaged. As I got out to check the examiner had ‘mysteriously disappeared’ from my mirrors. When I checked the coupling the two pins were not in (ie. it wasn’t locked). It was almost as if the examiner had disappeared from view because he was pulling the release handle and checking that I would notice the pins were sticking out.
There’s no way that would actually happen. It’s perfectly possible that you think you’ve heard the pin lock, do the 2 shunts to make sure and then discover that the pins haven’t gone in. It happens all the time if the truck and trailer are not lined up dead straight or if the truck has been reversed to the coupling very slowly. It’s quite common and often happens during training and test. But there is no penalty for this as long as it’s sorted before continuing with the coupling up air lines etc.
The examiner would disappear from view as he has got closer to check whether or not the pins are locked in. I also do this during training so it’s no surprise on test.
Another common problem is to attempt the coupling, miss it but get very close to the pin. Tug forward and the truck, of course, will drive away. But the pin will often drop. If then the candidate doesn’t reset the pin, this will be a serious fault.
If only it were possible to simulate every scenario during training then life would be easy. But unfortunately, in common with the rest of the test, things can happen that you weren’t expecting.
And before the Artic v W+D brigade start, I’m the first to accept that coupling a W+D requires more accuracy than with an artic. But, with everything else being easier, it’s more than a fair balance.
Hope this shines some light on the subject. All the best, Pete
Sorry to hear about your test Mike.I cant really comment on the W + D as ive never driven one,did mine in an artic.Next time will be the one.
Second attempt at c+e test tomorrow.
I have come up to Mansfield the afternoon before. Ready for test tomorrow afternoon. Mrs Redlorry man here for support.
Hope i can drive as well as last time., and that I dont mess up the coupling this time.
Had a drive around the area in car this afternoon. Trying to remember some of the test routes.
A little luck, a PMA, a bannana or two before the test. lets hope I pass this time. And good luck to any others taking LGV test this week.
Mike
