Starting to worry now! My lessons start this Thursday with my test booked for next Friday. I’ve got 4 hours of lessons on Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and then 2 hours of lessons before my test on Friday.
Any tips?
1 Tip: Stop worrying.
If that’s 1:1 tuition, then hope you dont get bored with 26 hours!
Seriously, best tip is to concentrate on the training and dont be afraid to ask questions.
All the best with it, Pete 
Peter Smythe:
If that’s 1:1 tuition, then hope you dont get bored with 26 hours!Seriously, best tip is to concentrate on the training and dont be afraid to ask questions.
All the best with it, Pete
Some may see it as boredom. Others will see it as more driving experience. And a better chance of a first time pass.
If you are new to large vehicles then the first 4 hours are for breaking you in gently.
Good luck.
A diary always goes down well on here.
Some may see it as boredom. Others will see it as more driving experience. And a better chance of a first time pass.
I can understand why anyone would think that - because is seems to make sense. BUT, there is something known as the “learning curve”. And a skilled trainer will always aim to get his trainee in for test at the top of the curve. Miss the moment, and the standard can start to drop.
But, for some, that amount of training could be just right, I guess. Pete
Peter Smythe:
Some may see it as boredom. Others will see it as more driving experience. And a better chance of a first time pass.
I can understand why anyone would think that - because is seems to make sense. BUT, there is something known as the “learning curve”. And a skilled trainer will always aim to get his trainee in for test at the top of the curve. Miss the moment, and the standard can start to drop.
But, for some, that amount of training could be just right, I guess. Pete
Absolutely right Peter - that’s why an initial assessment pays dividends as both trainee and trainer know the starting standard- and how long is going to be needed to peak for the test.
John
Absolutely right Peter - that’s why an initial assessment pays dividends as both trainee and trainer know the starting standard- and how long is going to be needed to peak for the test.
Not being awkard, but that does assume a consistent rate of learning which, IME, can rarely be relied upon.
But the assessment can have the major advantage of letting candidates compare tuition techniques, personalities, vehicles and facilities. Because we all know that these factors vary widely.
Pete
Best of luck to Alan for his training, I’m sure he will keep everyone informed as to how it goes
Aye it’s all 1 on 1 training. My assessment said I needed 20 hours but I opted for the full 7 days course as I wanted to be 100%.
And if worrying was I job I’d be perfect for it. I’ve always been a worrier.
I just really want this now. I can’t wait to get out of my job and start enjoying life. Although I don’t like saying that as I’m lucky to have a job that pays what I get at the moment. And I am grateful.
Hi there ,
from one worrier to another ,
Dont think about the test until the day before , as previous post has said the first day is getting to grips with a larger veh and how to handle it because its very different to a car! obvious you might say but look at all the training diaries and it comes up time and time again, “” im approaching too fast " so bear that in mind , remember your mirrors , you have no rear mirror so need to know whats behind you all the time , car drivers have no idea and will catch u unawares if you dont know where they are !!!
LISTEN !
another obvious one but you will be tired after each day and easy to lose concentration , your instructor will be able to tell you about all the things you need to be doing at juncs etc, so take it all in , drive your car back from your lessons like a truck , dont worry about other people getting annoyed with you , they are not learning to drive a hgv !!!
Try and relax , not too much as you need a certain amount of nerves to help you concentrate , I bought some rescue rememedy can get it in most supermarkets or chemists , dont know if its a placebo or not but hey worked for me lol .
Many people get a day through training where everything goes bottoms up , dont sweat it , it happens and then the next day everything comes together ,
all in all enjoy the week , write a diary on here and any little probs will be helped by people on here who have gone through the same as you recently , also helps to analyse your day rationally I found ,
So good luck for tomorrow , hope you have a ball and by next week will be holding that coveted blue certificate and we will all be sending our congrats
Jennie:
Hi there ,
from one worrier to another ,
Dont think about the test until the day before , as previous post has said the first day is getting to grips with a larger veh and how to handle it because its very different to a car! obvious you might say but look at all the training diaries and it comes up time and time again, “” im approaching too fast " so bear that in mind , remember your mirrors , you have no rear mirror so need to know whats behind you all the time , car drivers have no idea and will catch u unawares if you dont know where they are !!!LISTEN !
another obvious one but you will be tired after each day and easy to lose concentration , your instructor will be able to tell you about all the things you need to be doing at juncs etc, so take it all in , drive your car back from your lessons like a truck , dont worry about other people getting annoyed with you , they are not learning to drive a hgv !!!Try and relax , not too much as you need a certain amount of nerves to help you concentrate , I bought some rescue rememedy can get it in most supermarkets or chemists , dont know if its a placebo or not but hey worked for me lol .
Many people get a day through training where everything goes bottoms up , dont sweat it , it happens and then the next day everything comes together ,
all in all enjoy the week , write a diary on here and any little probs will be helped by people on here who have gone through the same as you recently , also helps to analyse your day rationally I found ,
So good luck for tomorrow , hope you have a ball and by next week will be holding that coveted blue certificate and we will all be sending our congrats
Thanks a lot for your reply. I’ve used rescue remedy in the past and its worked so ill get some of that.
I’ve just had a call from Chevron training to say there’s been a death in one of the instructors families so I’ve only got a 2 hour lesson tomorrow and 6 on Monday instead.
Do you think it’s worth writing down what he tells me at the end of each lesson? Or will I just look like a nerd lol.
I’ve already been trying to drive my car like a truck. I haven’t used the rear view mirror, it’s been pointed to the ceiling for weeks lol.
why worry if you look like a nerd lol if it helps do it , as I said a training diary often helps to rationalise all the probs that you have over the day , and if you post on here people will have little gems of wisdom to help you along 
Cool. I’ll write everything down and post on here at the end if each day.
Not long till my first lesson now!
Hello Alan,
Well maybe my the time you read this, you will have finished day 1. I hope it went well, and that you enjoyed it.
Just a thought from my own experiences, both in taking my HGV, and when I was learning to fly.
6 Hours on MONDAY ■■?
Personally, I would find that too much, too tiring mentally.
My performance in a learning environment, tails off, about 3 hours.
See how you go, on Friday, (with just a 2 hour lesson) but I think I would rather have 2 hours in hand…ie, just keep to the 4 hours Monday.
Just my own personal experience. Best Wishes.
I’ve had two hours today. And I’ve got 4 tomorrow. I’ll see how that goes. If its seems enough I’ll say I only want 4 Monday.
But anyway…
First request, could a mod change the title to LGV Diary or something…
Day 1;
It started out with basic talk about what they will want on the test. How the test will work etc…
Found out my instructor is the father of one of my old school friends too! Small world.
So we went out to the truck which was not the Daf CF I thought but an smaller MAN truck with mirrors everywhere, and a 4 by 4 gear box instead of 4 over 4.
I only drove for about 40 minutes today, but it was okay. I was very nervous. The main thing that throws me is the gears.
He said to me I’m changing down too early when slowing (habit from car driving) its amazing what these lorries will pull at such low RPM.
He said I need to get my foot down more lol. Not picking up speed quick enough. 40mph feels so much faster in a truck!
I do think I’d get used to it, but it feels daunting to think my test is only a week tomorrow.
Can I really get the hang of it in that time?
Thanks in advance for replies and tips.
If doing the initial dcpc as well then how about using 2 of the 6 hours for that 
Second day today.
Sat talking for ages about how to approach and del with things like closed and open junctions, roundabouts, slip roads etc…
It seemed like a lot of wasting time at first as it went on for nearly 2 hours. But when I went out driving what he said helped me deal with all the situations so it was all good.
Tackled a few things today, slip roads and dual carriageways, roundabouts, industrial estates, town centres, sharp turns…
Got much much better with the gears starting to come naturally and it’s only my second lesson.
All feels much better today.
Did a hill start today which was easy, no different to the car to be honest.
Also did a downhill start and then later was shown the retarded/exhaust brake. I was amazed at how effective it was!
Things just need to become a bit more fluid, but I’m sure that’ll come with more driving.
All in all enjoyed it and can’t wait for Monday!
Hi Alan
Nice to see you are doing well in your training, i trained with chevron in flint nearly 2 years ago now…absolutely excellent training provider. Who is your instructor? i had paul a great guy who has a lot of patience and believe me he needed it with me lol. Good luck with the rest of the training and i am sure next friday you will be hearing those words i am pleased to tell you have passed.
Great diary anyway ( my diary is on here somewhere)
Good luck and keep us all informed
John
Wanna-b-a-newbie:
Hi AlanNice to see you are doing well in your training, i trained with chevron in flint nearly 2 years ago now…absolutely excellent training provider. Who is your instructor? i had paul a great guy who has a lot of patience and believe me he needed it with me lol. Good luck with the rest of the training and i am sure next friday you will be hearing those words i am pleased to tell you have passed.
Great diary anyway ( my diary is on here somewhere)
Good luck and keep us all informedJohn
Hey, my trainer is Glyn. He’s a good trainer from what I’ve experience so far. Very patient, and will explain when I don’t understand.
I do really hope I pass, I know it’s not the end of the world if I don’t but it’d be very nice.
Did you pass first time, and do you do all the learning in one go?
Dafuq is a 4 by 4 box?