Started C training

[rat67]

So I started my training this morning, 7.30 but wide awake since 4am Weather was brilliant, nice and sunny which was a big help, as was the Rescue Remedy recommended on here
Anyway, Frank showed me the basics of the lorry, lights, gears etc and we set off from Red Rose at Kearsley with Frank driving, ah nice and easy thinks me, then we get to the A6 and Frank says “right, swap seats” and this is where I find out two things

1.) Whoever designed lorry gearboxes is a very sick puppy
2.) Fourth gear to first gear is NOT a fun gearchange

We continued on to Chorley with me sat there thinking “What the ■■■■ am I doing sat here?” and lots of me forgetting which gear I’m in, forgetting to flick the switch to high range and generally making a complete hash of it, oh, and if you were the tipper driver in Adlington, sorry again and thank you for your patience

So, after all that, will I be going back in the morning? Too bloody right I will!

[paulnowak]

Religiously set the switch to high range the second you select fourth.

Bloke I used to work with made the same mistake. Unfortunately he only did it once, was his only fault. Failed his test though.

[rat67]

Hi Paul, yeah I learned that very quickly by the end of the lesson I was flicking the switch as soon as I got it in fourth.

[rog]

PaulNowak:
Religiously set the switch to high range the second you select fourth.

It will not change from low to high range until going through neutral

Same for changing down range - set to low whilst in high if the next change is to be a low range gear

BUT NEVER FORGET YOU HAVE DONE IT because that can also put you in hot water !!

[paulnowak]

Sorry ROG, should have explained myself better, and explained why this can be done, rather than just say do it.

I suppose that someone with no experience, could think that this would just engage 8th

[rat67]

ROG:

PaulNowak:
Religiously set the switch to high range the second you select fourth.

It will not change from low to high range until going through neutral

Same for changing down range - set to low whilst in high if the next change is to be a low range gear

BUT NEVER FORGET YOU HAVE DONE IT because that can also put you in hot water !!

Thanks Rog, I’ve read the tips in your sig, especially the gearbox tips, for AGES, but the minute it came down to putting it into practice, BOOM, ■■■■-up Anyway, tomorrow is another day and I WILL get this right, I’ve spent too many years and too much money to give up that easily

[rat67]

Day 2 much better, starting to get the hang of the gears now and my speed is better. Just got to slow it down a little approaching hazards and use a bit more planning and awareness. Nailing the reverses every time, well, one shunt was needed today but my instructor says I’m improving so fingers crossed for Friday morning

[rat67]

Well, took my test at 10:30 this morning…and bolloxed it On my independent drive, examiner asks me to follow M61 Preston, but I didn’t get good look at the route sign coming up to the roundabout so went for left lane, he says “you should be turning right” oh bollox thinks I, and then proceeded to go right round the roundabout on the outside, with my right indicator on, until I find the motorway entrance Two serious. Trouble was, up to that point I’ve had a good drive and he tells me I’d have passed if it wasn’t for that anyway, retest booked for Mon 17th and wallet another £241 lighter Hey ho!

The cockup point

[noney82]

Sorry to hear you failed, the independent drive can get you. One plus point is you know your actual driving was spot on so second time round you will be able to pass. Fingers crossed for you

[rat67]

Thanks Noney82, yeah, just lost it for a minute and by the time I recovered it, it was too late, still, as you say, next time shouldn’t be a problem

[rog]

Rat67:
Well, took my test at 10:30 this morning…and bolloxed it On my independent drive, examiner asks me to follow M61 Preston, but I didn’t get good look at the route sign coming up to the roundabout so went for left lane, he says “you should be turning right” oh bollox thinks I, and then proceeded to go right round the roundabout on the outside, with my right indicator on, until I find the motorway entrance Two serious. Trouble was, up to that point I’ve had a good drive and he tells me I’d have passed if it wasn’t for that anyway, retest booked for Mon 17th and wallet another £241 lighter Hey ho!

The cockup point
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk250/fordescort98/RA.jpg

Next time follow the route you have chosen as that is not a fail unless it leads you up a no entry/into a weight limit/dead end etc

[paul_pstt]

Next time follow the route you have chosen as that is not a fail unless it leads you up a no entry/into a weight limit/dead end etc

Many folks don’t get this. But it’s perfectly correct. The same principle applies to normal driving. If you’re asked to turn right but you turn left, if done correctly, shouldn’t be a serious problem. Having said that, it’s frustrating for the examiner - especially if he’s not that familiar with the area.

As ROG said, going into a weight limit or against a no entry are clearly no - no’s.

Carry this through to the “real” world and the same works. If you get to a junction and miss the sign or whatever, carry on with what you started, keep it safe, then sort yourself out.

Hope this helps, Pete

[rat67]

Thanks Rog & Peter, I’m so p’d off at myself, I’d been nervous since the test started and then when I realised I’d cocked up, that was it I could see the traffic on my offside going on to the RA and it threw me. Really annoys me because I passed my, car, bus and minibus tests first time The examiner said back at the test centre that he’d tried to prompt me to correct my mistake and but for that I’d have passed (with 10 minors ) but no point crying about it, got my retest at Atherton a week on Monday and I’m ready for it