As said the hardest part is making sure you get in the right position to start with then it is much easier also remember left to bend right to mend I found that the easiest way to remember
Take it slowly if in doubt get out & look you can take as many shunts as you like now your not on test
I know animal will shoot me down in flames here, but if you have the vertical (height) ability, hang your head out of the window rather than using your mirrors, that way you can quickly see how your steering inputs are affecting the trailer, and you will soon realize that it becomes second nature, you won’t make a point of thinking which way you’re turning the wheel.
As has been said on here before, fifty shunts is better than one bump.
I am in the same boat with the reversing, I passed a few months ago after an age and some with class 2 then got my artic wagon just before Christmas.
as stated above I find it easier sticking my ugly mug out of the window.
we don’tback onto bays but we have to go to places dog turds couldn’t get into and it’s bloody bad enough in my old rigid 
Thinking about it I may invest in a plastic seat cover
martinviking:
I find with newbies that they usually still have their ‘Rigid Head’ On, the brain automatically turns the steering wheel as they would on a rigid instead of starting the trailer turn (by turning the steering wheel the opposite way to where you want to turn it/if you get what I mean) then follow it with the tractor.
I was training a new lad on New Year’s Eve & we were practicing around a quiet corner for about half an hour, he got it a couple of times than started messing it up, turning the steering wheel the wrong way
It works the same way if you are brainwashed in all things artic,
and try and reverse a rigid.
I was asked the other week to move and back out a customer’s rigid out of their yard so I could get in. What a complete balls I made of it. 
PaulNowak:
I know animal will shoot me down in flames here, but if you have the vertical (height) ability, hang your head out of the window rather than using your mirrors, that way you can quickly see how your steering inputs are affecting the trailer, and you will soon realize that it becomes second nature, you won’t make a point of thinking which way you’re turning the wheel.As has been said on here before, fifty shunts is better than one bump.
Why would I shoot you down in flames just because I am vertically challenged ( or in real talk a short ares ) & I can’t stick head out of window so have to use mirrors & get out & look
I know. But you get cross with me when I mention the window thing. I know you love me really.
You could always try it on my shoulders sometime [emoji6]
And later, we could do some reversing [emoji12]
robroy:
martinviking:
I find with newbies that they usually still have their ‘Rigid Head’ On, the brain automatically turns the steering wheel as they would on a rigid instead of starting the trailer turn (by turning the steering wheel the opposite way to where you want to turn it/if you get what I mean) then follow it with the tractor.
I was training a new lad on New Year’s Eve & we were practicing around a quiet corner for about half an hour, he got it a couple of times than started messing it up, turning the steering wheel the wrong wayIt works the same way if you are brainwashed in all things artic,
and try and reverse a rigid.
I was asked the other week to move and back out a customer’s rigid out of their yard so I could get in. What a complete balls I made of it.
Our place only has one rigid, other than the hired ones we use for our Palletline guff (agency drivers)
The company trainer who did my assessment freely admitted he couldn’t drive it. Just threw him, and when I first started and asked for advice from anyone who would listen, all I could get out of the old school drivers was words to the effect of "stay out of the rigid, I’ve been here X, Y or Z years, and I only pulled out of the gate in it and put it off the road for weeks or months.
buses:
What been said is so true.Take it easy and retry if you have too.
Im in my 3rd year and still mess up some times.We all do.Good luck with the job and enjoy the ride.
Have ten Times your 3 Year but still mess it sometimes up.
But,no matter how long you drive,no one gives You Credit and best is to get it right at First Time,as Fast as possible.
PaulNowak:
robroy:
martinviking:
I find with newbies that they usually still have their ‘Rigid Head’ On, the brain automatically turns the steering wheel as they would on a rigid instead of starting the trailer turn (by turning the steering wheel the opposite way to where you want to turn it/if you get what I mean) then follow it with the tractor.
I was training a new lad on New Year’s Eve & we were practicing around a quiet corner for about half an hour, he got it a couple of times than started messing it up, turning the steering wheel the wrong wayIt works the same way if you are brainwashed in all things artic,
and try and reverse a rigid.
I was asked the other week to move and back out a customer’s rigid out of their yard so I could get in. What a complete balls I made of it.Our place only has one rigid, other than the hired ones we use for our Palletline guff (agency drivers)
The company trainer who did my assessment freely admitted he couldn’t drive it. Just threw him, and when I first started and asked for advice from anyone who would listen, all I could get out of the old school drivers was words to the effect of "stay out of the rigid, I’ve been here X, Y or Z years, and I only pulled out of the gate in it and put it off the road for weeks or months.
That is so true about rigids, they are the Devils work, I find I’m not too bad at reversing them until I get between the lines, then my head goes completely to ■■■■ and I’m turning the wheel the wrong way 
and have a ■■■■ of a time getting them straight, bloody horrible things to drive, and then there’s doing a “U” turn, need I go on?
I think that’s why it’s so hard to explain how to reverse an Artic, because when I’m reversing on to a bay I haven’t got a clue which way I’m turning the wheel, I just do it, which only comes with practice, that’s why newbies find it so difficult because they have to concentrate on which way they are turning the wheel as well as concentrating where the trailer is going, where as when you’ve been at it a few years you only have to concentrate on where the trailer is going and your hands are doing their own thing 
Big Roy:
I think that’s why it’s so hard to explain how to reverse an Artic, because when I’m reversing on to a bay I haven’t got a clue which way I’m turning the wheel, I just do it, which only comes with practice, that’s why newbies find it so difficult because they have to concentrate on which way they are turning the wheel as well as concentrating where the trailer is going, where as when you’ve been at it a few years you only have to concentrate on where the trailer is going and your hands are doing their own thing
That’s why I find it easier to look at the back of the trailer, and not look at, or think about, the steering wheel.
To the OP, give it a month or three, and it’ll be second nature.
Thanks to all for responding and yes hopefully it won’t be too long before it is all second nature .
are you starting in the morning,if so don’t be late 
Thanks to you all for your positive comments , 3rd night in and can now reverse between 2 trailers and have experienced a jack knife turn in a space that doesn’t look big enough . Also 1st time using curtainsider so a steep learning curve over the last 3 nights but thoroughly enjoying it .