Just an hypothetical question. Is it possible to do the CE reversing exercise with an A frame drawbar? Not that anyone would want to of course but would you be allowed to take your test with one?
Also would you be permitted to take your test in a left ■■■■■■ in this country?
I think you can. Some examiners might fail you though if your steering input is too fast or too slow when reversing, depending who you get 
Regards. John.
Double post 
alterego:
Is it possible to do the CE reversing exercise with an A frame drawbar?
Also would you be permitted to take your test in a left ■■■■■■ in this country?
Yes and yes - not seen a stipulation that it has to be a right hand drive
I wonder if it has ever been done? I somehow doubt it. No training school would own such a vehicle.
No novice would manage that manoeuvre unless maybe someone from an agricultural background.
Imagine the pass rate if it were ever compulsory.
There would be a shortage of drivers!
Doubt there would be any new drivers as even a manual rigid seams too much for most to take a test in today.
old 67:
I think you can. Some examiners might fail you though if your steering input is too fast or too slow when reversing, depending who you get
Regards. John.
You never fail to raise a wry smile to my lips John. 
Contrary to Albion’s comments it really should have been the default compulsory test standard for class 1 with artic being class 2 and rigids being class 3.While C+E isn’t really worth the title regards same.While we’ve already seen that it is the generally expected standard for C+E training for German candidates so why are British drivers considered second class.More like the uk training regime is always looking for the easiest possible level of instruction and pass rate.
I drove all sorts of Trucks in the 30 odd years I did drive, and I sometimes struggled a bit at first such as the first time I drove a Twin Splitter, but I was never too proud to ask other drivers how to do something. BUT…A-Frames were invented by the DEVIL and you could not pay me enough to drive one, going forward no problem, reversing 
Blunder Man:
A-Frames were invented by the DEVIL and you could not pay me enough to drive one, going forward no problem, reversing
That’s really an unwarranted view.Especially in an environment where the configuration has been refined to the point now where it’s a question of can the industry afford not to make a large scale move in that direction.If it wants to remain competitive. 
A-frames will never dominate over normal drawbars and artics.
LASHHGV:
A-frames will never dominate over normal drawbars and artics.
Firstly close coupled ‘drawbar’ outfits have never been considered as the ‘normal’ version.While given a change in regs,which allows LHV’s,the weight distribution and capacity advantages of the A frame type,over both artic and close coupled,would/will make the choice a no brainer.
I learnt to drive, and did my test with a A frame drawbar, including reversing. That was in austria though as thats where i live most of the time. In germany/austria most trailers are A frame drawbars. Hardly any central axle trailers on the road.
Wasnt particuarly easy at the start. Did practise lots before i got the hang of it.
Carryfast:
Contrary to Albion’s comments it really should have been the default compulsory test standard for class 1 with artic being class 2 and rigids being class 3.While C+E isn’t really worth the title regards same.While we’ve already seen that it is the generally expected standard for C+E training for German candidates so why are British drivers considered second class.More like the uk training regime is always looking for the easiest possible level of instruction and pass rate.
You either have no idea of the reality of the situation (which I suspect) or you write these ridiculous posts to get a reaction.
First of all people already struggle to afford going through an LGV test because it is so expensive. A lot also struggle to grasp the reversing manouvre on an artic which sometimes leads to more expense. Our loads are in general carried about in artics with no real problems. How much would it cost to change for the sake of the odd large volume load. They are in the minority.
Most training companies have a variety of vehicles and it is usually up to the candidate whether they choose artic or drawbar.
A lot choose drawbar because it is far easier.
Can you imagine the cost of training companies buying A frame drawbars? Can you imagine how long it would take to train the average person to reverse?
You are quite right the standard is very poor in this country but that is nothing to do with training it is the standard of the average driver. As I have said before you try training one or two of them then you might be more qualified to comment on the subject. Also try and get out a bit more!
I just could not get on with them far far too fussy when reversing for me, they are like Twin Splitter gear boxes you either love em or loath them, the best A-Frame driver I ever saw was a German woman tipping at Iceland at Deeside could make that invention of the Devil sit up and talk, anyway I am retired and don’t give a ■■■■.
albion1971:
Carryfast:
Contrary to Albion’s comments it really should have been the default compulsory test standard for class 1 with artic being class 2 and rigids being class 3.While C+E isn’t really worth the title regards same.While we’ve already seen that it is the generally expected standard for C+E training for German candidates so why are British drivers considered second class.More like the uk training regime is always looking for the easiest possible level of instruction and pass rate.You either have no idea of the reality of the situation (which I suspect) or you write these ridiculous posts to get a reaction.
First of all people already struggle to afford going through an LGV test because it is so expensive. A lot also struggle to grasp the reversing manouvre on an artic which sometimes leads to more expense. Our loads are in general carried about in artics with no real problems. How much would it cost to change for the sake of the odd large volume load. They are in the minority.
Most training companies have a variety of vehicles and it is usually up to the candidate whether they choose artic or drawbar.
A lot choose drawbar because it is far easier.Can you imagine the cost of training companies buying A frame drawbars? Can you imagine how long it would take to train the average person to reverse?
You are quite right the standard is very poor in this country but that is nothing to do with training it is the standard of the average driver. As I have said before you try training one or two of them then you might be more qualified to comment on the subject. Also try and get out a bit more!
You seem to have missed the point.Firstly we went from a mostly rigid and rigid and A frame trailer based industry to a rigid and artic based one.However the German model suggests that ultimately it’s the demount rigid and A frame trailer configuration which provides the best combination of artic type flexibility with load capacity.
It seems equally obvious that in the case of the UK the change involved a deliberate de skilling of the driver pool hence my comments regards class 1 ‘should’ have been rigid with A frame trailer v class 2 artic.Unlike the situation in Germany and Scandinavia where the limitations of artics,let alone close coupled drawbar outfits,have long been recognised.
While you’re also then trying to make the excuse that the training regime reflects the skill level of the workforce when it is obviously the opposite.The result being a British driver pool that is wrongly regarded as second best v their German and Scandinavian counterparts.All of which already does and increasingly will have implications,regards the quality of job opportunities and the level of efficiency of the UK road transport industry v its European and Scandinavian competitors.Especially if/when the idea of allowing widespread use of LHV’s takes off.In which case,as I’ve said,the choice between an artic,or close coupled,or A frame drawbar outfit 60 + tonner is a no brainer with a UK driver skills base that has been crippled by it’s zb training regime in that regard before it even starts.The topic regards the type of job ‘opportunities’ available at somewhere like DPD’s operations here v Germany saying everything in that regard.IE in general there are very few international trunking jobs,to which drawbars are most suited,based here.That probably is no coincidence. 
I used an A frame behind a farm tractor when I was a student working a temp job. Hated it and swore it off for life.
And that was in fields!