Yeah you will get used to it mate, best not to try to force the gears and have a nice smooth movement and rythem and they will pop in every time. I did have the habit of grabbing the gear stick with my whole hand and trying to rush the gear change, which did tend to make for a rather bad clunking gear change or wrong gear. Tip i was given was to use side of my hand, push stick over gently, then use palm of hand to push it into gear, i found that i never did have a bad gear change after i adopted that technique. Also as you bring it out of gear (say 7th) always let the gear stick spring back to the middle, then select your next gear from there.
driverjohn:
You will get used to the 4 over 4 the more you use it matey , its took me 4 days of training to date and even now i sometimes select the wrong gear .
John.
Thanks John I know deep down that it will come to me its just with anything new your always in doubt and like a car it comes naturally after time, hopefully not to long though
brawngp:
Yeah you will get used to it mate, best not to try to force the gears and have a nice smooth movement and rythem and they will pop in every time. I did have the habit of grabbing the gear stick with my whole hand and trying to rush the gear change, which did tend to make for a rather bad clunking gear change or wrong gear. Tip i was given was to use side of my hand, push stick over gently, then use palm of hand to push it into gear, i found that i never did have a bad gear change after i adopted that technique.
I wish you all the best mate.
Thanks mate I’ll try that when I book up, Obviously I can’t book my learning etc until I pass my hazard perception on tuesday 5th july so until then I’ll have to wait
Wrams:
Here’s the culprite mate “four over four” gearbox. and I don’t think it likes me
Hi Wrams,
My best advice:
1.) Think ahead and plan your gearchanges in advance, including the need to change range.
2.) Pre-select the switch whilst you’re in the gear before you need it.
3.) Don’t rush your gearchanges, cos you’re moving an awful lot of metal in the gearbox and it doesn’t like to be rushed.
Wrams:
Here’s the culprite mate “four over four” gearbox. and I don’t think it likes me
Hi Wrams,
My best advice:
1.) Think ahead and plan your gearchanges in advance, including the need to change range.
2.) Pre-select the switch whilst you’re in the gear before you need it.
3.) Don’t rush your gearchanges, cos you’re moving an awful lot of metal in the gearbox and it doesn’t like to be rushed.
I hope I’ve helped.
Dave, any advice is a great help and coming from someone who’s wore the T-shirt so to speak is even better.
The 2 ocassions I missed gears I did sort of panic, I was also quite nervous to start with so that also helped contribute to my mistakes. However saying that I did settle down and it started to feel natural, just gotta be aware of those gears and once I am I should be able to work them like a trucker thats the plan anyway
I will take on board what everyones telling me and once I get it sorted and booked up I’ll start a diary
Wrams:
Dave, any advice is a great help and coming from someone who’s wore the T-shirt so to speak is even better.
Cheers for that mate.
I did about 25 years as a C+E driver, then I did a couple of years part-time as an LGV instructor.
From that I’d say that you’ve not done anything unexpected, and that you’re no different from any other new starter on large trucks. It’s all part of the learning curve that we all went through.
Wrams:
The 2 ocassions I missed gears I did sort of panic, I was also quite nervous to start with so that also helped contribute to my mistakes. However saying that I did settle down and it started to feel natural, just gotta be aware of those gears and once I am I should be able to work them like a trucker thats the plan anyway
This part kinda bears out my thoughts above.
You will be able to master the gears, but please don’t expect too much too soon, cos this is the kind of endeavour that needs a softly softly approach becuase there’s so much to take in, and the human brain can only take in so much at a time.
That’s my excuse for when I mess up, so you can borrow it if you like.
Wrams:
I will take on board what everyones telling me and once I get it sorted and booked up I’ll start a diary
dieseldave:
I did about 25 years as a C+E driver, then I did a couple of years part-time as an LGV instructor.
From that I’d say that you’ve not done anything unexpected, and that you’re no different from any other new starter on large trucks. It’s all part of the learning curve that we all went through.
Don’t you drive anymore Dave…?
dieseldave:
That’s my excuse for when I mess up, so you can borrow it if you like.
Thanks I need excuses and my misses won’t let me have any so to borrow yours works out perfect Lol
Do you miss the longhaul runs…? I would because trucking is something that I think you have to be in love with to do. I can’t imagine someone saying the line “I only do it because its a job” I think most of us if not all of use love the freedom of the open road. No nagging women
Good news!! I passed my Hazard Perception test today using the 2 second method. Firstly I seen the hazards developing and clicked, once I clicked the first time I counted to 2 (1 thousand, 2 thousand) and clicked again and hey presto I passed!!
Now all I have to do is book up the actual driving sessions, I am going to contact Avon Driver Training and talk to them about the 2 day lesson and 3rd day test because it seems to short for someone who has only ever driven a wagon once and that was for an hour last thursday.
I’ll reply once I’ve spoken to them with there reply.
I’ve been trying to get in touch with Avon Driver Training for the past few hours but seems to go straight to answer machine, not sure if there out training someone or not. Looks like tomorrrow now.
Anyway as soon as I get in contact with them I’ll let you know whats happening.
EDIT:
I have just spoken to them and when I said about the 2 days they said thats how its done and and thats 20 hours training then the test, it just doesn’t seem right. How many hours is it usually…? Is it split in to 5 hour training intervals over 4 days usually…?
I’ve been trying to get in touch with Avon Driver Training for the past few hours but seems to go straight to answer machine, not sure if there out training someone or not. Looks like tomorrrow now.
Anyway as soon as I get in contact with them I’ll let you know whats happening.
EDIT:
I have just spoken to them and when I said about the 2 days they said thats how its done and and thats 20 hours training then the test, it just doesn’t seem right. How many hours is it usually…? Is it split in to 5 hour training intervals over 4 days usually…?
Hi mate, well done on that pass
I done mine where i had 2 to 1 training, but we both had about 4 hrs and 30 mins each day, this was spread over 5 days, test was midday on the 5th day.
Certainly i would of not liked to squeeqe all that training into 2 day’s, could be abit of overload. i think it would be best to have the training split, it also gives you time to reflect on mistakes ect and have a break between training periods.
Hi mate, congrats on the pass of the hazard perception. I passed on my second attempt too! (A con if you ask me).
I’m doing my training this week which is split in to 4 x 3.5hour sessions followed by 1x hour refresh on Friday then test on same day. I have found even in this short time of 3.5 hours it’s a lot to take in, and that I need time to reflect as somebody else has previously said and work out my mistakes in my head, and I think it’s doing good to sleep on these lessons.
Good luck with everything and all the best
Regards Karl
When I said to them that this seemed to much they saids thats how its done (20 hours training and 1:15 minute test) or something like that. I’m just worrying that there more interested in my money than seeing me pass, I understand that money is what there in the business for but if it means clients failing just so they can make a few quid extra then there not the company for me.
Wrams:
When I said to them that this seemed to much they saids thats how its done (20 hours training and 1:15 minute test) or something like that. I’m just worrying that there more interested in my money than seeing me pass, I understand that money is what there in the business for but if it means clients failing just so they can make a few quid extra then there not the company for me.
100% agree with you mate, hopefully someone with more experience in this type of field and knows lgv training can tell you if this seems a bit heavy.
There isn’t a magic solution to this. Put simply, you should have enough training to be comfortable and competent. Any more and it’s possible to go “downhill”. A skilled trainer will ensure that you “peak” at the appropriate time. Trainers with less experience or expertise may not be able to do this.
On our residential courses we train folk over 3 days with the test on the 3rd day. Virtually 100% pass rate. So it clearly can be done.
It’s not as simple as you may think just to compare “hours”. There are many other factors that contribute to the pass.
Thank you Peter I appreciate your input and I will be trying my best to pass this test, Its all about mind set and if your mind is in full working order theres no reason why you should fail. However saying that if your in doubt then I think your setting yourself up for a BIG disapointment so the right frame of mind is essential in this type of training.
I always think the worst, to try not to be too disappointed if I fail. If you pass it’s a brucie bonus I feel!
I’ve got to think this way else my excitement and nerves will annihilate me on test day
karlos:
I always think the worst, to try not to be too disappointed if I fail. If you pass it’s a brucie bonus I feel!
I’ve got to think this way else my excitement and nerves will annihilate me on test day
See I think the best way to go in to any test is with your mind set right and if your thinking the worst perhaps it brings out the worst in you…? Think positive and you’ll be far better prepaired in the circumstances, and thinking the worst still leads to major dissapointment if you fail because thats human nature. Thats my view anyway
, its took me 4 days of training to date and even now i sometimes select the wrong gear 
.
“four over four” gearbox. and I don’t think it likes me 
