I completed my 35hrs CPC course back in December so I could move up from vans to 7.5t driving - figured it would be good experience to add to my CV while I go through the process of getting my Cat C licence.
I have an interview with TNT on Friday for PUD position. I’m not worried about the assessments about driver hours, wtd and all the theoretical stuff as I’ve pretty much got that nailed, it’s the practical driving assessment I’m more concerned about.
Just wondering what I should expect and just generally what it will be like? Not actually driven a 7.5t in a while so is there anything I need to bear in mind (other than the obvious size/weight differences to large vans)? Am hoping to organise a quick session in a 7.5t this week, but if I can’t get that arranged a couple of pointers wouldn’t go amiss.
Drive in a fuel efficient manner, use plenty of mirrors, show vehicle sympathy, read the road ahead, stick to all speed limits, good lane procedures and don’t forget to indicate whenever needed.
I passed my car test in 1990 so i automatically had 7.5 tonne rights. Drove 7.5t years ago for American golf and then hadn’t driven one for probably 10 years until i hired one to move house with. I remember thinking to myself,‘Take it slowly and keep a hawkeye on my mirrors for where the back wheels are’.
Been driving 18 tonne wagons for a year now and still go by that mantra! Be confident and you will be fine.
At a guess, a basic test on the knowledge of tachograph regulations.
Then a health and safety briefing about the do,s and don’t,s of their premises.
Fire drills and so on.
Road test in the vehicle, but show them a pre trip safety check of the tyres, lights, brake lights, horn, windscreen wash bottle, oil, and water coolant in the radiator.
Some vehicles do not have dipsticks to check the oil, they are electronically on the dash.
Check there is enough air built up before driving off.
They dont mind you asking if not sure where anything is on the vehicle.
Cool, thanks for the help. I was wondering about the protocol of asking things on an assessment - don’t want to look incompetent, but then I guess they’d rather you ask than guess and get everything badly wrong
cupcake1973:
Cool, thanks for the help. I was wondering about the protocol of asking things on an assessment - don’t want to look incompetent, but then I guess they’d rather you ask than guess and get everything badly wrong
Drive it like you own it they will all love you back good days bad days so on & so on etc that goes for all the big rigs to the push bikes. Nice jacket. ps Don’t be scared to jump out and have a look.
If not sure of a road and the chance of getting stuck, park up, lock the cab and walk down the lane to see if you will fit or not.
The time it takes to check, is nothing compared to paying thousands for a crane or tow lorry to pull you out.
The case of the driver who ignored locals waving him down in his fridge artic, then a crane had to lift the trailer, he was stuck in a small village in Cornwall.
Farms can be a nightmare with hidden machinery that can pop tyres, loose dogs that bite, or sneak up on you like an Exocet missile.
Farmers don’t see many people, you are the first face they see, so they tend to talk a lot, you get a life story and how times are tight financially, but you see two new Range Rovers on the driveway.
bald bloke:
Drive in a fuel efficient manner, use plenty of mirrors, show vehicle sympathy, read the road ahead, stick to all speed limits, good lane procedures and don’t forget to indicate whenever needed.
HTH.
And if you get the job, you won’t need any of the above ever again !
dcgpx: @cupcake
How did the assessment go then ? What did they ask/ have you do
It went quite well as it happens. Assessor was a top bloke, nice and welcoming and helpful. Did the walkaround checks together, showed me how to use the digital tacho properly, correct use of tail lift, refuelling procedures etc., allowed me a few brake tests with the air brakes in the yard before 2 hours on the road. Local roads were easy as I knew them all, motorway was 50mph average speed check cos of roadworks and road signs he asked were pretty basic.
It was like being on a driving test, but for someone inexperienced with 7.5t it wasn’t particularly daunting. Lots and lots and lots of mirrors, correct road positioning, observing speed limits, courtesy and confidence were all assessed. Mirrors was the big thing he was looking for - head almost constantly going from left to right was expected. All-in-all it was alright and good for my (lack of) experience.
Nice, friendly company, but I didn’t get the job due to lack of experience. Assessor said to get some more agency work and go back in a few months and he’d be happy to give me a job.
Glad to hear that. All you can do is keep looking for an agency who will give you 7.5t experience. If you do go that route tell them you won’t take van work only 7.5t.
Have since gone through an agency for a temp-to-perm 7.5t role. Had to do a week with them as a trial to see if they wanted to take me on through the agency. After the 4th day they were happy to offer me the temp-perm job so I must be doing something right
Hours are much better, pay is better, bonuses and benefits are all much better than TNT, so glad I didn’t get that one now.
All good experience ready for when I do my Cat C training soon. And the company I work for now are moving up to a couple of bigger wagons next year, so all being well, I’ll be perfectly placed within the company to jump straight on one
cupcake1973:
Have since gone through an agency for a temp-to-perm 7.5t role. Had to do a week with them as a trial to see if they wanted to take me on through the agency. After the 4th day they were happy to offer me the temp-perm job so I must be doing something right
Hours are much better, pay is better, bonuses and benefits are all much better than TNT, so glad I didn’t get that one now.
All good experience ready for when I do my Cat C training soon. And the company I work for now are moving up to a couple of bigger wagons next year, so all being well, I’ll be perfectly placed within the company to jump straight on one