Well I have today took the first step to getting all my licences. As many people will know on here have been debating who to go with. Today I booked with Redrose training in Bolton, five minutes from my house. Gone for the total package. Got my medical on Wednesday and provisionally booked in for my theory and hazard perception on the 6th May.
Not worried about my Theory, more worried about hazard Perception as it is just a game. Everybody sees dangers at different times. Its just a matter of getting it right when the computer wants you to.
Will hopefully keep this page upto date with my journey, for people to have a laugh at.
Darrenb:
Today I booked with Redrose training in Bolton
Will be interested in what instructor you get and what you think of them as there have been a couple of posts on this site that have not been very complimentary …
Seen that lately, have told them today I do not get on with people who think they can teach me by shouting at me, so hopefully they will listen. If not I will park the wagon up straight away and demand someone else. After all its my money I am spending.
Darrenb:
Seen that lately, have told them today I do not get on with people who think they can teach me by shouting at me, so hopefully they will listen. If not I will park the wagon up straight away and demand someone else. After all its my money I am spending.
Hi Darren, you’ll be fine mate. don’t take it as gospel that certain instructors are bad. I had the guy, Frank, who was supposed to be the worst thing since Hitler, but he was brilliant and got me to my test no problem. Yes, he’s blunt, but it makes you remember your mistakes, he doesn’t shout, as has been claimed, he just gives it to you straight.
There are other instructors besides Franks, Pat & Kev to name a couple and they all do the job, properly, but in their own way. Don’t go into your training worrying about your instructor, you’ve got enough to concentrate on without adding to them.
On another note, I’ve got my C+E booked with RR for August, and I would be more than happy to find Frank was my instructor again.
Anyway, good luck with your training and have fun
Darrenb:
Seen that lately, have told them today I do not get on with people who think they can teach me by shouting at me, so hopefully they will listen. If not I will park the wagon up straight away and demand someone else. After all its my money I am spending.
Try and get through to day 2 first. On both of my courses (Class 2/1) I had issues with my trainer after day one, but after sitting down and thinking clearly I realised not all of my issues were down to them. I persevered and after day 2 none of the things I had down as big issues mattered at all.
Medical all passed today and sent off with licence. Starting to get a bit real now.
Been given the book for the theory which as previously mentioned not to worried about. Anyone any tips for the Hazard Perception part, know of any free sites with videos. Done the DVLA ones not a problem scoring 4 and 5 on the videos.
Cool! Hope you get on with your instructor! My C+E instructor is amazing and has exceeded all expectations. I can’t believe how calm he stays! The other trainee was heading for a row parked vehicles at 25 mph in 7th gear and I’m closing eyes, grabbing door handle and trying to find pedals that don’t exist on the passenger side, and instructor calmly says “Let me feel the brakes coming on buddy”.
Though today he did shout “DO NOT LIFT THE CLUTCH UP” when the other bloke had a fight with the box and was about to block change from 8th to 2nd. But I think that is fair, as I want a gearbox in one piece for my test on Friday!
As you say theory is not so bad - there is a very good iPhone app for practicing it BTW. I know what you mean about hazard perception…I ended buying a cheap “practise your (car) driving test” CD from Morrisions which included HPT tests - as far as I know the truck/bus clips are exactly the same as the car ones. Think it was £2. Main thing is to click a few (2 or 3) times when the situation gets worse, not when the hazard first appears. Best of luck. Tim
Not sure, I was issued with a disc ‘Complete LGV & PCV Theory & Hazard Perception tests’ which was brilliant for learning and practicing both. It measures your progress so you can see how you’re doing and you can choose to just tests on the parts you keep getting wrong.
This but as I said, it was included in my course cost.
2 weeks tomorrow? Get your head into the theory books, even if you think you know it back to front, go through it again. Are you planning on doing Mod2 along with your theory/hpt?
Danielthegreat:
Get your head into the theory books, even if you think you know it back to front
+1
I wouldn’t be too complacent about the theory test. There are (or were) 1000 possible questions, you get asked any 100 of them and have to get 75 of them right. A certain percentage can be guessed. Some of them are not possible to guess and you need to know. e.g. random examples from memory…
What is the minimum tread on a lorry wheel in mm?
What are the minimum permitted diameters of wire and normal ropes for securing loads?
You drive for 2 hours, then take a 15 minute break, then drive for a further 2.5 hours; what is the minimum you now need to stop and break for?
In the UK, what is the minimum height of an unmarked bridge?
What is the red airline for?
You may find it helps to learn/revise the stuff with some software, rather than reading the book. There are good apps available. Best of luck with it.
Seem to do nothing but study at the moment. Got three apps for my android and constantly doing mock exams, getting 98% average and ones getting wrong are stupid mistakes obviously from when getting distracted. Just need to do Hazard Perception find a good website free app if anyone can advise.
Sorry mate, it sounded like you just got the book and were starting now. You did what I did and am sure you will be fine on the Theory test.
The HPT is the same as the car test but longer, check out your nearest big supermarket for a £3 CDROM aimed at folk doing their car test. I got one of these and it worked a treat.
I got a DVD from Amazon for £10, the complete theory and hazard perception DVD. I got 89 points out of 100 for my hazard perception and 92 out of 100 for my multiple choice. Easy business.
Well I managed to bring my Hazard Perception and Theory test forward. Been studying on a daily basis and doing the apps on my phone comprising of mock tests for theory. Managed to find online some hazard perception tests.
As mentioned already was worried about my Hazard perception as knew it was a game.
So today I took my Theory and Hazard Perception test and pleased to say I passed, however was by the skin of my teeth on the Hazard Perception side. The Hazard Perception I thought I did ok on as every main hazard that caused the vehicle to react I clicked well before it happened as could see it developing. Must have been clicking to soon. Never once thought dam missed that one. Theory score was 97 out of a 100 which a bit upset about, however a pass is a pass. Now got all my training booked and ready to get behind the wheel.
Just a very quick update and a question if you don’t mind.
I have this week passed my counter balance forklift course. Next week I am down to do my ADR course as part of my cpc, however at present something has come up halfway through my course and its possibly looking like I will have to miss half a day therefore not be able to complete it. Redrose Training are being a bit bitchy about it and saying will lose the course full stop. I have asked if could jump on another course and complete the second part but got the blunt answer back of NO!!. They have messed me about a couple of times regarding courses, nothing major and I have worked with them however with this no help at all. The course is four days and worth 21 hours cpc, which I will lose. My question is and I believe I will answer my own question in this. Am I right in saying for cpc you can do the same course five times if you wish to get the 35 hours?
