hey guys, my names Simon, i’ve been on this site now for a few months mainly reading, got my cat c training starting on monday with EP training, i’ve been totally calm upto this point because i’ve done module 1,2 and 4 which was easy peasy , but i’m now starting to get worried about it to the point of losing sleep!
Have you guys got any pointers for first day of training? Any at all would help ease my mind a bit.
cheers
what are you paying the instructor to do!? Honestly, their not gonna take you into central london and say “I’m off on the bunk for a kip, get us to Crawley” are they!?
Put some effort in and learn what you’re being taught and you’ll ■■■■ it. Just like a big van with 8 gears at the end of the day 
Find Rog’s training tips too, lots of invaluable info in there from several different authers.
simon_da_man9:
hey guys, my names Simon, i’ve been on this site now for a few months mainly reading, got my cat c training starting on monday with EP training, i’ve been totally calm upto this point because i’ve done module 1,2 and 4 which was easy peasy , but i’m now starting to get worried about it to the point of losing sleep!Have you guys got any pointers for first day of training? Any at all would help ease my mind a bit.
cheers
Hey simon, I did my Cat C licence on the 17th august and i tell you what, you couldnt have come to a better place for advice! 
My first day, i was as nervous as hell and my advise would be to LISTEN to everything your instructor says/explains to you and keep calm and never be afraid to ask a question, thats what your instructors there for! 
The first day for me was just going through daily checks and then we went for a drive and did a couple of controled stops and after a tea break, did a few roundabout manouvres, Then back to the yard to practise reversing manouvre a few times.
I also found at the end of everyday, id go home and just have a look on google earth at the routes we took. My main problems was big roundabouts (positioning) so id look at the ones we covered and just did a virtual drive…Then that was it, i put it to the back of my mind and didnt think about it again! I found that it made me less nervous for the next day, if i didnt think about it too much. thats just the way i do things, you might be different.
One last thing ill add is, ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS (especially on your test) I failed the first test because i didnt pay attention to the scenario. Im sure other people will help you out too, heres my 2 pennies woth 
darkseeker:
:roll: what are you paying the instructor to do!? Honestly, their not gonna take you into central london and say “I’m off on the bunk for a kip, get us to Crawley” are they!?Put some effort in and learn what you’re being taught and you’ll ■■■■ it. Just like a big van with 8 gears at the end of the day
Find Rog’s training tips too, lots of invaluable info in there from several different authers.
What has happened to ROG?, i havent seen him around
AM I ALLOWED TO ASK??
The best advice would be to be prepared to bite your lip to avoid arguments with your instructor.You are not being taught to drive,you are being shown how to pass a test.Try and clear your mind and forget what you know about driving a car.You will do something wrong as far as the instructor is concerned and be criticised for it.You may disagree with him but let it go and don’t argue back.A truck cab is a very small place to have a disagreement and some of these Instructors have big egos.It might have been a long time since you were taught anything but nothing changes and nobody likes a smart arse so try and get on with the instructor and you will get through it easier.
You can’t use your mirrors enough so make sure you keep turning your head to make it obvious what you’re doing.Mirrors and Blindspots,have you covered up the rear view mirror in your car ?
Stonehouse69:
darkseeker:
What has happened to ROG?, i havent seen him aroundAM I ALLOWED TO ASK??
I don’t know details but I think he was getting a bit fed up with some of the flack he got at times and, having been “spoken to” about giving information that was found to be incorrect at least once, decided enough was enough. Please note though this is the conclusion I’ve come to having read between many varied lines and may be no-where near the truth.
Either way, he’s gone and it’s a real shame having seen the lengths he went to to try to help anybody 
I was terrified the first time I went out and believe me everyone on here has had a first day so we all know how your feeling , the instructor is there to teach you and he will if you listen to him
Your first day your instructor will be getting you familier with the truck and wont take you anywhere he dose not think you will be able to handle 
as the week goes on you will get used to everything and prob day 3 or 4 your gonna have aday where everything goes wrong and you think what the hell i cant do this thats just a blip you will be fine
Did you have an assesment drive what did you think of that 
Anyway good luck and just listen listen and listen its going to be intensive but all of us have taken the test thats the worst bit and then that lovely blue pass cert is sitting in your sweaty hands and the grin will be from ear to ear
Believe in yourself and dont lose sleep your gonna need to be fresh faced for Mon 
all the best
Jennie x
Dear wannabe worried. Welcome and well done for popping in here for a bit of advice.
You should feel nervous and apprehensive. If you did not then there would be something wrong with you. As the previous post put it. You are paying a professional to get you up to HGV test standard. They will coach and motivate you throughout the course.
You will also have to work dammed hard to get the result you want. It is not easy and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I would advise you need 2 things to get you through (3 actually!!)
1, common sense
2, road sense
3, a willingness to learn
You have paid a lot of money for this so please make sure you enjoy it too.
For more advice just Google my user name and go to the 1st website that comes up (not sponsored listings though) there is some good advice and tips. All straight up. No bull!
OK. Good luck and let us know how you got on…
hgvlgvtraining
cheers guys for all the replys, it takes a weight of my mind to know that i’m not the only one feeling like it,
Had an assesment drive with J coates about 5 months ago in a merc atego, which incidentally is the same as what EP use
i have also taken out the rear view mirror in the car,
cheers again guys
As has been said listen, take notice, ask questions at any point, take your time as this does not have a “Russian” gearbox 
Think most people were either nervous or a bit apprehensive as you are going into the unknown & back to learning I know I was
Try to relax & enjoy
God luck with it
Welcome to the mad house & ask away
simon_da_man9:
i have also taken out the rear view mirror in the car
Yeah practice reversing into side streets or Tescos car park just using your wing mirrors
A read through this
EP has a good name in the industry so you’ve got a good start. To repeat others, listen to what you’re told and enjoy it as much as you can.
Good luck with it all.
Pete S
Stonehouse69:
…One last thing i`ll add is, ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS (especially on your test) I failed the first test because i didnt pay attention to the scenario…
Ha-ha, tell me about it!
Watch out for silver Jaguars that go through red lights. On the outskirts of Blackpool, even though my light was green, I caused another road user to take evasive action! 
At the end of the day, if your instructor’s half decent there’s not much to be nervous about really. As long as you don’t get too confident, you’ll be fine. Good luck.