The training industry is forever having to change and evolve to keep up with changes in legislation. Much of this is EU, but that’s irrelevant - we have to comply.
We’re told that folks will shortly be able to pass on an automatic truck and get a full, manual licence (provided they have a full manual car licence). To deal with this we already have a new automatic being delivered at the end of April. It’s on it’s way to the body builders next week.
But do people really want to learn on auto? What happens when they hit the real world to be presented with an “interesting” gearbox?
I have also argued strongly for the use of drawbar combinations to make life as easy as possible. My reasoning has always been that a sensible driver, trained on drawbar, can cope with the differences of an artic.
But now, potentially, we have the prospect of someone trained on auto C, auto CE (drawbar) being presented with an artic with a manual gearbox. That seems a lot of extra learning to me and, possibly, a step too far.
I was wondering how the following might sound to a prospective learner wanting after a CE:
Pass CAT C in a manual - interesting gearbox then go for CE using auto in a “proper” artic
Just a possible option with all other permutations being available. Occurs to me that this teaches the use of a gearbox and gets someone used to a “real” artic without having to worry about gears for the test.
In other words, all bases covered.
Not made any decision as yet - just tossing ideas around.
Many Trucknet users choose us as their trainer so it’s important we listen. Constructive comments welcome. Thanks. Pete
I personally haven’t stepped out into the real world yet as I have only recently passed, however a friend of mine passed both class’s a few months before Christmas, he passed in a manual for both C and CE, CE being done in a proper artic. he has worked for a few agencies up until recently when he has landed himself a job at Knowles. I don’t know what he is driving now but he has said that everything he has been asked to drive has been an Auto and he has never had to drive a wagon and drag as yet.
Like I say I don’t know if this is the real world but that is his 5 months experience.
It’s accepted that folks who pass on w+d will probably end up driving artics - and this isn’t a problem and is well proven. My concern is that folks might learn on auto, start to finish, the easier option of w+d being used for CE and then, potentially, being given a 16 speed artic to play with.
I believe it’s not an issue to go from w+d to artic or from auto to manual (within reason). But I’m a bit concerned about folks going from fully auto w+d to manual artic. Twice as many new skills to master. Seems hard to me.
I’ passed my C at the end of Feb and am just looking at booking my C+E within the next few weeks. If a trainer close by was able to offer training in an auto artic I’d jump at the chance. I feel that it gives you less to worry about during the training not having to think about the gears.
In my humble opinion, I think everyone should have some experience of an “interesting” gearbox.
I’ve always found it interesting (in fact, just replied to a post about it) how many posters ask about auto boxes, imagine how much harder it would be to explain how to use a manual box to someone who had never used one.
Maybe an opportunity for you here Pete, not sure what gear you have at your centres, but maybe offer newly passed trainees, perhaps on the day of their test, when they’re on a high, with no pressure, to pay for an hour or two in exactly the opposite combination than they passed in. I’d have jumped at the chance of a go in an auto W&D straight after passing my C+E.
It’s up for discussion. We had our weekly management meeting today and we ended up sat firmly on the fence! Ouch - splinters!
I need to get some “feel” from you guys. As I said, I really respect your views as many of you are my customers.
Pete
Well with an auto artic you can offer a conversion course to your trainees who have done their C+E on a wagon and drag. From my own point of view that would be an ideal way to go, I know it would be an extra expense on the training but if it was available it would be something I would give serious consideration to.
The idea of auto box is stupid. Like you said you pass test in a auto then you start working driving a artic only to find you have a very interested split/high low gearbox your screwed.
Once a candidate has passed in an auto offer a taster in an artic for an hour or two at their cost or even included as a selling/sweetener point for the full auto course?
Why is there going to be a change regarding passing with a auto box?? I will be honest and say it will tempt me to try my training again, but surely part of the cpc should be interesting gear boxes
I for one am wanting to go the auto with the C and auto again with W and D for C +E. Why make it harder?? And if the option is there to have a taster/ hour or 2 in a manual/artic on e passed then yes put my name down. It’s ok saying what happens when you get a manual truck in your new job but if you pass a test in a four over four what use is it when your faced with an eaton twin split? Get your test then learn I say.
jusholmes:
I’ passed my C at the end of Feb and am just looking at booking my C+E within the next few weeks. If a trainer close by was able to offer training in an auto artic I’d jump at the chance. I feel that it gives you less to worry about during the training not having to think about the gears.[/quote
While doing your C+E in an auto would be easier granted, if I was In the position of taking my c+e I would take it in a manual box simply for the fact of where better to learn how to use an interesting box than have a trainer next to you than 3am freezing cold new job all the pressure of a new job comes with and have to try and figure out a gearbox.
Did my C and C+E in a manual glad I did tbh
But the idea is to learn the gearbox on CAT C. Then to use auto artic for the CE. So the candidate already knows how to use a range change from the CAT C.
Peter Smythe:
But the idea is to learn the gearbox on CAT C. Then to use auto artic for the CE. So the candidate already knows how to use a range change from the CAT C.
Pete
Hi Pete
I see your point and if anyone wants to learn in an auto then fair play and good luck but the more experience and training you can get in a manual the better it will stand you in the future.
Ady Williams:
I for one am wanting to go the auto with the C and auto again with W and D for C +E. Why make it harder?? And if the option is there to have a taster/ hour or 2 in a manual/artic on e passed then yes put my name down. It’s ok saying what happens when you get a manual truck in your new job but if you pass a test in a four over four what use is it when your faced with an eaton twin split? Get your test then learn I say.
Long time since they were used tbh
I passed Cat C in a manual as well as CE in a W&D never driven a W&D since & have handled an artic np I have driven a few manual as well as auto
Me if you pass in an auto that is the licence you should have
What happens when they decide to change the car test if you pass in auto you get a full license then have a manual car
I like your thinking. This, for me, would be the perfect scenario.
I passed Cat C with you last year (manual gearbox, obviously) and plan to do C+E with you this year… I feel I mastered the manual box well enough and would now enjoy trying an auto. I expect it would make life a little easier which is a bonus. I’d be happy in W&D but I’d be far happier in an artic!
In short, if you had an auto artic, you would literally have every box ticked and I would book a course (with Chris hopefully).
Done my C then C+E un the same truck with trailer for two reasons:
There"s no options in my town other than do it on W&D.
Lot easier to pass on the same vechicle twice!
Planning to change career in autumn. Before that I had plan to travel some
distance to get days training on proper Artic. You know. Reversing and coupling
differs from W&D so to be ready for assesment drive with potential employer.
So yes. I would go for Auto Artic after Class2. But…My opinion.
You should do Class2 on proper box then Class1 is up to you.
Once you done 4 over 4 there won’t be problems with any other boxes.
I mean you should know which gear and when to use if you get stick instead of buttons!
