Car, Aug’ '64, artic on grandaddy rights. Then had to take a test for an artic when we came to Oz, then I had to take another test to drive a bus with a manual box. Sodding waste of money !
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.
The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also. 
Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike today 
The Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever …you just went for it and hoped for the best…AND on a driving test !!
Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison. 
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to ■■■■ endure on a daily basis. 
and why we get cut in on, left out in lanes and all the rest of it.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps 
, I aint doing an ‘‘Uncle Albert during the war’’ routine here btw (anyway looking at this thread and the dates, even I’m a beginner here ) just pointing out things were much different then and you actually had to LEARN to become a trucker.
Motorbike test in 1962.
Car test 1965 in a mini with the starter button by the handbrake.
Lorry test never. I was already repairing the firms lorries and the week I passed my test i was out in petrol and TS3 engined Commer tankers. I was driving a Commer artic when HGV licences were brought in and was given a class 1.
Oh the joy of a petrol engined lorry. Turn the igintion off for a while going downhill into a sleepy village and the resulting bang when it was turned on again woke the whole village. I am in my seventies now and nearly grown up.
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also.
Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike todayThe Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison.
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to [zb] endure on a daily basis.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps
Robroy, I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately a lot of us younger ones were born with a silver spoon. I know many a lad who couldn’t drive a manual, has never heard of proper lorries and would call you liar if you told him the way it used to be.
I’m proud to say that despite having been born a tad late to enjoy the industry in its hay day, I grew up around people who had worked in the industry from the 50s onwards and got taught a lot , before I could even reach the pedals!
robroy:
The Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
And throw a two speed axle into the mix … 
Bike 1993
Car 1994
Class 2 1999
Class 1 2000
Chunkzilla:
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also.
Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike todayThe Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison.
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to [zb] endure on a daily basis.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps
Robroy, I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately a lot of us younger ones were born with a silver spoon. I know many a lad who couldn’t drive a manual, has never heard of proper lorries and would call you liar if you told him the way it used to be.
I’m proud to say that despite having been born a tad late to enjoy the industry in its hay day, I grew up around people who had worked in the industry from the 50s onwards and got taught a lot , before I could even reach the pedals!
Hey mate, I aint saying all modern drivers who passed their tests on car-like trucks are useless…Far from it, there are thankfully still many good pro drivers around today thankfully.
I would hate to go back to those days and prefer a modern auto truck any day with all the comforts for nights away.
Many other older drivers disagree and would go back to D.Browns Eatons, Fullers, Spicers and the like,… as for me I mastered them all but go back to them?.. my answer would be second word ‘off’
My point was because of easy to drive modern tech, the chaff is no longer seperated from the wheat, but go on to get licences…thankfully for the rest of us, they stand out like a bulldog’s ■■■■■■■■.
Twoninety88:
robroy:
The Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear leverAnd throw a two speed axle into the mix …
Yeh, that sounded like the back axle had dropped on the road as it went in, or maybe that was just me and my bad driving
Motorbike September 2011 car August 2012 coach March 2014 minibus and trailer August 2014 class2 18th may 2015 class1 22nd July 2015
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also.
Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike todayThe Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison.
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to [zb] endure on a daily basis.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps
Robroy, I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately a lot of us younger ones were born with a silver spoon. I know many a lad who couldn’t drive a manual, has never heard of proper lorries and would call you liar if you told him the way it used to be.
I’m proud to say that despite having been born a tad late to enjoy the industry in its hay day, I grew up around people who had worked in the industry from the 50s onwards and got taught a lot , before I could even reach the pedals!Hey mate, I aint saying all modern drivers who passed their tests on car-like trucks are useless…Far from it, there are thankfully still many good pro drivers around today thankfully.
I would hate to go back to those days and prefer a modern auto truck any day with all the comforts for nights away.
Many other older drivers disagree and would go back to D.Browns Eatons, Fullers, Spicers and the like,… as for me I mastered them all but go back to them?.. my answer would be second word ‘off’
My point was because of easy to drive modern tech, the chaff is no longer seperated from the wheat, but go on to get licences…thankfully for the rest of us, they stand out like a bulldog’s ■■■■■■■■.
No worries mate. I know you weren’t having a dig, but truth be told, many a modern driver wouldn’t have made it in days gone by, and by no means do I believe I would have, but I’m sure I’d have given it a good go.
Car-1969 in a Triumph Hearald
Truck (only class 2) 1976 in a 1968 Foden eight legger with 12 speed box, no power steering and an hydraulic throttle pedal that kept losing its pressure so the revs kept dropping and you had to keep pumping it up during the test, still passed though!
Pete.
Car 89
Bike 99
Class 2 06
Class 1 08
Bike 1966
Car 1968
Helicopter 1970.[lapsed long since]
HGV 1 1971
Still waiting for ND’s as instigator of thread.
switchlogic:
To be fair though driving a truck isnt really that hard.
work for the company I do and you would change your mind,i personally don’t do the work the other lads do, i’m on an easy contract,but I did do what they do for about 3 weeks when I started,never again,might sound a daft way of explaining it but they have to get artics into places you would think impossible,but fair play to them they do it,hats off to them.
car test was 1980,hgv test 1989[class1]
Failed my first car driving test June 1996
Passed car test July 1996
Passed theory/hazard perception following week (6 months prior to 1/1/97 you could do it either way round)
Passed c/b and reach FLT tickets August 1997
Passed class 2 sept 2006 (first attempt)
Passed class 1 sept 2015 (first attempt)
truckman020:
might sound a daft way of explaining it but they have to get artics into places you would think impossible,but fair play to them they do it,hats off to them.
Not daft at all, but not difficult either, … it’s what professionals do.
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.
You forgot about no bloody gaiters so the luvverly cool breeze went straight up yer trouser leg.The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also.
I was on the Victoria Embankment in London one afternoon with an eight leg Foden. As I went to go from direct to high, the bloody lever came off and it all fell to bits. Got it to the Vauxhall lorry park (bombsite) and scrabbled round on the floor for the bits and managed to put it back together so Ted the changeover driver could take it up to Biggleswade.Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike todayThe Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
I thought they were made like that.Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison.
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to [zb] endure on a daily basis.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps
robroy:
Chunkzilla:
B - 2008
D - 2011
C - 2013
C+e - 2014Driving really isn’t that difficult, despite how many people seem intent on proving otherwise. Even bendies take little time to get to grips with.
Yeh you are right that is just as it is now I agree…■■■■ easy.
When I was learning driving a truck was a whole different ball game to driving a car.
Trucks were more rough and ready, no power steering, ridiculously stiff pedals, excess wear and tear, and all the rest of it.
Definitely no frills or luxuries, more like a ploughman’s trusted strong old carthorse compared with a thouroughbred valuable Arabian stallion of today’s truck if you like.The many different types of enigmatic gearboxes were the main difference, non synchro and all different shift patterns, some standard but with a splitter button which in effect, gave you twice as many gears to TRY and find and contend with…the button always ■■■■■■ air out also.
Some gearshift patterns were standard, some back to front, some even upside down, you needed to judge the revs by the rpm gauge and by ear, and double de.clutch or they just did NOT go in…some a lot worse than others also, and you got the sound of raking crashing cogs with all the attention it attracted.
Many learners jacked in as they could not master them in fact, so the dregs did not get through the filter net…unlike todayThe Dodge that I took my Class 1 on in 79, had a gear lever which resembled a stick in a bucket with a splitter button attached that used to slip around the gear lever
Some guys on here even took their tests in the 60s, so maybe even some of the crap I learned on was luxury in comparison.
At least then you had to develop and hone a certain amount of skill to pass a test, where as now if you can drive a car …you can drive a truck no problem whatsoever…The main reason for the many pricks on artics we have to [zb] endure on a daily basis.
Don’t be taking the ■■■■ here chaps
You are doing an uncle Albert. Tell us about life on the submarines in Chatham docks. How many gearsticks did the submarines have?
Car 1988 @ 17
Class 1 took 5 days in 1995
Motorcycle in 2002
I feel sorry for the youngsters these days that are so restricted by insurance costs and having to take tests for absolutely everything. In about 1992 I was thrown the keys to a 7.5 ton 3 car transporter (merc 814) and sent to France to pick some cars up…no test, no training and no warning how sharp air brakes were back then [emoji23] nearly head butted the windscreen coming up to the exit of the yard.