If its the same bit we used to load out of (Norfolkline) we used to have to drop the trailers on the bay and stick an airline lock on the trailer… SO if there this cautious this way I can only assume itll be even worse for someone wanting to drive for them…
I always had a dirty image in my mind of them heavy loading the front end and it nose diving but it didnt ever happen… Shame 
Jay40:
I have an assessement with Wincanton on Saturday at Portbury Bristol
Right opposite our yard!
groovy greg:
Jay40:
Hi Guys,I have an assessement with Wincanton on Saturday at Portbury Bristol, any one conducted an assessement with these guys, any specific top tips!
You will see i started a thread with Ref to assessements on 25 Feb and received some great info, however i post this one specific to Wincanton.
Cheers in advance,
J
anybody know if that fit bird of an assessor is still there? if you have got her for your assessment she normally wears a fairly short skirt. as when your driving along she will slowly rise the hem line of her skirt. if you glance over you will fail as its to test your concentration levels and to see if your easlily distracted by in-cab distractions.
all the best pal.
motionlotion:
Its not often i comment on here but this is one i must put my 10 pence worth in on.
Well i am jnclined to agree that with over 30 years on the road tramping from here to kingdom come this split coupling phrase is one i have never heard of.
As to this assessment lark my opinion would be my class one licence says i am a capable hgv driver so an assessment is not required unless you are insinuating that the examiner who passed me was not acceptable, as for the bird with the short skirt i would be asking what experience she has driving hgv vehicles and how long she has held her licence. in short what a load of bull.
Well thats my opinion.
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Hi Motion lotion and welcome to TN. I’d disagree with the comment highlighted. I think I’m a better driver than when I first passed my test, though my accident record would say different as I had never had a HGV accident before I passed I do now. I know that I pick up habits that others may see as bad, an assessment should be no problem if you are capable and ASK what the company expect with regard to Split coupling,navigational aids, blind side/spin and good side reversing, banksman etc.
This begs the question: If split coupling is OK for fridges and deep set pins, why is it not OK for any trailer? It’s the same gear. As long as the legs are down and the trailer brake is on what can happen? Think twice on a slope maybe but my back comes before bothering about split coupling. If it’s needed I do it. It’s also a lot easier to unravel your suzies.
As for the fit bird assessor, I’d ask her to go change into a pair of regulation trousers and check her PPE.
Hi Wiretwister, I have read your response and still say that my licence is proof that i am capable of doing the job so no assessment should be required, i often wonder what is happening in the industry today we were once the only nation who were admired for our standard of driving, but now we have to have a driver cpc which is just a money spinner for the goverment. Its about time we all stood up and said fu. We are qualified in what we do and thats it. Lets get the industry back on its feet, sort the rates out then worry about more money for the goverment. as for assessment this should be aimed at the work you are doing, fridges, boxes, tankers, bulkers.etc and not the driving as you have been tested to a high standard by vosa examiners. As for some of these sayings ive never heard of them. thats my opinion.
. 
Welcome motionlotion .
motionlotion:
my licence is proof that i am capable of doing the job so no assessment should be required,
A licence is only proof that a test can be passed to the required test standard - nothing more.
Proofs of experiences and recommendations says that the job has been done and how well it can be done.
Failing to produce proof of the above then the only other way a company might get an insight is to give a prospective employee an assessment.
How much do the snipers on the roof get paid ?
ROG:
.motionlotion:
my licence is proof that i am capable of doing the job so no assessment should be required,A licence is only proof that a test can be passed to the required test standard - nothing more.
Proofs of experiences and recommendations says that the job has been done and how well it can be done.
Failing to produce proof of the above then the only other way a company might get an insight is to give a prospective employee an assessment.
you could well be right feller, but I’m sorry I’m insulted with the remark " A license is only proof that a test can be passed to the required test standard - nothing more " from what I’ve seen of HGV trainers and test examiners in the last 10/15 years no wonder to gain a job today one has to have an assessments. if i had a new motor worth in the region of 100,000 quid I’d be the same.
but now go back 30 / 35 years many more years for some drivers on this forum, i didn’t take my HGV1 35 years ago to be regarded as a “Nothing More” I do however regard myself and fellow drivers as a “lot More” and i class my license as proof that the day the examiner past me, it wasn’t just the “required test standard” he coincided as a candidate to reach the Professional driver i am.
Theres only one class of person on this earth who has the power to tell me how to drive an HGV1 truck and that don’t include any white collar back seat so named assessor. its the chap who gave me my HGV license to do the job, and at time’s a thankless damned hard job.
A license is only proof that a test can be passed to the required test standard - nothing more "
Well said rovic. i to believe that when i passed my test some 35 years ago that i was passed on the basis that i could drive to the ability required. If however the person who made that comment is a hgv instructor and is only teaching people to pass a test then there is something seriously wrong.
I agree that units / trailers are not cheap today and as such you must have the ability to drive, handel them etc, but that is why you take a hgv course test is it not. you are not or should be trained to pass a test.
As to assessments well i would need to know the assessors full ability and on what qualifications he has to assess a proffessoinal hgv driver, i to have worked for the likes of rtt but would not regard myself as qualified to assess a fellow drivers ability once he has been tested and passed the hgv test.
What a load of bull.
RoVic:
from what I’ve seen of HGV trainers and test examiners in the last 10/15 years no wonder to gain a job today one has to have an assessments
The DSA test is a very basic starting point.
Many years ago it might be possible to do in-house training along with the DSA training & test but unfortunately these days all a company wants is those already trained by someone else so they do not have to use their finances and time to do it !!
All most of the modern LGV trainees get is enough training to pass the test and a bit more if they are lucky - sure, they could PAY for more but after probably spending the best part of £3,000 already then most are either reluctant or skint to do pay for more.
What would be your solution 
motionlotion:
As to assessments well i would need to know the assessors full ability and on what qualifications he has to assess a proffessoinal hgv driver
I agree - no assessor should be assessing on anything they cannot do themselves and every driver has the right to ask the assessor what credentials gives them the right to assess for this or that.
It might not be paper qualifications that the assessor has but a lot of experience which is fine if the assessor can justify that experience.
Example - If I was going to be assessed on my ability to load steel on a truck and the assessor had been doing just that for 10 years then I would be happy that they knew what they were doing - even if I had done it before for 15 years
Hi Rog, Well at least we agree on one point about the the experience of the assessor. But you also verify my point that you should only be assessed on the work you are doing, as you say with your remarks on loading steel.
So therfore if you go for a job on fridges then you should only assessed on your ability in that category are you aware of how to operate a fridge are you aware of operating tempertures etc, you should not be assessed on your driving ability you have already been assessed in this department when the examiner deemed you fit to drive a vehicle operating at 44 ton or even 18 ton.
But your comments that you are only tested on your ability to pass a test is totaly unfair to any hgv driver. yes they may pay 3k but that 3k is a lot of money and should ensure they are trained to a high standard. dropping / picking up trailers should be covered in the initail training should it not, but i must admit that as i took my test so long ago i am not up on the test procedure today.
motionlotion:
So therfore if you go for a job on fridges then you should only assessed on your ability in that category are you aware of how to operate a fridge are you aware of operating tempertures etc, you should not be assessed on your driving ability you have already been assessed in this department when the examiner deemed you fit to drive a vehicle operating at 44 ton or even 18 ton.But your comments that you are only tested on your ability to pass a test is totaly unfair to any hgv driver. yes they may pay 3k but that 3k is a lot of money and should ensure they are trained to a high standard. dropping / picking up trailers should be covered in the initail training should it not, but i must admit that as i took my test so long ago i am not up on the test procedure today.
What you are saying is that a newly qualified car driver should have the same driving skills as a car driver who has had a few years experience - not a realistic point of view IMO - same goes for a newly qualified LGV driver.
I can easily tell the difference when I am assessing any driver as to whether they are new or experienced and whether the experiences they have gained and adopted are safe or not.
To be licenced to drive a truck is not the same as being an experienced driver of one.
Take a tour by clicking the link in my signature below to find out what todays trainees have to do to get a CE from a B (car) licence.
ROG:
To be licenced to drive a truck is not the same as being an experienced driver of one.
Agreed.
But it is the same as being qualified so to do !
hi Rog , No what i am saying is that a qualified hgv driver should not be assessed on his driving ability he has passed his test and is deemed to be capable, no one is saying that a new driver has the experience of a vetran.
You are saying that.
Agreed.
Hiya ROG,
if like you seem to think the DSA driving test is just the starting point for all HGV’s maybe they should rename this forum from “The UK Professional Drivers Discussion forum” to something more appropriate, say like “The UK un-Professional until assessed Drivers forum” you think you can tell the experience any driver has in moments of an assessment, Errrr Yeah OK !. what if that driver then disagrees with your comments, and likewise gives you an assessment !! don’t think you’d appreciate any comments towards your experience as the assessor, because like that professional driver you class yourself as a professional instructor / Assessor …
well said rovic, i totaly agree assessor my ar…se. you pass your hgv thats it your qualified to do the job.
Being ‘qualified’ to drive the vehicle can be said of many foreign drivers who come over here but how many of them have been found to be lacking■■?
I have a licence to drive a CE but how does anyone know if I drive like a complete ploker or not■■?
Maybe if I was assessed then the question about my driving competence may be answered - yes?
motionlotion:
well said rovic, i totaly agree assessor my ar…se. you pass your hgv thats it your qualified to do the job.
Of that there’s little doubt. Assesing lets you pick the chaff from the wheat !!