Just thought I’d post a message on here to see if I can get some reassurance after the dismal performance I gave on my C+E test earlier this week and what ended as a FAIL
After driving rigids for seven years, I decided it was time to move up the ladder and finally get my C+E licence. I enrolled on a five day C+E course, which gave me four days of training with each session lasting four hours and the last day for the test with a couple of hours before to prepare.
I was able to drive an artic lorry on my first day of training without any serious problems and overall my driving ability was well-received from my instructor. I did struggle with the reversing exercise at first and almost used up a full session trying to get it right. The difficulty I had was getting use to turning the steering wheel the opposite way to which way I wanted to turn and following the trailer into the bay rather than the unit and so on…
By the last day of training I had pretty much perfected everything even my last two attempts at the reversing exercise was done without any real cause for concern. However, there was still room for improvement and I told to be more observant with what was going on around me, using my mirrors, etc…
My test was booked for 7.30am but having got there very early we started it at 7am. Naturally I was nervous as I was paying for this course out of my own money so there was pressure on me to pass first time. The test started with the usual three questions which were easy enough to answer. Next, the dreaded reversing exercise and this was the beginning of the end for me The first thing I did was turn the steering wheel the wrong way and before I even knew what I had done wrong I was already going backwards I tried to correct my mistake but ended up knocking over cone B in the process and by then I knew it was all over The test carried on regardless but my heart had sunken so low that I think I must have lost all willpower to carry on as the day just went from bad to worse
In the end I got 11 minors including 3 serious faults, which apart from the reversing exercise included things like not using my mirrors enough, pulling away from a start position in wrong gear, excessive speed and the list goes on…
I felt so crap afterwards I didn’t want to talk to anyone or say anything. The examiner said my overall driving was good and that the mistakes I made were down to nerves.
I don’t what I should do now, whether I should re-take the test again or knock it on the head. If I do decided to take another test that means shelving out £300 which I really don’t want to do but I so badly want my C+E licence.
johnnybucks:
The examiner said my overall driving was good and that the mistakes I made were down to nerves.
IMHO this is what you should take away from it. It sounds like it’s all there, you just got an attack of nerves (it happens to all of us). Next time you won’t make the same mistake from the start (you really won’t!) and you won’t have that hanging over you for the rest of the test. Go for it! Next time you’ll probably breeze it!
Was it really the worst day of your life? I know it can be very depressing not getting the result you want but retests were created because not everyone passes 1st time. In fact the national average is approx 50%.
You say you had everything perfecting the day before the test so fair play to you for working hard to get to the standard required.
We have trainees come to us and work hard throughout the week yet still struggle by the final day yet they take the test and pass.
We also have trainees who have an excellent week, work hard, have everything required and then fail the test.
Test days can be a very unpredictable. You say you paid for the course yourself and felt the pressure which does not always help. You also mentioned you were nervous. If you were not nervous then something is wrong with you!. That is perfectly natural.
Everything you mentioned about how you felt mirrored how most other trainees taking their HGV test feel. It’s all perfectly natural. From your post I can see you want this and have invested a lot of time and money into achieving class 1. You (I am assuming) only failed once so it would make perfect sense to get your retest booked in again asap. You have to wait at least 3 clear working days to retest.
I would also say to you fair play on still going out and doing the test after running over cone B. I know a lot of guys who cancel the test there and then. At least you now know what it is all about.
£300 is a lot of money…but so is the £1K+ you have already shelled out.
What has happened has happened. You just have to put it down the experience and move on. Try and channel those nerves and don’t put too much pressure on yourself./
If you were posting here that this was your 5th tests then I may suggest you reconsider your options. But you’re not. You failed your 1st test. It’s not the end of the world.
Please click on the link below it will give you 20 tips to help pass your test. It’s not the answer to everything but it may add a couple of useful pointers. Keep your chin up and good luck
Sorry to here ou failed but then a lot of people have on there 1st attempt so dont worry to much
Yes you want this so I would suggest go for it again asap but you should poss take another day training before your test just to get back into it as it seems like you have learnt from your mistakes as you have pointed out where you went wrong so shouldnt make them again
Good luck
ps you could go round all the training providers in your area & do an assessment drive with each to see if there is another 1 you like better or if they provide a free assessment
Don’t give up you will regret it, as a previous poster said you’ve only failed once not 5 times, GO FOR IT!! And I’m sure you will get the result next time if you work hard. Good luck
Sounds to me that it really was an attack of nerves im really sorry to hear you failed but go for it you know what to expect now good luck and hope next time you take your test you hear that you have passed
I failed my C+E first time round through some really stupid mistakes, one of which i’m told my old instructer still tells his students about to this day . I put it down to nerves, rebooked and passed the next one although I was still nervous but much better prepared.
If I was you I would definitely go for it again and sooner rather than later while all the info is still fresh.
Uk’s sake man grow some balls
Only messing, its horrible in it! I failed mine 3 times and by the last time I just didnt want to drive them at all but would be 2k down and without license if I didnt bother so do what you got to do. Pay the 300 notes and try not to be so nervous. At the end of the day he just wants to see you are capable to go away and really learn how to handle the truck in a safe manner day to day which he obviously saw in you despite the faults. Even when you pass and you have to go on an assessment drive you will go through it all again, now that is something to look forward to
Good luck mate, do not let it get you down you can do it what ever it costs now you must follow it through
Hi jonnybucks, Go for it asap - put back in for your test while everything is still fresh in mind from the training you paid for hopefully you wont be so nervous next time-just take your time & youll be fine
This test is not as difficult to pass as it seems to you now. After all you already passed the Cat ‘C’. There are 2 things needed to pass. 1-A reasonable amount of ability and 2 - A lot of self belief that you can do this. Number 2 is the more important.
Focus on the pleasure of the thought of passing and not on the money spent or how to tell your mates you failed.
Instead of thinking of the test as one massive problem break it down into smaller chunks. If the test was only 30 seconds long do you think you could pass? Of course, so try to imagine 120 x 30 second tests. Get through each one until it is over. Check each mirror say 3 times during each 30 second spell and you will not miss many important ones.
Say to yourself “is this the moment to drive defensively and change down a gear or two or is the road clear enough to get up to the max speed limit”
If in doubt at a roundabout take the minor fault for Undue Hesitation rather than the serious for being impatient and pulling out into a too small gap.
Until the next attempt drive your car as if you are taking the C+E test. Drive at LGV speed limits, take C+E road positions for the turns etc. Only use the side mirrors.
As for the reverse go onto youtube and watch the many clips there showing the excercise. Imagine you are driving the truck on the screen. Remember, Turn the wheel to the RIGHT to begin with. To straighten up turn the wheel towards the mirror you can see the trailer in. Take a shunt if you are not entirely happy with the way it is going.
Finally set yourself a target. I suggest 4 faults maximum is a realistic goal. Come back and tell us you that you beat that score.
Hi Jonny! Sorry to hear that you didn’t pass the exam. I wouldn’t think driving a truck would be very easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Like everyone else has been saying – just give it some time, relax and maintain your self-confidence. If you know what to expect the second time around and you focus on your weaknesses, I’m sure you’ll do great. Most people fail exams because of a lack of confidence. Good luck!
11 minors without the three serious that’s a pass…don’t give up…that failure is due to nerves I wish I new how to cure them I would have a 100% pass rate as would others.
I had a guy last year who had his test aborted due to being dangerous…It was due to nerves totaly…he went back for his retest no further training just a warm up drive and test…guess what he not only passed but he had a clean sheet no minors…it’s not you can’t do it just you didn’t do it this time.
Good luck for the retest you’ve had your practice now go and nail it.
FAIL 
The first thing I did was turn the steering wheel the wrong way and before I even knew what I had done wrong I was already going backwards 
I tried to correct my mistake but ended up knocking over cone B in the process and by then I knew it was all over 
. I put it down to nerves, rebooked and passed the next one although I was still nervous but much better prepared.
