Becoming a HGV driver?

[wazztie16]

To update, second day of class 1 training today.

Yesterday was literally all driving. Started at midday, finished about 1630. Actually, we did uncouple and couple at the end.

Driving wise, no issues whatsoever. Seems class 2 and buses has given me more than enough experience to take into the class 1.

Today, driving 8-1, then couple/uncouple and practice reverse.

Reverse was hit and miss, more hit than miss though.

I'll get there. Got to in fairness, few more reverse practices in the morning then reverse test at 9.

Then there'll be more driving and on road test planned at 11 on Thursday. If I don't pass reverse tomorrow another one planned for Thursday at 9.

Instructor on holiday from Thursday as well for over a week so any retest will be delayed.

Getting nervous now...

[Its Just Adz]

Reverse is a funny one. I nailed it on the test, but once on my own it took me ages to get used to it.
Then all of a sudden, it just comes.

[944 Man]

Class 1? Do you have a time machine is that ended a quarter of a century ago?

[towser44]

944 Man said:

Class 1? Do you have a time machine is that ended a quarter of a century ago?

To be fair, my place has us down as Class 1 Trunkers on our ID and Access Cards rather than C&E.

[agent006]

944 Man said:

Class 1? Do you have a time machine is that ended a quarter of a century ago?

The irony of being a tedious pedant and then whacking a huge typo right in the middle.

[Its Just Adz]

Everyone still calls it class 1, dont they?

[ChrisH79]

I can't think of many places that refer to HGV drivers as anything other than Class 1 or Class 2. Other than dull pedant land dwellers.

[BricktopST205]

ChrisH79 said:

I can't think of many places that refer to HGV drivers as anything other than Class 1 or Class 2. Other than dull pedant land dwellers.

Our company got took over 12 years ago but still we get called out for paperwork by the old company! HGV Industry really doesn't like change.

Still waiting for paperwork as proof of delivery is just madness plus a lot of places still use fax.

[ChrisH79]

BricktopST205 said:

Our company got took over 12 years ago but still we get called out for paperwork by the old company! HGV Industry really doesn't like change.

Still waiting for paperwork as proof of delivery is just madness plus a lot of places still use fax.

We have suppliers who send email delivery notes to depots. Then I have to deal with the depots refusing to accept stock because the driver has no paperwork!

[wazztie16]

Its Just Adz said:

Reverse is a funny one. I nailed it on the test, but once on my own it took me ages to get used to it.
Then all of a sudden, it just comes.

Did the test today.

Started moving back with the turning, went wrong somewhere as I was struggling with the middle cone coming into view so decided to use first shunt to bring myself back to the start before I'd reached the point of no return...

Nailed it on that second go and used the second shunt to straighten up later on, which I'd always planned to do. Straight back into the garage and breathe again.

On road test tomorrow, driving today was same as last couple of days so no issues... So if I don't pass tomorrow it'll be me doing something stupid.

Watch this space!

[wazztie16]

Passed the test! 5 minors. Nothing that won't be sorted with experience.

Wagon and drag tomorrow with another driver, though work won't up my pay till a class 1 space becomes available so I'll be enjoying my ride in the passenger seat

[Its Just Adz]

Well done, now the fun begins....

[wazztie16]

Its Just Adz said:

Well done, now the fun begins....

It does indeed. Quite looking forward to it though as I like a new challenge.

[Vipers]

Well done, now watch out for idiot car drivers.

[wazztie16]

Vipers said:

Well done, now watch out for idiot car drivers.

Oh, I got used to that driving buses... I'm just relieved I don't have to do anything more to get the class 1 licence. Looking forward to getting shafted more at work though

[Vipers]

wazztie16 said:

Vipers said:

Well done, now watch out for idiot car drivers.

Oh, I got used to that driving buses... I'm just relieved I don't have to do anything more to get the class 1 licence. Looking forward to getting shafted more at work though

Take it from me I am one of those drivers who will always anticipate the road ahead, slow down if I think a trucker is thinking of changing lanes, and I always let buses out, he is taking a lot of weary workers home, whereas it’s just me, and I can pass him at the next bus stop.

[Triple Six]

Its Just Adz said:

Reverse is a funny one. I nailed it on the test, but once on my own it took me ages to get used to it.
Then all of a sudden, it just comes.

Exactly this - one day you just stop thinking, and start doing.

[Vipers]

Triple Six said:

Its Just Adz said:

Reverse is a funny one. I nailed it on the test, but once on my own it took me ages to get used to it.
Then all of a sudden, it just comes.

Exactly this - one day you just stop thinking, and start doing.

A skill so many car drivers have never managed to acquire, since learning to drive in a Bedford RL in 72 in the military having never driven a car, bike licence only, I have always reverse parked.

It’s a joy to see some of the artics just swing it into place.

[The Wookie]

It’s funny, I’ve towed trailers since I was a teenager but struggled with the manoeuvre on the test to start off with, first time I did it for real in a yard I found it a piece of piss

[944 Man]

agent006 said:

944 Man said:

Class 1? Do you have a time machine is that ended a quarter of a century ago?

The irony of being a tedious pedant and then whacking a huge typo right in the middle.

As opposed to simply being tedious? Jeb end.