Delivery driver

[Ki3r]

I've got an assessment drive next week for a delivery driver within Tesco (current employer). Just wondering if anyone has done something similar and what types of things I'll be doing? Its only a hour long.

I'm guessing they'll want to see me drive safely (no speeding, dodgy parking etc).

Anything else that I need to be prepared for?

Thanks.

[Kermit power]

If it's anything approaching reality, then the ability to park a Tesco delivery van in the dodgiest possible manner will be high on the list of attributes you need to demonstrate!

[Ki3r]

Kermit power said:

If it's anything approaching reality, then the ability to park a Tesco delivery van in the dodgiest possible manner will be high on the list of attributes you need to demonstrate!

Ha! Shocking some of the driving I've seen by some of the vans!

[someday]

If it's anything like the assessment to be a bus driver then tons of checking side mirrors, handbrake on if going to be stopped for 5 seconds or more and the old push/pull steering thing. Just a calm, sensible drive above all I would imagine. Good Luck.

[egor110]

Check the passengers door mirror when turning left make sure you have room by the kerb and no bikes are lurking.

Have you ever driven something without a rear view mirror?

[Ki3r]

egor110 said:

Check the passengers door mirror when turning left make sure you have room by the kerb and no bikes are lurking.

Have you ever driven something without a rear view mirror?

Yeah, brother has a wheelchair adapted car/van, when he is in it, its like having no rear view mirror. Fine with the driving of it (although be a bit of a change going from a auto to a manual! Might do a few drives in my mums van to get used to it again).

[MagicalTrevor]

Years ago, when I was a student, I went for a job to drive one of those Magic Buses. I had an assessment drive and basically said to myself 'the bus is 3-4 times the size of a car so do everything 3-4 times as long/many'. Whilst that's a rather simplistic approach, it worked and I was complimented on my handling of a knackered old training bus. I mentioned my thought process and he said 'that's a good idea!'.

As others have said, exagerate everything like mirrors, signalling and the like and you'll be just fine.

Good luck

[Sheets Tabuer]

I asked the OH, she said they just familiarise you with the van (gear stick on the dash and loading doors) then take you around your patch. They also make sure you can park, reverse around a corner etc. They make sure you're safe and don't drive it like you stole it.

Any numpty can do it apparently.

Then she said: why, do you want a job?

[egor110]

Ki3r said:

Yeah, brother has a wheelchair adapted car/van, when he is in it, its like having no rear view mirror. Fine with the driving of it (although be a bit of a change going from a auto to a manual! Might do a few drives in my mums van to get used to it again).

Remember it's lomger than a car, if you turn as if your in a car you'll end up driving over kerbs when you turn left, so go wide.

Stay nice and calm they won't be impressed if you end up getting road rage.

Good luck .

[Sammo123]

I did exactly this for Ocado last Monday. All they want to see is that you can drive safely and be considerate to other road users. You will probably be asked to parallel park, turn in the road etc. They will also probably take you through a set of 7ft width restrictors. Make sure you line the van up before you get to them and you will get through easy. Just make sure stick to the speed limits and concentrate and you will be fine I had my drive last Monday and started working for Ocado this Monday.

[JumboBeef]

Read The Highway Code. No, really: read all of it, including road signs.

You'll look a berk if you fail on not knowing a simple rule of the road, or a road sign.

[Ki3r]

Sammo123 said:

I did exactly this for Ocado last Monday. All they want to see is that you can drive safely and be considerate to other road users. You will probably be asked to parallel park, turn in the road etc. They will also probably take you through a set of 7ft width restrictors. Make sure you line the van up before you get to them and you will get through easy. Just make sure stick to the speed limits and concentrate and you will be fine I had my drive last Monday and started working for Ocado this Monday.

Thanks.

Forgot about parallel parking, not done it for years! Hate doing it.

Because I'm sad, I read the highway code every couple of months anyway, so should be OK with that.

[Sharted]

I'm surprised that they take you through some 7 foot restrictive entrances.

I've had to stop Tesco and Sainos drivers coming down my drive because of the wing mirror scrapes all down my 8 foot wide gate opening.

[Sammo123]

Sharted said:

I'm surprised that they take you through some 7 foot restrictive entrances.

I've had to stop Tesco and Sainos drivers coming down my drive because of the wing mirror scrapes all down my 8 foot wide gate opening.

The vans just (the Ocado Sprinters are 6ft11 wide) fit through the 7ft restrictors so they have to make sure your confident getting it through them.

[BIG BAVARIAN]

Sammo123 said:

I did exactly this for Ocado last Monday. All they want to see is that you can drive safely and be considerate to other road users. You will probably be asked to parallel park, turn in the road etc. They will also probably take you through a set of 7ft width restrictors. Make sure you line the van up before you get to them and you will get through easy. Just make sure stick to the speed limits and concentrate and you will be fine I had my drive last Monday and started working for Ocado this Monday.

Watch out for the smart drive camera, a sudden change of direction or harsh braking will trigger it and you will find yourself in the spoke managers office,watching the playback whilst having a "coaching session" and having notes put on your file, don't ask me how i know.

[Johnnytheboy]

....plus the golden rule of long vans: when you turn right, the overhand beyond the back axle turns left

[CarTimeNow]

don't hit the kerb! hubby works for them and that is the one thing that gets so many people failing, exagerate looking in the mirrors too, move your head to do it, (quoting hubs "the examiners are kn0bs!")

[Ki3r]

Passed it.

Wasn't bad at all. It's an automatic, terrible to drive, the gear changes sound like something is falling apart, but its really easy to drive. Had to turn at the top a road, just happened to be my road so was a piece of cake.

Just got to sort out some hours now.

Thanks for the advice .

[Ki3r]

Start on Tuesday next week. Had some more training today (a lot of it was common sense). Going up to another store tomorrow/thursday/friday for some on the job training, and out on my own on Tuesday next week.

Also got new vans, Mercedes Sprinter rather than an Iveco, so hopefully nicer to drive...it also has a radio/CD player (although no A/C!).

Really looking forward to it now, hopefully I'll start to enjoy going to work again.

[saladin101]

Hi. I have a driving assessment for Tesco in a few days for a driving job I applied for. I am absolutely bricking it! I dont know how to drive a van.....I own a small renault clio. i can drive that. my mates tell me its much harder 2 drive than a clio because it's bigger! does any1 have any videos or something to help?? plzzzz help!!!!