LGV class C test. Updated with lurking shite pic.

[Timewaster]

Next week I have got a 4 day catagory C course with a test on the 4th day.

A bit of me thinks "I'm nearly 40, do I really want to take another driving test?!"

 

I drive an Iveco Daily most of the time so I'm used to a larger vehicle but what should I be looking out for?

I'm guessing observation, observation, observation.

[Tayne]

.

[Shep Shepherd]

Good luck with that. I failed the C1 test no less than six times in 2007 (due to a combination of nerves and the examiners at my local test centre being complete and utter twunts whom I wish nothing but the worst), and promptly had a nervous breakdown

 

I hope to try again at some point in the near future, though, as I want to improve my chances of future employment

 

I'd say that observation is the main thing to look out for, as well as the ability to change gears smoothly.

[dollywobbler]

Don't cut corners and use your mirrors A LOT. I got driver assessed recently (to become an assessor, so he was being harsh) and got ticked off a lot for not checking my mirror before braking and it seems I've utterly forgotten how to feed the wheel. I can do 'two hands on the wheel at all times' but I don't feed the wheel properly (easier with a nice big bus wheel I imagine!).

[Jon]

I took mine in 2006, since I had a guff post-'97 licence and there was the opportunity for more work at my then-employer if I could drive a 7.5 tonne lorry (and I didn't want the threat of having to pay the fees back to employer should I leave shortly after) and it seemed silly to only take the C1 test when a C test cost the same. It depends whether you'll be getting one on one training or sharing the cab with someone else, though I'm assuming the former if a four day course.

 

I managed to pass first time and I reckon you'll learn most of the 'tricks' during that four day course. There were little tape markers on the side barriers which helped gauge rear distances for the reverse into the coned area, etc so hopefully you'll benefit from similar stuff. I don't think we ever strayed from the test routes, plus I was told what the examiner would want to see when we found out which one it was on the test morning. He was an utter arsehole but he passed me so I don't really care.

 

In short: check your mirrors regularly (once to twice every ten seconds) and make it pronounced enough that they'll actually notice, rather than a quick flash of the eyes. Take your time to make smooth changes, leave plenty of distance to brake (and slow down earlier when turning at junctions, etc.) and don't break the speed limits - the 40mph on a single carriageway one takes some getting used to, especially when you see a long line of traffic in the mirrors....

 

Also, this may be a bit late for 'real life' (and it's certainly too late here!) but I didn't tell anyone I was taking my test on the fourth day; those who knew about my lessons assumed I was having a few days to test my abilities. Therefore, there was no pressure to pass first time.

[Cavcraft]

Next week I have got a 4 day catagory C course with a test on the 4th day.

A bit of me thinks "I'm nearly 40, do I really want to take another driving test?!"

 

I drive an Iveco Daily most of the time so I'm used to a larger vehicle but what should I be looking out for?

I'm guessing observation, observation, observation.

 

Go for the sympathy vote?

[warren t claim]

It's a piece of piss, just remember that you'll have 8 gears to choose from and always be in the right range. Cat C is just a big van.

[warren t claim]

Next week I have got a 4 day catagory C course with a test on the 4th day.

A bit of me thinks "I'm nearly 40, do I really want to take another driving test?!"

 

I drive an Iveco Daily most of the time so I'm used to a larger vehicle but what should I be looking out for?

I'm guessing observation, observation, observation.

 

Who are you actually learning with? Do they have a web site with a picture of their truck on it? If so.....

 

Mercedes

Renault

I***o

Slapover gearbox.

 

Volvo

Scania

Range change gearbox.

 

The too easy option is a straight 6 box with a splitter but the DSA don't think they're much of a challenge for it's unlikely you'll get one of those.

 

A range change gearbox means you'll pull off in third and then go into high range by flicking a switch on the gear lever to "pre select" high range and then high will automatically engage when you pass through neutral to get into fifth (which is in the same position as first). Easy eh?

 

A slapover is like having two four speed boxes side by side, Again pull off in third and to get into high range pull the lever back into neutral and jerk the lever to the right and again slot it into where first would be.

 

Any questions?

[Volksy]

How clean is your licence? I 'Failed' my PSV twice (at a grand a pop) due to an unclean one. The last tester said - "I've never been on this bus driven so smoothly", was an old Bedford with a hydraulic throttle. But "and this is off the record" You wont pass with that.

 

I had, to my shame, a DR10 from 9 years ago at the time.

[CreepingJesus]

It's unlikely to be a slapper, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I could write a novel about the shitness of my first C test, which I failed with 10th points. 2nd time, I passed with 15.

Smooth and steady, observation like a hawk, and keep it off the kerbs are probly the best advice. Best of luck with it!

[meggersdog]

I took mine in '97 and as has already been said the instructor will have a few tricks to help you.Always move your head slightly when checking the mirrors and do it often.Although I did my driver training in Peterborough I actually took the test in Cambridge so didn't drive the route until an hour before the test.I got marked down (twice) for being over cautious whilst overtaking cyclists.There's a bloody lot of 'em in Cambridge and not all passed a cycling proficiency test.I found the lorryist examiner more human than the car examiner.After the second mark down he told me I was being too cautious.I passed on that first attempt in a town I'd never driven in before so fair play to both my instructor and the examiner.

[Timewaster]

Well, it was a MAN with a slapper box and there were 2 learners in the cab but most importantly - i passed!

Thanks for the tips and encouragement guys.

 

Note the ex BT hiab Roadrunner. Yellow inside cab, grey back end and the cab painted in the flatest dullest most faded shade of purple.

[Cavcraft]

Congrats!

[skattrd]

Well done

[CreepingJesus]

 

A Noble Order of the Yorkie, to you sir! Congrats etc., sorry I didn't have any white moccassins on me. It's a Duo as well, seeing as you cleared the slap-thro' trap.

Actually there was a Ginsters 'Meat Feast' Pastie, and two cans of Relentless as well, but some greedy bastard polished them off Bloody truck drivers, eh?

[Richard]

Pollock?

[CreepingJesus]

Yep. Improbable schedules ahoy...

[Timewaster]

CreepingJC, thanks for the Yorkie. I did buy myself a biscuit and raisin bar at the truck stop when I collected my car after the test.

Although it was the only brand of choc bar they sold there for some reason.

 

I got 7 minors (insert Michael Jackson / Gary Glitter joke here) out of an allowable 15 so not too bad I thought.

[eddyramrod]

Yay, well done! Cue poverty, impossible deadlines, 100-hour weeks and legalese headaches for the rest of your career... Oh and a diet consisting entirely of Yorkies, bacon butties and sugary drinks. So it isn't all bad!

 

Seriously: be safe, have fun, and always take your camera with you.

[Cavcraft]

Do your ADR and come into my works!

[scruff]

WELL DONE, what are you piloting and where abouts?