bolasti

iTrader: (6)

as above taking my intensive course this week any advice?????

Biggs

iTrader: (14)

There's not much to it really, just keep calm and remember your length. There were a couple of occasions which i pulled across zebra crossings etc,only for the lights the other side to change to red. Luckily the car infront of me jumped the lights and i just about had enough space to pull of the crossing.

Also when doing the reversing at the start of your test, remember you are able to take a shunt, so don't try and get it all done in one go.

Keep a cool head and you should be fine

Biggs

iTrader: (14)

Oh and good luck

G-string

iTrader: (1)

Ive been thinking of doing this myself are there jobs out there though?. I am worried that Id be stuck working for an agency for a few years doing something a week here and a couple of days there until I got experience, is this the case?

Lofty91

Good advice Biggs, patience is the key just be smooth and plan ahead you will be fine. Just remember its about showing you are safe and in control.

G-string, the jobs are out there but you will need at least 12months experience to be considered for a full time job. The way i did it was to start on class 2 and then convince my boss to let me have a shot on class 1. Also a point to consider is the new driver CPC most employers will be looking for that now.

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

i have been driving these for 20 yrs when i did my test i **** myself the examiner said to me when i did the emergencystop calm down and stop worrying i took two shunts to do the reversing which could have been a failure also stopped in front off a road junction when he asked me to stop also did a hill start and rolled bk a bit but did it again no probs passed first time good look welcome to the world off trucking

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

cheers chaps got my test friday so will ley you all no. im going b round northampton j coates lorry gives us a thumbs up if ya c me ha ha

Lofty91

Remember if in doubt flat....... no sorry wrong vehicle

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

ha ha ha will try fella.

N11L BM

Good advice from people in here, its just about relaxing and not letting your nerves get the better of you...... i have my class one and dangerous goods licence but in my honest opinion lorry driving is a dying trade which dont pay what it used to!! im actually driving for a waste disposal company (sita) driving class 2 and earning more money than i did when i was working on containers and doing less hours. most companys these days want at least 2 years experience and a dirty licence will get you nowhere, mine was clean until i bought the subaru ( 3 points for speeding ).

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

i know my companys trying everything they can to get rid off me there paying 7.25 for agencies and paying me 30k

KINGTIGER

I hold a HGV licence inc hazmat in tanks. But can't get a job to save my life, was evan asked to leave a interview once due to having no experiance.

Here's the reason why, I was in the army. Though I have my licence they just didn't want to know. So now I'm a bus driver on a crap wage.


People have said to try agencies and such. Problem is the army trucks are mainly rigid and are automatic. Can understand why the refuse me.

N11L BM

i blame the polish! my companys doing a similar sort of thing nick. i find out on wednesday who there making redundant, and i could be one of them! the main reason is the wage bill is to high!

N11L BM

why aint my picture coming up under my user name?

mike h

iTrader: (10)

Examiners are mad on mirrors, so keep looking! When you pass pedestrians, parked cars, trucks in lay-bys have a look. Watch out for that tit who allways wants to beat you to the roundabout or slip road and cuts you up!!

Tomwrx

iTrader: (54)

just remember and take the coners wider and dont worry,

remember u can already drive,ure only increasing ure skills

best of luck mate.ive had my class1 for 9yrs now,

N11L BM

exellent advice from mike!

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

dont know where you guys are, but lomas in buxton are screaming out for class 1 drivers, I know a guy that works there and he does no nights out and no weekends and brings home around £700 pw!!!

stannah

First things first i've only had my licence 5 years but i've learnt an awful lot in that time. The first thing being it's an awful lot harder to get the c+e 1 then any other test you'll take, they failed me for not indicating while leaving a roundabout bear in mind my trailer hadn't cleared the entrance when the cab had exited the roundabout (it was that small). The next point is it's now impossible to get a start in class one work with no experience, stick with class 2 (bear in mind your raking up "class one experience" while still working). Once you've held your licence a year you'll find it a hell of a lot easier to find work (just like your first year insurance on the scooby). Next once you've got experience get out of general haulage and find a specialism (general is on it's ****). I was lucky my father has been in the field for years and set me up in car transporting.

On the day just take your time, breath deeply think twice and don't forget that when it comes to the reverse _____don't be a c*nt take a shunt_____

Good Luck feller

Russ

my06 ppp silver

iTrader: (2)

in my experience being a class 2 driver the same applies as what has already been said. generally you have to start with agencies for about a year to gain experience as otherwise no-one will "take a chance" on you. also it is not what it used to be, most employers are cutting right back on the overtime etc. and getting rid of drivers for the stupidest of mistakes (happens to everyone) knowing that to replace you at the moment is not a problem due to the sheer abundance of licence holders out of work at the moment. its not all bad though, working to your own pace and being responsible for yourself and your vehicle is a good job to have despite the everyday pressures like discourteous drivers etc. but regarding your test, myself, i failed on the first 2 occasions, the 1st time i was blatantly robbed and deserved to pass, the 2nd time i deserved to fail, tried going around a mini r/bout, i knew as soon as i started the manouvre i had fooked up, car followed right behind me, examiner had to get out and back the car behind me up so i could make the corner. i knew i had failed so asked to go straight back to the test centre and finish the test there and then. the examiner agreed if i was happy to do so. i then drove back to the test centre slightly annoyed with myself and when i got back the examiner said to me "once you knew you had failed and drove back to the test centre, because you had nothing to panic about , your driving was much better due to your more assertive style of driving, whereas beforehand you were far too hesitant fearing it would go against you. if you would of driven like this throughout i have no doubt in my mind you would of passed". on my 3rd chance at passing, the lesson before the test, the trainer said, "you know you can drive well, dont regard this as a test, but as you demonstrating to someone how well you can drive", those words were the best advice i was given as my frame of mind for the test was the right one and is the one you will have "on the road" when working. hope this helps , it really is a state of mind thing, keep calm dont panic and enjoy it

superstar1

Reminds me of when i did my class 1 test, the examiner said, "take the third exit off the roundabout", but i flew past it. So i did the mirror routine like my head was spinning around on my shoulders like the exorcist, checked the blind spots, signalled and went around again. Luckily, i still passed with the examiner saying, "it's a driving test, not an exercise in geography and navigation".

s c o o b y

i passed my class one 5 years ago and there was only a 42% pass rate then !
as has already been said keep calm ,plan well ahead , and look in your mirror always i felt it was a good 50% of the time lol felt like it anyway. and dont pull out on them roundabouts as you no when cars are coming off a dual carraige way they are moving very quickly and its very hard to gauge when to go. i do feel that we all need abit of look on the day . but good look to you fella fingers crossed for ya lol.

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

thanks again chaps.
done some reversing today fooooookinhell not as simple as some people make out doing some more 2morrow. any peeps no of any class 1 work round oxforshire/northants area????

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

ent even passed yet talk bout jumping the gun ha ha

scoobystue

iTrader: (3)

i drive for wincanton(boooo!!!)at panasonic in brackmills,northampton,only class 2 though,they keep saying they will put me through my c1 but i think hell will freeze over before that happens!!!! not much work around here apart from agency im afraid and im not sure wether they will give you a chance if your a new c1 driver,i have a mate who drives for norbert whatshisangle in northampton and he said they may have some vacancies coming up,i can ask him if you like??

GC8

Advice = dont look in your near side mirror for too long - or youll end up hitting whatever it was that you were hoping to avoid (its like a sort of target fixation). This is more the case with an articulated vehicle.

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

gc8-thanks mate
scoobystue-if ya woudnt mind fella ne idea what he earns? (take home) av do some calculations and work out if worth me traveling as scoob only does 18mpg oh dear thanks neways pal

my06 ppp silver

iTrader: (2)

you will get the hang of it, slow and steady mate

scoobystue

iTrader: (3)

have you tried ringing 3663? they have a depot in banbury(near the kraft factory)i used to work for them,they are a food service delivery(not kebabs!) going to schools,hospitals etc they may have some openings??

i know his take home isnt great,he works nights though,ill give him a ring later

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

Been driving class one for thirty years now,wish i had never seen a lorry but thats another story.Use mirrors exagerate the movement when you use them,leave a bit more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front.Dont plod along keep up to speed limits, Good luck with the test and then when you pass take any work you get offered i know its not ideal but that way you will soon build up some experience.