Hgv Course Next Week

[alanbradley]

Hi folks,

Next week off off to attempt to take my HGV Class 2 (that's big rigid trucks - class "C" on your driving license) and I'm really nervous about it. I've read the book twice already and passed the theory.

Have any of you done this recently and - if so - have you got any hints or pointers? What should I look out for and where did you find it difficult?

I'm doing one of those intensive week-long courses starting monday morning with the test on Friday.

Cheers in advance,

Alan

[daktari]

Hi Alan. I`m assuming you`ve done your class 3.

I`ve done all the HGV tests and the Class 2 was probably the easiest. Just keep thinking your in a Class 3 with balls.

The good thing with a weeks course is that your constantly refreshing without (Hopefully) forgetting too much. One of the things that might trip you up is the wheelbase will be longer. So make allowances. It`s embarassing bouncing the back axles over pedestrians feet.

Good luck mate.

[EarL]

Best of luck mate

[Karma Supra]

Charlie's Angels big ambition in life is to be long distance Clara (pigeon street)

Good Luck!!

[yvvan]

Hi Alan,

hardest part for me was reversing up to a loading platform, not being used to the lenght I always stopped too far from it or bounced right into it. Also taking 18 meters on a small roundabout felt a bit awkward and reversing to the right into a small alley (still sometimes) puts me in rather embarrassing situations, never had that to the left for some reason.

Taking things easy, a comfortable seating position, taking time to adjust the mirrors and checking things like trailer hanging on good, brake lines to trailer,air suspension adjusted and tyres is what I can think of.

Good luck, Yves.

[dub_boy]

Did mine last year so know how you feel! Was totally bricking it before the test, but thankfully it all went ok.

Just try & stay relaxed & all you can do is give it your best shot. :)

Worst bit for me was starting with an agency the day after my test & being sent out on my own!!

Good luck mate

[Gareth B]

Good luck mate. Sounds like good advice from others in the know, let us know how you get on.

Just take your time and try and relax.

[jaxx]

cool!

id love to drive a hoooj 40 tonner wagon! :D

me old man used to be a trucker and used to love the times in the school holidays when went for a ride out in it!

450bhp huge turbo, top speed of 56mph :D

awesome machines!

[GIDDLEPIN]

I passed my class 2-2a, 31 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday (papped me pants yesterday! :D ).

Yes it was nerve racking, but the high you get after you pass, is better than a good night on the razz, including a bum burner curry, followed by a jolly nice time with a very attractive young lady.

Just to prove you're never to old to learn.

Got my class1 two years ago.

Here's the motors we run. :)

The only advice I can give, is to enjoy yourself (they won't put you up against a wall and shoot you if you fail!).

Les

[alanbradley]

Cheers folks!

Yesterday was the first day and I was absolutely cacking myself, but by then end of the day I had pretty much stopped running the kerbs and was becoming a bit less stressed (you should have seen what I was like in the morning )

Today was much better, and I actually managed to relax and enjoy myself. Practice, practice and more practice is needed though!

Hopefully tonight I won't dream of driving and roundabouts (seriously ).

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Alan

PS Yves, we now have a "reversing on to the ferry" manoeuver so that we can stop vaguely near to loading bays ;)

[alanbradley]

I had my test yesterday afternoon and I PASSED!

Quick, someone, pass me a Yorkie!

Thanks again for your support & encouragement,

Alan

[T V O R]

Well done

[yvvan]

I had my test yesterday afternoon and I PASSED!

Congratulations!

What kind of stuff can you drive now?

Cheers, Yves.

[~Rach~]

Well done love :D :group-cuddles:

[alanbradley]

Thanks!

Basically I can drive anything rigid plus a trailer up to 750kg, so probably up to about 20-odd tonnes. That's a fair leap as I only had a post-96 license (ie I could only drive stuff up to a transit size) and before the beginning of the week I had only driven a 7.5 tonner about 500 yards in a quarry just over 3 years ago! (although I have passengered most of the way across france & germany in them - so I knew what it felt like in a cab).

I did it mainly because it's useful for me to be able to drive a 7.5 tonner for work sometimes and the test to drive them is almost identical to the one for a "proper" HGV...

I'm also now allowed to tow a "proper" trailer (up to a max weight of 3.5 tonnes) behind a car or van with a maximum train weight of 8.25 tonnes. Before I was only allowed a max weight of 4.25.

That's probably way more information than you needed/wanted... Sorry...

A

PS better go wax the car so it's nice and shiney for the trip to glasgow tomorrow

[jaxx]

brilliant!! well done mate!

now get qualified to haul a 40 tonner! proper beast! :D

breaker breaker, southbound, and all that cack

[GIDDLEPIN]

Welcome to the club.

How long till you go for the big one?

Les

[alanbradley]

Oh, I don't know! Maybe next year or sometime... Probably when I can next persuade someone else to pay for it! :D

"10-4 Rubber Ducky" 'n' all that... Think I'll watch Smokey & the Bandit tonight ;)