I've had several of these assessments in the 18 months I've been Class 1. Never assume they want you to make a reverse in one, take all the shunts you need, they'll respect that you're being safe. Never worry about speed on a reverse, slower is safer. And remember to get out and look if you're not sure, you won't be penalised for being safe.
Oddly my uncle did exactly the same assessment two weeks ago and he failed for taking too many shunts despite getting it perfectly safe and ok in the bay. His drive was apparently top notch. Some assessors are a bit OTT in my opinion. Safely should be the deciding factor really.
Dropping your suspension before you go under, then raising once under is the best way. If you don’t do this, it’ll be a matter of time before you miss the pin and smash the back of the cab on the trailer. Also, it’ll stop you bending the legs, which is a real bugbear of mine, trying to wind bent legs 😓 Build it in as a habit and you’ll never miss the pin.
I only failed an assessment ever when I decided to drive a special way for the assessor,and that was once, after that I drive as normal and don't even think I'm on assessment, that seems to work best.
That assessment sounds very much like DHL to me.. reason being i did mine with them last week and it went exactly as you described. I managed to do the reverse no problem and started my first day there today but that brought it’s own complications expecting me to go to London with a double decker full of beer kegs after being a new pass lol
I lower the unit before going under the trailer, then fully raise the unit when under, It will help when hooking up, you can be slightly off line! as you go back the trailer will straighten up on the pin. Easier to wind the legs up as they will already be of the ground.
The way the assessor asked you how to hook up by lowering the unit, that’s exactly how I do it. The legs aren’t as strong as you think so you want them off the floor when making contact and on tug test. I failed my first two assessments but you just have to keep at it, eventually it will click
We have telematics in all our units, Advise, get up to 10mph, then put Cruise control on, use your hand controls for speed, this way you will not over rev the engine, use the exhaust brake as much as possible before using brake peddle. When travelling downhill cut power from throttle and coast, this will conserve fuel when back on level or going uphill cruise control resume!!
i failed at that company. on the reverse too. went too far back in bay/space. he said there has been a case of a driver reversing into a building and driving off with bricks on the trailer. he showed me evidence of the damage. i'm glad they try to be strict
Sounds exactly like Tesco. Stop tractor unit short of trailer, get out and have a walk around while checking mot, service and tail lift dates. Check parking brake then jump back in cab, fifth wheel under, raise suspension then push back. On the road test sounds the same as well using the retarder to do 90% of the braking and accelerating keeping it under 1500 rpm.
Enjoying accompanying on your journey. I was very lucky when I upgraded my class 2 to class 1 in that the company I was working for let me practice my reversing whenever I wanted, before I went for my test. It could be worth asking to do the same, depending on the company your working for at the time. When you explain that you’re fairly new to the job, and that you’d like a bit of practice, most companies will be completely supportive.
I had "Next" fail me one time, then offered me to work for them through their agency straight after which made no sense. I only like working direct so I declined.
@@Daveyengland I’ve not brought one yet’ Looked on EBay but couldn’t find anything’ they all look the bloody same’ Could have done with one on Saturday’ in Southampton’ reversing in some crap yard down a slop on to a Bay 👍
Enjoying the insight, no BS and a real reflection on the ups and downs. Starting my Class 2 training next month so even though this is Class 1 based it's all good information.
Yes man. I love the spirit... I am in the same boat failed assessment on reverse. Told to go get a refresher. Offered class 2. Have a interview later today for class 1. Hopefully get it to get the experience to reverse.
That's how I was taught to hook up by lowering it. I watched loads wideos previously and they were crazy ways! And unhooking the trailer was dropping about causing damages and there not small companies there the main ones down south.
I had my first class1 assessment today, I passed it, the reversing was a little harder, had to take 2 shunts. Told me that it needs some work too but that he was confident I’d get better after a few weeks practice. I think it was close but I got through.
I had similar at XPO logistics, reverse a bit scrappy, but examiner said out of the five previous, I was the best, yet when the manager called he didn't know the assessor had already told me that i was fine, and said no, due to my driving assessment ......really??.....not my age then??? LOL
Im a brit and drive trucks in canada and U. S and i can tell you if the room is in front you use it always , no matter what your assessor thinks. If its not then go for the least angle possible before backing up.
I passed beginning of May and im feeling really stressed. I wasn’t anticipating feeling this as I was driving 3.5t with no issues at all. I did pass my class 1 but there’s no way I feel confident enough to do the class 1 work. My hat goes off to you chaps and lasses who can do it. Im still trying to find my feet in a class 2 position. Will consider class 1 at a time in the future.
I've been driving artics for 20 yrs now m8, it looks harder than what it is, it's a piece o' piss m8, just get in one and the next thing you'll be throwing it around like nobody's business....😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the insight in to the assessment. Sorry you didn't pass this time. I passed my HGV car to artic back in October and have tried applying for a couple of jobs on class 2 but not having much luck. I am in full employment currently as a mechanic and looking for a career change. Interesting how you say about just holding on to your license for a year and then trying to get jobs. Suppose as well I just need to bite the bullet and quit my current job and try some agency work.
Yes be very careful. I did this and was out of work for months. The agencies promise you the earth but most of them don't get back to you once you're registered with them, or they give the jobs to drivers with more experience.
Companies take on their new drivers through agencies. You apply to them through agency. I signed up to an agency, went straight in for a driving assessment two days later. In for training and driving with a buddy next week. Just understand you mess them around not turning up, being late or cancelling days they'll never call you again at a drop of a hat.
Hi mate, I’m in Liverpool and struggling to get any work as a new driver. Can you recommend any agencies that will take new drivers please. I’m willing to travel out of the area.
The assessor fails you then they offer you work at a different depot at the same company? Most of these assessors are not even qualified properly to carry out their job.
Mate,been at various agencies/places ect.one ?did you hit/damage anything? No so how many shunts or how slow you are is immaterial. That's what all my assesses say.
Tbh sounds like evri warrington and its a terrible place to work no driver ever stays there long and most only work at christmas when they offer better wages and bonuses. Plus the assessments there are 1 of worse ive ever done. But tbf you need to spot on with your reverses there at busy times of year due to fact some of sites are unsafe with how many trailers they have compared to the space the sites have.
@@truckersworld2949 ye I've done Christmas period 3 times. The works easy enough just as mostly just trunking but always waiting for keys and then can be pain finding your trailer because it gets so busy. Then you normally end up queing to leave yard aswell so all just gets frustrating. Alot of drivers I spoke to moved on quick of like me had only do Christmas period there each year.
@@truckersworld2949 I think they have people starting all the time. I did between 6-10pm the times I was there. If I remember right they ask you for a 2 hour window your willing to start then they text you day before what your start time is for next day
No u wouldn't, u would've bottled it and cried and went home and then told ur missus (fat & ugly btw ) that u threw the keys at him and told him to feck orf, and u didn't....😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
