Taking my LGV Class 2 test 1st Feb

Johnnytoxic

Johnnytoxic

Johnnytoxic

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I've booked my practical course 1st Feb with the training in late January.

Hoping for a bit of luck with the weather. Tried searching for a longer forecast and mid January temperatures seem to be rising a smidge.

I only have a year left to pass my practical so I need to start trying to do it asap. Am I mad, my dad just told me I am for doing it in this weather.
 
No, you will be fine.

Key thing to remember:

If you a 8 speed split box, you only need 3 gears, 4th to go, then 6th, them 8th.
As soon as you start to move flick the range change button up so as you come out of 4th it jumps up the range straight away ready to slot into sixth, same as coming down from 6th to forth, anticipate the change, flick the range change button down BEFORE you deselect 6th, this will cut out grinding and missed gears.

Always make an attempt to get your front wheels round any mini roundabouts.
ALWAYS check your mirrors going past EVERYTHING.
ALWAYS check your blind spot when moving off and into the right hand lane.
Always check your near side mirror before indicating to leave a roundabout.
take extra care when turning left, you will get lots of left turns, this is to try and get you to clip the curb with your nearside rear.
DONT coast round corners.
ALWAYS dominate your lane.
Try and anticipate traffic lights, the examiner will love you long time if you can negotiate a set of traffic lights without stopping.
There will be one dodgy junction on the test route, pay special attention to it, you WILL get it.
 
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Another tip, keep your speed up when out on country roads (assuming the route has them) the examiner will want to see you handle the truck at "speed" on such roads, I remember bouncing mine all over the cab.

If the limit is 40MPH, do it. The truck will be empty and more than able to handle it, even if you feel it won't!

Maintaining progress or something like that iirc.

Relax, if your tense, you'll make mistakes that will cost you.
 
yea, dont hold up traffic by doing 25 in a 30. it feels like your going faster than you are so make sure to get up to speed.
 
Thanks for the tips people.

It's certainly different than taking a normal car test as you have your training in a week Mon-Fri then do the test the following Tuesday. They obviously have slots pre booked.

Took me awhile to get used to the 8 speed gearbox. I had an hours assesment back in August. I was bricking it as the instructor just said right now you drive. I had never driven a truck before and he wanted me to pull out of a slip road onto dual carriageway with a blind corner behind me, so cars were whizzing past me coming from nowhere !! Thrown in at the deep end or what.
 
They have removed the gear change down/up exercise. While easy enough was just a pain in the rear. The reversing exercise is fun, the instructor should give you tips for getting it in the bay by using reference points on the body of the lorry etc.

Just relax and enjoy, check the mirrors all the time even before changing gears! and all that the rest have said too.

I done my C's in 2006 and C+E last year, both times it was driving mon-tue-weds test on the thur. First time round it was an hour on tame roads then straight into Hull with its tight roads and interesting locals!
 
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mine was also lessons on mon tues wed then test on thurs.

i was bricking it but did better then when i did my driving test.
 
I've now done 4 out of the 5 tests it takes to get the licence. Just the practical now on Tuesday.

On lessons this week Mon-Fri. Took me a couple of days to get the controls comfortable, now I can concerntrate on the little mistakes I make, like forgetting to switch the gears into the lower range when stopping and before pulling off again. Positioning as well as I'm used to cutting corners in my car, bad habit !!

It's a tiring week thats for sure, so much concerntration, mentally draining.
 
R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Wait until you've done 45 hours, nearly 30 of those driving, and still have two days of a 5 day shift to go, thats draining..... ;)
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I bet. Think I would only do it part time, it's a lot harder than people think.

I passed me Class 2 today, 7 minors.

I was making loads of mistakes before the test, lane position, forgetting to switch down to low range after stopping etc etc.

With a knackerd shoulder from the gear changes I now need a deserved rest :)
 
Johnnytoxic said:
I passed me Class 2 today, 7 minors.

I was making loads of mistakes before the test, lane position, forgetting to switch down to low range after stopping etc etc.

With a knackerd shoulder from the gear changes I now need a deserved rest :)
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Well done, you fool! - Welcome to Hell! :D

Congratulations on the pass - its a good feeling.
 
Sorry to revive an old thread :)

But this was 2 years ago, how have you found things since then Johnny as I am about to embark on the same route myself. Looking to take my LGV Class 3 test within the next few months followed by Class 1, budget permitting :)
 
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