B+E trailer training - how many lessons did you have?

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Tayto

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Just trying to get a general idea here:

How many lessons did you have?
Did you pass first time?
If you failed first time - what did you fail on?

I am doing trailer training just now but its £90 per lesson and I am struggling to have them regularly as I just don't have the spare cash!

My dad is giving me "lessons" too with my own trailer and car on the test routes etc so hoping I won't need too many lessons ;)
 
One day training. No previous towing experience bar a 50 mile trip with a dinky trailer
No failed first time
Why? Because I'm an idiot. I touched the tow bar when reversing up to hitch. I only had 2 minor faults until then! Passed second time a week later with only 1 minor.

Advice I would give. Get a really good instructor and don't do too much driving with your Dad...you need to be taught the right way to pass the test not the practical real world way IMO. (real world touching the tow bar with the hitch is not a disaster in any way for example. lol!)
 
Let Dad see this including all the videos .....


SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner

The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

The trailer must now be loaded with 600 kgs of sand bags or a 1000 kgs water IBC for the test so most companies are now training with that weight in the trailer
https://www.gov.uk/new-laden-testing-rules-for-driving-test-vehicles

Well explained here

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test. So you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.
DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS
Remember that the required 600 kgs of sand bags or 1 x 1000 IBC filled with water will be required in the trailer and the load must be secure.
 
Tayto said:
Just trying to get a general idea here:

How many lessons did you have?
Did you pass first time?
If you failed first time - what did you fail on?

I am doing trailer training just now but its £90 per lesson and I am struggling to have them regularly as I just don't have the spare cash!

My dad is giving me "lessons" too with my own trailer and car on the test routes etc so hoping I won't need too many lessons ;)
Click to expand...

I spent about 6 months with a parent sat next to me to gain a bit of confidence and practise reversing/driving out on roads. Went out once or twice a week with the trailer (loaded and unlaoded) Once I could afford to take the test I had 4 hours with an instructor and test next day - mind went blank on the hitching up (which is at the end of test) - nerves had simply got the better of me and I failed on that (I only had two minors up to that point).

Took 2nd test a week later and passed with one minor (i couldnt answer one of the show me tell me questions) so basically had a perfect drive :) :) - very proud moment! Although I was hugely disappointed in failing first test, it gave me loads of confidence when taking the second one and my nerves were much better and more settled. Good luck!
 
I passed my B+E first time in Sept 2010. Bought a trailer about 6 months previously and spent the time in between towing to lessons/comps on L plates with good old Dad as my passenger. Practiced a few times before taking it out with the horse in though of course!
Did a morning of intensive lessons before taking my test in the afternoon. The instructor was ace, taught me tricks and methods for reversing etc, how drive to the standards required in the test and what to expect. It was about £300 all in for the lessons and test, worth every penny.
 
One day course and passed with 1 minor, however have grown up on a farm with farm kit but still didn't feel like I was capable before I got there! The guys that did my course were very good though.
 
I took my test yesterday with a fantastic instructor. Got there at 8:30am, practised reversing, went round the test routes test at 2pm and passed! As long as you get the reversing side the driving itself is quite straightforward.

I did watch a few youtube videos regarding coupling and uncoupling which was useful!
 
I took so many lessons I lost count. and took three tests. failed one on the reverse, the other for not doing shoulder checks and passed the third. nightmare but glad it's all over now!!

good luck
 
I had 8 sessions and two tests. Everyone is different, you take as many as you need. Most failures are probably nerves. I forgot to test my lights then because i had already failed he just went really hard on me and i ended up with 3 serious and 19 faults. Mostly mirrors. Second test i got 3 real faults and 3 fake ones, cause the paper was too bare. None for mirrors!
 
I did my test earlier this year, I had absolutely no towing experience at all so I did one of those 3 day intensive courses. It was 12 hours all together, but that included my test time. I think 10 hours was practicing which was split 4 hours on tues, 4 hours on weds, 2 hours on thurs then the test.

It was £700 all together which included hire of towing vehicle and trailer, plus lessons and the test.

I passed first time with 2 minors - despite being so worried about it I'd put it off for years, it wasn't so bad! I am generally a pretty conscientious driver though and picked up the reverse parking fairly easily - I think that is where most people fail. All the rest, like uncoupling and re-coupling you can look at on youtube - there are some great videos there.

Good luck!
 
I did an intensive course, 1 full day training then half day with test. Failed first time due to nerves - passed all trailer bits with no faults! 2nd time aced the driving (4 minors) but hit a cone on the reverse. Third time lucky last week, passed with no faults!
Nerves really got to me on the driving, especially the independent bit where you follow road signs (I took my test somewhere I had never been to before to add to the challenge!). So I practiced this with my own trailer and patient husband supervising. My instructor had really good pointers for the reverse and couple/uncouple.
It was a very stressful thing to do, but glad I've done it now!

ETA: check out Martin Lovell on YouTube, his vids are really helpful!
 
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Thanks for sharing everyone! I have a lesson on Saturday so going to ask my instructor to have a chat with my dad to make sure he isn't teaching me any bad habits!
 
2 lessons, + quick lesson before test. Passed first time. (Didn't do anything outside of lessons, failed my first normal driving test lots!)
 
No towing experience at all other than being a passenger. About 6 hours of lessons all together, passed first time with 4 minors. Cost £510 in total including test fee, lessons and use of instructors vehicle for test etc. Was totally petrified in first lesson and wasn't sure if i was even going to actually take the test but instructor was great.
 
rotters13 said:
I took my test yesterday with a fantastic instructor. Got there at 8:30am, practised reversing, went round the test routes test at 2pm and passed! As long as you get the reversing side the driving itself is quite straightforward.

I did watch a few youtube videos regarding coupling and uncoupling which was useful!
Click to expand...

I have a sneaky feeling you may have passed with Kevin Parker?!? He is brill!
 
I had two, three hour sessions and then a one hour one just before my test. I passed first time despite it taking me 5 times to pass my driving test two years prior!
 
I did 2 full consecutive days training (8hours each day) then had an hour before my test. Think it was about £750 all in, however I failed on the reverse (nerves!) and then hit the kerb on my 2nd test so failed that too. Passed 3rd time, I think my resits were about £175 a time with an hour beforehand and I also had a free mornings training before my 3rd test.
 
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