Failed Trailer Test - Outraged! (RANT ALERT)

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assuan

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Just failed my 'we want to con some more money out of people' trailer test.

Get this, I failed for three things.....

1. I got out of the vehicle too many times. You're allowed out once, I got out twice, one of which was to insert the damn reversing pin (haven't got auto-reversing brakes) - HELLO!!!!

2. I pulled forward twice (you're only allowed once). Why only once, what differences does it actually make...

3. Because tha back of the trailer wasn't within the yellow area at the back of the bay, I was 2 inches outside of it.....

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH....
I can tow and reverse a damn trailer better than many other people I know; fair enough if I'd of hit some cones, totally understand, but the above.....WHAT EVER....

Going to re-book for Monday, if it's still available when the system will let me re-book..... ARGHHHHHH SO DAMN ANNOYED
 
I failed mine 3 times! Still haven't passed it. Every time I failed for a different thing which I think proves that I can do everything, but just get too nervous on the test!

I have given up now, and got a single trailer and down plated it so it is legal to tow behind my Freelander. (been through the legislation with fine toothed comb, am definately legal to tow it :D)

Don't think I will ever bother taking it again, to expensive and disheartening to keep failing for stupid reasons!

Good luck if you re-take it really hope you pass and give me hope that it CAN be passed...... I have my doubts!:mad:
 
Eugh, sounds so ridiculous. I don't see the point anyway, because even when you pass you wouldn't stick to just getting out once. It's the same with driving tests, I don't know anyone who has stuck to everything they were taught. Hope you pass next time!
 
I am sorry you have failed and I can understand you feel cross. Maybe you could borrow a trailer with auto reverse next time. I actually think it is a good idea that people need to pass a test. I have seen too many people who are completely unable to reverse/manouvre their trailers.
 
I'm so glad that i don't have to take it, sounds tough to please them.

I have my HGV 1 so don't require to do it thankfully.

Good Luck for Monday if you can get in to do it again.
 
That sucks... I didnt know you couldn't get out of the vehicle more than once. I get out about 5 times 'Just to check' even though I tow trailers almost daily, I would rather double check everything... I can understand them failing you for not getting it in the box though, being able to reverse into the box accurately is part of the test but getting out of the vehicle more than once seems a bit harsh!

Hope you get it booked in for next week though... better luck next time :)
 
Yeah I failed mine too! My reversing wasn't 'good enough' fair enough but I never have problems reversing when im out and about, it was just the way they set out the silly combination I messed it up.

I think like you say it is all a big con, yes people need to be safe, but the reversing exercise is a joke!

Dont think i'll bother re-taking mine - CBA!!!!!
 
This might sound a bit harsh, which is not my intention, but they do have to have guidlines somewhere!

Ok, I admit the getting out once (should be changed for non-automatic reversing trailers or w/e they are) is a bit stupid!

Also, the pulling forward only once is again stupid!

But the box one, i do have to kind of agree to...

good luck next time though [=

bexcy-bee x
 
there has to be certain requirements to any test, which are there for anyone to see. I am not sure about the getting out bit and that probably wasn't fair

but you certainly failed on the other 2 points anyway. I think it is appropriate that you are allowed to shunt forwards once during the reverse, I think it demonstrates your ability to put your trailer where you want it with the minimum of fuss and hence inconvenience to other road users. The box is the box, just because there aren't solid walls it is still a box

I actually think it was an excellent idea introducing the test and was please that I had to do mine.
 
Fair enough having to be within a bay, the entire vehicle was within the bay. The yellow box at the back of the bay is not even half a metre deep; so you have to stop with the back of the trailer within this area - I was 2 inches out of it....

The guy didin't even bother with the rest of the test, he ended it at the end of the excercise.
 
Sorry to hear you failed. Don't mean to sound harsh, however did you have lessons from anyone? When I did mine I got it drummed into me about the rules, and so knew what I could/could not do. Some of them may seem a bit pointless but they are there for a reason, and if I was in your shoes I would be more annoyed that I wasn't thoroughly prepared and versed on the rules more than anything else.

In the reversing test you ARE allowed to pull forward TWICE so not sure why they pulled you up on that one tbh. You may want to use a different trailer next time if you need to get out to put it in reverse, unless you can clear it with them beforehand, that way you can use your one chance at getting out to check to make sure you are in the yellow box. Good luck for next time!
 
Isnt it annoying!!!

I failed mine twice!! Bith time because of the reversing. I, like you, am bloody good at reversing, better than anyone i know. My friend Cath can not reverse to save her life - she passed her driving test before the cut off point so she is legally allowed to tow without having to obtain a trailer licence!! Where is the logic???

Both test i had courses before and nailed the reversing every single time my teacher asked me to do it - get to the test and flunk because i am full of nurves!!! You are allowed two shunts forward and i had 3 both times. But parked perfect after that, emergency stop i nailed and received ONLY TWO MINORS whilst out on the road!!! Its just not fair!!!
 
Unfortunately there are rules to the test & if you exceed them then that's it. Unfortunately it says in the box & you weren't, end of. I do think it very unfair he didn't continue the test, as it would have given you valuable info on whether there was anything else they thought you needed to work on.

I always had the feeling they didn't like people to 'just' fail their test, as they were more likely to complain. If they 'really' failed, then they tended to be more accepting of the result. This test has many querks, & would be very difficult to pass without lessons before, no matter how well you drive.

I will be back in Berks (live in south-west) over the Easter beak, if you want to go out for a couple of hours practice in your rig.

(Approved Driving Instructor, for cars & B&E, now part-time as I work in highway design)
 
I failed my trailer test once, tbh its a money making exercise by the government. It is hard to do and I had problems with the reversing. I decided in the end to get a 3.5 ton horsebox much easier. I love driving that little lorry. Cant you get a 3.5 ton instead?
 
Its extremely irritating isnt it? I passed on my 3rd time! First time I literally failed within the first 5 mins, the reversing test - I touched a cone at the edge. I'm sorry but if I was out and about with my trailer I simply WOULDN'T EVER reverse into such a tight spot in the first place, I never have a need to do so! Even if I did, there's always someone around to help guide me out if need be! The second time I failed, was because she claimed I didnt check my mirror when pulling away from the side of the road, but that's rubbish - I remember doing it! I went into the test having been told by my intructor to OVER-DO checking mirrors! Just because she happened to be looking the other way at the time, how is that fair?

Its a stupid, stupid, horrifically expensive test. Its a joke, so I had to go through ALL that hassle and expense yet my brother who is 3 years older and NEVER driven a trailer in his life, is legally allowed to tow straight away no problem.
 
Oh this is disheartening, I have just acquired a 4x4 have had a tow bar fitted and was going to look into doing the test but I have no cash to throw around at the moment so several failed attempts would be a nightmare.

How much is each trailer test? Surely not the £115 I was told??
 
I also failed the first time, second time the examinor asked if I had sat the test before, I replied yes. He asked me if I felt confident pulling a trailer I replied yes.

So for the test he told me which direction to drive whilst he spent most the test on the phone to his son or reading his morning paper.

He was totally unfussy about my reversing etc and could see I cold drive confidently and safely.

Passed with no faults!

Better luck next time! x
 
I have to say to the OP, its not that he couldn;t be bothered with the rest of your test, if you fail in the test centre then they are not permitted to carry out the rest of your test as you are not deemed safe to be on the road.
 
I sat (and passed mine) about 2 years ago and I'm sure there was no limit to how many times I could get out the car and I was allowed 2 shunts forward during the reverse manouver (only needed one).

I do think though that it is a good idea that people should learn how to tow correctly - the amount of drivers I've seen making an @rse of a simple reverse is rediculous - most of these were people who were old enough that they didn't need to sit a test.
 
Quote: Because tha back of the trailer wasn't within the yellow area at the back of the bay, I was 2 inches outside of it..... WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH....
I can tow and reverse a damn trailer better than many other people I know; fair enough if I'd of hit some cones, totally understand, but the above.....WHAT EVER....

Quote : I think like you say it is all a big con, yes people need to be safe, but the reversing exercise is a joke!

Quote : failed mine twice!! Bith time because of the reversing. I, like you, am bloody good at reversing, better than anyone i know.

Unfortunately the test is there to test your ability to complete a variety of manoevres. You can't pass a test by telling the examiner that you can do something, you have to show him you can. As many have said you were unable to show the examiner you could reverse proficiently, so what do you expect him to do? He has no alternative but to fail you.
 
assuan said:
Fair enough having to be within a bay, the entire vehicle was within the bay. The yellow box at the back of the bay is not even half a metre deep; so you have to stop with the back of the trailer within this area - I was 2 inches out of it....

The guy didin't even bother with the rest of the test, he ended it at the end of the excercise.
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When I did my HGV test the training school had a yellow mark painted on all their lorries - when that was level with the closest edge of the box you were in the right spot! It made it very easy to do the reversing into the box exercise.
 
Bosworth said:
I have to say to the OP, its not that he couldn;t be bothered with the rest of your test, if you fail in the test centre then they are not permitted to carry out the rest of your test as you are not deemed safe to be on the road.
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This is rubbish - i failed twice on the reverse and twice i was allowed to carry on with the rest of the test and went out onto the road??:confused:
 
Oooo, you should come to Yorkshire. You're allowed 3 pulls forward in the reversing bit, and I needed all fecking 3 of them:o, as was really nervous!! Other than that pass with super flying colours!!:D
 
Erm so they should just let anyone- who does not pass the criteria of the test pass?

What about normal driving tests? i only reverse parked into the car behind by 2 inches- so thats ok right?

or i only got 48% in the exam with a pass mark of 50%- so i should pass right?

Twaddle
 
Stacie_and_Jed said:
Isnt it annoying!!!

I failed mine twice!! Bith time because of the reversing. I, like you, am bloody good at reversing, better than anyone i know. My friend Cath can not reverse to save her life - she passed her driving test before the cut off point so she is legally allowed to tow without having to obtain a trailer licence!! Where is the logic???
Click to expand...

Yup....I'm an old git too......so free to tow and reverse crapply at my own free will:p

That said....I'm not half bad, I get where I need to be (I have to reverse my trailer into my yard - no other way- and as OH pointed out he can't always be there so I HAVE to be able to do it.....)

No doubt I would fail a trailer test if I went out and did one, but then again I'd probably fail my driving test if I had to do that again, despite having been passed 22 years and never been in an accident *touches wood*
 
I had my first towing lesson in August last year and by the end of September i had passed my test first time. I found the test easy to be honest. I was allowed to pull forward twice to correct myself but had discussed this with my instructor before my test and decided to pull forward once to straighten myself up.
 
You are not allowed to be taken on the road if the examiner states your driving in the test centre is not up to the standard required. So in order to fail at the test centre the OP is perhaps being slightly ecomomical with the results.

Stacie and Jed, I suspect your standard was not as low as the OP which is why you were allowed to continue.

Its a bit like a normal car driving test - Examiners can actually stop a test part way through and 'walkback' if the client is really poor and dangerous. If however the examiner is not worried about his safety he can continue with the driving test even if the client failed the minute he left the centre
 
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