For those who have taken their trailer test

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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I've just had a three hour lesson, I was planning on another 3hrs and then an hr and a half before my test. I've towed horse trailers on and off for years with no problems with someone sat next to me.
I'm confident, but wondering if I should have more lessons before the test, I'm worried about driving like a learner again as I've picked up a few bad habits.
For those of you that have passed what did you find difficult? Or what did you fail on if you did?
 
I have just passed and had 3hrs followed by 2 before test! I haven't towed legally on the roads before and passed with 2 minors. I found it was mainly mirrors mirrors and mirrors with the examiner.
Ask your instructor their opinion and good luck
 
The instructor hasn't been that clear wether I really need another 3 or 6hrs before the test. Obviously 6 is better for him as its more money in his pocket!
Its silly things like not changing down gears as I approach a junction and waiting then going into 1st once stopped.
And just going nice and slow. He said he needs time to go through the test routes and coupling vas in coupling. I wasn't impressed that I had to spend the first 20 mins if my lesson waiting for him to hitch the trailer up and put the mirrors on the car etc, then tell me about himself :/
 
I found the most difficult bit was my instructor. He was an idiot.

Only thing I was told off for was not accelerating fast enough and slowing down too soon, you have to drive like you don't have animals or any load on board. I got a minor for not accelerating fast enough on the actual test.

My instructor was a total waste of money, he made me feel like an idiot and ruined my confidence telling me I was useless and needed an intensive week of lessons while at the same time offering no constructive advice. He turned up late and without fuel every time. On my test day he turned up without the trailer as he had sold it and we had to go to the people he had sold it to so we could borrow it. When we got there the trailer was boxed in by three other trailers and had to wait ages for someone to come and move them. Then typically he had no fuel so after doing all that I was nearly late for my test. Complete idiot. I wish I had used another instructor or even not one at all as I don't think he taught me anything, just upset me. To add - I drive a tractor and trailer for a living so pretty experienced at towing and he made me feel useless. A bit rich from an instructor who dropped me off and then couldn't turn around in our (large) yard.

I would have changed instructor but due to the waiting list for the test he booked my test for me several months before I met him and then it was too late to change by the time I realised he was an idiot.
 
ADVICE - go for B+E with a LGV school that does it because their instructors have more to lose reputation wise than a one man band so they tend to keep things very professional - after all, they are also teaching C+E !

More advice - get car driving up to DSA standard before going for B+E - that will save heaps of money and time

and yet more advice ..... if you can get hold of a towing set up then practice un/coupling and reversing

Videos and test questions are available on the internet as well as being in posts 999 and 1000 of the TOWING CLINIC link below in my signature
 
Thanks peeps, I've now changed over to a large company and they have told me the vehicle and trailer will be ready and waiting and they have a high pass rate and teach hgv etc :)
 
I had my lessons with BSM, took me 3 attempts to pass but it also took me 2 attempts to pass my normal driving test, and I am generally crap in any sort of exam situation so that probably says more about me than BSM TBH.

What surprised me is that the examiner told me they fail more people for going too SLOWLY than too fast. They expect you to be at or as close to (so he said) the speed limit as possible, not doing 30mph in a 60mph like a lot of trailers you see.
 
I did two days intense training with the test on the third (after a short last practise drive) with a one-man-band company. He picked me up every morning on time with vehicle/trailer ready. We'd spend the morning practising manouvres and the afternoon driving the roads. We'd stop for lunch and tea breaks that he paid for. Absolutely knackering, but I'd never towed before and passed first time. Good luck :)
 
My instructor was really good. He was a lorry driver that had branched out into B+E training. We used my car, and his trailer.

I mainly needed practise at reversing. I failed first time round due to my nerves, didn't connect trailer up properly at the end.

Passed second time around; both times the examiners were really nice.
 
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