HGV test (or Cat C whichever you prefer) - any last minute tips?

[star]

Have now done 2 days of training, one more tomorrow then test is on Wed morning and I'm bricking it. Tell me other people felt like this at this stage. Really hoping tomorrow feels a bit better than it has so far as I wouldn't pass at the moment. Having never driven anything bigger than a transit van or 4x4/trailer I'm really struggling with a 12T truck. Just cannot get used to driving out on the white line and every time anything else big comes the other way I have a heart attack and attempt to move out of the way and graze the curb. It's not good! 2 other people on same course failed their tests today, one of Friday's failed too and I'm sure I'm worse than all of them put together! Help me!

 

[ROG]

I could be very nice and PC or I could be honest ... I'll be honest ...

From what you have said - YOU ARE NOT READY FOR TEST - but its too late to cancel it so use it as practice and the experience - JUST GO AND HAVE FUN and sod the result

 

[star]

I know I'm not ready - I feel like I need a month of practise! I dont know why I'm struggling so much though. I'm generally a quick learner. I passed my car test 3mths after I was 17, took my B+E after only three 2hr lessons and yet cannot master the size of this truck. And when I do think I'm doing ok instructor tells me to stop driving like I've got horses on the back and hurry up!

 

[ROG]

I would probably have done anassessment with you first and then recommended a 7 day course and i know that would be more expensive but probably cheaper in the long run

Those 7 days would be half days of 1 to 1 or full days of 2 to 1 with the test on day 7

TBH - I would have recommended doing 2 to 1 so you could watch the other drive and get more used to the size

 

[MCTM]

No useful advice as I'm too old to have had to take anything other than my normal driving test - and that was bad enough! Just wanted to wish you all the best for Wednesday - I'm sure I'll be seeing you driving around in your lovely new lorry soon

 

[star]

been doing 2 to 1 and thought the other guy handled the lorry really well but he failed today on accumulated mirror faults. Got instructor all to myself tomorrow and in my confidence when booking the course I've already paid for a retest but will prob add some more training to that as well and then might actually be ready for it. So much harder than I thought it would be.

 

[PorkChop]

Firstly don't panic, if you fail, then you can re-take.

You still have another day's training, you are obviously a competent driver.

Really concentrate on mirrors and where you are on the road. Yes they like you to keep your speed up, but far better that you are in the right place, than hassling yourself and then make a mistake because of it.

I took mine a coupe of years ago, over twenty years after I took my driving test.

It is completely natural to be nervous, what will be will be, get the most out of tomorrow as you can. If you do need to re-take, don't wait too long.

Really good luck for Wednesday.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Good luck it is a strange thing, I would say not the most confident driver initially, failed driving test yet took to an HGV well and loved it. I was worried before test but passed with onlt 3 minors, Mum who is the better driver didn't.

Use it as practice and try and drive positively, my examiner liked the way that I actually used the road and wasn't hesitant.

Like most things confidence is important, be confident do your best and you may be surprised. Good luck

 

[pebblemania]

Did mine at the beginning of this year, make sure you read all the road signs as if it is a stop not a give way you must put your handbrake on before setting off to clearly show the examiner you know the difference - at least that is what I was told.

As has already been said make sure you are close to the upper speed limit as you are not transporting livestock!

As for mirrors make sure you move your whole head when checking so the examiner knows you are even if you look like a nodding dog!

I took mine in a busy city centre and used the lamp posts to make sure I was checking frequently.

Good luck and smile! My examiner wondered what the heck he had turning up as I came straight from work in a full suit and heels (although changed shoes before test) and plonked my girls handbag on the seat next to him! It was a nice conversation starting point!

 

[mightymouse]

Good luck - I've got this all to come I take my theory next week then off for assessment lesson.

 

[luckyoldme]

observation.. as mentioned before. You are not just checking your mirrors and over your shoulder..you are making sure the examiner can see you do those things.
I sat hgv 3 2 and then 1 seperately years ago...and also psv. the only one i struggled with was the hgv 1 and had to resit...its not the end of the world!
Driving tests are like having babies..you soon forget the pain!!!

 

[ecrozier]

I must admit that doesn't sound like an awful lot of training - I am a fairly confident driver and took to it pretty well but still did a full 5 days with test on afternoon of 5th day. I felt ready by the time the test came round so wasn't too bad but then had to rebook test without even doing it as my handbag was stolen 2 days before with my licence in it!! So they wouldn't let me take test
I was told to pretend I had boxes of cornflakes in the back rather than horses

 

[alidegg]

You're already doing better than I am- can not get my head around the hazard perception! Really struggling with it despite passing the car theory version... Any tips?!
Good luck for Wednesday!

 

[ROG]

You're already doing better than I am- can not get my head around the hazard perception! Really struggling with it despite passing the car theory version... Any tips?!
Good luck for Wednesday!

The HPT for LGV is exactly the same as the car one

The only difference is that there are more clips and a higher percentage to be passed

 

[ROG]

Good luck - I've got this all to come I take my theory next week then off for assessment lesson.

WELCOME

Check out the HHO LGV clinic link in my signature below

 

[measles]

It's a funny thing that both I and OH we're nervous sitting the C1 earlier this year despite having driven a 7.5t on grandfather's rights for year's. It's not being in control of other traffic and how they might read my intentions that did it for me.

I had three 1 on 1 four hour sessions ie 12 hours with the test on the fourth day after an hour's last minute practise. There is no way I could have concentrated for longer as I found the training exhausting having to concentrate and getting used to the split gearbox.

In my test I fluffed a few gear changes as I was nervous and was told I had used 50% more fuel than necessary but I passed with the comment that I knew how to handle a lorry and where I was on the road. That came from driving the 7.5t for years and if you don't feel confident by the test morning imagine it is just another practise and don't expect to pass - you might get a pleasant surprise.

I generally don't get nervous but was and you're not alone. When it comes together it does quickly - honest! Good luck

 

[BTR]

I did my test after 4 days of full driving, I found the driving relatively easy but still struggled with the reversing (but we only ever practised this twice before test).
As ROG says use it as a practise, lots of mirror usage, every time you do something and deep breaths!
I do feel your pain as although I passed my HGV first time new horse won't travel in lorry so I'm now taking my trailer test (already failed once!) because I just can't get my head round the reversing :-(

 

[ROG]

It's a funny thing that both I and OH we're nervous sitting the C1 earlier this year despite having driven a 7.5t on grandfather's rights for year's.

Hmmm .... bit confused because C1 is a 7.5 tonner so why would you need to pass a test and how come the system allowed you to do so ??

 

[ROG]

I passed my HGV first time new horse won't travel in lorry so I'm now taking my trailer test (already failed once!) because I just can't get my head round the reversing :-(

I am surprised that you did not opt to do the LGV lorry and trailer test which would have given you B+E

 

[luce1]

Good luck for Wednesday  Mirrors Mirrors and more bloody Mirrors… I passed my C1 last Friday whoop whoop!!! Just try not to get too nervous, just remember it’s not a life or death situation .

I can highly recommend Trailer Training UK for anyone wanting to do just there LGV (C1) instead of there HGV (C). I was able to learn in a 3.5ton Transit Van type vechicle which was soooo much easier than anything bigger!!! I don’t think I would of coped in a 12/18 ton Lorry hence why I didn’t bother with my C!

Took my lorry for its maiden voyage over the weekend and loved it!!!!

Good Luck!

 

[KatB]

Good luck star!

ROG, I want to be able to drive 7.5ton lorries and a car and trailer...what's the best and cheapest way to do it?! I've already done my LGV theory tests and passed...

 

[ROG]

Legal stuff .... a bit pedantic because I know what you meant

..... anyone wanting to do just there LGV (C1) instead of there HGV (C). I was able to learn in a 3.5ton Transit Van type vechicle

That would be at least a 4 tonne van for the C1 test - vans of 3.5 tonnes and under are a B licence category

 

[luce1]

Legal stuff .... a bit pedantic because I know what you meant


That would be at least a 4 tonne van for the C1 test - vans of 3.5 tonnes and under are a B licence category

yea yea whatever

 

[BTR]

At the time ROG my old boy travelled in a lorry, so no need to tow anything.
Unfortunately 6 Years later, new boy refuses to travel in my lorry :-(

 

[dornrose]

Good luck I'm sure you'll be fine, take your time and dont panic.

 

[ROG]

At the time ROG my old boy travelled in a lorry, so no need to tow anything.
Unfortunately 6 Years later, new boy refuses to travel in my lorry :-(

I think you missed my point ...

At the moment you do not have B+E (correct?) which means you have the option of doing two things at once ...
Passing a trailer test in a lorry (C1+E if you only have C1 or C+E if you have C) will ALSO mean you get FREE B+E for life

 

[BTR]

I've got my C class, I'm seriously struggling with car/trailer so not sure I'll cope with reversing lorry and trailer.

 

[luce1]

I've got my C class, I'm seriously struggling with car/trailer so not sure I'll cope with reversing lorry and trailer.

Just do the normal one then dont put yourself under added pressure! Would you ever be using a lorry to tow?! People said to me why didnt you just do your C instead of your C1 and I thought I wont ever need to drive an HGV as I only have 1 horse and only intend to ever have one, so thought why bother doing it, I dont work with horses and never intend to do that either! lol!!!

 

[measles]

I clearly don't now what it is called despite reading these threads on multiple occasions. My class 2 hgv as was.

Good luck op

 

[ROG]

ROG, I want to be able to drive 7.5ton lorries and a car and trailer...what's the best and cheapest way to do it?! I've already done my LGV theory tests and passed...

It is two seperate tests no matter which way it is done

You could do the LGV C1 in a 4 tonne van - that is usually cheaper than doing either C1 or C in a lorry - then do the B+E which is usually cheaper (but not always) than doing C1+E (gives free B+E) in a 4 tonne van + trailer

Many find reversing larger vehicles easier than reversing smaller ones due to the slower turning experience

That was also the point I was trying to convey to the other member who already has LGV C (old HGV class2)