I passed my trailer test yesterday!!!

C

ChestnutMonty

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Thank god its all over! It lasted an hour and a half from start to finish!
I was so nervous but I Passed!
I can finally get out without having to drag my poor Dad along!
I am going to burn my L-plates tonight!!
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Yeah first attempt, I did a 3 day intensive course with the test on the third day. Would highly recommend doing an intensive course or at least having some lessons - there is no way I would have passed without it!!
I thought it was rather difficult!!
 
First you have to answer up to five questions - show me or tell me kind of questions about loading trailer items, securing items to trailer, where is the brake fluid, how would you check indicators, what tread depth should tires be, etc.

Then you do a reversing exercise, which if you hit a cone or go over the yellow lines you fail. You can only pull forward once (you get a minor) twice (you get a major!). and you have to park the back of the trailer within 90cm of a small hatched area!

Then a controlled (emergency) stop.

Then you go on the road for about 45mins -driving a 'higher standard' than a normal driving test to pass.

Then get back and unhitch and hitch up - the 'correct way'.

In total about 1 1/2 hours! I was shattered afterwards! And I had 9 minors;
7 for driving (3 of which were for going to slow!!)
1 for pulling forward in the reversing exercise
1 for not putting the hand brake back on after the break away cable and towbar are already on?!??!
I completely understand why they've bought the test in but I thought it was a little over the top what you are expected to do, as if they fail you on the road driving - you're still going to be driving on the road after the test so whats the point??
But hey! Nevermind!!
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well done !!!!! I have my test next friday - have been having lessons and have 3 x 2 Hour lessons next week in prep. The lessons really do help.
"1 for not putting the hand brake back on after the break away cable and towbar are already on?!??!" - I dont get what you mean ! ?????
Was your test at Slyfield ?
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Well done ChestnutMonty, it gives you so much more freedom once you can get out and about on your own!
Nats_uk, I found the instructor that I used really good and I passed first time and found it all pretty straight forward, so if you want the name of the guy then PM me.
 
OMG well done you, im so jealous, i would love to be able to take the test, cant afford the insurance on the 4x4 though, as i m only 18
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big congratulations
 
It was at the Reading test centre.

When you re-couple, you check the handbrake is on securely and then do your trailer wheel checks, etc,
then back up the car to the trailer close enough so you can put the breakaway cable on, then release handbrake and manoeuvre the trailer onto car tow ball, then IMMEDIATELY put the hand brake back on (which I forgot to do!! and got a minor for) before attaching the electric cable and lifting the jockey wheel up and then finally releasing the handbrake!!! What a palaver!!

The examiner shouted STOP - and proceded to ask me what would I do if the trailer started to roll away?? I felt like saying well I'd wave goodbye to my car, but I kept silent!! lol
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Ha ha, I would have said 'well seeing as one of my important factors of somewhere to park a trailer would be on a level surface it wouldn't have gone very far'
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Not sure it would have got me very far though!!
 
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