Kizzy2004
Well-Known Member
I'm looking to take the trailer test after having some lessons but I was wondering what parts of the test that concerned people prior to/during the test and what people wished they knew before taking the test?
Questions for those who have taken the trailer test
- Thread starter Kizzy2004
- Start date
Michen
Well-Known Member
The reversing manoeuvre at the very beginning is probably the worst part really.
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
Having some lessons and doing the test with the instructor's set up will alleviate most questions and problems. Mine had tips and tricks to make sure you had gone the right distance back etc etc. I only had two lessons, one of them right before the test. Was definitely worth paying for that instruction even though I could manoever the trailer very well etc because he picked up on a few bad habits, gave me those tricks and tips I would not have otherwise known (such as you can reverse most of the way up to the trailer then pull the trailer on to rehitch rather than risking banging the hitch and failing) and I then passed with no faults at all.
Kizzy2004
Well-Known Member
Thank you
Lintel
Well-Known Member
The reversing manoeuvre at the start!!
I got 2 minors on that as I had to go forward and try again, you get three tries if I remember correctly.
The rest of the test was easy, no minors lucky me!
I got 2 minors on that as I had to go forward and try again, you get three tries if I remember correctly.
The rest of the test was easy, no minors lucky me!
Kizzy2004
Well-Known Member
Thank you.
I am nervous about the reversing but don't really know what to expect with the rest of the test
I am nervous about the reversing but don't really know what to expect with the rest of the test
Frumpoon
Well-Known Member
Definitely get a proper course of lessons, that will prepare you for the whole numberplate up, numberplate down business
pippixox
Well-Known Member
to be honest once I had practiced the reverse maneuver i was not that worried about it- i had actually practiced harder reversing when getting my own trailer into a barn after practicing with it. just memorize the steps and where to look for in the mirrors and it is easy- you get it done first if i remember correctly, so done before you go out on the road.
my biggest tip is MIRRORS! as a whole you do tend to look in them more automatically when you know you have a trailer, but the longer you have had your car licence, the more bad habits you get- like only glancing at your blind spots. you need to make mirror checks clear. go back to new driver levels, perfect indicating ect.
my biggest tip is MIRRORS! as a whole you do tend to look in them more automatically when you know you have a trailer, but the longer you have had your car licence, the more bad habits you get- like only glancing at your blind spots. you need to make mirror checks clear. go back to new driver levels, perfect indicating ect.
ROG
Well-Known Member
The reversing is not always done at the start so be prepared to do the road drive then the reversing and un/couple
I know you have had the training but perhaps this might be useful as a reminder ......
The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqw6Ua3kmFc&feature=related - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise = http://www.drivesafedriving.co.uk/b_e_rev_movie.htm - 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 = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa..._PCV_BE_manoeuvring_exercise_area_diagram.pdf
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao_5KOe8dGg&feature=related - 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 = http://www.trailertraining-wales.co.uk/test.html
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 that means 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 = http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521
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
I know you have had the training but perhaps this might be useful as a reminder ......
The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqw6Ua3kmFc&feature=related - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise = http://www.drivesafedriving.co.uk/b_e_rev_movie.htm - 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 = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa..._PCV_BE_manoeuvring_exercise_area_diagram.pdf
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao_5KOe8dGg&feature=related - 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 = http://www.trailertraining-wales.co.uk/test.html
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 that means 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 = http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521
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
Kizzy2004
Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone.
ROG that's amazing thank you. I've done no training yet but plan to do an intensive course so your info will be I'm sure of great help when so I know what to expect
ROG that's amazing thank you. I've done no training yet but plan to do an intensive course so your info will be I'm sure of great help when so I know what to expect
ROG
Well-Known Member
Take the time to watch the videos in that post
Kizzy2004
Well-Known Member
Just watched them all, very useful thank you
npage123
Well-Known Member
Just before it was my turn to do my lorry test, a young lad did his trailer test. He was only gone for about 10 minutes and then, to the surprise of all us at the test centre, returned as he had an immediate fail. It transpired that he has made a left turn into minor road on the left, but instead of sticking to the left lane on that road too, he made a wide turn and proceeded along the right side of the road, and in doing so was facing the oncoming vehicles approaching the junction. There was even a bollard seperating the left and right lane and he when he did his left turn, he had the bollard on the left of his car and trailer! An immediate fail seemed appropriate IMO and he was probably kicking himself and feeling very embarrassed.
Gottaloveaginger
Well-Known Member
You can go as slow as you want during the reversing exercise as it's not a race.
Always always get out to check you've got it in the box correctly once you've reversed it even if you think you have as they like to see it.
Remember to tell them you would change your number plate (as the test is aimed at professional drivers)
Remember to ask the examiner to help you check your lights are working once hitched up!
Learn how to turn on your vehicle wipers, lights and blowers if you do it in the instructors vehicle as i had torrential rain for my test in August!
If you end up on a dual carriageway you must reach the max speed limit to show you are confident going fast. One girl failed for doing 30mph on the dual carriageway!
Wear a lucky t shirt! (Ok this is just for me but i wore the same t shirt that i wore to pass my driving test first time 10 years previously to pass my trailer test first time!)
Always always get out to check you've got it in the box correctly once you've reversed it even if you think you have as they like to see it.
Remember to tell them you would change your number plate (as the test is aimed at professional drivers)
Remember to ask the examiner to help you check your lights are working once hitched up!
Learn how to turn on your vehicle wipers, lights and blowers if you do it in the instructors vehicle as i had torrential rain for my test in August!
If you end up on a dual carriageway you must reach the max speed limit to show you are confident going fast. One girl failed for doing 30mph on the dual carriageway!
Wear a lucky t shirt! (Ok this is just for me but i wore the same t shirt that i wore to pass my driving test first time 10 years previously to pass my trailer test first time!)