Those who have passed their trailer test pls help.

[flaxen]

Please can the people who have passed their trailer test please clarify which way you are supposed to look when doing the reversing manouvre.

I was taught that you look backwards ie direction that that the vehicle and trailer are travelling ( same as in the car test, you had to look behind you) however the examiner failed me as she said that I am only allowed to use my side mirrors when reversing- effectively looking forwards.

I am now completley confused.

She also failed me as " I took too long to over take a cyclist" on a narrow road with a series of S bends in a row one after another even though I had no clear view of the road ahead.

While back at the test centre and I was doing the coupling/ uncoupling my father in law ( took him with me for moral support as suffer from bad nerves and have been ill for a month and not really been able to practice, dvla wouldnt let me cancel as being ill wasnt a valid reason) was talking to an instructor who was with a lorry doing its test and said he felt sorry for me having her as her examiner as they all hate her and she is horrible and fails almost everyone.

I must admit I found her very rude, she didnt even introduce herself just got in and told me to start, didnt even tell me her name, and never said a word to me except for go left or right.

Thanks.

 

[Jesstickle]

I used my mirrors and looked out of the drivers side window back at the trailer at some points but every few seconds had a general look around all my mirrors and blind spots. That is what I was taught to do. I felt like a nodding dog but it worked!

She sounds like a nightmare so don't let her put you off. Onwards and upwards

 

[orangepony]

Hi,
when I took mine I was told to use my mirrors to gauge the reversing manouvre; and to look around the vehicle vicinity for hazards (people/traffic etc in 'real situation'). My instructor told me that looking backwards in rearview/ out back window is pointless to a degree as with horse trailer on you cannot see much apart from the front of your trailer!!
So in so far as your examiner's comments- it really is a test of how well you can reverse using your mirrors for guidance to follow the movements of the car/trailer although you should look around as well.

I cannot comment on your failure for not overtaking cyclist; but if you are very unhappy with the way it was conducted you can complain to the dvla regarding the conduct of the examiner- although your test results still stands.

 

[fleabittengrey]

I was taught to look in my wing mirrors, not backwards as for car as you can't see anything anyway with a trailer behind you - with the wing mirrors you stand more chance of seeing what you are about to crash into/run over.

Could she have meant that once pulling out you took too long to get past the cyclist and back in again, as opposed to too long to find the spot to do so?

 

[flaxen]

Sorry I meant passenger windows (to gauge where trailer was) not rear view window, she also told me im not allowed to look out the drivers window at all.

As for the cyclist she specifically said that i was too long in the going to over take not the time it took me to overtake him, my father in law said he also wouldnt have overtaken any sooner as you physically couldnt see the road ahead except for a few metres and the hedges were too high too see over.

 

[dominobrown]

It sounds as though your examiner was just a b****, I would complain about her. It would giver her a fright!
When I did car test the examiner kept me out for over an hour and kept making go round the same block around the test centre. After the third time he did this I signalled, slowed down and was about to go into the test centre as I thought he forgot and he gave me 3 minors for doing so, and failed me. My driving instructor was fuming, and even another examiner at the centre questioned what he was doing. I think so examiner just enjoy a power trip!

 

[Jesstickle]

Hmm, I definitely leaned right out of the drivers window to see what I was doing on the long diagonal bit of the manoeuvre so either both my examiners were very lenient ( I had two attempts at the test but no minors for either reverse!) or yours was a cow!

I would query her comments. It may be that she just hasn't been at all clear as to what her problem with it was and it was something completely different or she might just be in the wrong. Either way, you paid for the test so you should be allowed to know.

 

[Splish & Masons mum]

Hmm, I definitely leaned right out of the drivers window to see what I was doing on the long diagonal bit of the manoeuvre

I also opened the window wide and leaned right out of the drivers side (not the passengers side!) to check that my wheels weren't over the yellow line, right at the start when you've got the wheel on full lock.
I would query that as a reason for a fail, but I was told not to turn around and look behind me, and only use the wing mirrors for the rest of the manoeuvre.
I would assume that there's a proper procedure for making complaints, but I think the other examiner was also very unprofessional to make those comments.

 

[flaxen]

I think I am going to ring some instructors and see what they say and find out off different ones what exactly I can and cant do and maybe take it in a different place next time so i dont have her again.

 

[smiffyimp]

On the one hand im pleased this test exists, for safety reasons, but i am also bloody glad i didnt have to take it! My Hubby taught me to tow, and although its probably not correct as per an exam, i feel as though i am a very good tower (i drive for a living, so am very confident at this). To reverse i look backward! Obviously i'd fail the test, but its easier than mirrors...
I commend you all for doing the test

 

[flaxen]

I doesnt help that I suffer from extreme nerves to the point that I shake from head to foot, but have to do the exact same manouvre at home to get my trailer parked as well as not hitting the vehicles- 3 cars and a huge caravan that sit beside it so at home I dont have room to mess it up.