Towing lesson with ROG - thank you

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Blythwind

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At the weekend, I had my first towing "lesson" with ROG. I have a little experience of towing on a B licence, but have now bought a 4WD so will be taking the B+E test. I have never fully mastered reversing and tend to have to shunt back and forth several times before getting it right (not allowed in the test!).

ROG was very friendly, knowledgeable, and most of all patient. I was really struggling to master reversing around the cone and into the spot, but we persevered and I got there in the end.

Its a case of practice, practice, practice for me - but if anyone needs a hand (either as a beginner or to top-up experience), he's your man.

Thanks again Rog :)
 
Thank you for your comments - I thoroughly enjoyed helping you especially when you reverse parked your own trailer at the end for the first time with no help from me
 
Once you get it it seems fine :) My mum and my Dad's spatial brains work completely differently, him trying to direct her doesn't work!
 
I've just done my B+E in Feb. You are allowed to pull forwards twice during the reversing manoeuvre and receive a minor each time that you do so. I can't remember how many minors you can have in total before you fail but it's the same as the normal driving test.
 
Olliepop said:
I've just done my B+E in Feb. You are allowed to pull forwards twice during the reversing manoeuvre and receive a minor each time that you do so. I can't remember how many minors you can have in total before you fail but it's the same as the normal driving test.
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1 minor only be it 1 or 2 shunts

3 shunts = fail
 
Well done! I'm was just trying to message ROG as I need his expertise too, but the messaging system won't let me. I'd love a reversing lesson please,I have a lovely flat field to practice in and am fairly local (I think). I hope you see this ROG!
 
mirage said:
Well done! I'm was just trying to message ROG as I need his expertise too, but the messaging system won't let me. I'd love a reversing lesson please,I have a lovely flat field to practice in and am fairly local (I think). I hope you see this ROG!
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I see it and have messaging off as I got too many towing legal queries when I prefer to answer them publically - I can make errors so doing it publicly means any made get picked up on and righted

Please use my spare email address for privacy = advanced.driving@live.co.uk - thanks
 
Not sure if anyone interested or in this scenario is aware of this but apparently from 6th April 2010 drivers who passed their test before Jan 1997 are no longer able to act as supervising drivers for those learning to drive lorried up to 7.5t or vehicle and trailer combinations. Its illegal for anyone to act as a supervising driver in such vehicles if they only have pre 1997 entitlements.

It was an article which was in this months H&R Magazine and I told someone I know about it as they were contemplating teacher their daughter to tow. This was how I learnt with my Dad sat next to me, towing an empty trailer round the lanes and learning to reverse in a carpark on an industrial estate near us! Those were the days! :)
 
applecart14 said:
Not sure if anyone interested or in this scenario is aware of this but apparently from 6th April 2010 drivers who passed their test before Jan 1997 are no longer able to act as supervising drivers for those learning to drive lorried up to 7.5t or vehicle and trailer combinations. Its illegal for anyone to act as a supervising driver in such vehicles if they only have pre 1997 entitlements.

It was an article which was in this months H&R Magazine and I told someone I know about it as they were contemplating teacher their daughter to tow. This was how I learnt with my Dad sat next to me, towing an empty trailer round the lanes and learning to reverse in a carpark on an industrial estate near us! Those were the days! :)
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This is the correct info -
SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.

All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.

The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
The supervising driver does not need to be insured unless they are driving
 
SO does the same apply for 7.5 non hgv horse boxes? i.e. can a pre 1997 driver supervise a post 1997 driver in a 7.5 ton horsebox?
 
VRIN said:
........ can a pre 1997 driver supervise a post 1997 driver in a 7.5 ton horsebox?
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NO - unless they have taken and passed a DSA/DVSA test covering that category

Had I not passed my LGV C+E (then HGV class 1) test many years ago I would not be able to use my pre 1997 C1 to supervise a LGV C1 learner today even though ..... get this ..... I passed my first test in a 7.5 tonner (now LGV C1) and not a car !!
 
I should my yes was to the first point as to does it apply rather than the second which ROG's reply was too :)
ROG, the is hho, it always goes off track!
 
Probably still at a tangent,but hopefully will rejoin the original thread. Today I took the Welfare of Animals transport cpc .It probably has a better name that I dont know. There were 10 of us at our BHS training centre and the test was run by the BDA. Anyway some did not put themselves down for the driver qualification as they had never even driven a trailer before.Our ever patient examiner had EVERYONE drive with the trailer round the XC field (not to judge our fitness to be on the road ,but our fitness to be trusted with a horse on board). What I found wonderful was the look of amazement and pleasure on the faces of the candidates who were only there for the attendant certificate. THEY HAD DRIVEN THE BIG SCARY BEAST OF A TRAILER. It wasnt so terrifying after all!. I guess this is all in a days work for you Rog ,but It made my day to see.
 
ROG said:
How did this thread go off track ???????? !!!!!!
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Sorry I was trying to be helpful and put across info I had read in my magazine as we were on the subject of towing and thought this would be a good medium. Apologies, I should have started a new post.
 
applecart14 said:
Sorry I was trying to be helpful and put across info I had read in my magazine as we were on the subject of towing and thought this would be a good medium. Apologies, I should have started a new post.
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I have emailed the editor of H&R mag to see where they got that misinformation from
 
ROG said:
I have emailed the editor of H&R mag to see where they got that misinformation from
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There was a bit more about info which I didn't include about "these changes not affecting the persons existing entitlement to drive C1 or D1 vehicles or vehicle plus trailer combinations". But as I said "it will however make it illegal for anyone acting as a supervising drive in such vehicles if they only hold pre-1997 implied entitlements".

Not sure if that puts a different slant on things, I don't think it does. Sorry if I have been misleading though.
 
ROG said:
I have emailed the editor of H&R mag to see where they got that misinformation from
Click to expand...

There was a bit more about info which I didn't include about "these changes not affecting the persons existing entitlement to drive C1 or D1 vehicles or vehicle plus trailer combinations". But as I said "it will however make it illegal for anyone acting as a supervising drive in such vehicles if they only hold pre-1997 implied entitlements".

Not sure if that puts a different slant on things, I don't think it does. Sorry if I have been misleading though. I don't really understand the catergories as I have never really needed to as I learnt to tow in 1996!
 
It is this bit
'learning to drive lorries up to 7.5t or vehicle and trailer combinations'

It should read lorries greater than 3.5T and said size lorry and trailer combinations, so not B+E.
 
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