Trailer Test- Advice please!

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kylie88

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I have my own 4x4 and trailer and the test book so I know what the test involves but wanted ppls adivce whether to practice at home and save ££££ on the courses.
Or is there not much chance me passing the test without having lessons?

Thanks
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I failed it twice, even with BSM lessons beforehand. I would really recommend either getting lessons or doing the course. The standard of driving they expect in the test is so high that I can't imagine many people being likely to pass it without practise and lessons.
 
I would recommend lessons tbh.

dont forget if you do it in your trailer and truck you need external mirrors for the examiner.

No way would I have passed first time without lessons and using the trainers kit. She had a nice lwb truck (ours is swb so not so great for reversing) and a nice little box trailer and it all set out on a large bit of tarmac at her place so you could practice exactly and she could give you lots of hints and tips on what you should see and do.

I dont know what it says on the test but I know someone who towed regularly with tractors etc and failed 3 times which soon adds up.

I am actually really pleased I had to do the test, I am much more confident than I would have been and can do multiple manoevers!

I paid £540 for the lessons and the test and the stuff for the test
 
If you are fairly competent and can reverse and unhitch/rehitch etc i would think you will manage fine. You will be required to reverse through cones across a car park and park the back in a specified small area, do an emergency stop, do some general driving for say 40minutes, then un hitch and rehitch the trailer (on your own) which i had to put a sticker on the rear windscreen to guide myself.
 
Thanks guys,
I might book 1 lesson and see how it goes, I drive it around with L plate with no probs, can reverse and unhitch/hitch up.
 
I'm planning on doing the course and test soon (when I can book tie off work!) and have spoken to a couple of people about the test - the general consensus was you'd fail without at least a couple of lessons. It's to a high level and there's loads of little things you'd fail on that just wouldn't occcur to you.

My local place is #480 inc the test - since the test is mealy #100 on it's own you don't get many tried before it soon adds up!
 
A friend of mine who's a farmer had some good local knowledge about who is the best instructor for trailer test specifically.

If you have any farmer friends it might be worth an ask as they all do it and the courses seem tremendously expensive - a quality but reasonably priced instructor will definitely be worth it!!
 
definitely recommend some training.

I was already competent towing and reversing thanks to many hours of towing the muck trailer with the quadback so booked in for an assessment lesson with my LR and his trailer and we agreed that I'd have a days training and then do the test. Absolutely essential as you'll have picke dup naughty driving habits and also they're picky about the order in which you couple up/uncouple the trailer. Worth ringing around a few places as the one local to me insisted you have to do five days training where as I went to a one man band 20miles away who was extremely good and I passed first time no trouble
 
def have at least one lesson. they're very fussy as to which way you hitch up etc and you're bound to have picked up some bad habits in your normal road driving too. i failed first time even with lessons as just let nerves get to me. took it again a week later with no furhter lessons and only got 2 minors and examiner said one of the best he'd seen. nerves are bad!!
 
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