_April_
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, I passed my trailer test yesterday
Because I am a geek, here are my notes which might help someone prepare for it.
Disclaimer - this is not infallible and could be a load of rubbish - it's just a type up of the scribbles I took on my training lol.
THE TEST
Examiner will check your driving license (you need both parts - paper and card) and you will sign the paperwork.
You will go outside to the trailer and perform the eyesight check.
He will ask you 5 questions about your vehicle. I have a list of all the questions and I'll get them posted later on in this thread once I get them typed up.
If using your own vehicle combination you need to provide special wing mirrors for the examiner which clip onto your own.
Then it's on to the practical stuff:
REVERSING MANOEUVERE
This is a useful diagram I found to show how it is laid out.
You will start outside the manoeuvering area.
Drive straight ahead and stop between the 2 cones.
Note - The best tip I was given was to park as close to the left hand cone as possible. This gives you more room for the first turn.
Reverse back into the allocated area.
You are allowed to 'shunt' 2 times (ie move forward and redirect if needed)
You must park so that the back of the trailer is over the black line (not highlighted on this diagram).
You are allowed to get out and check the back of the trailer once and can make one adjustment if needed.
EMERGENCY STOP
You will have to drive along reaching over 20mph and then stop between 2 cones.
Make sure you don't brake before the cones and you also need to apply the brake first then the clutch (not both similtaneously).
ROAD TEST
You then go out onto the roads for 1 hour.
Key things I learnt to practice -
mirrors, mirrors, mirrors - all the time - both of the wing ones. Before thinking, Before signalling, whilst changing gear, before moving, whilst moving, whilst turning, whilst stationary (you get the idea!!)
Get out of your bad habits as your general standard of driving is assessed - eg
Don't have more than one hand off of the wheel at one time
Don't coast.
Hands at 10 and 2 - don't cross them over
Don't let the steering wheel run through your hands.
Keep well away from the cars in front - 2 sec in normal weather, 4 in rain and 10 in ice/snow. Even when someone pulls in front of you you have to pull back straight away.
Don't speed at all but conversley you must drive at the speed of the road - ie don't do 30 in a 40.
Don't signal to turn too early if there is more than one junction ahead and you are going for the 2nd one.
MOVE OFF PROCEDURE
Whilst out on the road section, you will need to perform
an uphill move off.
a downhill move off
an angled move off
and 2 x normal move offs.
The examiner will tell you to pull over at a safe place - so make sure you avoid being too close to junctions, double lines etc etc
Check mirrors
Put into gear
Check mirrors
Check over shoulder
Move off
This procedure needs to be done every time you move off - even at traffic lights and when turning corners.
UNCOUPLING AND RECOUPLING
On return to test centre, examiner will get you to pull over.
You then have to uncouple the trailer.
Use acronym - B.L.A.C.K.
B - Apply brake
L - Leg - lower the wheel.
A - Accessories - connect the lights
C - Cable - connect the braking cable
K - Kingpin. - Open the mechanism and wind up the trailer.
Drive forward then reverse and park your car next to the trailer.
Examiner will then tell you that you have to pick up a 'new' trailer.
Before coupling, show him that the handbrake is on and that the trailer is high enough to accomodate your car towball.
Walk round the trailer showing that the tyres are sound, the lights are clean, the doors are secure etc.
Reverse up to the trailer. If using a box trailer you only need to get within 1-2 ft as you are allowed to pull it forward yourself! V. recommended.
This time use the same acronym but in reverse order.
BLACK
K - king pin - hold out the king pin mechanism and wind the trailer down until it snaps into place.
You must demonstrate that it has secured by lifting the trailer twice. If you have a heavy trailer, wind it up and down - again you have to do this TWICE.
C - Cable - connect the braking cable.
A - Accessories - connect the lights
L - leg - raise the wheel.
B - release the brake (if you haven't already done so to move the trailer forward).
Once this is complete you must ask the examiner to check your lights - he will not prompt this.
Because I am a geek, here are my notes which might help someone prepare for it.
Disclaimer - this is not infallible and could be a load of rubbish - it's just a type up of the scribbles I took on my training lol.
THE TEST
Examiner will check your driving license (you need both parts - paper and card) and you will sign the paperwork.
You will go outside to the trailer and perform the eyesight check.
He will ask you 5 questions about your vehicle. I have a list of all the questions and I'll get them posted later on in this thread once I get them typed up.
If using your own vehicle combination you need to provide special wing mirrors for the examiner which clip onto your own.
Then it's on to the practical stuff:
REVERSING MANOEUVERE
This is a useful diagram I found to show how it is laid out.
You will start outside the manoeuvering area.
Drive straight ahead and stop between the 2 cones.
Note - The best tip I was given was to park as close to the left hand cone as possible. This gives you more room for the first turn.
Reverse back into the allocated area.
You are allowed to 'shunt' 2 times (ie move forward and redirect if needed)
You must park so that the back of the trailer is over the black line (not highlighted on this diagram).
You are allowed to get out and check the back of the trailer once and can make one adjustment if needed.
EMERGENCY STOP
You will have to drive along reaching over 20mph and then stop between 2 cones.
Make sure you don't brake before the cones and you also need to apply the brake first then the clutch (not both similtaneously).
ROAD TEST
You then go out onto the roads for 1 hour.
Key things I learnt to practice -
mirrors, mirrors, mirrors - all the time - both of the wing ones. Before thinking, Before signalling, whilst changing gear, before moving, whilst moving, whilst turning, whilst stationary (you get the idea!!)
Get out of your bad habits as your general standard of driving is assessed - eg
Don't have more than one hand off of the wheel at one time
Don't coast.
Hands at 10 and 2 - don't cross them over
Don't let the steering wheel run through your hands.
Keep well away from the cars in front - 2 sec in normal weather, 4 in rain and 10 in ice/snow. Even when someone pulls in front of you you have to pull back straight away.
Don't speed at all but conversley you must drive at the speed of the road - ie don't do 30 in a 40.
Don't signal to turn too early if there is more than one junction ahead and you are going for the 2nd one.
MOVE OFF PROCEDURE
Whilst out on the road section, you will need to perform
an uphill move off.
a downhill move off
an angled move off
and 2 x normal move offs.
The examiner will tell you to pull over at a safe place - so make sure you avoid being too close to junctions, double lines etc etc
Check mirrors
Put into gear
Check mirrors
Check over shoulder
Move off
This procedure needs to be done every time you move off - even at traffic lights and when turning corners.
UNCOUPLING AND RECOUPLING
On return to test centre, examiner will get you to pull over.
You then have to uncouple the trailer.
Use acronym - B.L.A.C.K.
B - Apply brake
L - Leg - lower the wheel.
A - Accessories - connect the lights
C - Cable - connect the braking cable
K - Kingpin. - Open the mechanism and wind up the trailer.
Drive forward then reverse and park your car next to the trailer.
Examiner will then tell you that you have to pick up a 'new' trailer.
Before coupling, show him that the handbrake is on and that the trailer is high enough to accomodate your car towball.
Walk round the trailer showing that the tyres are sound, the lights are clean, the doors are secure etc.
Reverse up to the trailer. If using a box trailer you only need to get within 1-2 ft as you are allowed to pull it forward yourself! V. recommended.
This time use the same acronym but in reverse order.
BLACK
K - king pin - hold out the king pin mechanism and wind the trailer down until it snaps into place.
You must demonstrate that it has secured by lifting the trailer twice. If you have a heavy trailer, wind it up and down - again you have to do this TWICE.
C - Cable - connect the braking cable.
A - Accessories - connect the lights
L - leg - raise the wheel.
B - release the brake (if you haven't already done so to move the trailer forward).
Once this is complete you must ask the examiner to check your lights - he will not prompt this.
