Trailer test fails?

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Hollie15

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Hey all

If any of you failed a trailer test, what did you fail on? Looking to do mine, feels quite confident and capable so not sure whether to bite bullet and go for it or pay a fortune for tests. :confused:

So just looking to see what kind of things people failed on. And those who did, hope have since passed!!!
Also if you did fail - had you had lessons?

In advance, thank you all!!!:D
 
I failed on the trailer not being acceptable for the test before we even started :mad::mad::mad:

Second time the following week, I had 2 lessons with an instructor then did it in his car and trailer and I passed with no faults which they told me is very unusual.

So I'd strongly recommend option 2! It was cheaper in the long run :o:(
 
FfionWinnie said:
I failed on the trailer not being acceptable for the test before we even started :mad::mad::mad:

Second time the following week, I had 2 lessons with an instructor then did it in his car and trailer and I passed with no faults which they told me is very unusual.

So I'd strongly recommend option 2! It was cheaper in the long run :o:(
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How was the trailer not acceptable if you don't mind me asking? Well done on passing :) xx
 
Hollie15 said:
How was the trailer not acceptable if you don't mind me asking? Well done on passing :) xx
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It didn't meet the requirements which they had emailed to me but the link hadn't shown up on my phone so I hadn't clicked it :eek: in the letter it said something like trailer must be a and b, then I should have had a link which said and c,d,e,f,and g and mine wasn't. :o. It was very embarrassing.

But the instructors know all the tricks to make it easier to pass so really its worth using their kit.
 
I passed everything but the reverse with flying colours - I had to stop and correct more than 3 (I think it's 3) times so that apparently is an automatic fail.

After my instructor said that the length of the reverse bit (with the cones etc) hadn't actually been long enough for my car and trailer despite us having provided the measurements of the car and trailer :eek::rolleyes::mad:

Haven't passed yet as can't afford to re-take it at the moment. I tow anytime we take the horses out tho, just have someone sat with me. The really annoying thing is I'm actually pretty ***** hot at reversing (even if I do say so myself)
 
mynutmeg said:
I passed everything but the reverse with flying colours - I had to stop and correct more than 3 (I think it's 3) times so that apparently is an automatic fail.

After my instructor said that the length of the reverse bit (with the cones etc) hadn't actually been long enough for my car and trailer despite us having provided the measurements of the car and trailer :eek::rolleyes::mad:

Haven't passed yet as can't afford to re-take it at the moment. I tow anytime we take the horses out tho, just have someone sat with me. The really annoying thing is I'm actually pretty ***** hot at reversing (even if I do say so myself)
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Aww how annoying. I believe it is 2 'shunts' you are allowed. Should complain if they set it up wrong!! It is expensive isn't it. I do the same but would love to not bother mum/dad/aunt/uncle and bit more independence!!
 
I passed first time despite taking 5 goes to pass my car test.

Definitely recommend doing it through one of the driving schools as they know what the examiners are looking for and you know the vehicle and trailer are 'up to the job'.
 
Personally from taking people out I find the weakest area is observations. They've got into bad habits of insufficient mirror checks & blindspots checks, & this carries over when they tow. Also the timing is out, they check at the point they want to do something (such as need to change lane), rather than checking in advance of getting to the point of having to do something.

Trick with reversing is spot when the trailer is moving off line early so it needs only a small correction, don't let it escalate into needing major correction as this is when shunts are needed or it goes t*ts up.
 
First test, had one minor for junctions on the road drive (I got lost and drove down a turning too soon). Failed on the reverse. My instructor told me I could have one shunt, I got a bit out of shape and thinking I only had one attempt to correct tried to do it in one and drove over an invisible line I wasn't allowed to (which noone had told me about). Furious with instructor for giving incorrect information on both counts, asked examiner who said two shunts is fine. I also got a minor for the hitch/unhitch as I had to go forward to correct as wasn't square. I could have yanked the trailer over but it was the end of the test and I was tired and nursing a shoulder injury.

Second test, got to test centre and wasn't allowed to take it due to an admin error and my instructor filling in the form incorrectly. Not happy.

Now waiting for a third test date.

Not happy with the experience. Instructor is an idiot. Problem is if I go somewhere else I have to fork out for another whole day training and I really can't afford it.

Joke is I drive a tractor and trailer for a living.
 
I passed first time but the examiner did get shirty with me about not looking over my shoulder enough during maneuvers. The truck I was driving had thumping great door pillars in it, enough to block any sort of vision I had over my right shoulder, so I'd had extra mirrors fitted that would eradicate the blind spot and was using those instead. I was told I still should've been looking over my shoulder every time (regardless of the fact that I couldn't see anything except the inside of my own car if I did) and it was only because it was still habit to look over my shoulder (most of the time) meant I didn't fail on that. Moral of the story? Show that you're doing all checks, don't just glance with your eyes, turn your head as well - and don't rely on the gadgets even if they give you a better view!
 
Thanks for all replies. When I went for my assessment they said a lot is getting people out of bad habits since passing. And I know what I need to address and am working on it. Saying that I drive totally differently with a trailer on anyway!

SuperH - if down to admin error how can you be penalised?? Instructor should have at least compensated for their incompetence.

wyrdsister - you expected to look over shoulder just in reversing and initial pulling away to check blind spot? Or like everytime you turn or pull away from traffic lights etc?

Keep em coming!! x :D
 
I failed mine last week (as I predicted) thanks to my **** of an instructor not giving me my full training course. Failed on the reverse, and only got 4 minors whilst out driving which I knew exactly what they were for...going 33mph in a 30, hesitating at a roundabout (rush hour traffic and the instructor told me to essentially push my way in:confused:) observation because a car shot across a roundabout and I didn't 'predict' this happening and something else. Uncoupling/coupling easy peasy just remember DON'T step over the towbar = instant fail:rolleyes:

I knew as I started the reverse I had screwed it up because I didn't sit back in my seat so lining the trailer up in my side mirrors went wrong from the start as it wasn't in the right place! Driving side of it, observe observe observe...'read the road ahead'. Literally, the next day I had a bad neck from looking over my shoulders so many goddam times:rolleyes:.
 
Aww sorry to hear you didn't pass!! Sounds like from this a lot of people get jip from instructors (I'm sure there are tons of decent ones out there!!) Though 4 minors is positive for next time!!
I take it pushing your way into traffic was not the right thing to do lol!!
You mean in coupling if you want round other side you have to walk around front of vehicle? Why is that an instant fail...what is so bad about that!!!
 
Hollie15 said:
Aww sorry to hear you didn't pass!! Sounds like from this a lot of people get jip from instructors (I'm sure there are tons of decent ones out there!!) Though 4 minors is positive for next time!!
I take it pushing your way into traffic was not the right thing to do lol!!
You mean in coupling if you want round other side you have to walk around front of vehicle? Why is that an instant fail...what is so bad about that!!!
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Well at the roundabout I had to get across two lanes and apparently it's fine to push across the first so the next lane then kind of have to let you across! I wasn't willing to test this theory out of my own choice but he told me to in the end! Yep, you have to walk round the round the front of the vehicle (or back of trailer) to get to the other side. However, you should be able to do it all from the left anyway. I just had to remind myself as soon as I got out the car. Instructor says it's because 'you can hit your shin or get something caught'...god knows, i've always jumped over:D
 
I just failed for my second time. First time was totally stupid and I didn’t lock it off tight enough so the trailer dropped when trying to unhitch. Today was just SO unfair. Firstly he asked me a question that’s not even on the list of questions for trailer test! Did my manoeuvre, uncoupling perfectly. Went to couple it up again and just bumped the tow bar with the car, and then let the car roll forward slightly to make sure it’s in the right place (which is how I’ve been taught). And he failed me for bumping the trailer, when he really shouldn’t have. I’m so fuming because it’s really not cheap for these tests!!!
 
LSHUDSON said:
I just failed for my second time. First time was totally stupid and I didn’t lock it off tight enough so the trailer dropped when trying to unhitch. Today was just SO unfair. Firstly he asked me a question that’s not even on the list of questions for trailer test! Did my manoeuvre, uncoupling perfectly. Went to couple it up again and just bumped the tow bar with the car, and then let the car roll forward slightly to make sure it’s in the right place (which is how I’ve been taught). And he failed me for bumping the trailer, when he really shouldn’t have. I’m so fuming because it’s really not cheap for these tests!!!
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So sorry you failed...but bumping the trailer is a definite fail. Your instructor has misinformed you there.

Basically I was told whatever you have done to learn how to tow, unlearn it and do it their way! They are coaching you to pass a test not not drive in real life.

If you already can tow/hitch up etc would you consider doing a few hours training as part of a course?
 
I’ve sought some advice now and realised I’ve been taught wrong so I’m absolutely gutted! I’ve spent nearly a grand now on tuition and test fees!
 
LSHUDSON said:
I’ve sought some advice now and realised I’ve been taught wrong so I’m absolutely gutted! I’ve spent nearly a grand now on tuition and test fees!
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Sickening isn’t it. I really feel for you.

Because you’ve got more experience now, a day with an approved instructor should be enough to coach you for the test if you already more or less know how to do it.

It’s so so bloody expensive :( good luck!
 
Because I didn't notice the 30 sign until the last second and so went through it at 38.

Everything else was fine.

I was sick with anxiety and don't intend to put myself through it again. Makes me furious that I fail on something completely unrelated to towing.

When I do eventually look to buy a trailer, I will get a car/trailer set up that I can legally use on a B license. I will only tow one pony anyway.

Would be useful to know of some set ups actually.
 
I failed first time on the reversing manoeuvre, nerves got the better of me, mind went blank and I pulled too far forward. I was so cross with myself, passed with no issues second time. I am now out and about most weeks with the kids and ponies, so taking the test has been invaluable, so glad I did it!
 
First time the hitch jammed on the school trailer, I had no faults and it was the last thing to do.
second I didn’t obviously look in the side mirrors 4 times so was a serious fault at instructors discretion. No other faults, reverse perfect
third, different test centre and they took 5m off the reverse distance and I screwed it up and couldnot fix it in the shorter distance.

then I ran out of money.
 
I passed all the trailer related stuff then failed because I accidentally ended up in a bus Lane in Newcastle city centre!

A lot of people fail on the drive rather than the actual trailer bit. Thankfully they don’t take your car license off you for effectively failing your driving test
 
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