Trailer test tomorrow *feels slightly sick*

alsxx

alsxx

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Oh my I have not felt so ill with nerves for a very long time!! I'm terrified! Did my 2 day course this weekend, a bit nervous about the reversing exercise, but I'm terrified about the whole unhitching and then hitching back up again!

Its the whole having to unhitch, park car next to trailer, then back up to trailer and hitch up bit....and I'm really worried I'm going to do something in the wrong order and screw it up!! And the questions....argh

*needs to get a grip*

Gulp....any tips, anyone?
 
Even if you feel scared dont let it show - you have to appear totally confident in what your doing - dont worry about re-hitching - you can pull the trailer a bit if you need to.
Dont stop checking mirrors and if you fluff the reversing you can pull forward -reorganise yourself and try again - but you only get one chance to correct yourself.
 
Gosh - good luck

My only suggestion on remembering the process is write a list of the whole process of unhitching and rehitching and just try to memorise it - perhaps come up with a little rhyme to remember it!
 
Oh no my instructor told me I could pull forward a max of 2 times in the reversing exercise, and could get out once to check I was in the right place....is it only once then you can pull forward? I'm not toooooo worried about that bit, I got the hang of it first time and if I messed it up I managed to correct it and compelte the exercise.

I think with the hitching back up bit I'm worried about reversing into the trailer....and worried I'll do something stupid like let the jockey wheel up before its hitched up. I have a list I keep going through, and keep going through it in my mind.

Feel so sick with nerves though, starting to think I should have just got a 3.5t box....
 
Think logically, remember to have the handbrake on before you release it from the car & only take it off once it is hitched to the car (very common reason for failing), is done so trailer can't roll back onto someone (again think logical).

On drive focus on planning (looking well ahead & anticipating problems) & observation (who where people are & where your trailer is). If you encounter an idiot, don't panic. This is yoour chance to shine & show no matter who you meet you are confident & competant enough to minimise the danger & deal with the situation. It's an opportunity not an issue.

Best of luck!

Caroline

(independant driving instructor & B&E instructor)
 
Don't panic - the hitch and unhitch is really just to prove you can do it. They do not penalise you for pulling the trailer towards the car if you stop a bit far away. Is the trailer/car yours? Put a bit of electric tape on the trailer and a point that lines up with somewhere on your car when you are in the correct position. The other 'trick' is on the test centre floor there will be lines etc - make a note of which line you are on when you unhitch, then make sure you reverse to the same line when hitching up.
 
Thanks both....deep breathing going on here!!

No its not mine, and its a Nissan Navara with blacked out back window so I have to make sure I get myself as level as poss just using the side mirrors. Instructor has gloves to use for the hitching/unhitching bit and he has told me to put them on the floor next to the centre of my back wheel before I drive off, so I have a guide. Also other thing, trailer is a rice horse trailer, so its damn heavy to pull, que me huffing and puffing as I'm only a midget!
 
I passed my trailer test so if I can pass it anyone can!!
I also did mine in a Nissian Nivera.
When unhitiching/hitching say out load the steps. I found this really helpful as I managed not to forget anything and makes it sound like you know what you are doing. Good luck!!
 
you will be fine! take deep breaths and take your time. I did mine in July and was a nervous wreck despite being a confident driver and having a good week of lessons. I just had to remember to calm down and take my time. All week I had been brilliant (sorry to blow own trumpet but its true) at the reversing and my instructor was dead impressed. Went into the test and totally fluffed it up and had to take my 2 shunts forward (you are allowed two). Got all flustered so just sorted myself out and did it straight away. Just tak your time and do plenty observations

R.e hitching and unhitching I was most scared about that too. Just remember to put handbrake on and I called out what I was doing in my head too. To unhitch I remembered the electrc cable first and told myself I would be electrocuted if I didnt lol. To hitch up just think it thorugh and remember breakaway cable first this time. Also remember to check handbrake again and check tyres etc etc.

U will be fine. Just slow down and take as long as you need!
Good Luck!!!
 
Well I passed with only 3 minors!!! 1 for the reversing (control !! or lack of.....)

Am sooooo relieved! Kerryflower, I did the same as you, my instructor had been really impressed with my reversing and said I would have no trouble, and then this morning I messed it up, corrected myself but not enough so had to correct myself again! I was like I WILL do it, I am not failing on the first bit!!

Have to say I think the examiner was chuckling to himself watching me heave to get the handbrake off and then heaving some more when I was trying to pull the whole thing forward to hitch up!!

Off to browse cars and trailers for sale.....:-)
 
Congratulations! I've got mine in a couple of weeks and am dreading it. Haven't even started lessons.

can I ask how many hours you had and what your previous experience was and how much you practised outside lessons? I am baulking at the amount of money I am having to hand over and am wondering if I can get away with fewer lessons than I initially thought. I'm going to bankrupt myself other wise!

You must feel so relived
 
jesstickle said:
Congratulations! I've got mine in a couple of weeks and am dreading it. Haven't even started lessons.

can I ask how many hours you had and what your previous experience was and how much you practised outside lessons? I am baulking at the amount of money I am having to hand over and am wondering if I can get away with fewer lessons than I initially thought. I'm going to bankrupt myself other wise!

You must feel so relived
Click to expand...

Oooo, same here! It's sooo expensive, I was wondering if I could get away with less time practising too.
Also, what exactly did you have to do in the test? A step by step guide would be nice! ;):o
 
Ok, previous driving experience - driving for (has to think about it now....) coming up to 7 years, and have only driven cars, and 3.5t boxes on occaison. Had initial assessment and instructor said I wouldn't have any trouble as I was a good, natural driver (blowing my own trumpet here much....).

I booked in for a 2 day course (which instructor recommended) which I did this weekend - 8 hours each day and covered everything. I would really urge people not to do 2 days on the trot over a weekend, I had a very busy week at work last week and was utterly shattered by Sunday afternoon and did struggle to take things in over the last hour or so. I went home and slept!!!

For everything, course, test fee and VAT I paid £850 - hence why I was so panicking about failing!!! My instructor was also an LGV and HGV trainer, if you can I would recommend going for someone like this as he had a lot of experience, and as you are also tested by these people not just normal car examiners; he was telling me that a lot of normal car instructors are setting themselves up now to do trailer training and are teaching all sorts of rubbish. Of course, I'm sure there are some fabby people out there, but I'm just repeating what I was told.

So my test consisted of: checking number plate, then a load of questions on vehicle maintenance/safety. I then did the reversing exercise, and then you do a controlled stop. Then went out on the road for an hour which is following his directions, and then you do 10 minutes of free driving where they tell you to follow the signs or road markings (or both) to wherever. Once back at test centre had to unhitch vehicle, you park car beside trailer, and then have to treat trailer like you have never seen it before, then pull up in front and back up to it to hitch back up.

Also, I learnt/did test towing a horse trailer, these are apparently easier to manoeuvre than single axle trailers which have a tendency to shoot off in the wrong direction at the slightest touch (or so I have been told by my Farrier!).

To be honest, it is bloody expensive, and I felt very sad waving goodbye to my money, however, I think its probably false economy to scrimp on lessons and then end up failing your test. Even though he said I was a really good driver, I still had bad habits and I really think it helped having 16hours of instruction to get into the right way of thinking, particularly as apparently they want to see an experienced, high level driving skill.
 
Congratulations - I pass mine in the spring and it's given me so much freedom!

£850 is seriously expensive! :eek: Mine was under £500 for the three day course inc the test! I think you were done...........:o
 
Hmm. That is the same number I have booked so had best stick with it!! Especially as the test is 115 quid just on its own!!!

My dad said the same about the trailer thing. Single axle are harder. I tried to reverse one of them about and it was impossible! Am hoping when I go on Saturday for my first four hours I'll find a proper trailer easier! Was gobsmacked by how hard it was with little trailer!
 
Sadly the two day course was £500, then I had to pay for 4 hours for use of vehicle this morning as it was an hour each way to test centre then hour and a half test, then VAT on all of that, then test fee.....looked at others round here and it all works out the same, south east for you though!!
 
Well done on passing bet you're relieved it's over and done with, sounds like the money you spent on lessons was money well spent.
 
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