Delighted to say I passed on Wed - for me the end of 4 stressful years as I had to move in Dec2015 and came to the Fens where there is little cat C work but loads of CE. But as we all know C wages don’t pay enough to save for CE.
I could only get agency work for C and then had a lucky break for a year in recovery work until Xmas time when there was a sharp downturn in work. A job I enjoyed apart from the fact that the employer tells you are exempt tacho law - you are not and I wasn’t going to last (read my other post later).
Peter kindly offered me his 10 month payment deal but I was not in permanent employment and didn’t feel I could take the risk (I experienced two attempts at repossession in 2017). Ideally one needs to do CE full of confidence and whilst I’ve been driving C for five years with no trouble (apart from those giving London horror stories when I have found it a pleasure compared with other places).
So finally there. Folk often ask for advice so I’ll give my humble feedback!
1] Only use a provider that has their own reversing area and offers pass protection. I passed C first time (not with PSTT) but doing the reversing at a truck stop cones put out is not the same. I tried CE before (not PSTT as I lived in Suffolk then) and failed on the reverse but only had about two attempts at it (because he couldn’t be bothered to put out the cones).
A firm’s own area is always ready and no time is wasted.
2] Most providers don’t offer pass protection. It is so easy to make a mistake at one’s test. I failed 1st test on nerves I stupidly forgot to PULL the trailer break… got 4 minors on the driving - so I was fuming!!! 2nd test I did a wobbly again with changing lanes due to a car coming fast on the outside lane and me dithering.
I forgot one issue that no one tells you (unless one has a friend who is an ADI like me) - ignore the examiner’s instruction and then claim you got muddled/confused or something similar. “If you haven’t inconvenienced other road users - you haven’t messed up”.
You may get a minor (depends on examiner) but better than a serious. But you wouldn’t get away with it twice!!! If you DO NOT inconvenience other road users you pass… unless you pick up too many minors - worth remembering. 3rd test 7 minors but it was PASS which is all that matters.
I was surprised to get 5 Show me/Tell me questions (that threw me a bit) - usually two I think and then I had FOUR controlled stops (think that’s what it’s called “pull up on the left when it’s safe to do so”). Not quite sure why I should have been given more than usual. But so what it’s pass. 
3] Reversing. It seems to a stigma attached “It’s Hard” - I struggle with this one. ‘Reversing with a trailer’ is exactly that and is the same principle whether a car transporter, caravan, farm trailer, drawbar or artic trailer.
The artic trailer longer and so presumably the movement is magnified compared with the others. I did drawbar for the test simply because I wanted to stay with a rigid truck that I am used to. Good investment prior to test is hiring (about £30) a 2 axle trailer for a long weekend and having practice. Then you will know how to correct movement before the training week.
I must have done maybe a dozen reverses and not made a mistake - I have my own car transporter so no excuse. BUT bigger vehicle for the test and practice is still necessary but you don’t want to spend too much time at reversing when there are general driving standards to reach as well.
4] Drawbar v Artic. I chose drawbar as I am used to the cab. An artic cab is higher and I believe the combination for reversing is harder. Some folk say drawbar is much easier and you’ll get a job a better job if you say you trained on artic. I don’t think it makes any difference.
A good company should give you several days yard training for reversing/ blind reversing and a couple of weeks supervised driving (should be interpreted as support/training but is also driving assessment).
If they don’t - look elsewhere. So far I’ve only done four applications and got four interviews (next week) and each offer initial support/training.
No one is perfect - there are those that get no minors on test but many say such but cannot provide the check sheet to prove it. I won’t have to try too hard for a job as there are so many CE in this area - drop me a PM for ‘a pointer’ if you are thinking of jobs in the Fens. It’s fair to say one has got a high standard to reach in 14 hours.
Hope my tips are helpful to members. As someone said to me on an agency job who did C with PSTT “No one fails there” (a legend!) Well I did 3 tests 
in the training period. BUT I have kept the legend ALIVE. (LOL)
