driveress:
Goff118: so good to hear about your second shift! Was it for Tesco again? All sounds very positive. Where were your drops this week? I saw your posts about weekly/daily rest etc. At least you’ve got 2 weeks to scour TN for advice on how to do an not mess up manual entries
Yep, only in with the Tesco agency at the moment so sticking with those. My drops were in a suburb of Gloucester and then 2 in Cheltenham Town centre. Give me an out of town superstore in an artic any day ha ha
stu675:
Newstart90:
My experience so far, passed C+E last week coming straight from car was an experience.I all ready had a job lined up so didn’t have to worry about that.
Only problem I’ve ran into is I’m struggling with the reverse, not sure how I passed it.
That was my problem on my Tesco assessment at Reading.
I’ve since gone back for another lesson.
I find helpful the technique of putting your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and lifting up the hand that you want the trailer to go to that side.
The other requirement is straightening up which is just pulling down on the hand that has the trailer filling the mirror.
Glad it isn’t just me.
Going to try that when I’m back at work tomorrow any little tips help while learning.
Cheers
Newstart90:
stu675:
Newstart90:
My experience so far, passed C+E last week coming straight from car was an experience.I all ready had a job lined up so didn’t have to worry about that.
Only problem I’ve ran into is I’m struggling with the reverse, not sure how I passed it.
That was my problem on my Tesco assessment at Reading.
I’ve since gone back for another lesson.
I find helpful the technique of putting your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and lifting up the hand that you want the trailer to go to that side.
The other requirement is straightening up which is just pulling down on the hand that has the trailer filling the mirror.Glad it isn’t just me.
Going to try that when I’m back at work tomorrow any little tips help while learning.
Cheers
Not sure if this is standard practice, but being able to see the front wheels in your blindspot mirrors. It helps you know if they are dead straight or a full lock of steering on!
I hope none of the professionals venture in here to see what we’re struggling with [emoji23]
I am South Wales myself and I’m a similar situation to yourself
Can I ask what agency you used
Thanks
Welshgav:
@goff118I am South Wales myself and I’m a similar situation to yourself
Can I ask what agency you used
Thanks
Hey, just PMd you.
Hi 
another Newbie! great to see other peoples stories and finding the tips great. congrats to all that have passed I can’t wait to give class 1 a go 
I’ve never been on forums before,so be kind im clueless!! I found this one by chance looking for information about the fimo, but its quite outdated, might have to start off a new one!
so my life is a bit complicated atm and im confused on the best way to obtain my class 1!
my story.
what stage: passed my class 2, first time a few months ago now. got my tacho and cpc. and my counterbalance forklift truck licence.
where: currently im in solihull, but my house and my kids are in France. I came over here one, to look after my mom and two, to get my licences,( thought it would be easier in english!) i started and passed cat 2 just before they changed them, that you can do them both in one 
why: Brexit in a nutshell! been working for myself for the last 13 years selling crafty items on eBay, it was a good living until Brexit 
but tbh i was getting bored and needed a change. getting bored of France too. I want to do something I love again! I love driving and i think im pretty good at it too i do the 1000km journey from here to home in one, a couple of little breaks. My kids are growing up, im on my own and want to travel and to get paid for it would be great! I always said i should have been a trucker!
what work: currently im driving a 7.5 tonne for the family business, as my luck would have it their driver was off sick, and i needed flexibility to look after my mom. Sadly she passed just after Christmas. so now i must start focusing on me.I want to be a tramper and do international, thats the goal! but Im really enjoying just the little truck, given me really good insight into the business which i knew nothing about, still lots to learn! but i do several deliveries in a day, my longest is up to bristol and Im off to sheffield in the morning. love it 
hope you are all enjoying the journey wherever it might take you
Hey Littlejo
It’s always good to hear from Newbies who have got and are enjoying their jobs! Is your plan to do your C+E at the same place you passed your C? Everyday is a school day - I had to look up FIMO think there are a fair few on the professional forum who are based in France.
Stu675: Did you have your reversing tuition with the same place you did your training? How did your interview go the other week?
I approached my trainer directly, so it was a bit of favours.
I was offered the job yesterday, just need to decide if it’s what I want to do [emoji3]
Did you use a training school vehicle though?
Exciting re job!
Update - passed my Class 1 on Friday!
Now trying to decide where to go from here. I have a Class 2 job offer with Brakes (everyone takes a sharp intake of breath when I mention the name - is it that bad?), a Class 1 interview booked with Tesco and have had some positive conversations with agencies.
Busy week job-hunting for me. If anyone near Reading has any suggestions for good local employers for newly qualified Class 1 drivers, I’m listening!
FatLarry68:
Update - passed my Class 1 on Friday!Now trying to decide where to go from here. I have a Class 2 job offer with Brakes (everyone takes a sharp intake of breath when I mention the name - is it that bad?), a Class 1 interview booked with Tesco and have had some positive conversations with agencies.
Busy week job-hunting for me. If anyone near Reading has any suggestions for good local employers for newly qualified Class 1 drivers, I’m listening!
Congratulations!! If you can reverse onto a bay, Tesco will have you.
Thanks. Challenge is that the Brakes job starts before the Tesco assessment is booked. So if I wanna do the Tesco assessment I need to turn down Brakes. And I kinda’ need a job!
FatLarry68:
Update - passed my Class 1 on Friday!
Great news FatLarry68! You must be so chuffed!
Thank you both!
What an intense few days. I’ve just completed my Category C training which ended in a fail. I cannot seem to get my head around road positioning at and steering around tight city centre roundabouts. I know it sounds stupid because size is what it’s all about but I’ve really struggled with re-mapping my brain for the length and width of the vehicle.
My first serious fault was mounting the kerb at an island on a roundabout, followed by 3 more poor positioning on roundabouts. The rest of the drive was fine, despite the absolutely ■■■■■■■ rain. Although I’ve definitely improved during my training (day 1 was an absolute write off and a give up moment), I’ve been fairly inconsistent in this particular area, sometimes nailing it and sometimes not, so if I had passed it probably would have been a fluke.
I’m happy with my trainer. He has really tried to help me despite me, on day 1, driving him bonkers by doing the opposite of what he was telling me. On yesterday’s drive he assessed me as having 3 minors, all mirrors. On this morning’s drive pre-test the first thing I did was kiss the left kerb coming out of the training centre. Has anyone else been this rubbish at steering and positioning at the beginning and finally got their licence? My next hurdle is believing I will actually learn it. On the plus side I’m enjoying it and the re-test is booked.
driveress:
What an intense few days. I’ve just completed my Category C training which ended in a fail. I cannot seem to get my head around road positioning at and steering around tight city centre roundabouts. I know it sounds stupid because size is what it’s all about but I’ve really struggled with re-mapping my brain for the length and width of the vehicle.My first serious fault was mounting the kerb at an island on a roundabout, followed by 3 more poor positioning on roundabouts. The rest of the drive was fine, despite the absolutely ■■■■■■■ rain. Although I’ve definitely improved during my training (day 1 was an absolute write off and a give up moment), I’ve been fairly inconsistent in this particular area, sometimes nailing it and sometimes not, so if I had passed it probably would have been a fluke.
I’m happy with my trainer. He has really tried to help me despite me, on day 1, driving him bonkers by doing the opposite of what he was telling me. On yesterday’s drive he assessed me as having 3 minors, all mirrors. On this morning’s drive pre-test the first thing I did was kiss the left kerb coming out of the training centre. Has anyone else been this rubbish at steering and positioning at the beginning and finally got their licence? My next hurdle is believing I will actually learn it. On the plus side I’m enjoying it and the re-test is booked.
Sorry to hear that you didn’t pass. Remember, it is a deferred pass as oppose to a fail With regards to steering, what I would say is take your time. As you say, the vehicle is a lot longer than you are used to. Therefore, you’ll need to take more of the road as you turn, because of what the back end still needs to do. If you get used to looking in those mirrors as you are making the turns, you’ll soon pick up the judgement of where the back wheels are and will crack it in no time I’m sure! It sounds like you have the rest sorted.
When is your re-test?
Thanks for the advice and encouragement Goff118. I’m sure you’re right. Re-test is booked for 30th March with a 2h positioning and turning lesson beforehand.
Are you driving this weekend or is it your weekend off?
driveress:
Thanks for the advice and encouragement Goff118. I’m sure you’re right. Re-test is booked for 30th March with a 2h positioning and turning lesson beforehand.Are you driving this weekend or is it your weekend off?
Ah all the best with the retest!
I have just finished my shift today. 9am - 7pm. Was in a 10 year old manual rigid. I wasn’t a fan at first, but the manual gearbox wasn’t too bad once I got used to it. Give me an automatic any day though!
Had 4 deliveries and apart from a couple of wrong turns, it was all quite smooth. The rigid runs take you to some really narrow roads and delivery yards, so I got some manoeuvring practice today.
The thing that annoys me most now is the empty cages blocking the loaded cages for the last few drops. I end up having to take empty cages off just to make way for the cages being dropped off, so end up wasting a lot of time doing that. I think I need to take less empties in future ha ha!