CAT C DRIVING TEST ON SATURDAY AT 9AM 3rd retest

[bas21280]

Hi All

1st post on here but it as got great info which i have looked up through out the last 4 months to get me to where i am now.

As the title says its my 3rd resit of the driving test for the cat c and i am more ready for it then ever.

I failed my 1st test on the reverse exercise (i never made mistakes during practice) I got out of the cab and was miles away from the line so reversed and the examiner said are you finished ? turns out i was right on time of the line box which means i failed and didnt even get out on the road

2nd test was 2 weeks got the reveres in one go with out no shunts and i failed 10 minutes before getting back to the test center thisis where i failed i was on a 3 lane roundabout with traffic lights and an ambulance came up right up behind me trying to squeeze through an impossible gap with is sirens on. I couldn’t move out the way and had to wait for the lights to change then cars on the offside moved out the way and the ambulance went to go again so i was watching what he was doing and the traffic lights on my side were not working, They are doing major roadworks at the moment on this and this’s something i pointed out The examiner told me to go as the light on is side had changed to green. so i went forward and let the ambulance pass,
Got back to the test center and the she failed me for not going on the green light because she had to intervene and failure to comply with traffic lights, Only had 4 minors and 1 serious this was really frustrating,

I made the point that the lights on my side were not working and i could not see the lights on her side because of the blind spot it didnt help with the ambulance either as i was already nervous of the test and she said “you should have asked me” thats when i made the point off and if you wasn’t here ■■? this quickly and abruptly lead her out of the cab.

Anyways got my next test on Saturday morning at 9am is this a good time for a driving test as i really cant afford any more tests after this as im out of work at the moment and put nearly all of my savings into doing this

also what would you have done in my 2nd test situation as i dont wont to make the same mistakes again regardless of whats their

[use_a_name]

Don’t worry about what went wrong on your second test, concentrate on the third.
Third time lucky etc.

[bas21280]

use a name:
Don’t worry about what went wrong on your second test, concentrate on the third.
Third time lucky etc.

Thank you i will look forward and not backwards hope the third time lucky thing is a pass and not a third time fail lol

[bishbashbosh]

Bas21280:
My instructor said he is aware of the traffic lights problem as another 6 learners failed that in the last 2 weeks prior on the same roundabout with the same problem

If this is true then I can’t help but wonder why your instructor didn’t make an emphasis on pointing them out during your training.

Anyway, it is in the past - focus on the next and get it done. Best of luck

[pete_s]

As above. But, just to add, if lights aren’t working, position yourself so you can see some lights that are working. Has to be said it sounds like a bit of really bad luck.

9am on a Saturday morning could be quite busy at this time of year. But it shouldn’t make any difference to you. It sounds like you are ready so try to relax and dont put yourself under any more pressure.

All the best with your test, Pete S

[squiret]

Sounds like a tiny little error in judgment on the first test, that examiners clipboard makes the nerves ramp up a lot! 2nd test sounds like very bad luck, in real life most, if not everybody unless you are going to end up in a very dangerous position are going to get the hell out of the way of an ambulance on blue lights, even if its going over a red light, and sounds more like they are being a bit pedantic over giving you the heads up in a very unusual situation, but they have to score to what the test says I guess and while I don’t know if they get “mystery shopper” type situations but if they do and they passed you even with an had to intervene be bad on them maybe?

Good luck, for the next test!

Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk

[bas21280]

Well I failed AGAIN. About 35 minutes in I was doing my independent drive and I completely missed a 7.5 tonne only entry sign examiner had to stop me. Drove straight back to the test centre didn’t actually realise I failed at that only had 3 minors my pre drive was good my instructor said drive like this on you test and I will pass didn’t miss anything getting really frustrated now as these silly mistakes are amounting to tremendous retest fees.

Gonna get booked up again but this time I’m having another days training and then the test after on the next day. Examiner recommended this because of the time between the tests.

[daani]

Hi buddy, I can delete my reply now that you have read it and taken some pointers on board.
Don’t stress yourself out mate as it doesn’t matter if you pass the 1st time for 4th time. You have invested a lot of time and money into this to just pick yourself back up and dust yourself off and try again.

I appreciate you saying there are many test routes so maybe if you have a dash cam and in your spare time just follow someone who is having their test and record the route for you to view and practise on.

The worst mistake you can make is to be nervous as then your bound to make mistakes. I know its easy said than done but most people make mistakes and errors through pressure. The more you can relax and drive the better and safer you will drive.

Better luck next time mate and don’t give up as giving up with be a waste. You can always make the money back once you have passed your test buddy.

Just remember to relax and drive and you will be fine. If your instructor didn’t think you could pass then he or she would not have put you through your test. Hopefully you learn where you went wrong and correct it.

I’ll be waiting to hear the good news that you passed shortly.

We’re all here if you have any questions.

All the best

[squiret]

Bas21280:
Well I failed AGAIN. About 35 minutes in I was doing my independent drive and I completely missed a 7.5 tonne only entry sign examiner had to stop me. Drove straight back to the test centre didn’t actually realise I failed at that only had 3 minors my pre drive was good my instructor said drive like this on you test and I will pass didn’t miss anything getting really frustrated now as these silly mistakes are amounting to tremendous retest fees.

Gonna get booked up again but this time I’m having another days training and then the test after on the next day. Examiner recommended this because of the time between the tests.

Awwww man, sorry to hear that it does ■■■■ to fail, probably got to fixated on looking for the signs for where you need to go on the “drive”, got that clipboard ever looming out the the corner of your eye, not in the habit of looking out for the weight, height etc limits so your head tuned them out, will be burned into your head now for the rest of your life.

[bas21280]

Daani:
Please don’t get upset with my words but do reflect on what I am saying. I can understand failing on certain things like clipping a kerb or slowing someone down who speeds around a roundabout etc.
But how did you manage to miss a 7.5 tonne weight limit sign?
Either you weren’t paying attention or really nervous. You can’t drive a hgv in the real world like this as you will end up killing someone. What would you have done if you were driving a hgv and your satnav said take the next left and it was a 7.5 tonne weight limit of had a low bridge etc. Chances are you would have taken the turn from what you said. You would have missed the sign and solely relied on your satnav.

Please don’t take this to heart as I’m trying to help you understand. You need eyes at the back of your head and cannot get complacent. You always need to be scanning around you, reading all signs and planning ahead and being calm and relaxed. Its the only way to successfully drive a HGV.

Also did your instructor not take you along the test routes so you know where they will take you? Every instructor does it.

Examiners will try and catch you out to see if your paying attention to whats going on around you.
They will take you on routes which will have the following

1. A low bridge to see how you deal with it and if u spot it
2. weight limit restrictions
3. where speeds drop 30 to 20 or 40 to 30
4. national speed limits
5. box junctions where you wait behind the lights if vehicles are infront turning incase the lights change.

Then you have your usual drive with stopping and pulling out safely, roundabouts etc etc.

My advice to you would be the following.

Take your car out for a drive as you will be more relaxed.
Drive along the test root and other areas and speak out loud when you see signs. Imagine your driving a truck.

I can’t turn left there it has a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

There is a roundabout approaching I am going to slow down and plan which lane I need to be in before I get close to the roundabout. Plan ahead always

I can’t turn there it says no right turn

Examiner says take the next available exit on your left
Can I legally take this 1st left Approaching? No it must be the next left after. Can I see any restrictions etc. No i can legally turn here.

School zone approaching. Speed limit if 20 if the lights are flashing regardless of if children are present.

You always have to be alert and constantly scanning around you to successfully drive a death machine.

Practise on your own car and imagine its a hgv so all prohibitions apply to you. This is the only way you will be alert and learn to plan ahead.

Once you mastered this then you should have no problem passing. A wrong turn in a hgv could end up fatal or costing you your license mate.

So please do listen to what other drivers tell you as they are sharing their knowledge to help you.

I totally appreciate your brutal honesty. I realised my mistake can cost lives it was truly gutting my last test I was out for the whole hour and failed 10 minutes beforehand their are 26 test routes at the center I went to my instructor was gutted for me as I have no problems driving with him. I had the same examiner as last time who failed me. What I find is during my last 2 independent drives he always chats to me are they trying to distract me or something ■■?

my dad as been a class 1 hgv driver for 30 years and he is my inspiration to carry on doing this. I can get great advise from him.

the route we went on today was not something I went on before the last test route during training so I think with an extra days training this will help.

Appreciate your advice buddy

[bas21280]

Daani:
Please don’t get upset with my words but do reflect on what I am saying. I can understand failing on certain things like clipping a kerb or slowing someone down who speeds around a roundabout etc.
But how did you manage to miss a 7.5 tonne weight limit sign?
Either you weren’t paying attention or really nervous. You can’t drive a hgv in the real world like this as you will end up killing someone. What would you have done if you were driving a hgv and your satnav said take the next left and it was a 7.5 tonne weight limit of had a low bridge etc. Chances are you would have taken the turn from what you said. You would have missed the sign and solely relied on your satnav.

Please don’t take this to heart as I’m trying to help you understand. You need eyes at the back of your head and cannot get complacent. You always need to be scanning around you, reading all signs and planning ahead and being calm and relaxed. Its the only way to successfully drive a HGV.

Also did your instructor not take you along the test routes so you know where they will take you? Every instructor does it.

Examiners will try and catch you out to see if your paying attention to whats going on around you.
They will take you on routes which will have the following

1. A low bridge to see how you deal with it and if u spot it
2. weight limit restrictions
3. where speeds drop 30 to 20 or 40 to 30
4. national speed limits
5. box junctions where you wait behind the lights if vehicles are infront turning incase the lights change.

Then you have your usual drive with stopping and pulling out safely, roundabouts etc etc.

My advice to you would be the following.

Take your car out for a drive as you will be more relaxed.
Drive along the test root and other areas and speak out loud when you see signs. Imagine your driving a truck.

I can’t turn left there it has a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

There is a roundabout approaching I am going to slow down and plan which lane I need to be in before I get close to the roundabout. Plan ahead always

I can’t turn there it says no right turn

Examiner says take the next available exit on your left
Can I legally take this 1st left Approaching? No it must be the next left after. Can I see any restrictions etc. No i can legally turn here.

School zone approaching. Speed limit if 20 if the lights are flashing regardless of if children are present.

You always have to be alert and constantly scanning around you to successfully drive a death machine.

Practise on your own car and imagine its a hgv so all prohibitions apply to you. This is the only way you will be alert and learn to plan ahead.

Once you mastered this then you should have no problem passing. A wrong turn in a hgv could end up fatal or costing you your license mate.

So please do listen to what other drivers tell you as they are sharing their knowledge to help you.

This was purely down to nerves (forgot to add lol) I ■■■■ under pressure especially when it’s something I really want and am really passionate about I love driving.

I have been out in my car and practising my instructor said I should follow the trucks as they will help with possible test routes

[pete_s]

I fully agree that responding to road signs is vital. Noticing weight limits and height limits is part and parcel of driving a truck and has to be taken seriously. And so it’s perfectly correct for a serious (fail) mark to be given if this isn’t demonstrated.

But routes are NOT designed to catch folks out. It’s just straightforward sign reading. And, unfortunately, many folks struggle with this.

I have recently taken someone towards a weight limit, dropping huge hints on the way. On the FIFTH time he eventually reacted to it without prompting. Put simply, if someone doesn’t see the sign, they wont react to it.

To those of us who have had a little practice in driving trucks, it’s easy to write these folk off. But we all had to learn to notice the signs and do something about what we see. And it doesn’t always happen in 4 or 5 days.

Pete S

[rog]

Try commentary
Does not have to clear and can be mumbling to yourself
Examiner unlikely to talk if you do that

[noremac]

You are doing this at a difficult time. You didn’t get out on the road to benefit from any feedback during your first test and your subsequent tests have possibly been further apart than would normally be the case.

The examiners will be well used to dealing with people who are nervous, so they are probably just trying to gauge whether talking helps or not. During the independent drive of course it is prime time for looking for signs because the examiner is no longer specifying the route.

I think if you couldn’t drive your instructor would probably be saying to you this isn’t for you. It literally is a case of keeping on going. Weight and height restrictions will become the same as noticing red lights, second nature. Good luck with your next test.

[zac_a]

ROG:
Try commentary
Does not have to clear and can be mumbling to yourself
Examiner unlikely to talk if you do that

Not that ROG needs backing up, but I’d second that: I’ve done commentaries on my class 2 and class 1, it helps me feel in control and (I believe) indicates to the examiner that you’re noticing what’s happening and thinking about what you’re doing.

[pete_s]

Commentary is an old established technique and I often encourage folks to give it a go. It works for many. But, for some, it becomes a further distraction. Try it and see how you get on.

Pete

[squiret]

The commentary mostly in my head and just repeating back directions to my examiner really helped with my nerves on my first test… OK I failed but that was a brain ■■■■/bad decision more than the nerves

Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk

[daani]

Bas21280:

Daani:
Please don’t get upset with my words but do reflect on what I am saying. I can understand failing on certain things like clipping a kerb or slowing someone down who speeds around a roundabout etc.
But how did you manage to miss a 7.5 tonne weight limit sign?
Either you weren’t paying attention or really nervous. You can’t drive a hgv in the real world like this as you will end up killing someone. What would you have done if you were driving a hgv and your satnav said take the next left and it was a 7.5 tonne weight limit of had a low bridge etc. Chances are you would have taken the turn from what you said. You would have missed the sign and solely relied on your satnav.

Please don’t take this to heart as I’m trying to help you understand. You need eyes at the back of your head and cannot get complacent. You always need to be scanning around you, reading all signs and planning ahead and being calm and relaxed. Its the only way to successfully drive a HGV.

Also did your instructor not take you along the test routes so you know where they will take you? Every instructor does it.

Examiners will try and catch you out to see if your paying attention to whats going on around you.
They will take you on routes which will have the following

1. A low bridge to see how you deal with it and if u spot it
2. weight limit restrictions
3. where speeds drop 30 to 20 or 40 to 30
4. national speed limits
5. box junctions where you wait behind the lights if vehicles are infront turning incase the lights change.

Then you have your usual drive with stopping and pulling out safely, roundabouts etc etc.

My advice to you would be the following.

Take your car out for a drive as you will be more relaxed.
Drive along the test root and other areas and speak out loud when you see signs. Imagine your driving a truck.

I can’t turn left there it has a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

There is a roundabout approaching I am going to slow down and plan which lane I need to be in before I get close to the roundabout. Plan ahead always

I can’t turn there it says no right turn

Examiner says take the next available exit on your left
Can I legally take this 1st left Approaching? No it must be the next left after. Can I see any restrictions etc. No i can legally turn here.

School zone approaching. Speed limit if 20 if the lights are flashing regardless of if children are present.

You always have to be alert and constantly scanning around you to successfully drive a death machine.

Practise on your own car and imagine its a hgv so all prohibitions apply to you. This is the only way you will be alert and learn to plan ahead.

Once you mastered this then you should have no problem passing. A wrong turn in a hgv could end up fatal or costing you your license mate.

So please do listen to what other drivers tell you as they are sharing their knowledge to help you.

This was purely down to nerves (forgot to add lol) I ■■■■ under pressure especially when it’s something I really want and am really passionate about I love driving.

I have been out in my car and practising my instructor said I should follow the trucks as they will help with possible test routes

If you can master the nerves you will pass. Also don’t pay any attention to what the examiner marks or writes as it doest mean you made a mistake. On my test the examiner sat there with his pen in his hand lol. A few people have said to have 2 or 3 bananas before the test as it helps with nerves but I don’t know if it works. You can also try the KALMS tablet to help you relax on your test but ill let others comment if they work or not. The best attitude to have on your test is if you pass you pass if not another time. This will probably help you be a little relaxed during your test.

Good luck and remember to just relax and have a nice drive. Enjoy the drive

[pete_s]

I believe KALMS rely on being taken for a couple of days beforehand. Lots of folks have used them - with varying results.

Pete S