all my systems take me via rufford to the m6 from banks the rule of thumb as coffee has is always the driver is in control and chooses whether to listen to the directions or not
If your wife was sitting in the passenger seat reading out directions from an atlas, would you take note of every word she said?..
I wouldn’t listen to my missus, she gets lost between the kitchen and bedroom,
Wheel Nut:
Taking the subject slightly off topic as usual, I had the misfortune of a passenger a couple of weeks ago.A new driver who went for an interview and training with our company was sussed out.
He couldnt read or write, he couldnt read a map and was very disgruntled when they sent him home still unemployed.
He told them that if he was stuck, he would ring his wife and she could explain his instructions to him
As he couldnt read “Tunnel sous la manche” I doubt it would have been a good idea to send him to Bulgaria
Not quite sure what or why you find this ammusing!! I know of a couple very, very good drivers who can neither read nor write, yet they cope perfectly well, and have done for over 30 years driving.
GRIZ:
can anyone give me any tips on map reading, I’ve started driving but the map thing is confusing me a bit!!!
First and foremost, orientate your map to the ground around you i.e. if you are driving North then turn the map to face North, which is usually the top of the page! Carry a small/cheap compass to make it easy.
Secondly, locate your current position using a main feature (MSA, junction, etc) and then try to confirm this using a secondry feature.
Thirdly, plot where you want to be and look for the most suitable route i.e. easiest/quickest … then follow it, loooking out for main confirmatory features along the way i.e. motorway signs, town names, road numbers, etc.
Try using a map to go somewhere you already know the way to and see how the graphical representations of the map relate to the geographical features on the ground.
As map reading goes, a road atlas (baring satnav!) is about as good (easy) as it gets. Join your local Orienteering Club and see how fast your map reading improves then!! 
Join your local Orienteering Club and see how fast your map reading improves then!!
Might look a bit siily trying to go cross country in an artic though 
Map reading and planning a route is one thing but how do folks remember ?
I tend to jot down major road numbers and landmarks on route as a sort of itinerary, and often still get it wrong 
GRIZ:
can anyone give me any tips on map reading, I’ve started driving but the map thing is confusing me a bit!!!
first buy truckers map good for bridge heights! copy route on to paper and stick on dash if cant find place ask postman or the best option white van man some will take you there! get your atlas and your local map plot it all and as above write down and follow if all else falls panic!!! good luck
kaz:
first buy truckers map good for bridge heights! copy route on to paper and stick on dash if cant find place ask postman or the best option white van man some will take you there! get your atlas and your local map plot it all and as above write down and follow if all else falls panic!!! good luck
Good advice Kaz and welcome to Tnet. 
or the best option white van man some will take you there!
Done that twice now, one in Canterbury (a guy with an artic full of concrete steps) and one in Ashford (a bloke with a MAN rigid) although mine is Yellow (Rhubarb & Custard) and once was in the 7.5.
I hate giving directions!
Sat Navs are great if used with a bit of sense, but I think it’s still important to learn to map read and route plan.
Route planning, getting cross country to the rough area. find the town name and look at the map and find the best route to get to the area. Be aware the most direct route might not be the best for an HGV.
Locating the address,
- If the address is something like Norwich Road in a town in Norfolk it’s likely to be the road on the map that come’s from Norwich. This seems to work for most places in the UK. It at least gets you to the right side of town.
- If the town or city has a sub area, Like Bowthorpe, Norwich. find Bowthorpe on the map. Some of these places can be many miles from the city, so look a further from the city area to find it.
- Get close the area and ask, Petrol stations, Postie’s, Couriers, Haulage Companies, are all usefull places to ask. Sometimes people in certain places are so used to being asked for directions to a certain place they tell you how to get there before you even ask
- It come down to practice and building up your knowledge, as you go to more places you’ll find they are close to somewhere you’ve been before, so getting there is easy.
And, nipping into a garage and thumbing through a local map/atlas, although an attractive alternative to spending money, is often not appreciated, as it then renders the merchandise unsaleable. Far better to ask the cashier who will often have a ‘house’ copy that you can browse through.