I got my license begining of August. passing first time, much to my surprise as it took me 2 days to get confident and not to panic with the instructor. I’m now learning to drive the company trucks, along with the trainer and I’m terrible. Having had about 6 hours of driving I’m still panicking behind the wheel. I hit the weighbridge at one site and was ready to switch seats. I’m looking for any tips from experienced truckers that might help with nerve’s and that might help with my overall driving
Reduce the caffeine levels for coffee and energy drinks, Boots sell Kalms , it’s a natural herbal remedy to calm the nervous system .
Turn off gadgets and the tv a few hours before bedtime, a hot Bath with Radox mineral salts will do wonders for relaxation, and lay off the alcohol.
It’s not easy. Take your time and do not let anyone hurry you. Everyone started where you are. Experience teaches. Get out and take a look if you have any doubts. People may feel self conscious for doing this but it’s better than hitting something. You will be helped by other drivers and if you ask they will all help. It gets easier week by week. You will have a bad day then breeze through the next week. Someone has chosen to employ you. That should give you confidence.
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. Take your time when doing any maneuver, go slow. If you do any maneuver slow you will have all the time in the world to correct any potential mistake(crash), if you’re reversing stick it in turtle and slowly back up checking mirrors. As you get experience you’ll just naturally get faster and you will know the angles to take etc. Everyone crashes, it’s not a matter of if it’s a matter of when.
As soon as you enter a yard you need to put that in to your head.
Some good tips above. Especially about getting out and checking, use of KALMS and the commentary.
I did a pre-employment assessment for a local company recently and he got out and checked he was going to clear some stonework with his nearside front. Pretty well at that moment, I’d signed him off as he’s clearly a careful driver. With experience, he would know he was ok. But he was a new pass so did the right thing.
