started my class 1 training today. driving a m.a.n xxl pulling a 45ft curtain sider.very nervy start as im only used to driving a 26t scania with a 4 over 4 gear box.with the man it has a button you press to change gear without the clutch peddle.very strange to use.need help with the range changer and exactly what its purpose is.
That is a bloody big truck to learn in! 
Who are you training with? If you learn and pass in an auto your class 1 licence will be restricted to automatic only.
Tarrman:
Who are you training with? If you learn and pass in an auto your class 1 licence will be restricted to automatic only.
word on the street is they gonna pass that if you have a manual car licence 
just remember they aint TOYS 
Is that the Comfort shift button you are talking about?
jimmy.
The general rule is that a vehicle with a clutch is manual regardless of how much you have to use it.
Pete 
need help with the range changer and exactly what its purpose is.
The more I read this, the more concerned I become. How can you complete a day’s training and not understand this? You really must take the instructor to one side and get this sorted before you drive any more. You’ll never be able to drive the truck without knowing this.
Pete
yeah it may be the comfort shift,its i think that lets say im in 7 gear it can keep the revs at a good levell instead of changing to 8 gear.im training with 2 start ltd down at porchester nr portsmouth.the training school was recomended on trucknet. ive got one to one tuition for 3and half hours.wich is a lot better than being in the cab with 3 people feeling cramped up.test date is on friday in botley.found that the truck bounces around a lot more than a rigged.and with greatest respect i know its not a toy.the length did not seem as much of a problem as i thought.this may be because the rigid i drive is 38ft 6 wheeler.on the rounabouts is a bit nervy turning right as you loose sight of the kerbs and traffic.wich is going to get a lot of getting used to.
yeah jimbo thats the one
Peter Smythe:
need help with the range changer and exactly what its purpose is.
The more I read this, the more concerned I become. How can you complete a day’s training and not understand this? You really must take the instructor to one side and get this sorted before you drive any more. You’ll never be able to drive the truck without knowing this.
Pete
yeah pete your right i know i need to be asking more questions which im not.theres to many things rushing through my head.at the mo.ill be asking loads of questions today.as you say i need to clam down and take the information in that the instructor is giving me.
kelly1:
Peter Smythe:
need help with the range changer and exactly what its purpose is.
The more I read this, the more concerned I become. How can you complete a day’s training and not understand this? You really must take the instructor to one side and get this sorted before you drive any more. You’ll never be able to drive the truck without knowing this.
Pete
yeah pete your right i know i need to be asking more questions which im not.theres to many things rushing through my head.at the mo.ill be asking loads of questions today.as you say i need to clam down and take the information in that the instructor is giving me.
day 2 of my class 1 was ok.ive now got the gears sorted out which is a big load of my shoulders.started the revers quite a lot to take in.learnt very quickly not to over stear when trying to go back straight.all i can remember was up tp the first set of cones and try to get as close as possible to the left hand cone.then full lock right hand down and bring the unit parael with they yellow marker line.the rest is in my noggin somewhere.running through the revers today.now i feal more confident in the wagon i can concentrate more on the road ahead to take in road signs and approaches at roundabouts and junctions.
Sounds though you’re on track. Lesson to all trainees: the silly question is the one you don’t ask. You’re paying a small fortune (even a medium size one if you come to us!!). Get your money’s worth and milk the trainer for all the information you need. If he explains something and it’s not clear - say so.
Good luck, Pete
thanks pete ill post how i got on today.where we are training is very rural been told that on narrow roads if there is a large vechial ■■■■■■■ towards me just to pullup and let it past.i just wish there were more repeater signs on roads to let me know speed limits.there are many roads that look like a 30 limit but are 40.thats how i failed one of my class 2 test.holding up outher traffic.my practice time is at 2pm by the time we are heading back to base it is pitch black and is in rush hour.which is good keeps me on my toes.also it should be easier on test day {friday}its at 0845 and will be in day light.just still in battle with my nervs .
p.s. sorry for my spelling.then again im not a auther im a truck driver.good job to!!!
day 3 of my class 1.not a bad day.i got mixed up on my directions and was in the wrong lane for the direction i was told to go.then i tried to correct it and caused an obstrution.[fail if it was on test day]which put me on edge.things like that are hard for me to put at the back of my mined and carry on.but hey ho!!then we moved on to the trailer drop.just have to remeber to do the checks in the order i was told and all will be well.the reversing today went very well [no forward shunt needed] still a bit optimistic about test day.need to have a really good day tomorrow to be positive about friday.