I am pretty much a newbie to this forum, so I apologise if this post could be better placed elsewhere.
I was driving class 2’s for about 3 years around 7-8 years ago, and I am now looking to return to this after some time in another profession. I have been invited to an assessment next week and am a little apprehensive about stepping into a truck again under assessment conditions.
I suppose I am looking for some words of encouragement like it’s just riding a bike or something Has anybody got any similar stories that they can share?
if you have time and the finance available maybe look at getting a refresher lesson with a school near you. All they want to see is a smooth safe drive and a reverse onto a bay.
Only other bit of advice i can offer is practice in your car using mirrors and indicators. turn the rear view away so your not tempted to use it and rely on your side mirrors and shoulder checks. Just take your time and dont rush and if your honest with the assessor im sure he will be understanding.
ps brush up on your tacho rules (breaks rest periods etc) and make sure you are confident to do manual entries.
Worst case explain to the assesor that quite a while has elapsed since you last drove a truck, they should have been able to figure that out from your cv / application, so not a deal breaker for them already.
A half chance you used to be driving a manual, practically all autos now.
I personally would hate to do an assesment in a brand of truck that I haven’t been used to before, and messing around fumbling for controls that aren’t where you are used to - I would hope, again, that being thorough in finding everything that you may or may not need, before moving / starting the truck, would also come over as attentive to the assesor.
7-8 years ago is nothing I hadn’t driven for about 25 years when I signed up with the agency for class 1 work recently. I wouldn’t worry - it is like ‘riding a bike’. It was just a bit nerve-racking in the yard first time with close maneuvering etc. but once on the road & after a few hours it all came back v quickly as was getting used to the size again. As stated getting used to auto boxes was new as was digital tacho. Modern lorries are highly sophisticated & there were about 100 buttons it seemed. I just ignored everything & it was just put in gear & drive. [& find location of hazard warning lights just in case]. Just take it slow & steady you’ll be ok
Has anybody got any similar stories that they can share?