Hello, just starting out and was looking for a driving school in the area and found most seem to do the C&E with a rigid and trailer.
My understanding is that employers are more likely to want experience with an Artic. Is this true, what are the benefits and downfalls of both types for the C &E.
I maybe jumping the gun as I have not done anything yet, but do not want to start off in the school that is not right for me. Thanks
KAOSWATERS:
Hello, just starting out and was looking for a driving school in the area and found most seem to do the C&E with a rigid and trailer.
My understanding is that employers are more likely to want experience with an Artic. Is this true, what are the benefits and downfalls of both types for the C &E.
I maybe jumping the gun as I have not done anything yet, but do not want to start off in the school that is not right for me. Thanks
My advice is that if you do W&D then it is best to get some training on an artic after passing the test in a W&D
Some people find the C+E test easier to pass with Wagon & Drag. My advice is to get your licence the easiest way possible and then worry about learning an artic. There’s a big shortage of Class 1 drivers, so many depots will take you on and help you even without experience. If it’s a good depot, they should send you out with an experienced driver for the first week.
I didn’t find W+D easier for reversing.
Failed twice in an artic (kerb, reversing) and once in a W+D (coupling).
Generally W+D training was only easier as I was in a very rural area with almost no traffic, no big roundabouts and no dual carriageways so 40mph max. Easy for driving around.
But as I said reversing was still an issue. I managed to do it on the test. Just. Then failed on coupling which is ridiculous, I know…
Passing in a W&D is easier than an artic is debatable. I would say that having a W&D is certainly a cheaper and more flexible option for training schools, whether that leads to them marketing that passing in a W&D I wouldn’t like to speculate.
Having said that you’ll probably jump into all types of trucks when you’ve passed and not have a clue how the gearbox/tail lift etc works - best to just get your licence and hope for a bit of training on the job.
Well I only passed class 2 yesterday but once licence back and working then I plan on getting on to class 1 as soon as I can and will make sure I do it on an artic, purely for the reason than far more likely to drive an artic, and since from what I understand a w/d they follow the path of the truck much better then, doing all the training on and a w/d then then going out to drive an artic which trailer cuts in more more chance of squashing things, clipping kerbs, I think it be less of a worry with somebody that is properly teaching you sat in the cab for those first few hours than not.
Squire - I’m not an expert but I was told that for avoiding hitting kerbs in an artic is to do training in a rear steer axle trailer which follows a cab better than W+D.
Thank you all for your replies and input. I was concerned as a I have a couple of highly recommended schools very near me but it seemed both did the W&D only which concerned me for future employment. I think possibly the best way is pass the test and get a couple of lessons after from somewhere else if I need to. Thanks again.
Medical next, ha, thats no doubt going to be a long story.
KAOSWATERS:
Medical next, ha, thats no doubt going to be a long story.
Pay more than £60 = ripped off
I have spent the last 40+ years training drivers on both, so maybe I might be qualified to pass comment.
W+D, without a doubt, is easier to drive forwards. A good combination (and they dont all automatically fall into this category so watch out!) will have the trailer following the prime mover - the front bit - in it’s tracks. So, apart from allowing for the additional length when emerging, there’s little to worry about. Reversing is tricky to explain. The trailer will react very quickly. This means it will also go wrong very quickly. But, if you know what you’re doing, you can catch it again and get it back on track.
The coupling can be a real headache. A degree of precision is needed to get the coupling eye lined up with the pin. Not only is this side to side, but also forwards and backwards. Many folks spend a lot of time trying to perfect this and it causes problems on test more often than most would like to admit. And, of course, having passed the test, your ability to drive, couple and uncouple an artic, would be questionable.
Artic is more difficult to drive forwards, but a good instructor will put guidelines in place which will ensure no major problems on turns. The trailer will want to take a short cut, so it’s important that this subject is taught correctly. Be aware that, remarkably, some trainers really struggle with this. And this shows when their candidates go for test. Using a registered instructor should get around this problem. The coupling and uncoupling is easier than W+D as the same level of accuracy isn’t required. But folks still fail and this is often on the most simple of tasks eg not checking the trailer park brake before coupling. Same applies to W+D.
Reversing an artic is arguably easier than W+D. The statement is often “the longer the trailer, the easier it is”. What folks mean is that, because the trailer will react more slowly, it doesn’t go long as quickly as a W+D. Having said that, if you loose control of the steering when reversing an artic, it not likely you’ll regain control without a forward shunt (which is allowed twice on test and as many times as you like in the real world). You will, of course, be ok with an artic straight away in the real world.
Something else to bear in mind: the huge majority of CE work in UK is artic. Whilst an artic trained driver will be able to handle the vehicle, within reason, there is still a hell of a lot to learn. Reversing is a common issue and comes with constant practice and patience. Every driving job needs to be learned. Different routes, delivery points, procedures, paperwork. All this is quite enough stress without having to think about driving a different configuration of vehicle.
So, overall, my preference is artic. Many readers will know that I founded and ran PSTT. From 1984 to 1997 I ran artics. From 1996 to 2019, I ran both. The decision came to concentrate the fleet on artics only for CE when the demand for W+D fell to around 5% of CE.
I’ve always said that the bigger the better (with trucks). And, from a good instructor’s point of view, much more satisfaction getting a clean sheet on an artic than W+D. Not that anyone’s bothered about that!
Take care all, Pete S 