I passed my class 2 and class 1 within a few weeks of each other. I got a job on artics straight away, so i’ve no class 2 experience.
i’ve being in the job a couple of months now, the first couple of days I was getting home drained, late and exhausted, not to mention the banging headache!!! Two months in and it’s second nature!! Don’t worry about it! take your time, think about what your instructor told you.
watch your approach speed, don’t forget forward planning and use your mirrors constantly, its easy to let it all out your head while you get your head around being on your own, timed drops,getting lost, which lane to be in at big roundabouts, paperwork, tachos, bosses on the phone etc. all thing you didnt need to worry about on your training. like I said, i’ve only done it for two months, and I feel like an old hand now!! you’ll soon feel a lot more at ease. by the way, don’t expect other hgv’s to be courteous, just look out for yourself because a lot arent!
one good tip i’ve learned, make sure you’ve got your seat, steering wheel and mirrors all set where you want them before you leave the yard, get used to a little routine at the start of the shift and the job will get easier. the first week or so, I was down the A1 for 20 miles before I realised i had to lean over to check the nearside mirror, or the pedals were too close/far etc, it doesn’t help your driving trying to find mirror and seat switches in the pitch black at 56mph!!
Good luck and dont quit!