Hi
Well I am new on here and training towards my HGV C+E. I booked my courses through a broker, they actually told me they were a school so feel a little cheated. They put me with a driving school and ended up training in one area and then having to travel 2 hrs to a different test centre all of which was on a duel cartridge ways. I was not told about this even though I asked prior to accepting the course and being told the schools would ensure this wouldn’t happen. The local test centre appointments were given to students who booked directly with the school.
So I had no practice in Guildford where I took the test and no opportunity to drive any of the routes used by the examiner. On the day before the test my lesson comprised of driving to the Guildford test centre checking the way in and out with an instructor who got me lost on the way and had no idea of the routes.
So my question is how important to train in the area where you test. I thought it was very important remembering my bike and car training but what’s your opinion.
I am having to stay with the broker to re test and just don’t to be put in that situation again as my job depends on passing.
Thanks for your advice.
Paul
I live in Aberdeen, But decided to do my training and test(and retests 
) down at PSTT, there where a number of reasons why I picked to travel down, and one of them was its an area I don’t know, so wouldn’t go into car autopilot, on self drive parts, treat the roads like I am in a car etc. Well in some ways it did help, and the instructors did point out all the little annoying bits, signs for weight limits that are blocked by treats, tricky junctions etc, I get very nervous in exam/test situations and not knowing the area contributed to one fail, after getting lost on the self drive part, i was too stressed and nervous to think clearly and then royally messed up.
So I would say, if you are the nervous on test type like me, doing it closer to home so its one less thing to stress over could well be a good idea, I am still going down for attempt 4 with PSTT, and very much want todo my class 1 down there as well as the training a support has been awesome, but I may very well stick to a local school so wondering where the hell I am wont be on my mind…time will tell
Thanks mate that is very useful. I just found training in Worthing where the road conditions are very different to those in Guildford a bit of a mind mess. I felt ok on day two of my course but then after seeing where I was doing the test I did fall to bits.
On one hand I should be able to drive anywhere but on the other when an examiner is counting every mistake knowing the roads is one less concern.
Hopefully we both won’t have to wait to long for a retest and pass it next time round 
Two different issues being confused on this thread. The OP talks about training in one area and being tested elsewhere. Squire T travelled to his training - but his test(s) were in the same area as the training.
In my view, it is unprofessional to train someone in one area and take them for test in another. Many years ago, I used a test centre 63 miles away. But we used to get at least 4 hours training in the test area. It was the best option available at the time. Folks will say you should be able to drive anywhere. That’s fine. But it’s also additional pressure when someone is sat in the cab with an i-pad.
I started residential training many years ago as a result of some training I’d done myself and realising the benefits. It is proven to work showing no difference in pass rate to local candidates. It wont suit everyone - but for many it’s an option worth consideration.
Take care all, Pete S 
You are under no obligation to book retests through the broker, despite what they tell you. Contact the training company directly and book through them. It will be considerably cheaper, and by the sounds of it, you will get preferential treatment regarding course dates and training etc.
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Thank you all for your kind replies. I have learnt a lot about brokers and why not to use them. They are like bucket holiday shops, selling training time not fulfilled by the training company. This leads to odd training times and test locations as the best ones are reserved for the students that book direct. A hard lesson to learn as the broker I used insisted to me during the sales pitch that they were a school and they were priced about the same.
I am fighting the good fight to get the training I paid for but sadly seem to be loosing out in the long run.
I may consider hiring a 7.5t on my C1 dispensation to get the practice in I need. A bit excessive I know but I may not have a job if I don’t pass next time.
Sad days but can only get better