New HGV Test......

[The_Tiler]

I have just read that from September the 20th the government are bringing in a new 'stream lined' test to get more people qualified. I mean that's 'fine'.

The new test will do away with the reversing part of the test (usually done in the training compound before you actually go out on the test). Now call me old fashioned and as someone who's failed an HGV test I'd say reversing is a pretty major part??

So we are going to let newly qualified drivers 'hit the road' and reverse onto all kinds of loading bays and small areas without covering it on a test? Also doing away with coupling and uncoupling of a trailer.

Throw in the fact driving hours are extended and an influx of newly qualified drivers who've passed a streamline test. Does anyone suddenly see the roads becoming more dangerous? These things are absolute lethal weapons in the wrong hands.

I hated every min of learning to driving one due to the sheer amount of concentration needed. I did pass the reversing part. Just not clipping a curb (maybe they could take that out ).

What do current HGV drivers think? I know shelves are empty but it seems a dangerous quick fix.

Unbelievable that they are doing away with reversing and uncoupling.
Driving forward in a class 1 is easy, especially on a motorway, you basically just steer it.
Not sure how these new drivers will be able to get onto bays, squeezing between two other trailers already parked.
One of our agency drivers forgot to put his parking brake on when uncoupling and took out the security barrier when his trailer rolled down the hill.
One driver a week for the past 4 weeks has died in crashes on the M6 recently.
These are drivers who have passed the current test. Unbelievable that the test is being made easier when, as stated above, these vehicles are deadly when driven incorrectly.
Instead of making the test easier, give drivers grants or some kind of bursary. The minimum cost to pass at present is £3000, that is what is putting people off training in the first place.
Oh, and most companies ask for experience before giving you a chance. Where you get that from when newly qualified, I don't know.

 

[Priv]

Regarding trailers. I go to a lot of equestrian events as my other half and daughter regularly compete, the state of many people trying to manoeuvre horse trailers is appalling. It’s always the middle aged people that clearly had grandad rights and had never had to have any training. Whereas those mid 30s and under who you can tell have had training generally have no issue.

Im assuming it must be to speed up the test process to get more HGV tests done as my test was at the HGV test place in darlington that or their thick as mince hunting pals are struggling to pass the test and complaining about it.

 

[S7DiscoDown]

I live on a little new build estate and it has a small co-op bang in the middle of it.

I find it fascinating everytime a see a big Class 1 HGV deliver stores. I just think 'how the feck do you get that wagon into that space'. I couldn't imagine in new driver pulling it off.

 

[Ex pfc wintergreen]

The shelves will be even more empty because the trucks will never make it to the shops.
Bing's a whole new meaning to clean up on aisle seven.

 

[Wez68]

Unbelievable that they are doing away with reversing and uncoupling.
Driving forward in a class 1 is easy, especially on a motorway, you basically just steer it.
Not sure how these new drivers will be able to get onto bays, squeezing between two other trailers already parked.
One of our agency drivers forgot to put his parking brake on when uncoupling and took out the security barrier when his trailer rolled down the hill.
One driver a week for the past 4 weeks has died in crashes on the M6 recently.
These are drivers who have passed the current test. Unbelievable that the test is being made easier when, as stated above, these vehicles are deadly when driven incorrectly.
Instead of making the test easier, give drivers grants or some kind of bursary. The minimum cost to pass at present is £3000, that is what is putting people off training in the first place.
Oh, and most companies ask for experience before giving you a chance. Where you get that from when newly qualified, I don't know.

It must have been either a very old trailer with a ratchet type handbrake , or faulty brakes as modern trailers apply the park brake as soon as the air line is uncoupled (although it is good practice to manually apply the trailer brake before uncoupling , and is an instant failure on your test if you fail to do so )

 

[Chris_Boro]

i used to be pretty good at Operation as a kid. Do I go straight to surgeon?

With that type of qualification, you'll get your own hospital!

I was really good at Theme Hospital, think I should apply as a Trust Director with my head popping greatness.

 

[Ex pfc wintergreen]

It must have been either a very old trailer with a ratchet type handbrake , or faulty brakes as modern trailers apply the park brake as soon as the air line is uncoupled (although it is good practice to manually apply the trailer brake before uncoupling , and is an instant failure on your test if you fail to do so )

True that, I was told air pressure keeps the brakes off, braking reduces the air pressure and applies the brake.

 

[Wez68]

True that, I was told air pressure keeps the brakes off, braking reduces the air pressure and applies the brake.

Yes air pressure keeps the park brake off ,when you apply the trailer park brake OR remove the supply line the air is released instantly and brakes applied ,however if you suffer a large air leak whilst driving your brakes will slowly apply and your stranded !!

 

[A]

 

[Wez68]

View attachment 24365

That just about sums it up for me !! in all honesty I,m genuinely concerned about the watering down of the HGV test, because in essence all they have done is make it much easier to pass , which is the last thing it ever needed!!