What school to choose?

Author
Discussion

exelero

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

96 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
quotequote all
I have just recently passed my HGV theory test and now I'm looking to start the driver training. So far I had two assessments with two different instructors and I'm not sure which one to choose.
Instructor 1: Automatic Rigid with Wagon+Drag for C+E
Intructor 2: Manual rigid with proper artic for C+E.

I know that once I get into a job I would most probably get an automatic unit. Would you choose to do manual training since it gives you more insight or choose the automatic training because it is easier? I would personally do the C+E training in a proper artic rather than a wagon+drag. The price of the training is pretty much the same.

Please share your thoughts smile

agent006

12,058 posts

271 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
quotequote all
I'd go with the second. Wagon and drag is a little trickier on the reverse and you'll hardly ever drive one for work. There was a craze for them about a decade ago but you hardly see them now. I suspect the attraction for the instructor is that he can use the same rigid for class 1 and 2 lessons.

Manual v auto isn't a huge problem. The rigid will probably have a regular 6 speed manual, and even if it's a 'proper' gearbox with splitter etc it won't be that hard to use or the instructor wouldn't have bought it.

normalbloke

7,713 posts

226 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
quotequote all
I deliberately chose a manual truck for my rigid training , as you’re most likely to come across manuals in rigids in the real world, but they are dieing out., Plus I’m old school, and like a gearbox. . I did traditional artic,in an auto.

exelero

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

96 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
quotequote all
agent006 said:
I'd go with the second. Wagon and drag is a little trickier on the reverse and you'll hardly ever drive one for work. There was a craze for them about a decade ago but you hardly see them now. I suspect the attraction for the instructor is that he can use the same rigid for class 1 and 2 lessons.

Manual v auto isn't a huge problem. The rigid will probably have a regular 6 speed manual, and even if it's a 'proper' gearbox with splitter etc it won't be that hard to use or the instructor wouldn't have bought it.
I drove both to be fair, the manual rigid has an 8 speed.
I would definitely take the C+E in the artic so maybe I will split the schools.
Strangely one of the instructors does the training from Thursday to Tuesday with the weekend off in between ( that’s the guy with the manual wagon) and the other one does it from Monday to Thursday and the rest the week after. Which one is better I don’t know...

Stussy

2,067 posts

71 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
quotequote all
I’d definitely go with the 2nd one. I learnt with a manual 4 over 4, and glad I did because in my first week at work I was given a manual artic, a Scania with 3 over 3 and splitter.
Our fleet is roughly a dozen artics (half manual, half auto) with turntable rear steer on the trailers, and then another dozen or so auto wagon & drag.
These are all set up for ex farm milk collection, so not really typical of an average fleet

exelero

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

96 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
I went with the Manual training, just paid for it and all. Training starts on the 21st the Guy's name is Ian Markwick if anyone knows him. Looking forward to it, my test will be on the 27th, the same day I have my Module 2 test as well. Wish me luck biggrin

Stussy

2,067 posts

71 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Just treat the test like another lesson. Remember it’s a timed test, not distance, so while you’re sat at those red lights the time is ticking!
Also, roundabouts.... half a chance is not a chance, wait for a gap big enough, don’t get frustrated and pull out causing a car to brake, instant fail!

cossy400

3,256 posts

191 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Stussy said:
Just treat the test like another lesson. Remember it’s a timed test, not distance, so while you’re sat at those red lights the time is ticking!
Also, roundabouts.... half a chance is not a chance, wait for a gap big enough, don’t get frustrated and pull out causing a car to brake, instant fail!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this my instructor told me take your time on your un hitch and hitch as the longer your in there the less time your out on the road.


exelero

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

96 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice guys.

I will take my time then, haha biggrin

Stussy

2,067 posts

71 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
Don’t take the piss though obviously!
Just remember it’s not real world and you don’t have 20 more drops to do laugh

exelero

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

96 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
Stussy said:
Don’t take the piss though obviously!
Just remember it’s not real world and you don’t have 20 more drops to do laugh
I wouldn't do multi drop. Even if it was multi drop, defo not more than 5 a day biggrin

R0G

4,998 posts

162 months