LGV\PCV test centre

Glass_Half_Empty??

Also, have I missed something or has the OP said he will drive without a license? Just because he knows folk who do doesnt mean he will or that he will be a danger on the road. He has stated clear enough on here that he wants to obtain his license the rest is irrelevant on this matter.

And for the one whose hubby is a shunter for 3 years and it counts for nothing....he must be in another country "Most" firms is not accurate in Nottingham, they only stipulate that dependant on driver, I went and drove an artic the day after I passed my test and before that my firm let me drive on L plates with supervision for practise. I think he is looking in the wrong places, the agencies use the 2 year rule now because there is more drivers then jobs so they can pick and choose but "most" firms I have come across will happily take a dirver on with no ecperience if the attitude is right and that includes Eddie Stobbart who is the biggest haulier in the UK
How many firms did he enquire to when looking for work?
I have hit over 70 in the last week looking for a new job and for the ones that havent gone bust due to recession and are looking for drivers they have all said if I ma right for them I am right for them, the insurance is only a matter of £250 extra to a driver with 2 years experience which your hubby has if what you say is true.

pop_gun

Jo_F wrote: »

Obviously not a big enough fear, I really do hope that he gets caught, people like him should not be anywhere near a push bike, never mind anything else, I just hope that one day they do catch up with him, and shaft him pretty damn hard.

And I also hope that the test examiners carry on failing you, as I really wouldn't like someone with your attitude to be allowed to have a licence.

you really do show your ignorance with this post.

in an earlier post you, yourself said the license doesn't make a person a safe driver, though practice does. if we use your logic, my friend (and many others like him - let's not forget) is only getting his practice in. to make him a safer driver. :rotfl:

farmerboy

Glass_Half_Empty?? wrote: »

Typical post from someone who knows !!!! all about being a lorry driver :mad:
And FYI the new DCPC which you clearly have NO knowledge on means we are educated AND tested every 5 years and if we fail we release our entitlement to drive a HGV and have to re do it all again.
When you want to come out with such a ridiculous post in future make sure you research first and stop yourself making such an idiot of yourself :cool:

There is no current requirement to have a test for the DCPC, the ony requirement is to attend 35hrs of certified training over the 5 yrs period. There is no pass/fail on these courses, you attend for the 7 hr min course length and thats all.

If you've been tested you've been on different courses to me, and I've already done 21 of my required 35 hrs (3 courses for the hard of thinking:D)

Back to the OP, what are the past years pass rates?, because I think you'll find that they have been like this for a long time. It took me 4 attempts to pass class 1 and that included a change of test centre and instructor. Also, ALL drivers wishing to continue will have to do the DCPC with in the next 4 yrs if they want to carry on driving and then the same every 5 yrs.

Jo_F

Glass_Half_Empty?? wrote: »

And for the one whose hubby is a shunter for 3 years and it counts for nothing....he must be in another country "Most" firms is not accurate in Nottingham, they only stipulate that dependant on driver, I went and drove an artic the day after I passed my test and before that my firm let me drive on L plates with supervision for practise. I think he is looking in the wrong places, the agencies use the 2 year rule now because there is more drivers then jobs so they can pick and choose but "most" firms I have come across will happily take a dirver on with no ecperience if the attitude is right and that includes Eddie Stobbart who is the biggest haulier in the UK
How many firms did he enquire to when looking for work?
I have hit over 70 in the last week looking for a new job and for the ones that havent gone bust due to recession and are looking for drivers they have all said if I ma right for them I am right for them, the insurance is only a matter of £250 extra to a driver with 2 years experience which your hubby has if what you say is true.

That will be my partner, and I have heard the calls and read the letters, off the top of my head, I can't remember the exact number, but I can assure you that it's quite a few. We are based in East Lancs, but he has tried companies here, and anywhere else within a 100 mile radius, and time after time he was being told come back when you have 2 years on the road experience, and that included Stobbart.

Luckilly he has managed to find a local company that have taken him on, and sent him out for the week straight away.

Jo_F

pop_gun wrote: »

you really do show your ignorance with this post.

in an earlier post you, yourself said the license doesn't make a person a safe driver, though practice does. if we use your logic, my friend (and many others like him - let's not forget) is only getting his practice in. to make him a safer driver. :rotfl:

It's not ignorance, it's simply the fact that I have no time or respect for people that think they are above the law, if your friend is so safe and such a good driver, then why doesn't he make it legal and get licenced?

dickydonkin

Glass_Half_Empty?? wrote: »

Many years ago when folk did their HGV it was no where near as difficult to pass, less road users and less hurdles to jump. Now there is hazard perception, theory and practical, and the driver CPC which must be passed and re-passed every 5 yars to keep your license valid. The practical gets harder to pass every year and we now go class 2 before class 1 as opposed to straight in for class 1 after a few hours practise as the "many years ago" brigade like my dad had to do so it was much easier then and far less expensive even in relative money terms.
You clearly arent in touch any more with working time directive when it comes to HGV drivers, we are on the 48 hour average these days(BY LAW) so the days of working 90 hour weeks are long gone, and I have never been asked to do it anyway its mostly myth and greed of drivers who want the big money. If they want it and take the risk its up to them I dont need to and wont. A lot of "normal" jobs are now run on un-normal hours and work round the clock it isnt just lorry drivers even some office staff(for example) work up to 10pm these days. It is totally up to the person applying for whatever job THEY CHOOSE to apply for when it comes to what hours you will work or what shift patterns benefit you and your situation and because you didnt like it doesnt mean it wont suit others try to open your mind. I myself would hate a 9-5 off road job having to work with people all the time I enjoy being left to my own devices and cracking on with it and seeing something/somewhere different everyday. Just because it didnt work for you doesnt mean it is a crap job or that you are better then us because you left it and now have a better job for you.
What attitude do I have that has upset you enough to stop driving? I can see why you would leave for the reasons mentioned and to be honest I am glad people like you are leaving and will be phased out with the dcpc in 2014 too much living in the past and wishing for the better days of old instead of just accepting everything inlife moves on and changes and not always for the better, says a lot about your lack of flexibility and ability to move with the times. I hope your current job doesnt move with the times or else you may feel you need another job before you retire :rotfl:
And well done in reversing more then I have drove, you clearly never got the hang of reversing if this is the case :cool:

I would like to think the 'easier' test stood me in good stead for 26 years of driving artics averaging 150,000 miles a year accident and endorsement free.

When I started, many gearboxes were non syncromeshed like today, most of the trailers were flats that required roping and sheeting and night heaters were unheard of.....aye them were the days.

Oh, and as you do not know what I changed my career for, I can assure you I am fully aware of the WTD and very very aware on hazard perception.

Of course, I will concede that despite retaining my class 1 license, it would be strange jumping into a truck after a period of time, but that would be just getting to know the actual vehicle.

I am certainly not a decrepid old fart in a different era - there is certainly some bitterness on this thread.

I am sure you are are a very competent driver - but don't criticise others (who you don't know) and assume that the 'modern trucker' is a superior breed.

As hinted on this thread numerous times - a test is just a snapshot of a persons ability in an given period but that test is devised to enable the examiner to ascertain if you have the BASIC skills to drive a truck - but you will learn the majority of your skills from experience - even 'super truckers should know that'.

If you do not have those basic skills - you will not pass and it is no good blaming all and sundry for that.

I have continuously asked the OP if he agreed or disagreed with the reasons of failure given on the document issued by the examiners - the silence is deafening!

Oh, and another thing, I travelled all over the country in an 'under 3 tonner' prior to 'going straight in' for my class 1. This was excellent experience I can tell you as I was only a kid at the time.

If you have any questions on driving HGV's I am sure Hammyman or I could assist you.

pop_gun

dpassmore wrote: »

I am sure you are are a very competent driver - but don't criticise others (who you don't know) and assume that the 'modern trucker' is a superior breed.

by definition the 'modern' trucker is a better class of driver than his\her predecessor. if this wasn't the case then there would be no need to implement the stringent testing system that's currently in place.

some people on this thread like to circumvent logic.

farmerboy

pop_gun wrote: »

by definition the 'modern' trucker is a better class of driver than his\her predecessor. if this wasn't the case then there would be no need to implement the stringent testing system that's currently in place.

some people on this thread like to circumvent logic.

Quite the opporsite actually. The modern truck is very easy to drive compared to trucks of old. Back then it was an easier test, but the basics were harder to master. None syncro gearboxes took some mastering and a gronch of the gears was a fail, syncro boxes go in with ease.

Put a newly qualifed driver in an 10-12 yrs old truck and they may struggle. Have heard several a good tune played by a new driver on a eaton twin split.:D:D

Jo_F

farmerboy wrote: »

Quite the opporsite actually. The modern truck is very easy to drive compared to trucks of old. Back then it was an easier test, but the basics were harder to master. None syncro gearboxes took some mastering and a gronch of the gears was a fail, syncro boxes go in with ease.

Put a newly qualifed driver in an 10-12 yrs old truck and they may struggle. Have heard several a good tune played by a new driver on a eaton twin split.:D:D

Heard many a good tune? blimey last time I saw/heard that happen, the distribution manager made him move the truck so he could look for the dropped cogs on the ground :rotfl:

Hammyman

farmerboy wrote: »

There is no current requirement to have a test for the DCPC, the ony requirement is to attend 35hrs of certified training over the 5 yrs period. There is no pass/fail on these courses, you attend for the 7 hr min course length and thats all.

Yes there is a requirement. All newly qualified drivers must sit the DCPC before being able to be employed. It is only those who already held licences when it was introduced who have "grandfather rights" until 2014.