LGV\PCV test centre

farmerboy

Hammyman wrote: »

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.

You are correct for newly qualified drivers, but the post in question stated

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.

Which is incorrect, there are no test every 5 yrs, and if you don't do it you don't lose your HGV entitlement, you just won't be able to drive legally till you've completed the 35hrs.

dickydonkin

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.

So are you suggesting someone who has just passed their LGV C+E is a superior driver than someone who passed their 'easy test' some years previous and has many years of experience?

Now that IS circumventing logic!

Glass_Half_Empty??

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.

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)

I have done 14 hours of mine and and on both days training I had to pass a written exam to get the certificate at the end. All 14 hours are logged onto my name with VOSA so when I next get tugged they will know exactly which courses I attended and what dates passed etc. Maybe the standard of your course was inferior to mine which was held with the Co-Op and approved by VOSA themselves unlike the companies advertising online where no one regulates their methods or information they are sharing(stupid)

dickydonkin

pop_gun wrote: »

although not 30m on the same stretch of road

new road users have to go through a theorty test, a hazard perception test and for those looking to achieve LGV and PCV status they'll have to sit a CPC theory and practical test. seperate test for each designated vehicle.

if this wasn't enough there's far more speed cameras on the road today, that in conjunction with visual CCTV makes it virtually impossible to speed along any stretch of road you might be using. all this before one gets the idea of tripping the delimiter.
the DVLA highways agency have powers to confiscate a vehicle if it's overloaded, has a defect or the driver is in contravention of his\her alloted hours.

i bet when you passed your C1 test you didn't have to do any of the new requirements, yet i supect you consider yourself a safe driver.

why is that?

Your ranting above suggests that someone who has passed their test some time ago is not as safe as someone who has passed a more recent test.

Then you go on to extol the virtues of someone who has not even passed any test.

a friend of mine has driven a car and a lorry (class 1 and 2) without a license. the thing is he's never had an accident despite never having the relevant training.

i'd trust him to drive those vehicles,

my friend without his license is so safety conscious, he wouldn't even risk going through an amber light.

More logic circumvented it seems!

If and when you eventually pass your test, you will be in a better position to criticise other drivers who have been in the profession for a very long time and you might just be taken seriously.

Glass_Half_Empty??

Jo_F wrote: »

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.

Then he is extremely unlucky because I have had no problem finding work and I know drivers are taken on regular from Stobbarts days after passing their test so maybe it could be something else they didnt want in your husband. Not saying that he isnt good enough or anything etc but I do know for a fact they do take on new drivers with no experience if they like the person, as most firms do that I have come across.
Good on him for getting a job in these tough times, hope he gets on ok in his new job

Glass_Half_Empty??

dpassmore wrote: »

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.

Thanks for the heads up granddad
I agree he is not answering your question hence there must be an issue, maybe it is still a bit sore
And I for one am certainly not advocating that us new breed are better then old breed especially when you have many years experience. I was merely stating it is a fact that it is now harder to gain the HGV entitlement both financially and practically. Not surprising with the advance of modern life it will be modded year upon year and can only be a good thing for the future of British truckers in my opinion. A HGV driver though only continues to learn and gain positive experience based on the attitude of the individual. Not every HGV driver of 20+ years is a good one! The attitude of some astonishes me, I have met quite a few who love to drive up cars rear ends because they were cut up and almost cause an accident/death just because they cant control their temper despite being "professional" for 20 odd years like yourself. :eek:
Auto boxes, mega space cabs(heaven :cool:), air con, electric windows/sunroof, air suspension in the seat to name a few all lead to better conditions but then its 2010 why shouldnt we have a bit of comfort? Shame most lorry parks and MSA services dont think the same and upgrade their facilities to 2010 standards

Glass_Half_Empty??

dpassmore wrote: »

If and when you eventually pass your test, you will be in a better position to criticise other drivers who have been in the profession for a very long time and you might just be taken seriously.

Still not a wise idea in my opinion, old truckers aka "the real ones" can be very touchy :rotfl:

dickydonkin

Not every HGV driver of 20+ years is a good one! The attitude of some astonishes me, I have met quite a few who love to drive up cars rear ends because they were cut up and almost cause an accident/death just because they cant control their temper despite being "professional" for 20 odd years like yourself.

I have to agree with you there, but by the same token, there are many 'younger' or 'newer' drivers with the 'I'm bigger than you' attitude that are just as much a menace.

I think you are possibly generalising insomuch that you seem to be relating to attitudes of drivers where I think it is more a human trait issue - irrespective of age or experience.

As for the Grandad dig, well I ain't as yet, but at 52, I am getting on a bit but I don't think I have one foot in the grave - yet!

Don't get me wrong - although I have no intentions of returning to driving, there are some aspects I miss - but some I certainly don't.

Congestion, legislation, cameras, nights out, irate transport managers are certainly some of the things I do not miss - meeting people, visiting all areas of the UK etc. are some of the things I do.

I don't envy today's truck drivers for one minute - yes I agree it is a different beast today, but you can make a decent living out of it.

I was very fortunate as I worked for two excellent employers - one was general haulage and the other was an 'own account' operation (a rare thing nowadays) who decided to subcontract the distribution facility to a large logistics company (name begins with 'W' and very appropriate IMO).

I had the opportunity to TUPE or have a career change with the company I worked for - thankfully, I chose the latter.

I can understand the frustration of the OP, but hitting out at everyone and everything is perhaps putting him in the wrong frame of mind prior to his driving tests.

Is it an attitude or aptitude issue - or a combination of both?

I think the majority of posters on this thread can draw their own conclusions.

I agree he is not answering your question hence there must be an issue, maybe it is still a bit sore

But not sore enough to stop criticising every poster who disagrees with him!

Still not a wise idea in my opinion, old truckers aka "the real ones" can be very touchy :rotfl:

BAHHHH - Humbug!

Glass_Half_Empty??

Transport managers/office managers/army corporals/call centre managers etc can all be just as bad I think again it goes onto the human trait thing....basically they are just nobs :cool:
I like doing nights out, dont like lay by sleeping though too dangerous these days with so many idiots wanting to hi-jack us
Many jobs require working away all week like shop fitters and business folk staying in hotels its just a part of life I accept as the job, maybe its cause I am an unsociacable !!!!!! at times and like me own company
I am hopefull of driving on for a few years and doing my management CPC and when I start getting ready to wind down in life I will take the office job and have more regular hours but I dont have any other desire to change career as the only thing that does interest me would take 3-5 years training so with a family to maintain it isnt really feesable right now.

Hammyman

farmerboy wrote: »

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

Eaton twin split - one of my favourite gearboxes, an absolute joy to drive once you got the hang of them. For those that didn't there was a lot of time spent in neutral revving the engine and slowly rolling to a halt then starting off again :D:D