HGV lesson

Vintage_Tom

Hi all

This is my first post so please be kind and helpful.

Just over a couple of months ago, I had my first (and only) HGV lesson and unfortunately the day didn't work out very well. I had "numerous mistakes", had a near miss with a motorbike (which the biker later made a complaint) and rode a pavement.

My confusion is that the school will not tell me where the motorbike near miss took place as well as the pavement. The day after the lesson, the instructor said "there were some events today where a serious accident could have happened". I accept that my driving wasn't the best but earlier in the day I failed a practical show me tell me test and felt I was not in a good frame of mind for practical driving lessons. I did later asked if there was camera footage of my driving from the lorry and the school say there is not. All I know the school refused to take me out again as they "deemed dangerous driver with threat to society".

Later the school then questioned the conduct of my own car driving on arrival to meet the instructor. All I remember was seeing the lorry parked on a curve, slightly downhill and on double yellow lines. I remember the instructor not showing any ID (I believe it was an actual instructor). They also called me an "anxious person" which surely would be understandable from the day. I was nervous yes but wouldn't anyone?

I have no photos or videos from my day but I feel really angry and upset that I am not given a chance to improve my driving (like attempting cone work on an airfield)  so no practice to improve my skills. And the lack of proper detailed information regarding the pavement I mounted and the motorbike I had near miss with.

Does anyone have any advice? Thank you.

HillStreetBlues

Vintage_Tom said:

Does anyone have any advice?

Find a different career path.

Personally I feel it's something you take to or not.
If I had attempted  it and made those kind of mistakes, I would feel it's not for me.
The risks to others would be my utmost concern.

Vintage_Tom

Thanks. I am looking for other job ideas but I saw an opportunity and wanted to challenge myself. I'm just concerned there could be future claim from the motorbike and my car licence could get revoked with them questioning my own car driving. I know it sounds maybe unlikely but I keep thinking about it..

Car_54

Vintage_Tom said:

Thanks. I am looking for other job ideas but I saw an opportunity and wanted to challenge myself. I'm just concerned there could be future claim from the motorbike and my car licence could get revoked with them questioning my own car driving. I know it sounds maybe unlikely but I keep thinking about it..

No-one can claim for a near-miss, and your licence can't be revoked on the strength of someone's 'questioning'.

As above, maybe it's just not for you. Whether or not you agree, I can't see what you'd gain from having the information you want, and which in any case.they aren't obliged to provide.

Put it behind you and move on.

sevenhills

With a name like Vintage, are you an older driver with lots of experience, you sound young.
What driving experience do you have?

Vintage_Tom

Thanks for the tips everyone. I appreciate it! Maybe not obligated to get this information, just wished I knew..

I've been driving over 25 years now.

Vintage is because I love old stuff! Vehicles, fashion, books, etc.

SiliconChip

If a professional HGV driving school has questioned your car driving ability maybe it's time for you to have some refresher lessons. It certainly doesn't sound as if driving an HGV is the right job for you (as it wouldn't be for me).

Grey_Critic

***Just over a couple of months ago, I had my first (and only) HGV lesson and unfortunately the day didn't work out very well. I had "numerous mistakes", had a near miss with a motorbike (which the biker later made a complaint) and rode a pavement.***

Assuming that your problems were due to nerves - you say only ONE lesson - Why? Have the drivimg school declined to continue the lessons?

user1977

Vintage_Tom said:

my car licence could get revoked with them questioning my own car driving.

How on earth could your car licence be "revoked" just because somebody's criticised your driving?

Herzlos

SiliconChip said:

If a professional HGV driving school has questioned your car driving ability maybe it's time for you to have some refresher lessons. It certainly doesn't sound as if driving an HGV is the right job for you (as it wouldn't be for me).

That's what I was thinking. If your driving was so poor the HGV school don't want to take your money, and you were last examined 25 years ago I'd try and find a local driving instructor to have a few refreshed lessons. Once you're confident and at a suitable standard you can always revisit the HGV thing though it'd likely need to be with another instructor.

Though I'm surprised they took you out on the road on a first visit without even a quick drive around in something smaller. If I was running it I'd probably want you to a lesson in a car, then car + trailer, then LGV, then finally onto an HGV, or start with an HGV somewhere like a private track.

Bigwheels1111

Back in 2001, I took my Hgv 2 and then my Hgv 1.
There were 2 of us per vehicle, A ford iveco scaffold lorry.
The instructor asked who wanted to go first, the other guy could not jump back fast enough.
He had taken the theory test 16 times I think it was, first 10 times he had not even read the theory test book.
Then 6 more times to pass.
Im not bragging, Bike, Car, Hgv theory test 39/39 correct answers, Hgv 2 and Hgv 1 all passed first time.
Some people take to it like a duck to water, others don’t.
Don’t take it to heart.