subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver/driving-licence-requirements
younger in the armed forces I believe
younger in the armed forces I believe
The driver of a tipper truck that crashed in Bath, killing a child and three adults, passed his HGV test several days earlier, it has emerged.
That would indeed make sense in an ideal world, but in reality things are much different......Surely it would make sense to gradually introduce people to larger trucks on easier runs than throwing them in at the deep end.
Thanks that's a useful insight into that world. I can see how it is difficult to avoid getting thrown in at the deep end, but that's where I think the system is wrong.That would indeed make sense in an ideal world, but in reality things are much different......
I passed my class 2 HGV test about 10 years ago, aged 42 and having been pensioned out of the Police on health grounds. I had to jump through more hoops than most to get my licence, because my medical condition is heart related.
I found it very hard to get a driving job with zero HGV experience. The only people who might give newly qualified drivers a job are either cowboys who no-one else will drive for, or agencies.
I went down the agency route! Problem with that is, they just feed you to a client who has paid good money for your services and they are not interested in whether you have experience or not. They just want the job done, end of story.
I still remember my first class 2 shift as the steepest learning curve, EVER! I went to the clients premises, they just handed me the keys of a fully loaded lorry of a type I had never driven; gave me my paperwork and sent me on my way to do multi drop around Ayrshire. Jeez, what a sweaty day!
After about 6 weeks of agency work I got lucky with a full time job with an air freight company. Passed my class 1 (artic) licence a few months later, August 2005. Worked with them until redundancy came along about 4 years ago. Via a couple of other jobs, I am now back doing agency work! Basically because I no longer have the need or inclination to work full time. Sorry for the waffling, it was just to make the point that new drivers do tend to get thrown in at the deep end!
I think the actual driving test is in itself only the beginning, just as it is with cars.Thanks that's a useful insight into that world. I can see how it is difficult to avoid getting thrown in at the deep end, but that's where I think the system is wrong.
With your experience of the test and the learning leading up to it, do you think he was suitably experienced for that job/load? Perhaps his employers should also be taking some of the blame.
I worked for agencies for a couple of years in my very early twenties. I turned up at one job and told the guy in the office that I had been sent by the agency, he threw me a set of keys to the tractor unit and told me to hitch up to the trailer round the back then pop back in to get the job sheet so I could get on my way. I handed them back and explained that I was there to help with some furniture removals and hadn't even passed my car driving test.I went down the agency route! Problem with that is, they just feed you to a client who has paid good money for your services and they are not interested in whether you have experience or not. They just want the job done, end of story.
so what is an exhaust brake?My experience was exactly the same. No training at all in that regard, so the first time I drove an old MAN 18 tonner I had to ask what the silver button on the floor on the driver's side was. Turned out to be the exhaust brake.
Are you sure it doesn't say USE engine braking, with it being on a long hill?OK, so the exhaust brake is the reason 'No Engine Braking' signs exist.