LGV Practical Test

[The999Kid]

I am having problems with my LGV practical test. This is at the peterborough LGV/PCV testing centre.

I can do the left reverse and controlled stop fine, and the examiner has said twice (same examiner for both tests) that there is nothing wrong with my technical driving. (everything is there in the right order and done to a high standard)

Its my responses to other drivers who do things wrong that let me down.

E.g. I first failed on suicide roundabout (for those who know the area) coming over the bridge and turning right at the roundabout. there was a bus in the middle lane (marked straight on) indicating right, so i proceeded as normal by checking mirrors and signalling to move over at the correct point. The bus, having left a gap for me before decides that he doesnt like me anymore and closes that gap as i try to move accross by one lane to continue my path around the roundabout. the examiner who i assume hadnt checked the mirror when i did and hadnt seen the gap, assumes that i had tried to merge infront of the bus and not left a big enough gap and marked it as a serious fault, hence failing me.

Any Hints and tips for me from experienced LGV drivers?


P.S I need the license to be able to drive an ambulance, as I want to be a paramedic.
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NDB 19/10/1989 - 1/11/2010 |Nowhere.Elyseum wrote: I get the distinct feeling that Tim should be our secret weapon for future trolling. I don't know many people that can rip the piss in Iambic pentameter

[Skudd]

Talk. Talk others actions and what you are going to do. That way the examiner knows you have seen the hazards and acted accordingly.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[B_A_B]

Try using some defensive/pre-emptive driving techniques.
If you read the road properly and you`re always aware of the "what if" scenario.....there`s less chance of you getting into any bother.
It`s all about planning your next move mate.

Once you`ve passed you can be as aggressive and pushy as you want to be....but not on a test.
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https://www.UK-BODYBUILDING.co.uk

[S1KE]

[WildGoose]

Experience would tell you not to trust the bus driver, they are mostly professional wankers. You weren't to know, its just bad luck he messed you up. Often certain situations in a test you cannot win, had you held back behind the bus for example, you may have had a serious for hesitation.

Explaining your actions out loud is a possible option, but it's not a requirement, as they are able to assess you without you saying a word, you shouldn't have to say a word in order to pass. Examiner isnt concerned with what you have and haven't seen (how is he to know) only how you react to situations that directly affect you.

Half of everything is luck, I failed it twice, same examiner, same route, same place (did the opposite action to what failed me the first time and that failed me as well).

Sometimes you just cannot win, and hour is a long time not to make a serious mistake, if he has said your technical driving is ok, just keep on plugging away you will get it eventually.

See if you can book a time that will guarantee a different examiner perhaps, there is usually more than one per test centre.

Best of luck with the next attempt.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Phoenix]

I wouldn't suggest doing a running commentary of your drive while on test, the examiner will probably tell you to shut up. Having a bit of idle chat going can be beneficial though, as it indicated you can talk and maintain your concentration, and it can actually draw his attention away from things sometimes so he misses them. If you find it hard to hold a conversation while on test though don't do it if it's distracting you.

Roundabouts the the biggest fail point on LGV tests on the road drive, it depends what you're driving, presumably a 7.5ton box body truck? Obviously the longer the truck the longer it takes to establish yourself on the roundabout and the second you cause someone to slow down you've technically failed, yet on some roundabouts in real life it's truely impossible to do. A 7.5ton though should really be able to get out and go and pick up enough speed to get off the roundabout without making people hold back for you.

It's not clear from your description if when you got to the roundabout the bus was sitting in the middle lane with it's right indiciator on? Did you then go up the right side of it to turn right, if so that's probably where you went wrong, you should've held back and let him go first as he's clearly in the wrong and you're going to end up cutting him up if you go up his inside. Some incidents are totally out of your control though and tbh it's where the test really is just a farce, if someone cuts you up or does something stupid and causes a near miss you can be failed depending on the instructor.

It's just about watching everyone and if you suspect they'll do something stupid watch them closely and give them more room to complete the predicted stupid move. When on a test it's not about who's in the right and who's in the wrong, it's about avoiding any problems at all, letting the morons do their thing and keeping your drive nice and incident free. Also depending how big your truck is, remember you can use it to take up space you think other people might try and slip down and cause a problem, only space that you are likely to need though, otherwise it's causing an obstruction, it should be covered in your training though.

[phil_DT]

FH12 480 in your avatar phoenix? used to work on them. Good truck the volvo.
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1992 DT80MX with Gianelli zorst and Mallosi Carb. Goes through engines faster than tyres.....

[Phoenix]

Yes, 480 with mid-lift and I-shift, nice truck to drive. Swapping back to Scania Highline 420's with Opticruise before the end of the year though