To be fair, the world survived just fine before the test was brought in
The world was a lot quieter back then.
PS re CPC if you were on any HGV facebook groups you would know why CPC is needed
To be fair, the world survived just fine before the test was brought in
All I know is when backing this up was a chuckle.
The only saving grace is the permanent reversing camera is aimed at the draw bar so could get a gauge of where the trailer was as couldn't see it my mirrors as trailer was circa 18" narrower than the van.
Not to sound arrogant, but it would be against your best interests to have any other opinion than the trailer test is a great idea, wouldn’t it.
Grandfather rights make no sense, if you, as the dvsa, suddenly decided that new drivers are incapable of a task and require further testing, yet older drivers are fine, you’re essentially arguing that the testing system YOU deem fit for purpose is in fact worse than that of 25 year ago. It’s another money making and job creation scheme for our friends in the dvsa, nothing more. There’s plenty with a towing ticket that shouldn’t have it
Aye but who’s going to check, never the ministry, they’re usually too busy tugging folk for having a light out when the showman’s vehicles are passing, they don’t want the hassle of dealing with them
Easy for me to say as it doesn't affect me but when they brought in the test requirement it should have applied to all trailers and they should have added trailer inspection tests at the same time.
'Round here that is a substantial part of a wage packet for a lot of people, being a rural area - which of course is where you typically find a lot of trailers.
It is also somewhat irksome considering somebody taking the same driving test the day before 1st Jan 1997 wouldn't have to bother at all.
Or indeed if you are a farmer, in which case you can crack on - even if you are a 16 year old in a fasttrack with 40 tons (18 tons officer) on the back, one handed with a 'phone clamped to your ear.
However, want to tow a useful sized trailer with your 4x4? £Kerching£.
One would presume if you are towing a trailer you would already have a car, cost of a trailer hire for a weekend was around ~ £37 for a transporter, including the insurance.
I'm really not sure where you are going with this - I'm not disputing the costs of running a driver training business. I'm disputing the fact that the trailer test is
a) an additional extra to the already considerable cost of passing a test in the U.K, that was essentially included prior to '97
b) charged at a significantly higher rate than for a new driver, despite being largely a tick box exercise and nowhere near the same level of intensity needed for somebody that can't drive at all.
c) predominately aimed at milking those who need to use a trailer for work, caravaners, or the horsey brigade - all of which are perceived as being able to afford it.
[CYNIC MODE] not forgetting a nice little earner for the DVSA and the driving instructors of course [/CYNIC MODE]
I'm not being funny, but towing a trailer isn't a life skill, it is largely common sense and a certain amount of imagination on what can go wrong.
It is unfortunate that these are seemingly a dwindling resource in the population at large, but nonetheless it isn't something to be inscribed on your epitaph.
I am of the mind-set that if you have been deemed to be safe enough to drive on the roads (and paid handsomely for the privilege), then using the metrics at the time - you should be able to use the full functionality of your vehicle without having to pay an additional "extra" at a later date. If it was purely about making drivers safer, it would be included in the test.
I was looking into taking my test just before everything went belly up. Here are the options for jim mair in ayr, who seems highly regarded.
Our standard course is over 2.5 days at £395.00 + Vat Plus £115.00 test fee or we have a 2 day course option for individuals with experience at £350.00 + Vat plus £115.00 test fee.
Alternatively Highfield heavies in dalry are £350 inc test, but is a one day shot so need a bit of experience.
Prices might have changed, was in February.
If you want a loan of a decent sized trailer for practice send me a message. About 5 x 10ft 4 wheel, but only plated to 1500kg so its usable for us youngsters, depending on tow car weights..
Driving to a learner standard means nothing more than you can follow the rules of the test. Take my motorbike test for instance, I got warned because I was “too far into my lane, and should have been over into the left” on the real world driving essentially in the gutter is the way to get yourself killed. Like the 33bhp restriction on bikes when I did my test. What did that two years teach you? To hang off the throttle like a plank because the bike wouldn’t go anywhere, and when you finally got it derestricted and had a 70hp jump people were chucking them down the road left right and centre.You have no idea of the standard of driving required.
Driving to car learner standard will get you a fail.
If it was that easy why is the national overall pass rate so low?
Car learners are not allowed to tow so it cant be part of the car L test.
I would also stop a lot of people ever getting a car licence or considerably increase the cost when they might never use it.
You keep going on about it being a nice little earner ect.
Oddly I have never had a client complain about the cost after actually taking the course.
They are all very happy with the skills gained that apply not just to towing but to all their driving.
Ps no one is forcing you to take the BE test. If you dont want to pay dont tow over the limits.
As I said before, you can do a tractor test at 16, which in many cases is “drive down the road, turn round and come back again while I watch” and then put 18t on the back of a fastrack. Absolutely nonsensical
Yes because as we know agri contractors are always following the law on that. And no, the test isn’t much more than that in many placesA tractor test is a bit more than that.
Plus till they are 17 they are limited to the size of tractor & trailer they can drive.
A fast track would be out of the question.
The trailer wheel / axle limits would also stop large loads.
https://www.fwi.co.uk/machinery/road-legal/tractor-driving-law-16-year-olds
Yes because as we know agri contractors are always following the law on that. And no, the test isn’t much more than that in many places
You forgot 'how many lessons will he/she need, I only had five or six'? Glad I got into the fleet and NDORS side - learners were a PITA.RANT MODE ON
That is the old way.
Now ADI's should be teaching far more, sadly some dont still but it is improving.
The main reason its only getting better slowly is PARENTS.
PARENTS actually care more about money than their kids.
They think that you can learn to drive in 5 to 10 hours.
Any more & the ADI is ripping you off.
Roads are different & people are different.
Number one question we get asked?
HOW MUCH to pass.
Rant over.
No, but when you give 16 yr olds a licence to drive a machine, and 17 year olds that can drive full size tractors, people will let it slide. Tests are standardised but you’re an idiot if you think everyone is getting the full version in every areaOh so we can ignore one law because others ignore another did not know that......
The test is standard across the UK.
- An eyesight test – you need to be able to read a number plate at a distance of more than 20.5m.
- You need to know how to check a tractor for tyres, brakes, oils and lights, so get accustomed to the tractor you’re doing the test in.
- Before you start the engine, adjust the seat and mirrors, check the handbrake is on and make sure it’s in neutral. The hand throttle should not be used during the test.
- Make sure the independent brakes are locked together, as you may be asked to perform an emergency stop.
- You will be asked to move off from the side of the road or behind another vehicle, so make sure you use your mirror and check all the blind spots, then signal before moving. For rear observations, you need to look in your mirrors, then turn and look round so the examiner recognises that you’ve checked the way is clear.
- Pay attention to road signs – you have to react the same as any other road user.
- For the emergency stop, you’ll need to stop as quickly and safely as possible and under full control.
- When you’re asked to reverse around a corner, checking mirrors and looking behind is extremely important, and watch you don’t end up on the kerb. Also, bear in mind the tractor’s nose swings out in the road, so watch out for oncoming traffic.
- You need to be able to park safely along a curb or in a parking position. Again, watch out for pedestrians, cyclists or any hazards.
- The examiner may ask you to turn in the road. If you are asked to do this, you’ll need to complete it in as few moves as possible and also keep a close eye on other road users throughout.
- You will be expected to know how to deal with hazards on country roads, including cyclists and horse riders. Always use the mirror, signal, manoeuvre (MSM) routine and travel at a suitable speed.
- At road junctions and roundabouts, the examiner will expect you to know the correct procedure. Because tractors are larger than normal vehicles, make sure you’re in the correct lane and not encroaching on the other side of the road. As you will need to creep slowly forwards from a junction, look both ways several times before edging out.
- If you really need to overtake, make sure you have enough space and time to get around without squeezing them off the road or cutting them up.
- When you meet and pass other vehicles, get a good look of what’s up ahead and don’t think your tractor can squeeze through a gap that a Mini would struggle with.
- If you have to cross the path of oncoming traffic, ensure you MSM, keep as close to the centre of the road as possible and judge how far away oncoming traffic is before committing to a turn. Make sure you get the speed right, too.
- Because of the height of a tractor, you’ll get a good view of what’s up ahead. But make sure you don’t intimidate people by travelling too close behind.
- Tractors can be scary to small children, so if you have to wait at a pedestrian crossing, give them time to cross and don’t stop too near.
- When it’s time to stop, make sure it’s not in a place that will obstruct the road, cause a hazard, or obstruct a pavement.
No, but when you give 16 yr olds a licence to drive a machine, and 17 year olds that can drive full size tractors, people will let it slide. Tests are standardised but you’re an idiot if you think everyone is getting the full version in every area
Yep, definitely, there’s certainly no bent examiners is there, never any young lasses getting an easier time for showing a bit of skin, no certainly not.My experience of DVSA examiners is that they follow the rules.
Its that sort of job. Unlike assessment type tests / licences done by contractors.
Yes C1 can tow 750kg.
Re the second? Who knows? Not all rules make sense.
Like pass car in manual, pass PSV or LGV in auto but get manual PSV / LGV.
But pass a C1 or D1 or BE in Auto & you can only drive auto.