Artic Truck Test - Reversing - tips, please

Tripzy

Hi
I'm doing my Artic Truck Test in 2 weeks time in Letterkenny Test Centre - 2nd time. 1st time failed on Reversing around a Corner.

I find this manouvre "impossible" and just can't get the steering wheel to react in the opposite way to where I want to go - if you know what I mean!!

I already hold all other Driving Categories and those Tests passed on my 1st attempt.

So any help,tricks of the trade or tips, etc please from "truckers" out there would be fab.

Thanks.

Alanstrainor

Sorry tripzy, i'm not a trucker myself so i can't give any advise on this one, but when Mr.Wishbone Ash comes back i'm sure he'll be able to answer all the questions you have.

Mad Dog

Hi Tripsy,

Not too sure what you mean but on the art of reversing around a corner, the idea and trick is not to let the trailer go too far at a time and be as easy on the steering you can be. By going too far I mean if the trailer goes past a certain point it will be impossible to correct which I suspect is why you are having the trouble. Try follow trailer as much as possible and try and relax which of course is easy for me to say. And this(reversing around corners) in my opinion is not the easiest thing to explain and is best thought by a good instructor who will give you all the help he can. Anyway I hope this is a little help to you and if I can help any more just ask away?

And finally best of luck with the test and be confident on the day.

Cheers

MD

Tripzy

Yeah, even with all (two) feet off the pedals the momentum of the backwards motion seems to be too much for me to react quick enough and in the right direction!! The instructor did say that a little turn of the steering wheel is much exaggerated when it gets to the back of the trailer (40+ ft behind me).
My instructor has the "patience of Job" but don't know if the Tester will be so forgiving!!
I have another lesson tomorrow so I'm still praying for miracles in this department as all the rest of the drive is quite dooable..
If you can think of any "tips" don't hesitate to post & thanks guys.:cool:

Wishbone Ash

The trick to reversing a long trailer is "a little on, a little off". As your instructor has said a small turn of the steering wheel is greatly exagerated at the end of the trailer. By putting a small turn on, it's also much easier to take it off again if necessary.

I don't know if it has changed much since I did it but you could be requested to do a nearside or offside reverse. An offside reverse is easier and it is the favoured method of reversing among drivers when backing into a loading bay as one can look out the window if required. One of the problems with an acute nearside reverse is that the mirrors can became difficult to utilise when the trailer is at a very acute angle to the tractor unit.

The position of the axles also makes a big difference. For example, a trailer with a single axle at the very end of the trailer (eg a brewery trailer) is more direct and therefore easier to reverse than a tri-axle trailer with the axles nearer the centre. A trailer with a huge overhang tends to be more 'messy' as the response is not as direct. In saying all that, a trailer with axles nearer the centre is much easier to driver forwards as it requires less space on a corner.

Although tri-axle trailers seem to pivot on the centre axle, you should concentrate on the rear axle when reversing and the front axle when going forward. If the rear axle clears the corner when reversing, the other two will automatically clear it also. The opposite being true when going forward.

I'm just wondering, do they do the reverse around a corner on a public road in Letterkenny or is it at the test centre itself. There doesn't seem to be much room at their Railway Road premises. It has been difficult to find a quiet enought spot in Dublin to do it so some test centres have a reversing bay for the purpose (although frequently occupied by practising category B learners ).

It's great to hear from some non-category B learners for a change. Good luck with your test and remember "a little on - a little off".

Slidey

I did mine a few years ago in Sligo at their purpose built carpark

The tester asked would i like to do a right or a left hand reverse.

Of course I said right so he made me so a left.

The instructor had told me to back in as best I can but when I go to pull forward, turn as hard to the right and then straighten up to ease the angle the angle i would be backing in at.

Hope this helps

Wishbone Ash

slideways wrote: »

The tester asked would i like to do a right or a left hand reverse.

Of course I said right so he made me so a left

:eek: I wasn't asked but was praying that it would be the right hand one.

But I had to wait until the examiner cleared all the B learners from the reversing bay which made the situation more stressful. Their instructors should know that the area is reserved for trucks and it clearly signed!

In saying that, I believe that they have had to give some drivers the benefit of the doubt if they are unable to clear the bay to test them.

mtrayers

I also find it impossible to reverse around the corner properly.
is it better to focus on the wheel distance to the kerb or the the end the truck.

It's the rigid test i am doing.

Silvera

I did the Rigid (C) Test in 2003 and passed first time. However, the reversing bit is always tricky..I recall doing the reversing fairly good on the day except I stopped 3/4 way back when the truck was straight. The tester said 'I didnt tell you to stop'. Yikes. Still passed though

I'm currently studying for the Artic (EC) Theory Test (I have to sit it again because my EC learner permit expired 5 years ago ) ...so any tips re the Artic driving test is very welcome!

Incidentially, re the CPC, as I have 'grandfather rights' and dont plan on driving commercially (I want to get my EC mainly so I have the EB and EC1 (trailer) categories), I dont have to do the CPC.

If I dont subsequently do the relevant CPC 'case studies' (or whatever I need to do?) would I have to do the FULL CPC course after 2014 if I ever decide to drive commercially?

mtrayers

Thank you

donkey balls

mtrayers wrote: »

I also find it impossible to reverse around the corner properly.
is it better to focus on the wheel distance to the kerb or the the end the truck.

It's the rigid test i am doing.

With the ridgid I use to gauge the turns by the wheel but everyone has their own way of doing it also keep an eye out on the front wheel while turning so that it does not hit the kerb.
The idea is to keep the momentum going while reversing and just keep scanning the mirrors for other road users/pedestrians.

donkey balls

Silvera wrote: »

I did the Rigid (C) Test in 2003 and passed first time. However, the reversing bit is always tricky..I recall doing the reversing fairly good on the day except I stopped 3/4 way back when the truck was straight. The tester said 'I didnt tell you to stop'. Yikes. Still passed though

I'm currently studying for the Artic (EC) Theory Test (I have to sit it again because my EC learner permit expired 5 years ago ) ...so any tips re the Artic driving test is very welcome!
Scan the mirrors every couple of seconds and look in the mirrors before indicating,Give yourself plenty of room to get around parked cars etc as for the reversing the opposite lock is used compared to the ridgids.
Again while reversing use the wheels on the trailer as a guidance if it's a tri axel use the center axel and just as your going around the corner start to straighten up,If your off a little pull the truck forward and straighten it up.
incidentially, re the CPC, as I have 'grandfather rights' and dont plan on driving commercially (I want to get my EC mainly so I have the EB and EC1 (trailer) categories), I dont have to do the CPC.

If I dont subsequently do the relevant CPC 'case studies' (or whatever I need to do?) would I have to do the FULL CPC course after 2014 if I ever decide to drive commercially?

You only need to do the driver CPC if you intend on driving for hire&reward after 2014 if you decided to drive you would be required to do the 5 modules.

DriversEd

Yes you would silvera.

OP
On an EC test you'll be asked to do both reverses, left and right. On the reversing itself, remember to follow your trailer when you get her started. If you think about them separately at the start of your manoeuvre, it can help. Remember you're pushing the trailer around the corner! Start the trailer with opposite lock and then steer the 'correct' way so as to follow the trailer the rest of the way around the bend. Then when you switch to the following part of the reverse, it makes it much easier to correct as you can forget about opposite lock!
The main thing the tester will need from u is mirror checks, looking out the front and side windows, and a decent distance from the kerb, say no more than 18 inches. Plus, don't let anyone tell you that you can't drive forward in the reverse! If you need to correct, drive forward a little to straighten, and then proceed. After all, they want you to show that you can get the trailer around the corner, that's all, not paint the kerb with rubber showing off!!!!

corkboy10

Hi,
looking to get the full artic licence,but never drove one before,is the gearbox difficult to manage????i can only assume reversing is the toughest part of the test,on a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it compared to a rigid?????

Regards Corkboy

corkboy10

corkboy10 wrote: »

Hi,
looking to get the full artic licence,but never drove one before,is the gearbox difficult to manage????i can only assume reversing is the toughest part of the test,on a scale of 1-10 how difficult is it compared to a rigid?????

Regards Corkboy

10