Category C+E (artic) driving test

V.W.L 11

can any posters advise me on this please as to how difficult/awkward it is????thanks

DriversEd

totally depends on the length of a piece of string!!;-)

its really something only your actual instructor can tell you as to whether you'll find it easy or difficult.
its essentially the same driving test as the rigid, with coupling and de-coupling of trailer, a double reverse, and the specific safety/daily checks plus the relevant cpc test that go with it.
it can be an expensive path though, just so youre aware!

ed

V.W.L 11

DriversEd wrote: »

totally depends on the length of a piece of string!!;-)

its really something only your actual instructor can tell you as to whether you'll find it easy or difficult.
its essentially the same driving test as the rigid, with coupling and de-coupling of trailer, a double reverse, and the specific safety/daily checks plus the relevant cpc test that go with it.
it can be an expensive path though, just so youre aware!

ed

thanks for that,i thought it was only a reverse on one side and no coupling/uncoupling???i already have the cpc done from the rigid

donkey balls

If you did not couple/uncouple then how would you learn also there is a certain way to drop/pick up a trailer,Many a driver has been caught out and have either been killed or seriously injured.
Also as DriversEd pointed out it can be expensive to get and then there is the problem of trying to get a job without having experience,And if you do find a job expect to do a driving assessment with the company which includes.
Hitching/un hitching a trailer, taco/WTD regs, backing on to bays eco driving etc.

V.W.L 11

donkey balls wrote: »

If you did not couple/uncouple then how would you learn also there is a certain way to drop/pick up a trailer,Many a driver has been caught out and have either been killed or seriously injured.
Also as DriversEd pointed out it can be expensive to get and then there is the problem of trying to get a job without having experience,And if you do find a job expect to do a driving assessment with the company which includes.
Hitching/un hitching a trailer, taco/WTD regs, backing on to bays eco driving etc.

hitching and unhitching isnt park of the test AFAIK,reversing a trailer would be the bighest issue naturally

donkey balls

Well if hitching/un hitching is not part of the test how does the person get to know how it is done,Go to any transport company or distribution center and you will see drivers connecting up to trailers all the time.
I am surprised that it is not part of the test as it is one of the most important things to do right every time.

Davy

donkey balls wrote: »

Well if hitching/un hitching is not part of the test how does the person get to know how it is done,Go to any transport company or distribution center and you will see drivers connecting up to trailers all the time.
I am surprised that it is not part of the test as it is one of the most important things to do right every time.

It is/ can be asked as part of the questions section inside the centre, but can requested by the tester outside also but not sure it ever happens.

Motor-Ed

donkey balls wrote: »

Well if hitching/un hitching is not part of the test how does the person get to know how it is done,Go to any transport company or distribution center and you will see drivers connecting up to trailers all the time.
I am surprised that it is not part of the test as it is one of the most important things to do right every time.

It's only part of the test as a Theory question, and won't be until RSA have their own compounds at every test centre in which to do it safely.
It's also either a left or right reverse. Donkey Balls the test is approx an hour long and is only a snapshot of a drivers ability. For example few schools use full tri axle trailers and its only now that tests have included weight on the vehicle and next year the requirement of range changer gearbox .

V.W.L 11

Motor-Ed wrote: »

It's only part of the test as a Theory question, and won't be until RSA have their own compounds at every test centre in which to do it safely.
It's also either a left or right reverse. Donkey Balls the test is approx an hour long and is only a snapshot of a drivers ability. For example few schools use full tri axle trailers and its only now that tests have included weight on the vehicle and next year the requirement of range changer gearbox .

I'm living in Cork and they do have a compund here but its only used for reversing,i have never seen an artic go in there and hitch/unhitch a trailer,now they may do it but as of yet i havent seen/heard about it

Motor-Ed

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

I'm living in Cork and they do have a compund here but its only used for reversing,i have never seen an artic go in there and hitch/unhitch a trailer,now they may do it but as of yet i havent seen/heard about it

As I said it won't be part of test til ALL centres have a compound as the test has to be standard everywhere

V.W.L 11

Motor-Ed wrote: »

As I said it won't be part of test til ALL centres have a compound as the test has to be standard everywhere

is that not part of the rule changes from next june???

Motor-Ed

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

is that not part of the rule changes from next june???

No next June brings in the change in truck spec ABS, range changer etc

V.W.L 11

Motor-Ed wrote: »

No next June brings in the change in truck spec ABS, range changer etc

i had better get the test done before then so..............

donkey balls

Motor-Ed wrote: »

It's only part of the test as a Theory question, and won't be until RSA have their own compounds at every test centre in which to do it safely.
It's also either a left or right reverse. Donkey Balls the test is approx an hour long and is only a snapshot of a drivers ability. For example few schools use full tri axle trailers and its only now that tests have included weight on the vehicle and next year the requirement of range changer gearbox .

I don't see why the RSA should have their own compounds in order to test for the picking up/dropping of a trailer,Surely the test center can be used were by the person taking the test is asked before they go out on the road to hitch up and un hitch.
Checking that the pin is locked,Trailer brake on,Connecting the susi etc,Before my crowd went bang I was going be the driving assessor for the company the assessment would start off by the driver checking the tractor unit then asked to hitch up to a particular trailer.
The driver would have to show the order in which way to hitch up the trailer including push pull test etc,Anyone thinking of going in to the transport industry will more than likely come up against one of these assessments.

V.W.L 11

donkey balls wrote: »

I don't see why the RSA should have their own compounds in order to test for the picking up/dropping of a trailer,Surely the test center can be used were by the person taking the test is asked before they go out on the road to hitch up and un hitch.
Checking that the pin is locked,Trailer brake on,Connecting the susi etc,Before my crowd went bang I was going be the driving assessor for the company the assessment would start off by the driver checking the tractor unit then asked to hitch up to a particular trailer.
The driver would have to show the order in which way to hitch up the trailer including push pull test etc,Anyone thinking of going in to the transport industry will more than likely come up against one of these assessments.

depends on the test centre i guess,some of them like the one in cork couldnt fit trucks or buses in the car park and were kept on the public road,but in relation to hitching/unhitching i've no doubt it'll be compulsory at some stage,how difficult is it to connect it up though????

donkey balls

It depends on the trailer and to some extent the truck in use,By that I mean if your connecting to a reefer unit(Refrigerated unit) it can be a pain trying to connect up the susi due to the fridge unit.
Also 45ft trailers can leave little room for maneuver while on the cat walk connecting up.

V.W.L 11

donkey balls wrote: »

It depends on the trailer and to some extent the truck in use,By that I mean if your connecting to a reefer unit(Refrigerated unit) it can be a pain trying to connect up the susi due to the fridge unit.
Also 45ft trailers can leave little room for maneuver while on the cat walk connecting up.

that would be a head wrecker connecting all that up,whats the standard test size trailer???a tri axle 33ft trailer???

donkey balls

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

that would be a head wrecker connecting all that up,whats the standard test size trailer???a tri axle 33ft trailer???

Well on most trailers/trucks you will have an ABS lead, two electric suzi plus two for the air Red & Yellow, The trailer does not have to be a tri axle and most trailers are 40ft.

V.W.L 11

donkey balls wrote: »

Well on most trailers/trucks you will have an ABS lead, two electric suzi plus two for the air Red & Yellow, The trailer does not have to be a tri axle and most trailers are 40ft.

i've a hell of a lot of learning to do then :-(

donkey balls

If you get a good instructor they should be able to get you through the process best of luck.

V.W.L 11

donkey balls wrote: »

If you get a good instructor they should be able to get you through the process best of luck.

the instructor i use trains all the an post drivers so he must be doing something right,cheers for that