truck test in nass

johnpd82

I have failed my rigid test twice now. my previous 2 tests were in Dublin. I have switched to Nass. I'm doing it on the 3rd of February. could Anyone please tell me what the route is like. is it hard.is it mostly in the town or are you brought around country roads. are the testers OK in Nass. I Dont have a pretest until the Saturday before hand so im just trying to get opinions of Nass in general

Silvera

I took and passed my C test in Naas in 2003 (after 12 x hours lessons, no prior experience). From what I recall the route is mainly around town/housing estates, with part of the route out the Caragh Road - where you have to deal with a hump-backed bridge and do the reverse manouver down a side lane (off the Caragh Road). I found it fine, but obviously unlike you I did all my lessons around Naas. I used Maynooth School of Motoring and the instructor was excellent.

I have since passed my C+E test (in Athlone, 12 hours, no experience since C test). Prior to taking lessons in Athlone I took a lesson in Tallaght and Naas (different schools). Tbh, I didnt like either instructor..plus I found an artic a little tricker to get used too. Instead I found a great instructor in Athlone who has a truck+trailer set up - which I much preferred!

School I used - http://www.aclearsteerdriving.com/?page_id=46
(The school obviously does C lessons too).

- Have you much truck driving experience?
- Have you taken many lessons (how many hours?)?
- What have your instructors been like?
- Have you used a certain type of truck/specific gearbox?
(I tried a Renault artic with a side-by-side gearbox and found it horrible to use. I did my C test in a Volvo FL6 and the C+E in a Scania - both with a split-shift gearbox which I found much easier to use).

johnpd82

hi and thanks for the reply. I have done 7 . 2 hr lessons. I done them in Dublin because fas partly funded them. I'm pretty confident when driving the lorry. I'm failing my tests for stupid mistakes that are entirely my own fault. making mistakes at junctions. checking blindspots etc. the truck I have been learning in is a man splitbox 8 forward gears. im from co laois myself so thats why I'm trying nass after failing twice in Dublin. I have been around Nass a few times in my car so I'm slightly familiar with nass as opposed to Dublin.

Silvera

johnpd82 wrote: »

hi and thanks for the reply. I have done 7 . 2 hr lessons. I done them in Dublin because fas partly funded them. I'm pretty confident when driving the lorry. I'm failing my tests for stupid mistakes that are entirely my own fault. making mistakes at junctions. checking blindspots etc. the truck I have been learning in is a man splitbox 8 forward gears. im from co laois myself so thats why I'm trying nass after failing twice in Dublin. I have been around Nass a few times in my car so I'm slightly familiar with nass as opposed to Dublin.

Have you any truck or van driving experience other than the lessons?
Tbh, I would say that you need to do some hours around Naas in a truck, otherwise you are setting yourself up for another fail.

Is it possible that you are so keen to get your licence that you are almost 'jinxing' yourself and so making small mistakes? If so, it good to remind yourself to relax and have confidence in yourself that you can get through the test and pass. It's also a good idea to not 'write yourself off' if you make one or two mistakes early in the test....just concentrate and keep going until the very end of the test. (You are allow several small mistakes and can still pass the test - this applies to any driving test).

johnpd82

I have some van experience over the years. I get a bit worked up over the test alright. the nerves tend to get me. my plan is to get a 2 hr lesson on the Saturday and Monday then a 1hr before the test on the Tuesday. if I finally pass I have a full time job to start the following week. so there is a lot riding on me passing

Silvera

Thats a good plan - getting the hours in around Naas - and will stand to you when the test comes around.

At this stage you have what it takes to pass the test, you just need to have confidence in your own ability. You can pass the test! Just keep at it steady-and-calmly and you will get the right result. (A lot of people also find it good to visualize the test route at home and mentally 'practice it' before each lesson/the test). Third time lucky for you!!:)