How long was it before you passed your C driving test?

hairybelly · 06-08-2014 10:08pm #1

Just curious as to how long it took you guys to go from a learner driver to passing the driving test for Rigid Lorries?

Did you come from a background driving them or start from scratch? I'm just trying to estimate how long its going to take me, as I've been doing it for quite a while now and still dont feel 100% comfortable.

eire-kp · 07-08-2014 9:09am

About four weeks with seven lessons. I found it a lot harder than the artic test to be honest. I guess you will never be 100% confident so just trust your instructor when he says you're ready for the test.

V.W.L 11 · 07-08-2014 9:13am

Rigid harder than the artic????god no!currently after 7 lessons in 2 different trucks,lets just say that until lesson 7 i found it tough,new truck had a rear steer axle and dear god its great.

eire-kp · 07-08-2014 10:07am

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

Rigid harder than the artic????god no!currently after 7 lessons in 2 different trucks,lets just say that until lesson 7 i found it tough,new truck had a rear steer axle and dear god its great.

That was my thoughts anyway..sure once your used to the driving position and gears from the rigid test the artic is just a bigger version of a tractor and a large trailer.
If you didn't grow up on a farm then maybe it might be different.
I only had three lessons for the artic

V.W.L 11 · 07-08-2014 10:12am

eire-kp wrote: »

That was my thoughts anyway..sure once your used to the driving position and gears from the rigid test the artic is just a bigger version of a tractor and a large trailer.
If you didn't grow up on a farm then maybe it might be different.
I only had three lessons for the artic

I grew up in the middle of a busy city,never even sat in a tractor let alone drove one :rolleyes: but I found the rigid and bus no problem,just lining up the trailer for the reverse seems to be the hardest bit but sure we'll have to keep on trying :cool:

Thelostcountry · 07-08-2014 3:58pm

More importantly , how much does it cost now? lesson and test fee?

Bendoverprice Wa:eek:

hairybelly · 07-08-2014 5:07pm

Thelostcountry wrote: »

More importantly , how much does it cost now? lesson and test fee?

Bendoverprice Wa:eek:

Lessons are about €60-70 per hour
test fee is 120 + you have to rent the truck which is another €130~ or so for an hour before the test and during it.

jimmyw · 07-08-2014 8:06pm

I was a very quick learner.....20 lessons and 3 tests from scratch

.

hairybelly · 07-08-2014 8:50pm

jimmyw wrote: »

I was a very quick learner.....20 lessons and 3 tests from scratch .

3 tests? Did you fail the first two!? :v

jimmyw · 07-08-2014 9:18pm

hairybelly wrote: »

3 tests? Did you fail the first two!? :v

Yeah, I should have quit while I was ahead, eh!

eire-kp · 07-08-2014 9:37pm

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

I grew up in the middle of a busy city,never even sat in a tractor let alone drove one :rolleyes: but I found the rigid and bus no problem,just lining up the trailer for the reverse seems to be the hardest bit but sure we'll have to keep on trying :cool:

Maybe you should get a few lessons a tractor...it would be cheaper

Actually what you said there is right though my instructor always said you could spot the lads that had spent time maneuvering large tractor trailer combinations in tight spaces before..they always ended up the the truck and trailer in the optimum position and cab at the best angle to the trailer etc for the reversing maneuver before the stopped going forward!
As you will see when you get your license and out in some yards it's not some thing than be taught easily it just comes from experience.
I've never driver an artic since the test but it's nice to have the license all the same.

V.W.L 11 · 07-08-2014 9:49pm

eire-kp wrote: »

Maybe you should get a few lessons a tractor...it would be cheaper
Actually what you said there is right though my instructor always said you could spot the lads that had spent time maneuvering large tractor trailer combinations in tight spaces before..they always ended up the the truck and trailer in the optimum position and cab at the best angle to the trailer etc for the reversing maneuver before the stopped going forward!
As you will see when you get your license and out in some yards it's not some thing than be taught easily it just comes from experience.
I've never driver an artic since the test but it's nice to have the license all the same.

where would I fit the driving instructor/tester :P plus the speed limits are another issue,it wouldn't surprise me if someone tried it though :rolleyes: I have them all except the artic and bike,but the artic is next on my agenda to get,then the bike,buses are easy though,rigid an all

Thelostcountry · 10-08-2014 9:23pm

I was talking to a Lad today about HGV test , he said You have to take 12 lessons now! "its mandatory" just like cars bikes.

Any truth to this lads?

Silvera · 10-08-2014 11:16pm

I passed my C+E (artic) test in early July 2014 and I didnt hear anything about "mandatory 12 x lessons"?!

I did 6 x lessons and then took the test (passed first time). I didnt have any experience of truck driving since 2003 (when I passed my C test - after 6 x lessons). No other experience of trucks pre-2003 either

I found the reversing tricky too. Several times during lessons I got it ok, then other times I was off-the-mark so to speak. On the day of the test I didnt get it as neat as I wanted. However I believe if you get the reverse fairly ok you will still pass (once the rest of the test goes ok that is!). Many testers are former truck drivers themselves and know that it takes a long time to master reversing.

I did my lessons and test in a wagon-and-drag combination (which I preferred over a regular artic set-up).
The school / truck+trailer I used -

http://www.aclearsteerdriving.com/?page_id=46

yes14 · 19-08-2014 8:52pm

I done 2 lessone before my c test .passed first time
Thinking of doing the artic now.dunno what to do

Thelostcountry · 19-08-2014 10:27pm

yes14 wrote: »

I done 2 lessone before my c test .passed first time
Thinking of doing the artic now.dunno what to do

My Brother Did the artic, Cant get a job in Ireland.

sandydan · 05-09-2014 12:03am

Thelostcountry wrote: »

My Brother Did the artic, Cant get a job in Ireland.

at end of year CPC last week no artic driver 25 yrs old or younger, most unemployed
met artic driver who said Continent is place for work and proper earnings and hours, strictly monitored, but fair, provided you follow rules to T. ie fella stopped for dinner decided to wash window ,car driver parked in front hopped out when engine was started ,showed id and checked taco. he was fined €80 for working during rest time. all he had to do was wait for time to expire and wash window 5 mins .
here likely work is zero hours contracts etc.days are fistful of drops till finish and same start time in morning, if involved in accident,well .

know one fella lost job and was offered another driving, first couple weeks full hrs and after that, 2hrs one day 3 next,3 hrs third, fecked up stamps, cos hes living at home he cant get supplementary income .

ferrete · 15-09-2014 9:10am

passed theory test for cat c there now where do i take cert to get my provisional and what else do i need to take ?

V.W.L 11 · 15-09-2014 11:18am

ferrete wrote: »

passed theory test for cat c there now where do i take cert to get my provisional and what else do i need to take ?

NDLS centre with your medical,PPS number,test cert plus I.D and don't forget the bit they love most the €€€€€€€€€€€€€€'s

Silvera · 15-09-2014 11:43pm

ferrete wrote: »

passed theory test for cat c there now where do i take cert to get my provisional and what else do i need to take ?

I recently got new categories added to my licence (C+E, B+E, C1+E, D1+E). I would suggest that you make an online appointment to get your new licence (ndls.ie).

ferrete · 16-09-2014 3:43pm

you dont need a medical again when getting a cat c provisional do you?

V.W.L 11 · 16-09-2014 7:29pm

ferrete wrote: »

you dont need a medical again when getting a cat c provisional do you?

once the medical is valid and for all categories,NO

ferrete · 16-09-2014 10:22pm

thanks was panicing there

sandydan · 17-09-2014 11:18am

yes14 wrote: »

I done 2 lessone before my c test .passed first time
Thinking of doing the artic now.dunno what to do

if nothing else an artic licence is a plus, too many rigid only licence holders around now so id go for it, maybe get bit of tractor and trailer driving experience with contractor or even a farmer to get used to reversing for a start everything helps

How long was it before you passed your C driving test?

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