Having failed my C+E at the first attempt I headed back to Scania South East in Purfleet for a day of training before taking my re-test tomorrow.
I haven’t driven a truck since I failed my test at the beginning of last month, so it was great to get back in the Scania and head out onto the road. This time I’m sharing with another student which means I also get the chance to watch what he’s doing and learn how he takes the tight turns.
Fortunately everything comes flooding back once I’m behind the wheel and it’s like I’ve never been away. But then comes the time to practice reversing. I messed the reverse up horribly in the last test and I’m worried that this will be my downfall again.
This time my instructor Dave Scrivens says I should judge when to take the right lock off and put the left on based on how far the tyre is from the curb, rather than looking for markers on the trailer.
The first attempt is a bit messy even though Dave is talking me through it, although I get it in the box with one shunt. After another go with Dave’s instructions, he leaves my to try a few on my own and surprisingly they work. One went in straight away and another took one shunt. I’m a little happier about the reverse now, but I still fear it could go horribly wrong in the test - again.
Next up was a trailer change. The day after I took my last test I sprained my right thumb and I’m still feeling the affects of it, so I’m a little worried that I will struggle with the trailer change. Everything goes well until I try to reattach the air line and the sore thumb makes it a bit difficult. I do manage, but it takes a few attempts.
Then it’s a out on the road. Firstly as a passenger. Then I get to drive and Dave takes me down all those nasty narrow lanes, but I have no problems.
I just hope it all comes together tomorrow and with a bit of practice before the test the reversing doesn’t let me down.