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THREE FOR THE
Page 58
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Three of CM'S
editorial team are about to become truck drivers. Before we begin following their progress, let them set the scene.
So I'd driven a 7.5-tonner with no reported fatalities and then had the audacity to step straight up to an FH16 rated at 80 tonnes GCW —on a test track, before you write in.The next stage on my journey towards full truck enlightenment was to pass the LGV test preliminaries before heading out on the road for the practical part.
This meant going back to school for a little light revision to find out what those funny signs positioned on the road meant—you'd be surprised how many I thought' knew beforehand.
It turns out, after reading the theory test manual, that certain sized trucks cannot pass under certain bridges due to their height, and they also have reduced speed limits on certain types of roads—revealing stuff.
But reading the manual also revealed the amount of important information a driver needs to know in order to operate safely; absorbing it all took quite a few evenings before I was fully confident for the big day ahead.
Booked in at the DSA test centre in Croydon, South London, I eventually dismissed the idea that, due to it being a multiple choice exam. I'd go with all 'A' answers— instead I used my newfound knowledge to get the result I wanted.
On top of the questions there was the hazard perception test to tackle, designed to reveal a driver's ability to identify potential dangers on the road ahead —having the reactions of a sedated tortoise doesn't help so I was understandably cautious.
However, in spite of pre-examination nerves I passed with a point or two to spare —so the road awaited. Unlike my other two colleagues in this article who were taking a manufacturer-assisted or an operator-assisted route to acquiring their licence, I'd gone for the traditional method by using a private training company— in this case, EP Training in Leatherhead,Surrey.
But the required week off has been hard to tie down. Being an integral part of the CM test team means there has been a constant supply of 3.5-tonners to drive and in turn there has been a noticeable deceleration in momentum as we head towards the final and most significant test stage. What I take solace from is that a previous CM tester, who still works in the building, made five attempts to pass —giving yours truly plenty of leeway.