Assessment Drive

[fmountford]

Phoned up the council today and I have my assessment drive booked for Wednesday, 1/2 hour and its in a minibus.

I has assumed it would be in a car (thats what others seem to have had)

I think by the time the 1/2 hour is up I will have just got used to the vehicle, but i think the advantage there is that i would prefer that they not overassess my ablilty.

Looking forward to it but nervous hehe.:driving:

[paul c]

just chill out and you will be fine.:smoke:

[rriggs]

If the guy (or girl) doing the assessment knows what they are doing they will know the difference between nerves and pue bad driving. If they do a lot of assessments, they will have seen all sorts and will know what they are looking for.

Try to relax and concentrate on your driving and not the person sitting with you (I know, easier said than done!) and you'll be fine I'm sure.

Good luck!

Cheers

Rog

[alan mcculloch]

Just take your time ,try to enjoy it and use your mirrors constantly.Good Luck you need that as well.

[fmountford]

Well ive had my assessment drive and it went very well.

We started off with doing the daily checks mainly fluid levels, lights, tyres, seat and driving position.

I then went out, there were salting lorries rushing in and out of the depot. I had no problems with the physical size of the thing, didnt clip a curb once, was a bit hesitant at one point though.

Did some in town driving, inluding a very sharp bend and Dual Carraigeway at the end. :driving:

Speedo in KPH on the outside so need to get used to that.

Got back to the depot did 2 reversing manouvers, all fine. :clap:

Just have a few bad habits to iron out, Steering whilst changing gear, holding the spokes of the steering wheel, hovering the clutch, smooth braking and accelleration, I can practice these in the Car.

She said I was fine with use of mirrors etc.

I was reccomended 2.5 days lessons Mon 25 - 27th with the test on Wednesday midday.

I was expecting to have a weeks training so either im a very good driver or the length of time needed was underestimated.

Ive read the DSA Guide to driving book and the instructor seemed to be making all the right noises with respect to that but, The problem is im not sure what to expect so if anyone can help me that would be great.
The only observation i did make was there was no L plates on the bus but noticed them in the door bin. :poster_oops:Ill make sure these are used.

But was really fun and enjoyed it. (perhaps im in the wrong career)

[paul c]

Good job,now its all gearbox exersises mirrors and breaking manovers to look forward to.You can do it we all have faith.:driving:

[cts1975]

I passed my D licence just before christmas. I had an assesment which lasted 3 hours as it merged in to a lesson. I drove a 49 seater coach within 20 mins of leaving the depot which surprised me.
I then had approx 15 hours training. I failed me first test with 19 minor faults and also dangerous steering at a junction :nono:
My second test got 6 minor faults but failed after my rear wheel skipped onto the kurb for half a second which is a straight fail. Surprisingley if the wheel hits the kurb and doesn't leave the road its not a fail.

My third test I felt more relaxed and passed with 11 minor faults.
I didn't feel ready to pass on the day of my first test but I was happy and ready to drive on my second and third tests.
Mirrors Mirrors Mirrors.....thats the biggest change to your driving that will happen. Also get used to checking your blind spots in normal day to day driving in you car when moving off from a stop. I was surprised by how long this technic took to feel natural as i wasn't doing this pre training. Also, when your new to driving large vehicles the way they feel at speed can feel a little scary, but get used to this. During your test the examiner will expect you to reach speed limits if its safe to does so, if you don't then you could be marked down for hesitation.
Its all still fresh in my mind. I've got my PCP multiple choice next week and the PCP demonstration/practical the week after.
Any questions - fire away !

[martyp]

"Mirrors, gears, Mirrors gears" and "Mirrors, position, speed, gears, Mirrors, position, speed, gears" was what my instructor Eddie at C.T.T S. in Bathgate used to whisper from the seat behind me when we were out on a lesson.
Also learn't how to approach a roundabout at the correct speeed and in the correct gear as well as brushing up on the dark art of checking the left hand mirror before indicating left at the correct position half way between the exit prior to and the one that you are going to take, a skill that few car drivers seem to possess these days.
Practice makes perfect though, just relax and enjoy the training, I certainly did.:fart:

[fmountford]

I have downloaded the show me tell me questions, i have heared that they are based on the vehicle you present, therefore I can scrub the questions on air brakes and vehicle lift.

However do you have to cover all the points in the answer or can you formulate your answer based on the way you would do the check?

[paul c]

i think its just the basics like show and operate emergancy exists location of glass hamers first aid kit fire exstingusher emergancy engine shut off,it will all be realitive to your test vehicle.Let us know what type of vehicle your training in and we will try to help with any query's.:smoke:

[fmountford]

i think its just the basics like show and operate emergancy exists location of glass hamers first aid kit fire exstingusher emergancy engine shut off,it will all be realitive to your test vehicle.Let us know what type of vehicle your training in and we will try to help with any query's.:smoke:

Its a minibus, Iveco Daily. Hydraulic brakes, no power door, dont think it has a disabled ramp, ive seen the fire extinguishers and 1st aid kit, digital tacho.

Ive been through the show me tell me questions, it all looks pretty straight forward noting to worry about.

[paul c]

pretty straight forward then emergany stop on key,and make sure the exit door is unlocked do not think its done cause instructer may have forgot.believe or not there are occasions when this happens.As for the dissabled ramp up here in the frozen north we have to sit a seperate course MIDAS in order to operate these on council contracts.:driving: