My HGV Training Episode 5 - HGV Cat C Reversing Exercise

[@Inpiron1501]

i passed my LGV test 2 weeks ago, passed the whole thing 1st time, with just 2 minors. I did it in a Scania G250 18t

[@ashley_neal]

Congrats!

[@paulwarner5674]

Brilliant .Well done.

[@Keithbarber]

I never made progress with reversing I was always going backwards _(and makes me first _*_AND_*_ second as well)_

[@grahamnutt8958]

I could've been within the first 7 to post a comment but decided to watch the upload first 😁 A high degree of skill and spatial awareness was obvious to me.... It reminds me of a scenario that I once faced. Another story incoming..... With barely 2 months experience in a long wheel base high sided 7.5ton unit (similar dimensions to the vehicle used here) I had to make a delivery that proved to be exceptionally challenging. Narrow (London) side street with parked vehicles on both sides & a low/narrow arch within which I had to reverse...... Thankfully there were two people that assisted as "banksmen"..... Zero room for error in terms of height and width...... even less so after unloading...... it required six people to stand inside the wagon to prevent becoming stuck under the arch; albeit barely a half inch of clearance. The company were aware of the challenges involved which is why they made provision to assist..... I certainly couldn't be parked (on the road) as a lot of residents would've been "mildly perturbed" at best. Glad to have these days well behind me now 🤔. Stay safe everyone 👍

[@EinkOLED]

Same reverse test for us PCV bus drivers, which I did on a 12 metre single decker. It is conducted before the practical, so if you fail the reverse manoeuvre the road test is automatically cancelled.

[@xj358]

Failing the new part 3a reverse exercise test only cancels the new part 3b On Road test if the training school has foolishly conducted the first test (part 3a) on the very same day as the second test (part 3b) has been booked for. You now have up to 6 months to take the new part 3b On road test after first passing the new part 3a Off Road test (reverse ect). As such, nobody should be in the position of having to cancel the On Road test due to failing the Off Road test with the training school. Training schools should now be booking candidates in to do the part 3a Off Road training and test at least a week before the part 3b On Road test. If they fail the 3a test, they will then have several days to retake it (several times if needed) without having to cancel the part 3b On Road test with the examiner. The DVSA will likely start taking a dim view of training schools that don't restructure the training courses around the new rules which results in part 3b tests having to be cancelled due to part 3a tests being taken and failed on the same day. Candidates should now be telling their training school that they want to get the part 3a test done at least several days before the part 3b test date with the examiner. I would personally want to get it done and out the way well in advance of the part 3b test as not only will you know you've passed and won't have to cancel the part 3b test, but why put all that pressure on yourself to pass both tests back to back when you can now have a break (even up to 6 months) between the 2 tests.

[@EinkOLED]

@@xj358 The test for me was conducted through the bus company (First Bus) including the training. This was 2 years ago, but reverse parking manoeuvre is still part of the road test. A fail in this is deemed as a serious fault, so continuing the road test is pointless. Fortunately I passed, but one trainee in the group failed twice which is the maximum allowed by the company.

[@xj358]

@@EinkOLED Changed last week (29 November). All bus and truck tests now have a separate Off Road test (part 3a)(reverse ect) which must be passed before the On Road test (part 3b) with the examiner. You can now do the part 3b On Road test up to 6 months after passing the part 3a Off Road test with the training school.

[@ManxAndy]

Evening Ashley, Did my HGV 30 years ago….and I used the point of reference on the truck to base of the cone as my reverse reference…..it really helps , never reversed into anything and damaged the rear of the truck while I was on HGVs, mainly on 8 legger hook loaders , now driving them with top heavy 40 yard skips on is a whole other thing…..squeaky bum time with them when they make the truck roll into and out of roundabouts ….😀👍🇮🇲

[@ericgraham7026]

Just a thing with the gloves, Ashley. My advice is to take them off before getting in the cab and only put them on after getting out of the cab. Otherwise, you will get grease and other contaminants on the grab rails, steering wheel and seat.

[@XxBlueSkiesx]

I did my C license in 2009 just before we deployed to Iraq. When we were taught the reversing exercise, we were told to drive forward and keep to the left cone, then put 1 full turn on the wheel and start reversing until you see the middle cone in your offside mirror. I applied the same technique to my PSV test and it also worked. Might be worth a try!

[@Josh301296]

Hi Ashley, love your videos! When I done my class 2 test, upon finishing my reversing exercise, the examiner said to me “Are you finished?” But what he meant was, go and look because you’re not. And turns out I was a little short of the stop box. they always throw you tips, which I liked. Keep up the great videos mate!

[@Slaeowulf]

Hi Ash, I've watched this the whole way through, as usual, and I feel like I have more of an idea of how these vehicles manoeuvre, and will take this into account the next time I see them on the road. As always, you make me want to be a better motorist, through information, learning and ongoing development.

[@misterflibble9799]

Some LGV driving schools offer "truck driving experience" days where you can drive a truck on an closed, off-road circuit (often a disused airfield). I'd highly recommend trying this if you can, as it will give you a good idea of how trucks handle, and how bad the visibility is. If you're interested in this, I'd be tempted to go direct to the driving school rather than booking via one of the "experience days" companies, since you'll probably have more choice over what you want to do.

[@misterflibble9799]

I'm in two minds about the marker to tell you where to stop. In theory, it's better to teach someone how to do it the "proper" way, but then the "proper" way is basically exactly the same (find something on the truck that lines up with the stopping point). When I did mine, the school had a red reflective triangle (like the ones required on trailers) attached to the mudguard each side so that the bottom stuck out a little, and lined up with where the back of the truck was, on the ground. My PCV test school vehicle had a reversing camera, so that was a doddle. The thing is, the test is artificial. In the real world, there's no restriction on the number of times you can take a shunt, or get out to look. If I had to reverse up to an obstacle that I had to get within 75 cm of, but must not hit, then I'd be getting out to look much more than once. That's why I'm generally OK with schools using "cheats" on this. When I'm training people on this sort of manoeuvring, I'm very much a proponent of GOAL. Much better to spend an extra minute or two getting it right, than an hour or two filling out paperwork after a collision.

[@grahambonner508]

Interesting the method to judge the position/space at the back, I often wondered how drivers of long vehicles did that with such precision 👌

[@garybrown4854]

Just did this today , had a practice then test , easy , big day driving tomorrow , big test on Thursday fingers crossed .

[@eddiegremlin]

When I was doing driver training at Prince William of Gloucester barracks in Grantham, Royal Corps of Transport; we had the Foden 16 Tonners. We ended up having time trials doing the manoeuvring course. Reverse had three ranges, so effectively three gears. We all became very competent in reversing into very tight spots that soon was applied when navigating between trees on exercise…

[@AshSmash123]

I don't care if its raining acid, looking out the window at your tyre is a must!.

[@harrislondon]

This exercise was taught to me literally close as possible to the front cone on the left giving as much space for the cab swing on the right as your wheels cant go past the line then begin with full lock and it wont go over if you're to the left enough. Worked perfectly everytime. 5 day course only about 2 hours was training reversing in total and thats just practice over and over day before test. 1 full lock till you're clear then follow the bay cones in using the reversing camera to get into the correct position for the bay. Very simple

[@graememckay9972]

When I did my pcv we used an old Leyland double decker and had a competition to judge the width of the cones we could reverse between. I won a free lunch by placing the cones and fitting the bus in with half an inch to spare either side. I can't remember my hgv other than it was pouring rain and the side mirrors were completely useless but luck and a reversing camera got me through. Have to say after passing my pcv I never reversed a bus ever again. Depot was one way.

[@David-kq1jc]

You can also be on the line and I found it easier for my window to be open and look directly down to the white line

[@josephmarsh8235]

Such a super great job Ashley 👍. That reversing exercise was great and I thought you did superb!!!

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

I would not be able to even attempt this. 😂 Very nice of you to document this, Ashley.

[@Keithbarber]

It looks a lot worse than what it is - I went through very similar *YEARS* ago in the 1990s

[@grahamnutt8958]

@⚡(and Keith)...... Check out my stand-alone post. I know just how difficult this can be to accomplish.

[@Keithbarber]

@@grahamnutt8958 with 4 lgv c tests and 2 lgv c+e tests under my belt......

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@Keithbarber No argument as I respect your experience, Keith. Can only go by what I've seen or done but always ready to admit to any shortcomings. That's one reason for subbing to Ashley. I see you took pole position yet again lol 😁. Peace 👊👍

[@fretboarder4752]

Passed mine today was very easy once a few practise runs were made..

[@steamhammer2k]

Ah brings back the memories when i took LGV C+E my test. I must have had a good day because in got in first time with no shunts. Up to that day in training I always had to have some sort of shunt to get it in.

[@beardyface8492]

It's not completely unheard of for instructors to lay out the practice area in yards rather than metres, then when it comes to the actual test it's easy because you've got about 8% more room.

[@stevewallis8197]

My PCV instructor reckoned I was better going backwards than forwards... cheeky so-and-so! I still passed though, so cheers Taz!!

[@EinkOLED]

My PCV instructor said when I stopped behind parked cars. Why have you stopped? You could get a bus through that gap.

[@vrexus6640]

When i was training for Cat C i got the reversing bang on nearly every time, in the test i messed up my angle and did a shunt but still passed

[@Mikes666]

No need for seatbelt. I didn’t put my seatbelt on during any of the reverse manoeuvre as I was told it wasn’t needed.I found the peg on the mud flap as a reference point very useful with an artic as the trailer is so long.I got it spot on first time. I felt with 12 hours of training for everything I didn’t have oodles of time to practice reversing without a peg tbh.

[@Jonc25]

Great job! Not so easy on a busy street with all the other things to LOOK for. And under pressure from the impatient people. 👌👍

[@Keithbarber]

Impatient people can do one thing - *WAIT*

[@Jonc25]

@@Keithbarber I said exactly the same thing to some binmen the other day. 😄

[@Keithbarber]

@Lancashirelad as an ex truck driver I understand that some parts did do that

[@sandocheese45]

Ooooooo Ash getting there mate 👍👍 next one will be class one 😃

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Nice practice.

[@cactusbase3088]

Ash, I think you are guilty of making these maneuvers look way more easy than they really are. Very interesting video series. Looking forward to seeing the next steps.

[@misterflibble9799]

The C reversing test is pretty easy if you're an experienced car driver, and you're given the correct hints by the instructor (position to the left when going forwards, then reverse with as much left lock as you can without touching the RH front wheel on the line). Especially so, if you have experience driving larger things like vans. I would expect Ashley to be able to do this easily. He already has most/all of the skills that cause people to struggle/fail - precise clutch control, observation, patience and composure, etc... The C+E reversing test is very different animal. Looking forward to seeing how Ashley handles that :)

[@derekdelboytrotter8881]

I was lucky on my test, the truck I had had a reversing camera. This poor girl that did her test the same day as me had a truck without a reversing camera and failed her test on the reversing.

[@studiosoftmorecambe6879]

I would take reversing skill over technology any day.

[@derekdelboytrotter8881]

@@studiosoftmorecambe6879 I think i've gotten better at reversing since then as I've been driving for over 2 years now without a camera. A camera helps in certain situations but you cant rely on them.

[@kenbrown2808]

real challenge is an "alley dock" where you back into a "garage" that is perpendicular to your "road" it's especially bad when the truck is longer than the distance between the front of the "garage" and the brush on the other side of the training ground.

[@kenbrown2808]

@Lancashirelad saw a husband and wife team trying to back up to an angled dock, and she was doing such a bad job guiding him i was surprised she didn't have him the wrong way around.

[@ollieb9875]

Enjoyed it. Thanks. 👍🥰

[@saundersdachicken6197]

Would have been interesting to see this from a drone. Maybe next time.

[@phillipsiviter2024]

When the video first started I thought that you were doing your power boat licence as the ground was so wet.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Bizarrely enough, my friend who has driven artics all his working career, struggles reversing a rigid. Myself personally find a 40ft trailer easier than my little Ifor Williams for reversing. As always, spacial awareness and observation are key here.

[@andyalder7910]

The longer the trailer the easier it is to reverse. A bit like balancing a broom Vs a pencil on your hand.

[@zakirhayatzaki]

Hi mate is c2 license thoery and case study easy or hard as I wanted to training for c2 license soon need ur advise plz

[@tjderby2012]

Passed my Class 2 on 4th November with no driver faults. Not a fan with how he's set up the reverse on a carpark.

[@amandafereday7928]

Ashley did you find the test easy for the reversing and did u pass first time

[@ashley_neal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3OyhmadqcuBjac

[@amandafereday7928]

Nice one ☝️ my instructor has said he’ll give me at least an hour and half training on it. Do you think that’s enough

[@annabelholland]

Are learner vehicles and cyclists not allowed on roads managed by Highways England?

[@GamerUK]

When are you doing your class 1?

[@ashley_neal]

All I can say is in the future! Very busy at the moment!!

[@cw2126]

👍👍👍

[@Keithbarber]

🥈2nd - me claiming 1st and 2nd is being greedy😃😀

[@kowalski7086]

Manual or Automatic?

[@dodge10111]

It's harder in an articulated lorry

[@ivanmenezes640]

I can't think of driving an hgv, there is not enough space on English roads or parking spaces

[@khalidaziz5991]

Cameras would've been better placed outside on tripod and 1 or 2 looking backwards from door windows

[@cynic-al]

Stop talking and let me drive 😬🤣 I think the maneuver on a bit of paper whilst sat in the cab would make for an easier explanation. The place I learnt with had a cable tie stuck out the mudflap which told you when you were back far enough, same as when I learnt to drive a car and they had tape in the rear window to line up the kerbs. It seems you don't approve 🤣

[@VespaT5]

When I did this on my C+E test, the sun was shining brightly directly on the nearside of the truck. My reverse was perfect, anyone know why the sun was significant?

[@josyms7849]

Ashley , the sound level of the instructor is very low, you can hardly hear him

[@studiosoftmorecambe6879]

From experience, reversing around cones on a big car park is a lot harder than manoeuvring in a real life situation with walls and kerbs etc. The instructor spent ages explaining where the walls were, what is this obsession with theory instead of backing into an loading bay. In the real world, you would only be marked down if you couldn't get into a position where the truck could be unloaded. The instructor did say, "in the real world", why don't they train you in the real world?

[@Keithbarber]

The harder it is in training the easier it is in real life - that's my theory of the theory anyway

[@studiosoftmorecambe6879]

@@Keithbarber - theory again - the more unrealistic it is in training the harder it is in real life.

[@robloxfan4271]

Why is he doing hgv tests?

[@robertgibson7716]

done and passed it all in 1978 lol

[@mjradar]

Was difficult to hear him giving instructions with face nappy on ! No need for wearing it out in fresh air, no problem after he removed face nappy

[@dodge10111]

Like reversing a car

[@leeholden8658]

Great content as always, but all the climbing in and out would make you fit so why are most HGV drivers a little on the big side 🤣 no offence intended

[@gwidonpopielski2885]

Fast food is the main meal drivers have.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

In the real world you get as many checks as you want. If anybody has a problem with it they can go get stuffed.

[@UmbrelllaCorp]

You will have to start growing a longer beard once you pass!

[@Keithbarber]

1st

[@ashley_neal]

🥇 Hats and shirts off to you Keith!

[@Keithbarber]

Thanks@@ashley_neal once again.

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@ashley_neal Lucky for us it is just hats and shirts....... The Budgie Smugglers remain in place (albeit different profile pic) as this is a Family Channel 😁

[@EinkOLED]

Imagine teaching a nudist how to learn to drive.

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@EinkOLED Well...... At least that person would be in their "natural" element 😁 Or should I say "naturist"? lol

[@yodaslovetoy]

“This is a hard job. Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That’s a lot of effort in a day.” - Jeremy Clarkson