Taking B+E test - advise on training etc pls

[LRD90tdi]

Hi guys,

Well my landy is nearly road worthy, and the old man just bought a 2t tipping trailer, so with the plans for the extension around the corner i'm keen as mustard to get my license upgraded!

I have had a google, and made a couple of calls to firms this morning, but would like to hear your experiences please.

I've done a fair of driving/reversing tractors and trailers, so feel a half day's tuition then test would be fine - what do you think?

Cheers
Tom

 

[the_wolf]

It's entirely upto you how much training you think you'll need. If you are fairly competent then maybe one or two lessons just to have an instructor point out any faults may be of benefit then you could give your test a go.
I did my c+e which gave me my b+e automatically but I did a week long crash course with the test on the Friday and passed no problems. Only towed a trailer with my landy once or twice though, its a hell of a lot more awkward than an artic.

 

[Bump]

Did my B+E 2 weeks ago, two half day training (3.5 hours a time) then test, passed with 1 minor.

The reversing bit is very easy, if you're competent already you won't have any issues with it. The rest is just ironing out the bad driving habbits you have and making you check mirrors continously!

I'd do a half day or two then do you're test, it's not that expensive all in really

Good luck

 

[Beneagles]

As with most aspects of driving - "doing it"... and "passing the test" are not the same thing. A full day to learn what the examiner will be looking for, and to give you an idea of the types of roads that will be covered, would be better...imo. It's not all about the reversing manoeuvre!

 

[LRD90tdi]

It's entirely upto you how much training you think you'll need. If you are fairly competent then maybe one or two lessons just to have an instructor point out any faults may be of benefit then you could give your test a go.
I did my c+e which gave me my b+e automatically but I did a week long crash course with the test on the Friday and passed no problems. Only towed a trailer with my landy once or twice though, its a hell of a lot more awkward than an artic.

Thanks.

Besides reversing, and allowing more room on the nearside when negotiating tight radius bends and junctions, the rest is just mirror work/awareness of additional width and weight (both of which should be pretty minimal for the test) isn't it?

I can hook up the cattle trailer to the fender and reverse around the field between obstacles until the cows come home, so think a half day to become 'aware' of the trailer on the road should suffice..?

Guess I've answered my own question!

Cheers
Tom

 

[LRD90tdi]

Did my B+E 2 weeks ago, two half day training (3.5 hours a time) then test, passed with 1 minor.

The reversing bit is very easy, if you're competent already you won't have any issues with it. The rest is just ironing out the bad driving habbits you have and making you check mirrors continously!

I'd do a half day or two then do you're test, it's not that expensive all in really

Good luck

As with most aspects of driving - "doing it"... and "passing the test" are not the same thing. A full day to learn what the examiner will be looking for, and to give you an idea of the types of roads that will be covered, would be better...imo. It's not all about the reversing manoeuvre!

Thanks guys, I think I'll book a full day!

Cheers
Tom