I had to do an assessment drive when I started driving a private hire car a few years ago, and the examiner said he had never seen anyone use their mirrors so much, when I explained I was a truck driver, he understood why. I haven't driven a large vehicle for about 12 years now, but still use my mirrors as if I was driving them.
Tail swing: A few years ago, I was following a rigid flatbed truck carrying plant (a small excavator and a roller) on a rural single-carriageway A-road. It turned 90 degrees left off the A-road onto the access road to a farm which was its delivery point. However, the rear tail swung into the path of oncoming traffic, which was an artic tanker. The tanker swerved off the road trying to avoid the tail, but the grass verge was quite tall (well over a foot), and smashed the sump off the engine. The cab hit a substantial branch of a tree which broke the windscreen and bent the cab bodywork quite significantly. Fortunately no-one was injured, although the driver was quite shaken. He was lucky not to have rolled the truck. If he had, it would probably have landed on top of me, and/or the car behind. He almost managed to avoid hitting the flatbed, but just scraped the corner of it, breaking its marker lights. The flatbed driver didn't stop. Whether they knew they'd been in a collision, I don't know. I've no idea what the costs were, but I'd say they were substantial - recovery, major damage to the cab and engine, and cleanup costs (the police had to get a company out to clean up the engine oil that had been dumped all over the road). 18 months later the insurance companies were still arguing over liability. I don't know whether they've sorted it out yet.
Nice driving Ashley, once you get a few miles under you’re belt the size and road positioning comes natural, everything happens a little bit slower and a lot further down the road……mirror checks just become the norm, not just to pass the test, but everyday when you are in a HGV, you are certainly getting the hang of it…..👍🇮🇲
I'm glad you posted this video, I admit I have only watched a few parts but it's interesting that lorries use the right line of a lane to help make sure you have clearance on the left side. Although I knew this on tight corners I wasn't aware of this when turning off the roundabouts. I used to think some hgv drivers were going to drift into the lane I am in but I realise now they are making use of the space in their own lane.
That point about the cones is very true. I've moved a couple with the front corner of the bus to avoid clipping any kerbs and the like, but generally those guys are pretty good at leaving enough space for us.
I was taught a great lesson by a fellow driver, he taught me to steer the back wheels and not the front. I was confused but it makes perfect sense. I worked at a builder's merchants when I left school and that was the best driving lesson ever. I got to a point where, if the truck would fit, I could get it there and I wasn't even old enough to take a driving lesson then.
Another reason to check your right mirror on a left bend and vice versa is to watch for load movement, same goes for the periodically checking the mirrors down the road, we do this in the car (well a lot of us do I hope) but the worry of something coming loose is always there on lorries.
Thanks for these videos have my assessment on my class 1 on the 16th hopfully if I like it and they think I look good if not I will be going for my class 2 great content cheers pal.
Interesting video Ashley, nice prospective from a HGV drivers point of view. But I must say how fast was that fiesta going in the wet through a red light at them traffic lights, a accident waiting to happen
Very helpful video, got my class2 Cat C test first thing tommorow (2nd attempt). Need to be slower on junctions & roundabouts, increase following gap & give myself enough room when turning right on roundabouts. Should be a pass if I keep on the ball!
With regards to tail swing, I just saw a video from Luke C where he placed a camera on the back of his trailer which demonstrated how much the tail swung out.
Really enjoying this series as its brought back memories from my 7.5ton days....... One point springs to mind here.... Emergency Stop. Although never taught; per-se; an old school skill "cadence braking"; it has been a useful tool in the past. My point/question is - do these modern units have ABS? None of the vehicles I drove had this back in the mid 90's. Also, full manual gearbox. Auto certainly seems to make life easier.
Very insightful. Thanks for sharing. Felt a little uncomfortable with the speed at 11:43 and the vans parked on the sidewalk. What if someone would've stepped out from behind of one of those?
Did you do any training with different load weights? Heavily laden vs unladen. Going to a weigh station. Stopping distances. Etc. I would be very interested to learn your experiences there and also how it compares to driving cars with different loads.
there definitely used to be, but I don't know if nowadays it ties to what you passed your test with originally. Most companies now use autos anyway. I passed my original test in a manual car and cat D/D1 (buses) in an auto. There's nothing I can see on my license to suggest I can't drive a manual bus.
Yes but as long as you hold a manual car licence then you will get the manual HGV licence even if you take the test in an automatic lorry. So automatic HGV licences are rare these days.
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I had to do an assessment drive when I started driving a private hire car a few years ago, and the examiner said he had never seen anyone use their mirrors so much, when I explained I was a truck driver, he understood why. I haven't driven a large vehicle for about 12 years now, but still use my mirrors as if I was driving them.
Tail swing: A few years ago, I was following a rigid flatbed truck carrying plant (a small excavator and a roller) on a rural single-carriageway A-road. It turned 90 degrees left off the A-road onto the access road to a farm which was its delivery point. However, the rear tail swung into the path of oncoming traffic, which was an artic tanker.
The tanker swerved off the road trying to avoid the tail, but the grass verge was quite tall (well over a foot), and smashed the sump off the engine. The cab hit a substantial branch of a tree which broke the windscreen and bent the cab bodywork quite significantly.
Fortunately no-one was injured, although the driver was quite shaken. He was lucky not to have rolled the truck. If he had, it would probably have landed on top of me, and/or the car behind.
He almost managed to avoid hitting the flatbed, but just scraped the corner of it, breaking its marker lights. The flatbed driver didn't stop. Whether they knew they'd been in a collision, I don't know.
I've no idea what the costs were, but I'd say they were substantial - recovery, major damage to the cab and engine, and cleanup costs (the police had to get a company out to clean up the engine oil that had been dumped all over the road).
18 months later the insurance companies were still arguing over liability. I don't know whether they've sorted it out yet.
Bread vans are bad for it aswell
Some coaches have evil overhangs at the back. Nearly got taken out by one when riding a motorbike.
Nice driving Ashley, once you get a few miles under you’re belt the size and road positioning comes natural, everything happens a little bit slower and a lot further down the road……mirror checks just become the norm, not just to pass the test, but everyday when you are in a HGV, you are certainly getting the hang of it…..👍🇮🇲
His experience as a driving instructor has put him at an advantage
4:50 notice the focus shooting through a red light haha
Was just about to comment about that 🤣
It becomes natural quickly when you are out doing job and when you have done it long enough you prefer it to the car.
I'm glad you posted this video, I admit I have only watched a few parts but it's interesting that lorries use the right line of a lane to help make sure you have clearance on the left side. Although I knew this on tight corners I wasn't aware of this when turning off the roundabouts. I used to think some hgv drivers were going to drift into the lane I am in but I realise now they are making use of the space in their own lane.
That bus didn’t just clip the curb,it murdered it 🤣 Lucky he didn’t take out the railings too
That point about the cones is very true. I've moved a couple with the front corner of the bus to avoid clipping any kerbs and the like, but generally those guys are pretty good at leaving enough space for us.
I was taught a great lesson by a fellow driver, he taught me to steer the back wheels and not the front. I was confused but it makes perfect sense. I worked at a builder's merchants when I left school and that was the best driving lesson ever. I got to a point where, if the truck would fit, I could get it there and I wasn't even old enough to take a driving lesson then.
I'm starting my hgv training next week. All these videos have been really helpful. Thanks.
Ashley, any chance of showing us exactly what you can see in your mirrors when stationary and your body movement forward, left and right?
Enjoyed it, thanks. 👍🥳
Another reason to check your right mirror on a left bend and vice versa is to watch for load movement, same goes for the periodically checking the mirrors down the road, we do this in the car (well a lot of us do I hope) but the worry of something coming loose is always there on lorries.
You can tell you are having alot of fun doing this! Enjoy man it's nice to see! Cheers
Gonna start my hgv training soon got my theory Monday these vids have given me a big heads up thank you 😊
not bad. definitely be aware of the tailswing until it becomes second nature.
Thanks for these videos have my assessment on my class 1 on the 16th hopfully if I like it and they think I look good if not I will be going for my class 2 great content cheers pal.
Interesting video Ashley, nice prospective from a HGV drivers point of view.
But I must say how fast was that fiesta going in the wet through a red light at them traffic lights, a accident waiting to happen
Very helpful video, got my class2 Cat C test first thing tommorow (2nd attempt). Need to be slower on junctions & roundabouts, increase following gap & give myself enough room when turning right on roundabouts. Should be a pass if I keep on the ball!
Best of luck!
With regards to tail swing, I just saw a video from Luke C where he placed a camera on the back of his trailer which demonstrated how much the tail swung out.
Really enjoying this series as its brought back memories from my 7.5ton days.......
One point springs to mind here....
Emergency Stop. Although never taught; per-se; an old school skill "cadence braking"; it has been a useful tool in the past.
My point/question is - do these modern units have ABS? None of the vehicles I drove had this back in the mid 90's. Also, full manual gearbox. Auto certainly seems to make life easier.
The old Leylands were terrible for locking up the rear when empty and wet.
Most trucks mid to late 90's were getting ABS. 👍
@@Jonc25 Thanks Jon 👊👍
@@grahamnutt8958 👍
Yep, modern trucks have them. But atleast in this age, the ABS kicks in a lot lot later than in a car due to the brakes being airbrakes.
@@onespeaks8189 Something that I would not have known. Thanks 👍
yes
Even when you pass your test Alex you won't have real experience until you have "hands on" work experience.
Very insightful. Thanks for sharing. Felt a little uncomfortable with the speed at 11:43 and the vans parked on the sidewalk. What if someone would've stepped out from behind of one of those?
Does part of the HGV education include driving with a full load on vehicle?
As always, very interesting, I am interested to know if you have changed aspect of your car driving as a result of the HGV experience?
👍👍👍
Anyone please recommend the best app for hgv class 1 theory test
Indicator relay sounds like there is a LH bulb failed?
Did you do any training with different load weights? Heavily laden vs unladen. Going to a weigh station. Stopping distances. Etc. I would be very interested to learn your experiences there and also how it compares to driving cars with different loads.
you dont generally do this sort of thing on a course (which gov made even easier nowadays), you just learn on the job unfortunatelly for some drivers.
The red light runner at 4:51 was obviously late for dinner.
It's intense work, isn't it?
Thanks for the upload, Ashley! I'm wondering. Are there manual and auto HGV licences the same way there are for cars?
there definitely used to be, but I don't know if nowadays it ties to what you passed your test with originally. Most companies now use autos anyway. I passed my original test in a manual car and cat D/D1 (buses) in an auto. There's nothing I can see on my license to suggest I can't drive a manual bus.
Yes but as long as you hold a manual car licence then you will get the manual HGV licence even if you take the test in an automatic lorry. So automatic HGV licences are rare these days.
@@eng9725 Sweet
Thanks, @@edwardlack2578
@@eng9725 this, and only to add, it is frightening when you take he course on the auto and your first on the job lorry is 12 gear split manual ;P
Claim bronze for 3rd
🥉 confirmed......
By going Newest First it shows in reverse order - like you didn't already know this lol.
All good fun, Keith 😁👍
Friend of mine could park his HGV on a penny.
But couldn't reverse his car for love nor.money.
Not bad but you come across as a cocky bloke
Find I’m not interested in hgv.