Just failed my trailer test, dammit!
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:01 am
Had my trailer test yesterday for B&E licence, unfortunately failed. I realize most members on here are old hats and don't have to do this, but I passed in July 97 so can only tow 3500kg total, which puts me out of being able to tow the skyline on a car transporter (legally) without this licence. Having looked into all the options, this was the only totally safe and legal way.
Anyway, I had a day and a half worth of lessons and then the test yesterday afternoon. For those that don't know the test involves a car check, 5 questions, a full unhitch/hitch, reverse S into bay and then a 1 hour driving test. The driving test is about half way between a learner and advanced (that's what I was told anyway).
Out of about 16 attempts I only managed the S manoeuvre in one go on two occasions, I couldn't link the two turns, really bloody hard lol. Not really an issue as you get two shunts (for 1 minor mark on the test) so I knew I would do that, and in fact did. Aced everything else on the trailer part.
What I failed on was the driving part, annoyingly I only got two minors (1 for doing 32mph in a 30 (harsh!), 1 other for not fully checking mirrors off a roundabout).
The serious fault was on a big roundabout coming off the motorway. I had practiced spiral roundabouts a bit as I'd got it wrong while having lessons, I thought this roundabout was a spiral, turned out it wasn't. Despite there being lights on/off the roundabout where I checked my mirrors in both occasions (all good), there were no road markings to indicate dual lanes, so halfway round it I 'crossed' the lanes without checking my mirrors - boom failed! Totally gutted, even the examiner admitted it was harsh due to no markings but rules are rules, bah! She also said my driving was very good and apart from the serious fault, one of the cleanest sheets for ages haha! Grrr!
Spent £675 so far and will cost me about £280 ish to retest!! Dammit!!
Anyway, I had a day and a half worth of lessons and then the test yesterday afternoon. For those that don't know the test involves a car check, 5 questions, a full unhitch/hitch, reverse S into bay and then a 1 hour driving test. The driving test is about half way between a learner and advanced (that's what I was told anyway).
Out of about 16 attempts I only managed the S manoeuvre in one go on two occasions, I couldn't link the two turns, really bloody hard lol. Not really an issue as you get two shunts (for 1 minor mark on the test) so I knew I would do that, and in fact did. Aced everything else on the trailer part.
What I failed on was the driving part, annoyingly I only got two minors (1 for doing 32mph in a 30 (harsh!), 1 other for not fully checking mirrors off a roundabout).
The serious fault was on a big roundabout coming off the motorway. I had practiced spiral roundabouts a bit as I'd got it wrong while having lessons, I thought this roundabout was a spiral, turned out it wasn't. Despite there being lights on/off the roundabout where I checked my mirrors in both occasions (all good), there were no road markings to indicate dual lanes, so halfway round it I 'crossed' the lanes without checking my mirrors - boom failed! Totally gutted, even the examiner admitted it was harsh due to no markings but rules are rules, bah! She also said my driving was very good and apart from the serious fault, one of the cleanest sheets for ages haha! Grrr!
Spent £675 so far and will cost me about £280 ish to retest!! Dammit!!