Unlike driving a vehicle, where all that’s required of you is to take two tests to prove that you can drive safely, the procedure for passing a Driver CPC to become a licensed HBV driver is a bit more complicated. The two tests are split down to four separate tests that take time, money and lots of preparation to pass.
The theory part of the process is one that will require some preparation – and if you want to ensure that you pass, what will help you most is getting some practice time behind the wheel with a licensed instructor (experience is the best teacher) and studying various learning materials. In preparation for the practical part of a Driver CPC test, Blacks Training Solutions provided us with a couple of things that you can do for a better chance of passing.
Pay Close Attention To The Traffic
One major mistake most new HGV drivers tend to make when they’re nervous is forgetting to focus farther ahead. As car drivers, we’re used to looking no further than two cars ahead of us to predict the flow of traffic. However, HGV drivers need to be more conscious of the traffic further ahead. So, remember to keep your eye on the traffic at least five cars ahead of you and use that as a gauge for when to speed up or slow down. HGVs are substantially heavy vehicles and take much longer than cars to come to a stop. So, you cannot rely on when the car in front of you brakes to start slowing down – you’ll end up causing an accident.
Take Your License
When preparing to take a practical Driver CPC test, remember to carry with you both parts of your license. While the paper part of your license is not necessarily a must-have, since the government went single card, still having it on you is something worth doing. If you do not have your license on you when going for a test, chances are you won’t be allowed to get into the vehicle and do your test. Instead, you’ll have to reschedule it – and it could take some time before you get another opportunity to sit for the test. And, you will still be required to pay for the test even though you did not do it.
Go for A Warm-Up Drive
While this is not a requirement, we still recommend that you take a forty-minute test drive before taking the Driver CPC practical. It is the same idea employed by driving instructors, and helps work off some nervousness. This way, you get to avoid making silly mistakes when taking the actual test. A warm-up drive will also get you into the right frame of mind, leaving you relaxed and more aware. However, we do not recommend taking longer than 40-minutes since you might start getting tired towards the end your test, which may cause you to lose your concentration – and you do not want that to happen!
Be Comfortable
There’s nothing as unsettling as trying to drive when you are not comfortable. Therefore, make sure that you’re wearing comfortable clothes. It is not a job interview, which means you are not expected to come wearing a suit and tie. Just try and wear an out that you are comfortable in – it could be jeans, a linen shirt, and some work boots but as long as you are comfortable wearing it, then that should be just fine. That way, you won’t be fidgety and won’t get easily distracted when taking the test.
Move On
Anytime we make mistakes, they usually find a way of circling back into our heads, causing us to make more mistakes. If you make any mistake during your practical test, do not dwell on it. Let it be and move on. Focus on doing what is required of you moving forward. Did you know that you can still pass a Driver CPC test with fifteen minor faults? Now you know! So, do not let a single silly mistake ruin everything for you. Instead, accept the mistake you made and move on. Dwelling on your error and allowing it demoralize you will do nothing but affect your performance through the rest of the test.
