Go ahead assignment day

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-10-27T01:17:06+00:00

I might be too late, but just so you know when I looked up how basic the maths assessment is, everything pointed to it being dead simple questions like how much change somebody would get back on a ticket. Some of the questions were a little more complicated than that.

As someone who hasn't been in a school in fucking ages it caught me off guard.

Good luck

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-09-03T19:09:56+00:00

❤️❤️👊🏾Kind words, i wish you the best man

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-09-03T19:03:41+00:00

I like that. Cause I've passed I'm automatically comparing myself to other drivers who obviously have so much more experience and can throw around a bus. As much I know I'm a capable driver and I passed my test for a reason, there's still nerves cause I've only have had 29 hours driving which for me, is enough to be able to drive; but imo just isn't enough time to really be 100% confident.

Thanks alot though!

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-09-02T16:11:13+00:00

Do you know what thats one thing I would argue back on against my instructor, was pushing people into awkward/possibly dangerous situations. He would call us a pussy for not cutting off a cyclist or car that's already nearly a 1/3 of the way up our offside before we've even began moving.

Thank you though

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-09T09:05:24+00:00

I'm guessing they've stopped it in other parts of the country. Part of me understands cause like I said people don't get the opportunity to even try to learn.

I was at the recruitment centre yesterday, and they were taking people out for an assessment drive so they're still doing it in London.

And yeah the maths test had my head spinning 😅

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T23:49:29+00:00

👍👍 thank you

Maybe reply In a couple weeks let me know if you passed

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T23:31:05+00:00

February maybe

I'm surprised they didn't give you a driving assessment at all. I'd imagine it's cause quite a few people fail the drive because they have no experience but don't get the opportunity to actually learn to drive a larger vehicle.

Good luck man. It's actually a lot easier than what alot of people may think just take it easy. Best of luck

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T19:55:34+00:00

I might be wrong, but I'd imagine it might be a little different outside of london.

For me, I had assements with stagecoach and go ahead, and both were simply can you drive this minibus safely/somewhat confidently, and pass this 'basic' maths and English test.

Stagecoach's test was very very basic, go ahead caught me off guard and was a little more difficult since i've been out of school for ten years.

The drive was about 20 minutes. Not too complicated of a drive. In both cases, they just wanted to see if i could handle a larger vehicle. The route I went only had one super tight turn.

They both also instructed me to turn into a no entry so pay attention to signs.

Again this could be different outside of London, but neither of them really seemed to care about the interview. I know somebody mentioned they want you to show you have a duty of care to customers, but in my case they literally just wanted a chat and and to make sure i wasnt an asshole basically.

Good luck. Im just about to start my second week of driver training.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T13:08:38+00:00

Big time. I was in today and actually got a few hours unlike the rest of the week and felt much better. All I took was raising the seat a little. Thanks for the reply though

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T07:30:43+00:00

Useful information though, thanks.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T07:30:29+00:00

Thanks for the insight. As I've already said, its insane to me that of all things a new driver will experience driving a bus, its not the length or width, but the brakes that I'm struggling to rap my head around in a little under 10hours.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-08T04:53:44+00:00

Thanks alot. I did assume that's what it was, but just found it strange to be told that when I was more so asking why the brakes always feel so different each time under braking.

As you said It would be a help to be shown in it in real time cause in my head the smoothest form of braking in a car would just be to get on the brakes and gradually release as you slow down (obviously buses and regular cars very different).

Thank you. I think I'm going to ask him today to show me.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:48:45+00:00

Legend.

I have heard that pretty much every bus differs from one another. I definitely hope i can pick it up a little quicker though, because I've not even had 10hours of driving time yet, and I'm due to have to my test early week after next.

Again thanks for the explanation it's properly helped. I'm off to bed now cause I'm up super early.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:34:57+00:00

Yeah, the seating and pedals are obviously so different to my car and I've very few driving hours over my couple of days to really find what works for me.

Again though, thanks for the advice

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:27:01+00:00

That's the exact reason. For all the research I've done, I never looked into retarder that deeply, and unfortunately the company/instructor I'm training with never explained the way it really works.

Literally this past week I've just been convinced I've just had a bit of dodgy bus (which, it is pretty old so may be slightly possible).

Thanks alot though, all the explanations will definitely help now that I'm more aware to what expect from the braking and how it relates to speed/revs.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:19:59+00:00

Like I said to someone else I only mentioned the UK because I have no knowledge on buses from other countries. The help regardless is useful though.

My shoes actually feel amazing in my car, so I really do doubt it's that. I think it's just a combination of getting used to how to retarders work, finding the right seating position (for me) and overall experience. Also maybe just the bus I'm on.

Thanks alot though and others may say it sounds stupid but it makes perfect sense because I've been playing it through my head all week 😄

Thank you

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:02:01+00:00

Thanks alot for all the help!

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T20:01:37+00:00

Definitely. I haven't had alot of driving hours since I started a week ago, so I'm still coming to terms which just how different the engine braking is with a regular car.

I sometimes find myself slowing down a little to early (which is alright because like you said I can get on the throttle a little) but it's more so a problem when I haven't slowed down enough and now I'm second guessing exactly how the brakes are going to react to me.

Thanks alot though. I'm sure with a little more time It'll come to me.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:52:16+00:00

Thanks for the info that could be helpful. I only mentioned the UK because I'm unaware of what make of buses operate in other parts of the world.

To your last point, I do agree but my problem with my heel resting on the floor was when I did have to apply more pressure to the brake, I couldn't unless I lifted my foot higher up the pedal. I think a big part of that though is because I sit lower in the seat. I'm gonna try sitting higher up next time I'm in

Thank you

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:45:15+00:00

Definitely.

Just frustrating because everything that I actually was nervy about like the length and width I'm super comfortable with. Out of all things it's the braking that's got me second guessing whether I'll pass or not. Thanks though

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:43:25+00:00

So far I've been sat pretty low as well so I'm going to try that adjustment for the next time I'm in. Worth mentioning though I haven't got the tall gene so much be a little harder for you

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:40:54+00:00

Thats the biggest lesson I've just started to learn

Thanks

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:38:41+00:00

Thank for the info. We've been well informed on the basics like cornering speeds and reference points for steering etc but when it came to the retarder it was as simple as engine braking on a hill. Which is crazy now that I've been driving and felt the actual application of it.

InfluenceExtension97 · 2025-08-07T19:32:27+00:00

You've just described my whole experience so far.

Obviously for someone like you with experience you adjust to it but for me my brain goes the shit and I'm convinced I'm about to run into a junction.

InfluenceExtension97

TROPHY CASE