Royal Mail Driving

Cliff Clavin · Post by **Cliff Clavin** » 07 Sep 2008, 23:33

Passed my driving test a couple of weeks ago.

The AA are coming into the office on Tues to put me through my Royal Mail driving.

So I can drive the vans, etc.

What can I expect, is it difficult?

Thanks

Post by **POSTMAN** » 08 Sep 2008, 15:31

What,you're getting tested,down our way they're just given the keys!!,also what to expect,wouldn't want to spoil it for ya

Fishyfingers · Post by **Fishyfingers** » 08 Sep 2008, 15:58

As far as i remember it takes about 15 to 20 minutes just driving round a few streets and reversing round a corner just to see if your a competent driver.
Young lad started a few weeks back got the test as far as i know he did fine until he got back to the yard he was reversing back and managed to hit the only van parked up in the yard, so he failed ,was tested again a few days later passed that time.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 08 Sep 2008, 17:38

The conversion is not the hard bit!. It is the diplomacy and and for-thought and of course camaraderie with your work-mate's as well as your manager's!. But there is too much too do and all so little time to do it in!. hope's this help's you to your goal!. AND GOOD LUCK!.

PhilthyPhil · Post by **PhilthyPhil** » 08 Sep 2008, 18:31

POSTMAN wrote:What,you're getting tested,down our way they're just given the keys!!,also what to expect,wouldn't want to spoil it for ya

I had to take a 'test' not long after i started to allow me to drive bigger vans, transists etc. Just drove about for half an hour with a driving instructor. It wasn't like a driving test, you can get away with riding the clutch in traffic etc as long as you don't do anything dangerous.

MartinMail · Post by **MartinMail** » 08 Sep 2008, 19:47

I'm 18, passed my Driving test when I was 17, about a year ago.

The bar stewards won't let me drive the vans.

It's all to do with the insurance, etc etc boll ocks is you ask me.

Anyway, not got a clue what you should expect..

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 08 Sep 2008, 20:11

MartinMail wrote:I'm 18, passed my Driving test when I was 17, about a year ago.

The bar stewards won't let me drive the vans.

It's all to do with the insurance, etc etc boll ocks is you ask me.

Anyway, not got a clue what you should expect..

Trust me driveing is the easy bit!. It is better to gain expirance of the area and of the people you work with! How can i put it it is like being a manager without aurthority but all the hastle and a postman on a never ending walk without the weight on your back all the time it is just put on your shoudler's instead!. You have to have a mind set of getting through all the problems that come your way without going mad

!.

Cliff Clavin · Post by **Cliff Clavin** » 09 Sep 2008, 18:31

I did it today.

Just drove a van through town to another town, reversed round a corner
and into a bay at the DO.

Lasted about 40/50mins, he was just assessing my driving and making sure
I wasn't too rough on the van.

vigilante · Post by **vigilante** » 09 Sep 2008, 21:14

Change over driving.
I remember it well. Bloke who used to take us for it told us all about his divorce and his life in general. Always wanted to go to cafes and go shopping!!
great day out

Yeah it's no problem as long as you can drive.
There's a lot in royal fail who can't though, properly

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 09 Sep 2008, 21:51

vigilante wrote:Change over driving.
I remember it well. Bloke who used to take us for it told us all about his divorce and his life in general. Always wanted to go to cafes and go shopping!!
great day out
Yeah it's no problem as long as you can drive.
There's a lot in royal fail who can't though, properly

It wouldn't be so bad if you didn't have to keep stopping to deliver letters.

the undertaker · Post by **the undertaker** » 10 Sep 2008, 16:47

What you will get is loads and loads and loads of extra work piled on you, as soon as you drive for royal mail. they will have you running around like a blue3rsed fly.

Cliff Clavin · Post by **Cliff Clavin** » 10 Sep 2008, 19:04

the undertaker wrote:What you will get is loads and loads and loads of extra work piled on you, as soon as you drive for royal mail. they will have you running around like a blue3rsed fly.

Too true mate.

I've already been trained on a collection, that I have to start from tomorrow.

and had to take 3 yorkies of mail from our sorting office to one of the main sorting offices about 20 miles away.

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 17 Sep 2008, 17:29

gersnet wrote:I did it today.

Just drove a van through town to another town, reversed round a corner
and into a bay at the DO.

Lasted about 40/50mins, he was just assessing my driving and making sure
I wasn't too rough on the van.

Good for you brother gersnet now just remember this:

CWU Branch Official Bulletin 4 Jun 2004 Volume 9 No.22.
During the discussions with Royal Mail a number of points were agreed in relation to wheel changing by drivers:
* Royal Mail should impose whatever constraints are necessary to ensure a safe environment for employees and the general public.
* With recognition of current unofficial practices taking place there is a need to impose the necessary safety constraints on current practices and any need to change vehicle road wheels will vonly be undertaken in the following circumstances:

* Wheel changing may only be undertaken by drivers on a voluntary basis.
* Volunteer drivers must be properly trained and certified by qualified tachnicians to change road wheels.
* Safe Systems at Work will be documented.
* The office is to be equipped with a suitable hydraulic trolley jack wheel brace and torque wrench.
* The area must be level, firm and free from any uneven surface.
* The operation shall only be undertaken in a vicinity away from other vehicle movements.
* In all cases, the driver must complete a PMT1 Defect Report and ensure that the wheel(s) are properly re-torqued by VS Workshop Staff as soon as practicable, thereafter, and within am maximum of 100 miles running.
* Under no circumstances will wheels be changed on main roads or motorways in the hours of darkness, on uneven road surfaces or tracks or in busy yards and car parks in close proximity to other vehicle movements. The operation shall only be undertaken in a vicinity safe from other vehicle movements.
* Vehicles will not be driven with a flat tyre.
* Management recognise that not all drivers are able to change road wheels. All employees are entitled to refuse training and as such as instruction from their manager to change wheels, should they wish to do so.
* Training will be provided by Vehicle Services trainers.

For the full story go to CWU website and under (BOBs) Branch Officials Bulletin do a search for Wheel Changing by Royal Mail Drivers - Policy and Guidelines / Safe Systems of Work.

As your health and safety is paramount don't be pressured by managers into changing van wheels at their request unless you have first been trained and certified by a qualified technician.