class 1 hgv

[Mark King]

has anyone done the test recently? whats it like to do cost etc.

cheers

[sixaxles]

its been a while now since i did mine but from talking to people who are doing or recently done theirs its not changed too much, you have to do a theory and then lessons and test, the main difference now is this bloody drivers cpc, which for me means i have to do 35 hours of training every 5 years in order to keep my hgv entitlement- basically do a days course of some sort once a year - total shite in pretty much everyone opinion!! but i think for most new starters i think you may have to do 35 hours training before you can get your hgv licence, dont quote me on that but i'm sure its right, great way to get people into the transport game innitt?? you cant just go for your class one, or C + E as its known now, you have to do your class two ( C ) first, then go onto do your C + E, the E bit being the trailer over a certain weight, if you are unlucky enough to have tacken your car test after '97 then you'll more than likely have to take your 7.5 tonne licence (C1) before all of that!!
No wonder there is a shortage of drivers................... well, i dont think theres a shortage of drivers, i just think there is a shortage of decent ones!!!!
each licence will cost between 700 - 1000 quid. nice..... not. hope this helps

[rsdene]

i've recently done my class 2, did week course with test on saturday. I found it easy and i had never drove a truck before. Mine was pretty much a grand.

Dene

[peterstewart85]

if your a post 97 licence holder you don't need to get an LGV (c1) licence first, but are automatically entitled to drive them once you pass the class 2 test. Also worth noting with the CPC that any first aid courses you do in the 5 yrs can be included in the 35 hrs training. I did a week long course through the Fire Brigade so don't know about costs but would agree with Dean, best way to learn to drive and pass

[zetecturbo]

also reguarding the cpc,u have to sit 35 hrs training over 5years,7hrs or 1 days training per year for 5 years.any1 with the licence is required to do this asap,anyone who hasnt taken their test ,must sit their 1 days requirement before u can actually take the practical test,.its mandatory now,if ur caught a big fine for u and 1 for ur employer
Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007

On 27th March 2007 these regulations implement the European Directive requiring drivers to take an initial practical/ theoretical driving test (valid for 5 years) and 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. Those affected are professional coach, bus and lorry drivers, the only exemptions being those who drive emergency vehicles, police/armed forces, and vehicles used for training/testing.

No new driver may drive a bus on or after 10th September 2008 or a lorry on or after 10th September 2009 on a public road unless the driver has taken the initial CPC test (theory and practical driving test). Drivers who already hold bus or lorry entitlements prior to those dates are exempt and, in effect, have 'acquired' or 'grandfather's' rights. The initial CPC test costs £30.00 for the theory part and £41.00 for the practical. Those who wish to provide periodic training courses will be authorised to do so on payment a fee of £1,500.00 and there is a separate fee of £250.00 for approval of every course which is provided.

Once a driver has passed the initial CPC test or completed 35 hours of periodic training he/she must be issued with a driver qualification card (cost £25.00).

Drivers who have not needed to pass the initial CPC test because they have 'acquired rights' must have completed 35 hours of pre-periodic training by 10th September 2013 (bus drivers) and 10th September 2014 (lorry drivers). It is an offence to drive without a CPC - maximum fine £1,000.00 (level 3 current level).

Drivers who are required to have a CPC must be able to produce driving entitlement to the Police or VOSA (failure to do so is also an offence - maximum fine £1,000.00). Further offences are created for failure to surrender cards or documents which have errors( max £1000 fine); forging or making false statements is also an offence (maximum punishment 2 years imprisonment).

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations are amended substituting new minimum age requirements for bus and lorry drivers who have passed the initial CPC test - 21, not 18, for bus drivers and lorry drivers with some variation for bus drivers depending on distance of routes driven.