WELCOME TO
This post will take you through the required steps to become a truck driver and the
INITIAL DRIVER CERTIFICATE of PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
All the links in this post are external ones.
New UK LGV licence training rules were introduced late 2021 where a B (car) driver can now go directly to LGV CE (artic/wagon & drag) without the need to pass the LGV C rigid test first
There is also the addition of an extra off road reverse un/couple module/test (3a) which used to be done in module 3 with the on-road driving test (now the module 3b test)
If you have already passed LGV C then to get LGV CE you just need to pass modules 3a and 3b
Most LGV training is done with an automatic gearbox but as long as a manual B licence is held then the pass will be both automatic and manual
The 5 modules required came into effect late 2021
The age for driving all the LGVs (C1, C & C+E) is now 18.*
You will need all 5 modules in order to gain the licence and have the right to drive LGVs commercially.
If you already have pre 1997 C1 on your licence then you will need modules 1a, 1b & 3a, 3b as well as 35 hours of periodic driver cpc hours or initial modules 2 + 4 (your choice) to obtain a C.
__*__If you are under 21 then all 5 of the INITIAL driver CPC modules MUST be passed in order to drive any C (or CE) LGV whether for commercial or private use. This is because the INITIAL driver CPC replaces the Young Drivers Scheme (YDS). This does not affect the private driving of C1 trucks such as 7.5 tonne horseboxes.
Some useful links: -
MODULE 2 PRACTICE
The Idiot’s Guide to becoming a Trucker.
Truckers Ackronyms & Synonyms
All the theory & CPC books/CDs in one package
SAFETY, LAW AND WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE FORUM (INTERACTIVE) For questions and answers on Drivers’ Hours, ADR etc.
ANOTHER NEWBIE:
“Can anybody explain the process over the forum as to what I have to do to start with so I can tick off on paper?”
LGV C (Rigid) Old HGV Class 2:
Anyone who passes their car driving test and wants to drive a large goods vehicle will need additional training to be brought to the DVSA standard. The vehicles used will also have to conform to the standards as set by the DVSA.
The STEPS to take…
STEP 1
Have a medical to prove you are physically fit to drive a Large Goods Vehicle using Form D4 of the pack (obtainable from various driving schools).
Download the 8 page D4 Medical Form Using this Link Please print (colour, not black & white) and take to your GP if you have the facilities at home or work.
Please contact your GP or visit driversmedicals.com who can provide low-cost medical examinations.
THIS LINK will take you to a list of some cheap medical places around the UK.
STEP 2
Obtain your provisional licence.
You can order a D2 Form by clicking on gov.uk/dvlaforms (MARK FORM FOR C NOT C1) Forms can often be obtained from the Post Office or Training schools
LGV CE provisional is automatic when ticking the C provisional box
A good idea might be to also tick the D provisional as this will save you from having extra medicals in the future should you wish to persue a PCV licence
Driving Licence Codes
Having completed forms D2 & D4 send with your licence to the DVLA in the enclosed envelope, I recommended that you send it record/registered delivery and photocopy your licence, the paper part and both sides of the photocard, as well as getting the copies signed by a responsible person such as a policeperson, teacher, doctor etc before sending. Your licence with provisional entitlement will normally be returned within 2 to 4 weeks.
STEP 3
Book your INITIAL DRIVER CPC Training.
These modules are not for C+E upgrades
Modules 1a, 1b & 3a, 3b are for obtaining the LGV licence.
Modules 2 & 4 are for obtaining the right to drive LGVs commercially
Modules 1a, 1b & 2 are taken at a DVSA theory test centre
Modules 3a & 4 are taken at a DVSA LGV practical test centre.
Module 3b is taken at the training centre off road area by an instructor but not by the instructor who trained you
It might be worth checking that the training school can train you in all 5 modules otherwise you could find yourself having to travel to different places to attain all the 5 modules required, however, you do not have to do all the modules with the one provider. It may work out cheaper to shop around and do some of the modules with different providers.
TIP - get a quote for the actual number of ‘behind the wheel’ driving hours from training providers and not the number of days.
INITIAL DRIVER CPC
This is made up of 5 modules and includes the previous theory and practical tests.
All 5 modules must be passed before being allowed to drive LGVs commercially.
MODULE 1 - Theory
This is split into two parts
Theory - A good idea is to get the book /CD rom + HPT (Hazard Perception Test) again, you can get CD rom to practice.
For course reading material Click here
An idea to consider is to get in touch with LGV school and, for a fee, they will train you.
Module 1a consists of 100 multiple choice on-screen questions
- A pass mark of 85 is required
- Cost of this test is £26.00
- Candidates will be allowed 2 hrs to complete this module.
FREE ONLINE LGV THEORY QUESTIONS (approx 1000)
APP FOR THEORY+HPT costs a few quid
Module 1b consists of 19 video clips containing 20 hazards (HPT - Hazard Perception Test)
- A pass mark of 67% is required
- Cost of this test is £11.00
- Candidates will be allowed ½ hr to complete this module.
If either test is failed then only that test needs to be retaken - not both.
Videos of Hazard awareness & The DVSA HPT test are to be found at the bottom of this post.
NOTE: The DVSA HPT pass is valid for 2 years but a separate HPT must be done for the LGV - the car HPT pass is not valid for LGV (or PCV)
[MODULES 1a & 2 PRACTICE (small cost)]
MODULE 2 - Case Studies
- Each test will be made up of 3 realistic scenarios (from a bank of 7) a driver may encounter in their working life - each one with 6-8 questions, with a possible maximum score of 50 (of which the pass mark will be 38 ).
- Candidates will be allowed 1½ hrs to complete this module.
- Cost of this test is £23.00
This will be taken at the same test centre as Modules 1a & 1b and can be booked to be done on same day
MODULE 3a - Off road reverse and un/couple test - this is valid for 6 months
- Cost of this test is £40.00
MODULE 3b - Practical on road Test. (Modules 1a, 1b & 3a must be passed before this test can be taken)
- Practical on-road driving test.
- Including an Eco-Safe Driving assessment - this will not contribute to the result of the test.
- Actual on-road driving time for all C (rigid) categories will be a minimum of 1 hour.
Test Criteria: - Answer approximately 5 questions on basic vehicle checks.
- Test may also include hill starts and motorway driving.
- Cost of this test is £115.00 but is usually included in the training school course fee.
MODULE 4 - for the (IDCPC)
Practical Off-Road Test (Module 2 for the (IDCPC) must be passed before this test can be taken)
This will be taken at the same test centre as Module 3 - it may be done on the same day or a separate day - it depends how the test centre have organised their scheduling
During the test you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in the areas listed below:
- Ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and proper vehicle use,
- Security of the vehicle and contents,
- Ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants,
- Ability to assess emergency situations,
- Ability to prevent physical risk. Emphasis will be on you to demonstrate your ability e.g. through a physical walk-round vehicle safety check.
The test consists of 5 questions which cover the Driver CPC syllabus. For each of the questions the examiner will require you to demonstrate your knowledge in the syllabus areas mentioned above, which could involve you carrying out actions such as walking round the vehicle pointing out relevant parts of a vehicle, or demonstrating the use of relevant parts of the vehicle. Each question equals 20% of the overall pass mark. To pass the test an overall score of 80% must be achieved, with a score of at least 15% in each question.
LGV tests will also see the introduction of a new piece of equipment called the ‘Load Securing Demonstration Trolley’ (LSDT) which will allow you to demonstrate your ability to secure loads using a variety of methods including ropes, chains, straps, etc.
The Load Securing Demonstration Trolley (LSDT)
- Cost of this test is £55.00 and includes the Driver CPC Qualification Card (DQC) fee
- Test will last ½ hr.
DVSA accredited training test centres can now conduct the mod 4 tests with in-house trained examiners - those tests are booked directly with the school and not through the DVSA booking system
All fees are for weekday tests - tests outside normal hours will cost more.
The DRIVER CPC is not the same as other CPCs
Link to The Periodic (ongoing) Driver C.P.C. (PDCPC)
DIGI SMART CARDS are usually required by agencies if you work for them but you are responsible for getting one. If you work for a non-agency they might be nice and pay for it but don’t hold your breath!
TOTAL COST to get from B to C+E it is recommended to have £3,500 ready in case of a retest or two
This is a link to a common weekend driving assumption by some newbies in order to gain experience whilst still in another job.