I remember hearing that an HGV licence counts as another qualification, either a GCSE or an A level or something, Class 1 classes as a slightly higher qualification as a class 2. Cant remember where I heard or saw this but can anybody shed some light on the subject?
from what i remember, a HGV driver is not classed as a Proffesional Person
so, i would not think that it would count as a qualification either, but, i have been known to be wrong before
I remember that but there was talk of an HGV licence being categorised as an equilivant of something else, as it seemed unfair that it had no “worth” in an achedemic sense
It does not even have an NVQ2 status 
what about when the cpc comes in?
i mean we have to pay for more training and we have to do it every 5 years so it should count as something. if not then its just another waste of our {zb}ing money
gogzy:
what about when the cpc comes in?i mean we have to pay for more training and we have to do it every 5 years so it should count as something. if not then its just another waste of our {zb}ing money
Thats why I’m not wasting any more…I’m getting out now before the rush of drivers looking for other work in 2014
The CPC, I forgot about that! Being a “new” piece of training surely thats got to be classed as something?
Id be happy with a bachelor of science or something…
An HGV licence entitles you to drive HGVs and that’s as far as it goes. Of course we all know that it elevates us onto almost a heavenly plane but unfortunately nobody else holds us in quite the same regard.
yer it does!! when a driver has done something wrong!! then we are called a professional driver arnt we acorrding to the public etc:wink: but till something goes wrong we are something at the bottom of there shoes
HGV and PCV mean you are a professional driver.Taxi drivers van drivers cant say the same.They just drive for a living.We have a vocational qualification.I,m not sure what my CPC counts as though.A coach firm I used to work at sent you for retraining every two years.I,ve got an NVQ2 in defencive driving and decicive driving .NVQ Nil Value Quailifaction!!.But the training is good preparation for the CPC drivers one.
johnpirate:
HGV and PCV mean you are a professional driver.Taxi drivers van drivers cant say the same.They just drive for a living.
That’s what “professional” means.
Passing a HGV test and gaining a HGV licence means you’re qualified to drive a HGV. 
Yes, we are professional in the same way that a professional footballer is professional and I personally think we should get over this silly fixation with being called “professional drivers”.
Hey Harry, you may get paid enough to compare yourself to a pro footballer, but me… no way!
Me, I’m just a wage slave. 
NVQ = Not Very Qualified
CPC = Carrier Pigeon Certificate
GCSE = Generally Common Sense Excluded
HGV = Hasnt Grown Vertically
LGV = Low Gear Velocity
Harry Monk:
johnpirate:
HGV and PCV mean you are a professional driver.Taxi drivers van drivers cant say the same.They just drive for a living.That’s what “professional” means.
Sometimes its like waiting in a drivers room on here, i just sit there with a big grin on my face and everyone thinks i’m soft !! 
You really couldn’t make this stuff up.
Lankytim:
I remember hearing that an HGV licence counts as another qualification, either a GCSE or an A level or something, Class 1 classes as a slightly higher qualification as a class 2. Cant remember where I heard or saw this but can anybody shed some light on the subject?
It certainley is a qualification. I’m not so sure that it compares to GCSE’s or A levels, but in order to be a HGV driver you need to be qualified and hold a HGV licence. Otherwise known as cat C or C+E on your drivers licence. These are also known as ‘vocational entitlements’.
johnpirate:
HGV and PCV mean you are a professional driver.Taxi drivers van drivers cant say the same.They just drive for a living.We have a vocational qualification.I,m not sure what my CPC counts as though.A coach firm I used to work at sent you for retraining every two years.I,ve got an NVQ2 in defencive driving and decicive driving .NVQ Nil Value Quailifaction!!.But the training is good preparation for the CPC drivers one.
NVQ 2 is equivelent to 5 GCSE and should be viewed as such by any prospective employer.
NVQ 2 are in the main are fully funded by train to gain, and after Sept 09 if you do one with 15 guided learning hours and it is registered in the correct way by your training provider, it wiil count as the first 14 hours training towards your 35 for the drivers CPC self employed owner drivers will also be able to get this funding through their training provider involved in NVQ’s
Hope this helps a bit and moreover saves some money.
I went through a rough spell about two years ago and had to sign on at the Jobcentre for just over a month until I found a new job.
When asked if I had a profession, e.g. carpenter, brick layer; I replied Professional Driver, LGV class 1. The lovely lady browsed her computer screens and replied “sorry sir, LGV driver is not a profession”.
When I quizzed her about paying the best part of 2k to gain these particular two licences, and being held accountable by law as a ‘professional’ driver, she smiled and said tough, you’ll have to take ANY job within 13 weeks or you loose the benefit.
So, I presume that we are not professional. I’m not even sure if we are held accountable as professional drivers by law, but I said it for arguments sake anyway.
Not sure where we stand really?
Paul.
The new Driver CPC will not be recognised as any sort of accolade as there are no exams or tests.