Hello I am a new member!
I have been driving buses and coaches since 1997 but am now interested in taking LGV test(s).
I already have digital tacho & Driver CPC. these can transfer from PCV to LGV?
I will need to get a new medical and provisional entitlement though?
redzed:
Hello I am a new member!I have been driving buses and coaches since 1997 but am now interested in taking LGV test(s).
I already have digital tacho & Driver CPC. these can transfer from PCV to LGV?
I will need to get a new medical and provisional entitlement though?
- then start on the tests?
Thanks.
Digi can be used in any digi tacho be it LGV or PCV
I assume you passed car test before 1997 so you should already have a PCV and LGV DQC 
Check the paper part of your licence and see if it has C provisional on it - if it does then no new medical needed
If you have done a D4 medical within the last few months then that can cover you for C provisional application if not already on paper part
If you need medical than pay more than £60 = consider yourself ripped off
Driver CPC. these can transfer from PCV to LGV?
Assuming you passed your car test before 97, then the periodic training I hope you’ve already done will cover both. It will show on the front of you DQC.
Pete 
Thanks for the prompt replies 
When back at work checked my driver cards and I am covered by CPC for cat. C and C&E so that is handy.
From talking to others it seems that I could have asked for a provisional entitlement at the same time as getting my original bus licence , but I didnt (or more likely the bus company filled the form and didn’t want me too lol!!)
I got my D2 today, the form is not that clear, but then checked the booklet that came with it and if you are applying for either a bus or a lorry as an additional category to whichever one you already have you do need to do a new medical.
My doctors charge £85 for medical but have found ads for £65 and £50 in the city - however getting the day off + travel costs may favour my doctor.
Now for a more subjective question - will my existing driving experience make me an any more likely employment prospect than just going straight from a car licence?
I also have my Institute Advanced motorists pass at Commercial level, and done skid pan training for which I have a certificate from a previous bus company that I worked for.
redzed:
Now for a more subjective question - will my existing driving experience make me an any more likely employment prospect than just going straight from a car licence?
In a nutshell I’d say yes. I went from PCV to HGV and at 23 years old and wet behind the ears I got plenty of agency work on class 2. The agency explained that I had 4 years PCV experience and most companies were happy to accept that in lieu of HGV experience.
In a nutshell I’d say yes. I went from PCV to HGV and at 23 years old and wet behind the ears I got plenty of agency work on class 2. The agency explained that I had 4 years PCV experience and most companies were happy to accept that in lieu of HGV experience.
Cheers I’m just passed 40 so getting to the stage that if I don’t do it now never will - do you prefer it to the buses?
For what its worth we are 12 hr shifts 5 days over 7 inc Sat/Sun - so might even consider overnighting if I got the weekend off?
Many employers/agencies want to the driver to have HELD the category for the job which they are applying for X amount of time and ignore all other experiences - that does not mean its impossible to get a foot on the ladder because some prefer a new driver with experience in other areas
Getting a full time perm job is likely to be much harder
redzed:
In a nutshell I’d say yes. I went from PCV to HGV and at 23 years old and wet behind the ears I got plenty of agency work on class 2. The agency explained that I had 4 years PCV experience and most companies were happy to accept that in lieu of HGV experience.
Cheers I’m just passed 40 so getting to the stage that if I don’t do it now never will - do you prefer it to the buses?
- I actually like the job (most of the time even the passengers) but tired of the bad hours, though we are on long distance tacho hours anyway so no 37 hr week, so thinking I might as well take the plunge.
For what its worth we are 12 hr shifts 5 days over 7 inc Sat/Sun - so might even consider overnighting if I got the weekend off?
I’ve just done the same here too. After 6 years on the buses I decided enough was enough and got my C/CE licences out of the way - passed the CE in April but had stayed in the old job until the tests were passed!
The company I now work for (albeit doing C work but getting paid CE rate!) told me at interview that they would have preferred 2 years HGV experience but as I’d been driving professionally they didn’t see their insurers having an issue with it.
With regards to the work side, look around. I’m doing day work delivering pelleted goods and get the weekends off. Nights out might pay more but I guess that depends largely on what your wage is like at the moment!