Hi all, I want to get my Class2 licence, with a view in the near future to obtain Class1 too. I have 10 years experience of driving coaches, so the size of a Class2 vehicle poses no real scares or problems and wouldn’t take long to get ‘‘up to test’’. The problem I have is that I’m on a budget and feel I’m being ripped off as companies only seem to do intensive courses. I won’t need a day ‘‘on the gear-box’’, a day on manoeuvering, a mock test and then my test to get through, so do I really need to find £1,000 to get my Class2■■ Does anyone know anyone that can help based in the West Midlands??
Cheers guys 
What you need is to do a few assessments at LGV schools so they can see exactly what you need
Knowing your location may help us come up with some ideas - west mids covers a big area
Try Poland or Romania.
Having spent a fair amount of time tipping on landfills I’ve seen a few of our Continental Friends driving as if they got their Licences from the back of a cereal packet !
Thanks Rog. I’m in Birmingham which is why I said West Midlands as I’m more than happy to travel a little bit if it works out cheaper in the long run, you know? I’ve had one assessment so far and another booked for later on today. The company I used seem pretty clued up and are quite well established, I just can’t afford a grand at the moment 
I was just wondering if there was anyone out there that would do the training a bit cheaper.
I spoke to one company over the phone and they said that they only do 5 day courses! Therefore I’m being penalised and forced to pay over the odds for a service I don’t require!! I understand that they’re running a business and that if I pass my test after 2 days, there’s nothing that they can feasibly do with that truck in the remaining 2 days…I’m just struggling to see why I should pay twice the price that I need to…■■
Sorry for waffling lol
And martinviking, I couldn’t agree more mate. I’m convinced that there are several drivers out there that have won their licences in competitions or bought 10 boxes of Corn Flakes lol
As the client you can state how long you want but if the training company advise that such a short time is unlikely to get you in the best position for a pass then you have to take that if you did not pass
The majority of training companies will be in the same price range in regards to daily or hourly prices
stick to coaches! also 10 years of coaches means nothing on LGVs. I struggled for ages after years on coaches to get a start.
The best advice is to look around and book assessments. Folk in your position produce a wide range of assessment results so there really is no sensible alternative.
As far as Rog’s last comment goes, speaking for ourselves, we WILL NOT take on training at a lower figure than assessed. Total waste of time. If your’e assessed, for instance, at 10 hours and decide to book only 6, which 6 would you like? The first 6, middle 6 or last 6? If you are properly and professionally assessed then you should trust that assessment.
It also works the other way. There are unscroupulous trainers out there with little work who will quote you 4 or 6 hours just to get some work. Then you fail - then what?
So it’s more important than ever to select your trainer carefully and trust their advice.
Best of luck with it, Pete 
Why not just do a diy job? 
. Book the test yourself ,if its takes a few attempts it will still work out cheap (ish) 
Shame you missed out on a great offer mr smythe was offering last christmas , still might not of been’ cheap ’ enuff for you tho !
cheers Mike
There is cheap…, and there is CHEAP.
If all you want is poor quality training because its the cheapest in the area, and you still expect to pass first time, then I wish you the best of luck.
I only have one thing to say…
You get what you pay for !!
Thanks for your messages guys although I think I may not have made myself all that clear…What I’m saying is that I’m not a total newbie to driving large vehicles and therefore don’t like being treated as such…I’m not after shoddy training or any corners cut, anything like that, I’m just saying that I don’t see why it’s fair that I should have to pay £1,000 to achieve something that could potentially only cost me £500 or £600, you know? I had a message earlier from an LGV trainer based down south, who regularly does shorter courses for those with more large vehicle driving experience than others and was just curious as to whether there was anyone like that based in the West Midlands??
You can call me all the arrogant gits that you like, but I just know that a first time pass poses no real threat for me
Also, I’ve looked into the diy option and with the cost of truck hire, insurance, fuel and paying someone to train me, it works out far more awkward and expensive…
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
You do right to try and keep the cost down and I suggest you follow my earlier advice to do so.
I have done people in your situation need 4 hours. Also 14 hours and anything inbetween. No point in paying for time you dont need but even less point in wasting your money by getting it wrong.
All the best with whatever you choose, Pete
zzyzxroad:
Thanks for your messages guys although I think I may not have made myself all that clear…What I’m saying is that I’m not a total newbie to driving large vehicles and therefore don’t like being treated as such…I’m not after shoddy training or any corners cut, anything like that, I’m just saying that I don’t see why it’s fair that I should have to pay £1,000 to achieve something that could potentially only cost me £500 or £600, you know? I had a message earlier from an LGV trainer based down south, who regularly does shorter courses for those with more large vehicle driving experience than others and was just curious as to whether there was anyone like that based in the West Midlands??You can call me all the arrogant gits that you like, but I just know that a first time pass poses no real threat for me
Also, I’ve looked into the diy option and with the cost of truck hire, insurance, fuel and paying someone to train me, it works out far more awkward and expensive…
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
An awful lot has changed in 10 years.
I bet you don’t drive to test standards as it is and I bet there are a lot of bad habits that would need ironing out. I’m sure you’re more than capable of driving an LGV but wether you can perform to the standard of the actual test and all it’s technicalities, well it might take longer than you think.
zzyzxroad:
Hi all, I want to get my Class2 licence, with a view in the near future to obtain Class1 too. I have 10 years experience of driving coaches, so the size of a Class2 vehicle poses no real scares or problems and wouldn’t take long to get ‘‘up to test’’. The problem I have is that I’m on a budget and feel I’m being ripped off as companies only seem to do intensive courses. I won’t need a day ‘‘on the gear-box’’, a day on manoeuvering, a mock test and then my test to get through, so do I really need to find £1,000 to get my Class2■■ Does anyone know anyone that can help based in the West Midlands??
Cheers guys
Just a thought !
But I’ve always wondered- if you pass your Class 2 HGV , why do you have to take another test/lessons to gain a Coach licence (or visa versa)
I’ve never driven a coach/bus but it’s the same size as a rigid, I know the loads are different & it’s probably very awkward trying to spanset 50 OAP’s to their seats, but the actual driving is more or less the same apart from Coaches being able to do ‘100’ mph on the motorway .
(Is it just yet another way for our Greedy, Fiddling, Conniving, Thieving Government to gain some more revenue ■■? 
)
well, if the OP wants cheaper training and thinks he needs less than other noobs then try this.
When I did my Class 2, my co trainee was a lad that does fairground work, driving ■■■■■■ huge rigids with a huge trailer.
(Yes, caught, hence the need for the correct licence).
He booked a 2 day course, one day of training, then a morning of brush up before the test.
He was used to larger vehicles, and the 4 over 4 gearbox we used and didn’t really have that many problems.
He was a confident driver, but not over confident or cocky.
Failed his test on jumping out on someone already coming round a roundabout.
Company we both used was Hughes Driver Training/ A1, running out of Drayhaul next to test centre Weedon.
Ring them up and see if you can get a 2 day course.
Keep us updated.
After driving buses and coaches for 7 years I’ve just done my class 2, and was recommended to take 4 days on a rigid. I found it quite exhausting to drive to a DSA standards and failed my 1st test.
All the best
Andy.
Saying something and doing something are 2 different things! Ok you have been driving coaches for so long, which is all well and good, but that doesn’t make you eligible to be treated any different, as others have said an assessment drive will determine how long you need
Hi all. I’m thinking from some of the responses that I’m getting, that I may have inadvertantly insulted a few of you…? I’m also sensing that a few of you are under the impression that I’m a cocky, arrogant ‘‘son of a…’’ too?? Far from the case in both respects, I can assure you all. I’m in no way saying that driving LGVs is easy or just because of a decade of PCV work behind me, I will automatically jump into an 18t rigid and pass my test after a couple of hours behind the wheel, I’m certainly not that conceited or arrogant. I have the utmost respect for the vehicles in question and for any drivers, examiners and instructors of these vehicles too.
The point I was trying to make is, through having a dubious and sceptical nature, I can’t help feeling at the back of my mind that there will be companies out there that won’t shortsell themselves, they are after all, running a business. If it takes me 12 hours training to get me through my test, I will have no problem in accepting that and pay the necessary, I just know that I have confidence in my abilities and with a bit of brushing up and ironing out of any bad habits, it won’t take me long to get ‘‘up to test’’. I am also very aware that on a test, things can happen, nerves can get the better of you, an ■■■■■■■■ can cut you up, you can forget things, it’s easily done. I did it myself on my PCV test and very nearly fluffed it… I will never forget the examiners words at the end of the test when he said ‘‘Congratulations on passing your test, despite trying so hard to fail’’ lol
I will definitely keep you all posted with my progress, and I wish you all many years of safe and happy miles and smiles.
So I presume you’re going for some assessments?
Pete
The O.P. would need to do the theory test for LGVs before doing the practical test.I think he would need 2 days to become familiar with the new vehicle.