LGV Driver Training
HGV / LGV Class 2 Driver Training
LGV (HGV) class C is also known as Rigid or class 2. Once you are fully trained and a qualified LGV (HGV) driver you would be able to drive rigid vehicles over 3,500kg (3.5t) in weight with a trailer up to 750kg.
It’s the entry level licence for anyone who wants to become an HGV driver. It is also the category that you must pass to receive the C+E provisional entitlement
We are based in Shaftesbury Dorset and this is where you will start your LGV training with test centres in Poole, Bristol or Taunton. We offer a range of courses depending on your previous driving experience and your driving instructor will be a qualified and registered ADI with years of experience driving large comercial vehicles.
So what is required?
If you are looking drive Class 2 professionally for a living or job then there are 4 ellemnts to the qualification.
- Driver CPC part 1 test: theory
- Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies
- Driver CPC part 3 test: driving ability
- Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration
If you dont wish to drive for a job or reward then you only need to do Parts 1 & 3
Once you have passed both your Multiple Choice and Hazard Perception theory tests your C practical course can be arranged and the practical test can be booked – the test lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
The Category C practical test consists of several parts:
- ‘Show Me Tell Me C‘ – You will be asked 5 questions from the list
- Reverse Manoeuvre – Off Road (See Below)
- General Road Driving – On Road
- Independent Drive – On Road
When you don’t need the full Driver CPC
You don’t need the full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification if you’re using the vehicle for:
non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use
carrying material or equipment you use for your job (driving the vehicle can’t be the main part of your job)
driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
driving to or from pre-booked appointments at official vehicle testing centres
driving within 62 miles (100 kilometres) of your base - but the vehicle can’t be carrying passengers or goods, and driving a lorry, bus or coach can’t be your main job
maintaining public order - and the vehicle is being used or controlled by a local authority
rescue missions or in states of emergency
You also don’t need the full Driver CPC if the vehicle is:
limited to a top speed of 28mph
being used or controlled by the armed forces, police, fire and rescue service, prison service or people running a prison or young offender institution
So what are the costs?
We offer different combinations of Category C training courses:
- 16 Hours – £1,360 (Experienced Category C1 7.5t driver)
- 20 Hours – £1,650 (Little/No Category C1 7.5t Experience)
£250 deposit will be required upon booking and the rest payable no more than 21 days before the start of your course.
The above course prices include VAT and the standard DVSA LGV Test Fee of £115. If you decide on an ‘Out of Hours’ test there is an additional fee of £26 for the DVSA LGV Test.
Applying for a provisional lorry or bus licence
The category of provisional licence you need depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive.
How to apply
To apply, order forms D2 and D4 from DVLA.
The D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. This could be either:
- your GP - but an optician might need to fill in the section about your eyesight
- a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical exams
Your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you.
You can only apply for a provisional trailer (+E) licence when you’ve got the full licence for the vehicle you’ll be driving.
Send the forms
Send both forms and your photocard driving licence to DVLA. There’s no application fee.
You only need to include a passport-style colour photo and original identity documents if you have a paper driving licence.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
How long it takes
You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. It can take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked.
Driver CPC part 1 test: theory
You can book the part 1 theory test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence.
The test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts separately, but you can take them on the same day.
It doesn’t matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
How the test works
Multiple-choice questions part
You can take a practice test to find out how the test works.
The multiple-choice questions part lasts for 1 hour and 55 minutes, and the pass mark is 85 out of 100 questions.
Hazard perception part
Watch a video about how the hazard perception part works.
You’ll watch 19 videos, and there are 20 developing hazards to spot.
The pass mark is 67 out of 100. You can’t review your answers.
Your test result
You’ll be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you’ve just taken.
When you’ve passed both parts, your theory test certificate will be posted to you. You need this when you book your Driver CPC part 3 driving test.
Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.
You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3 driving test within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 1 theory test again.
If you fail the theory tests
You’ll get a results letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed.
You can book another theory test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working days.
Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies
You can book the part 2 case studies test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence. You don’t need to have passed the Driver CPC part 1 theory test.
What to take to your test
You must bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring the right documents.
How the test works
The test is made up of 7 case studies you work through on a computer. The case studies are short stories based on situations that you’re likely to come across in your working life.
You’ll be asked between 6 and 8 multiple-choice questions on each case study.
The test lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the pass mark is 40 out of 50.
Your test result
You’ll get a letter with the results at the test centre.
You need the test pass reference number when you book your Driver CPCpart 4 practical demonstration test.
The pass letter is valid for 2 years.
You need to pass the Driver CPC part 4 practical demonstration test within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 2 case studies test again.
If you fail the test
You’ll get a result letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed.
You can book another case studies test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working days.
Driver CPC part 3 test: driving ability
You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3 test.
What to take to your test
You must bring a lorry or a bus or coach that meets the rules.
You must also bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring these.
How the test works
Your practical test will last about 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes:
- vehicle safety questions
- practical road driving
- off-road exercises
Vehicle safety questions
During your test you’ll be asked vehicle safety questions on either:
- lorries, buses and coaches
- lorries, buses and coaches towing trailers
Practical road driving
During your practical road driving, the examiner will see how you:
- use the vehicle controls
- move away at an angle, uphill and downhill
- do a controlled stop
- use the mirrors
- give appropriate signals
- show awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions
- manage your progress and control your vehicle speed
- deal with hazards
- select a safe place to stop
There will also be 10 minutes of independent driving, designed to test your ability to drive safely while making independent decisions.
Off-road exercises
The off-road exercises will include:
- an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
- showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer
Test result
After you’ve taken the practical test your examiner will tell you if you’ve passed and explain how you did.
You’ll pass your test if you make:
- 15 or fewer driving faults
- no serious or dangerous faults
If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working days.
Please Remeber: If you are using our vehicle for the driving test then please check we are available first.
Please call 01747 440500 to book our services
Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration
You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 2 test before you can book the Driver CPC part 4 test.
Book your test
You can either:
- arrange a test with your trainer
- book a test with DVSA
What to take to your test
You must bring a lorry or a bus or coach that meets the rules.
You must also bring one of the following:
- a Great Britain photocard driving licence
- a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)
If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.
Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring these.
How the test works
You’re tested on being able to:
- load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
- stop trafficking in illegal immigrants
- assess emergency situations
- reduce physical risks to yourself or others
- do a walkaround vehicle safety check
The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.
To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.
Test result
At the end of your test the examiner will tell you if you’ve passed.
If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working days.
Please Remeber: If you are using our vehicle for the Practical Demonstration test then please check we are available first.
Please call 01747 440500 to book our services
To get started with your LGV training in Dorset, please give our customer services team a call on 01747 440500
