HGV Training Courses

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

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.

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 3a test: off road

Your test will last up to 30 minutes, and include:

• an S-shaped reverse into a bay

• showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer

During the test

You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.

If you make a mistake which means you’ve failed, your driving examiner will end the test early.

Test result

If you pass the test, you’ll get a test certificate. You’ll need to take the certificate to your Driver CPC part 3b (on-road driving) test.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3b test within 6 months of getting your certificate. If you do not, you’ll need to pass part 3a again.

If you fail you can book another test straight away, but you must leave at least 24 hours before you take the test again.

Driver CPC part 3b test: driving ability on road

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 includes:

• vehicle safety questions

• practical road driving

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.

Test result

You’ll pass your test if you make:

• 12 or fewer driving faults

• no serious or dangerous faults

If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away. You cannot take the test for another 3 working days, not including the day you took the first test.

Please Remember: 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