HGV driving?

Question

i really need help here as i'm hearing loads of different things from different people. ok i have driven a bike on a full bike driving licence for 4 yrs now, but before it was on CBT licence for small bikes so really i've been on the road every single day for 7 yrs on a bike, i'm 25 in march and i'm going for my car driving test soon, i dont want a car i just want the licence as i like riding too much. i love being on the road and doing long distances. but i need a car licence as i really really want my class 1 hgv licence as its my dream to do this job, ive always wanted to do it but always had bad jobs. But i really need to know about it... Do i need 2 yrs experience in a car or can i just go straight from my new car licence to a HGV or what as i do have 7 yrs road experience. and i know i'll be 25 in 4 and half month but do you need to be 25 or over, please can someone help me on this as nobody seems to know exactly. Most of my family are HGV drivers but they dont know

Answer 1

With answers like the one from ianchelseanutter, I can see why you are confused - what a load of rubbish!


The facts:

The minimum age for driving an LGV is 21. You could have started your LGV training 4 years ago.

The HGV Class 1 is now called an LGV Class C+E (and has been for about 14 years...).

If you pass your car test (good luck!), you will need to take a further test for Class C, in order to drive anything over 3,500kg. You car licence automatically acts as a Class C provisional.

However, if you pass that test, you WILL be restricted to Class C (rigids) for 2 years, before you can apply for a Class C+E (artics). There is NO '3,2,1' testing.

When you pass your LGV test, you MAY need to work for agencies in order to gain experience. There are still plenty of haulers who will take on newly qualified drivers, though.

LGV stands for Large Goods Vehicle. "Large" replaced "Heavy" (as in HGV), because VOSA felt it was a less emotive words to describe lorries.

I hope you make it!! Britain needs more lorry drivers!

Answer 2

a bike licence used to be able to be upgraded to a hgv provisional but i dont think that is the case anymore but a quick call to dvla will clarify this, a car licence does not automatically give you a hgv provisional you must pass a medical then apply for a class c(old class 2&3) you must pass this test before you can learn to drive c+e(old class 1)but you can take this test as soon as your licence comes back from dvla as a full class c act as a provisional c+e dont forget you will have to do the theory and hazzard perception test. could luck truck driving aint all roses but on a sunny day with clear roads and good music on the radio its the best job in the world

Answer 3

Twisted_Ace is nearly right!!!

You need a full car licence before you can apply for a vocational licence - so yes you will need to do that first -

Once you have a full car licence you do not automatically get a provisional entitlement for Category C (Class 2) (Over 3.5 Tonnes - Rigid Vehicle) - you need to apply for the provisional entitlement by getting a D2 and D4 application forms from DVLA - D2 is the application form and D4 is a medical form which needs to be completed by your GP -

Once you have the provisional Category C you can go ahead and take your theroy and practical test - once you pass and have that put on your licence you will automatically be given a provisional Category C+E which is the old class 1 - you do not need to wait 2 years before you take this test you can do it anytime.

Answer 4

To be able to drive an LGV you do need some experience. Buy a car and drive for a year, then you have a chance of passing. You will have to take 3 tests, LGV 3, 2 then 1, although you can take the next one straight away. Look up on the net and find a school, it's worth going up north if you're a southerner like me, you can save a lot. You will also have to work as an agency driver for a while until you get some experience. Good luck, let me know how you get on! By the way, it's now LGV (laden goods vehicle) now.

Answer 5

in case you have left the militia then your HGV licence is now no longer valid - you would be waiting to reclaim it once you're 21. the only different determination you have is to get an organisation to hire you under the greater youthful drivers scheme and that way you're able to have the C and CE between the age of 18 and 21.

Answer 6

go to dvlc web site,this should show the requirements