How to obtain an LGV Driving Licence

Obtaining a Provisional Licence

In order to obtain a Provisional Licence, you will need to obtain Forms D4 (Medical Form) and D2 (Licence Application Form). These are available from Teesside Transport Training. Provisional Licences are provided free of charge by DVLA. You are required to undertake an LGV medical examination. Once this is completed you simply post the forms along with your licence application form to DVLA in Swansea.

While your application is being processed you will need to start revising for your LGV Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test.

Practical Demonstration Test – New Driver CPC

You may also have to carry out a Module 2 / Case Studies Test. If you passed your car test after January 1997 and intend to go into the Haulage industry you will be required to complete this test also. If you are not going to use your licence as a professional driver and your main trade is not going to be a driver you may not have to carry out this test please phone if you are not sure if you need to do this test.

Once you have passed the Driving Test, you then need to take the New Driver CPC Module 4 Test (in effect since September 10th, 2009). The test is conducted at the same test centre where the practical test was taken, We will book the test for you and provide you with a suitable vehicle for the test and attend one of our Module 4 Classroom Training Sessions.

You can revise from a web site we are partnered with please enquire and we will set the process in motion for you. You can also purchase books and DVDs from any reputable bookshop.

Medical

This can be arranged with your GP, who will charge for this service. Medicals can also be arranged by Teesside Transport Training. The GP must fill in the Medical Form which should be submitted together with your Licence Application Form to DVLA.

Theory Test

When you receive your Provisional Licence, you are then required to take a Theory Test.

Hazard Perception Test

This should be booked at the same time as you book your theory test.

Case Studies Test / Module 2 Test

This should be carried out at the same time as your Theory Test & Hazard Perception Test.

Module 4 Test

If you are doing Module 2 you also have to carry out the Module 4 test. This can be carried out after you have passed your Driving Test at a later date.

Driving Test

With the Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test out of the way, it’s time to get behind the wheel. We will pre-book your test and arrange your training leading up to the driving test date. We will instruct you on all aspects of driving and how to pass your LGV Driving Test.

Driving Licence Entitlements

B: Motor vehicles not exceeding 3500kg having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg.
B+E: Combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer over 750kg.
C1: Lorries between 3500kg and 7500kg with a trailer up to 750kg.
C1+E: Combinations of vehicles where the towing vehicle is in subcategory C1 and its trailer has a MAM of over 750kg provided that the MAM of the combination thus formed does not exceed 12000kg, and the MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.
C: Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to 750kg.
C+E: Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer over 750kg.

LGV/HGV Driving Licence Categories

Category C1 – Minimum age: 18

These are vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes but do not exceed 7.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (G.V.W.). A trailer may be towed provided it does not exceed 750kg (G.V.W.). If you passed your car test before 1997, you will have gained C1 automatically. Passing your car test after 1st January 1997 will limit you to a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes.

Category C – Minimum age 18

Category C is required to drive vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes and not exceeding 32 tonnes. Category C, (known formerly as Class 2) is best described as a rigid vehicle, meaning the cab and trailer are permanently fixed together. Without Category +E entitlement, any trailer being towed must not exceed 750kg (G.V.W.). If you want to hold the C+E licence, you must first acquire the Category C licence.

Category C+E – Minimum age 18

If you want to drive articulated or drawbar type vehicles, then you must gain Category C+E. The letter ‘E’ represents trailer entitlement. Having Category C+E (formerly known as Class 1) means you can drive any type of Large Goods Vehicle. Also Passing the Category C+E practical test will retrospectively give you Category B+E and Category C1+E entitlements.

What happens during your LGV driver training programme

The level of training you receive may vary during the course to suit your needs, since not all trainee drivers learn at the same rate. the following is an outline of what you will expect:-

Day 1

We will check all of the necessary paperwork you have is in order, driving licences, theory pass certificates and so on. We will give you a full introduction to the vehicle being used. You will be shown the various items requiring checking as part of your very important “drivers’ walk-round checks”.

The use of the automatic gearbox, in the case of the large goods vehicles, will be explained. You may well have a short demonstration drive from your instructors to show you just how easy the vehicles are to handle.

Day 2

Having read your comprehensive drivers’ training manual overnight [hopefully!] you will be asked to answer questions about the vehicle.

Normally, on the second day, you will be introduced to the reversing exercise. Whilst as a potential articulated lorry driver this may appear daunting, you will be coaxed gently to achieve a safe reversing technique.

Day 3

We build on the experience you are gaining with your driving and you will find challenges in the form of narrower roads and typical tight turns found in towns and cities, but with the lighter relief, maybe, of motorway driving.

Day 4

This is usually the last day of your training course.

You will have a full session of safety check questions followed by a review of the driving test exercises and a satisfyingly challenging final driving session. This should prepare you fully for the following day.

Day 5

Normally this is the day of your driving test. We will ensure that you have all of the items you require, driving licences and pass certificates, before driving to the Driving Test Centre in Darlington.

This is then your opportunity to put into practice all that you have learned, in order to demonstrate that you have the confidence to drive the chosen vehicle well enough to pass the test.