Understanding the Changes to HGV/LGV/PCV Training
The law as it was
Since the early 1990s, drivers had to pass a test to obtain a Category C licence, or Class 2, before being allowed to train and test for a Category C+E licence, or Class 1.
The minimum age to drive a Class 1 vehicle during this period was 21.
The law as it is now
Drivers can now bypass the Class 2 category
Drivers can now bypass the Class 2 category which means that from the age of 18 a driver who has passed a normal car test is able to move straight to Class 1 vehicle training and testing. The change, brought in by the Government, is designed to address the national shortage of HGV drivers.
Drivers can still follow the traditional path of passing the Class 2 test
Drivers can still follow the traditional path of passing the Class 2 test before moving on to Class 1, which is something we recommend as a training specialist. The Class 2 course is cheaper and provides a good basic grounding and even if you intend going straight to Class 1, it’s still an invaluable asset to have some lessons on smaller lorries.
It's sort of comparable to education, in that you can do a Masters but couldn’t do the Masters without first obtaining the Degree. So even though you can now jump straight into a Class 1 lorry, you really need more training - even if you have your Class 2 small lorry licence.
Another important thing...
The other important thing to change is the new legislation which splits the driving test for lorry and bus drivers into two.
It means the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Part 3 Driving Ability Test is now split into category 3a, for off-road exercises including reversing, coupling and uncoupling of a trailer, and 3b for on-road driving. Until this change, a DVSA examiner has had to carry out testing for all these elements but is now only required to carry out 3b testing, while approved training assessors, such as ourselves, can carry out the 3a test.
The cost of taking a Class 2 course and test is cheaper than Class 1.
You must pass both modules of the Part 3 Driving Ability Test, 3a and 3b. You will have to pass module 3a first before taking the 3b test.
Retake it.
No! You would just need to retake 3b.
After 24 hours.
No! You can still take Class 2 first before moving on to the bigger lorries - a move we would always advise you to take as it builds invaluable skills, confidence and experience which will stand you in good stead when making that transition to Class 1.
You can go for a Class 2 or Class 1 - it’s completely up to you.
This all depends on experience. If you have tractor, Class 2, bus driver, trailer or 7.5 tonne driver experience then you will likely already have the necessary skills to be able to reduce the training time.
No, you will need more lessons and pass a Cat C+E test to get the Cat C+E licence.
For more information and to discuss the training and licence options available to you, call us on Shrewsbury 01743 709611, Telford 01952 770659 or Wrexham 01978 805868.
Amazing experience - it’s taken me more thank one go to get my licence and the only reason I continued is because of the amazingly calm, professional and encouraging manner of all Dulson staff. From the original enquiry through to the test, there is nothing they could have done better. Highly recommend.
Ellie
What can I say...
Professionals
Well done to all concerned... from initial contact message through to completed delivery on uploaded training for my CPC.
Andy
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the course yesterday.
Paul was a brilliant instructor and I felt very confident once finishing the course.
Please could you pass on my personal thanks to him.
Carys
Just want to say a massive thank you to Dulson Training for getting me through my class 2 I am so grateful for all the help and support you have given me. I just want to thank the instructors that I had they where great also a big thank you to Steve Dulson for giving me all his help and support such a top bloke and I cant thank you enough. Thank you to Brian too who helped me get there in the end everyone at Dulson is great and I thank you all.
Michael
I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the course content and the trainers who delivered them.
It was easy to book the days that suited me over a two week period and to complete each one. Pat was extremely helpful at every stage and made the process simple and easy with great communication along the way.
It is clear that your team strive to excel and exceed expectations, and on this they delivered it all.
What was also pleasing was that it was interactive and participative with the training team having good interpersonal skills and humour making all the subjects easy to engage with and get the most out of.
Please pass on my thanks to them all.
Just like to add no driver looks forward to their cpc courses Neil & Rose made the course as painless as possible the time flew by, whilst it was done remotely with limitations on discussions we still managed to have some form of discussion between new drivers and the more seasoned drivers. I would just like to extend my thanks to Neil, Rose and Pat very friendly team very helpful and may possibly be back to add to my CPC hours in the future I will be recommending Dulson in the future.
Michael
From the initial phone call to pat about wanting to go for my cat c license right up to steve driving me back from the test site to rodenhurst and everything in between was just brilliant. Loved the cpc modules and steve is an asset to the company. The driving assessment was perfect and the fella that assessed me was brilliant. John was an absolutely fantastic trainer and a really nice fella. Super supportive and encouraging and its because of his wealth of knowledge and information he handed down to me I passed first time. So from start to finish I couldn't have been happier.. thank you
Steve
Everything was absolutely faultless from the moment I first called the office to the moment I left after passing my test. First impressions were very good as the office staff explained everything I needed to do with a provisional and theory tests etc. They sent a full information pack of forms out that i found very useful and made the whole process easy. This is something that stood out to me as other driver training businesses didn’t give me a good first impression. Even though I didn’t pass first time(my fault), Steve and his team worked very hard in finding me a test as soon as possible and at the right time for myself. They were great.
Bradley
A big thanks for all your help with getting me through my class 2. And a massive thanks to Allen for his patients and perseverance. Totally recommended to anyone thanks again
Louis Price
I found the course and the tutors to be very engaging, informative and overall superb.
Thank you to all at Dulson Training for your help and guidance with the CPC course. Brilliant!
Neil
I would like to thank Steve Dulson for organising my training days and I would also like to say a special thankyou to John Challenor who was my coach trainer. The training was well planned with structured lessons. I couldn't have asked for anything more, passing both my cpc mod 4 and pcv practical tests 1st attempt on the same day. A massive thank you to all at Dulson Training for making me feel very welcome.
Tessa Wheeler
Best driving school by far they helped me pass my class 1 and 2 and they did it at times that were suitable to me and they make sure you are 110% ready for your test Highly recommended.
Barry Jarman
Just to say a huge thank you for your help and patience in getting me through my test. Many Thanks Kate
Kate
Just a quick thankyou after having passed my LGV C test this morning and a special thankyou to Allan for his patience and persistence; I really believe that even if I'd failed the test today I would still have emerged a better driver after having met Allan
Gareth John
A big thank you to Allan for his time, skill and patience in getting me through Class C last Thursday.....first time !!!!!
And for my CPC 4 test too !! A full unconditional recommendation to Dulson Training !!!!
John Anyon
HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I did my class 2 with Dulson training and CPC MOD4 and passed both first time! Very friendly instructors and try to help you with what you feel the least confident about ( I had Paul as my instructor ) will definitely be back for my class 1 with Dulson training. 5*
Tyler Adderley
Great team at Dulson's I had the pleasure of tony and Alan for my class two both great guys and easy to get on with and then I had rob for my class one who is top bloke definitely put me at ease straight from the start and definitely helped me on my journey to my new career great advice with all and will 100% recommend to anyone guys thanks and all the best to you all
James Bedworth
I could not of been happier with the whole experience. Very helpful every step of the way and felt comfortable with my instructors.
Steve Smith
We covered all relevant modules , this course was achieved remotely .I found the course full of relevant information and very interesting.
The course was presented in a professional and very easy to follow way via 3 host presenters Rosemary, Dave, Neil,not forgetting pat for her excellent customer service
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