What is an HGV Lorry Licence?
An LGV (or HGV) licence allows the holder to drive either a Category C1 (7.5 Tonne) Van, a Category C (Class 2) rigid truck or a Category C+E (Class 1) lorry.
Before 21st November 2021, you had to, by law, gain your Category C licence before training for your Category C+E licence. This restriction has now been removed, meaning you can go straight from a Car (Category B) licence, straight to a C+E. Category C (LGV 2) rigid lorry driver training is still available. We recommend you still consider training for your Category C licence before progressing onto training for your Category C+E licence, as the fast track training from a Car to C+E is an intensive course and can be a little intimidating for those who have never driven an HGV before.
Category C licence holders can drive any rigid lorry with a trailer up to 750kg, but towing with a trailer carrying anything over 750kg would require a Category C+E licence.
Category C+E licence holders on the other hand can drive a rigid lorry with a trailer carrying a weight over 750kg and they can also drive a tractor unit (truck cab) with a trailer also known as an articulated lorry.
The weight restrictions for a Category C+E licence holder are defined by the vehicle's axel weight limits set by the manufacturer of the truck.
So no matter which lorry driver training you require, our range of courses will help you obtain your LGV licence.
What is HGV Training?
Training for Heavy Goods Vehicles (also known as Large Goods Vehicles) is designed to give drivers the confidence and skills necessary for these larger vehicles.
There are two different categories of licence for Heavy Goods Vehicles, C and C+E, which each allow the driver to operate a different category of vehicle.
The rigid category C LGV 2 lorry driver training historically has been the following progressive step drivers take when going from having a car or better yet, a 7.5-tonne licence to work their way up to gain their artic category C+E LGV 1 licence.
You first need to understand the types of training and their focuses which will impact both your training path and costs.
LGV/HGV Lorry Training Courses
Here at 2 Start Ltd we provide leading LGV & HGV driver training to help students obtain their Category C1, Category C or Category C+E driving licence through our intensive "hands-on" theory and practical based courses.
Our range of HGV Courses provide our students everything from just practical hours in the category of vehicle to refresh themselves, right through to the complete package solution that will include the medical forms, obtaining provisional licence entitlement for the category of vehicle they wish to drive, the theory tests and their driver CPC which would typically include the Mod 2 & Mod 4 training along with the students 3a Off-Road Exercises with the 3a test and practical 3b driving test with a DVSA examiner as well.
Speak to our team of friendly advisors today to get the best Class 1 training cost based on your exact requirements.
Step 1 – Meeting the Requirements
The first step into gaining your LGV driving licence is to ensure you meet the minimum requirements which include:
- Ensuring you are 18 years old or above.
- Ensuring you already hold a Category B car licence.
You will not be able to begin your LGV training if you do not yet hold a car (Category B) driving licence.
Once you are 18 years of age and hold a full UK Category B car driving licence, you are ready to move onto step 2.
Step 2 – Completing your Medical & Gaining your Provisional Licence
The second step into gaining your licence includes completing your driver medical and obtaining your provisional LGV licence.
Step 3 – Hazard Perception & Theory Tests
To get to this point, you will have successfully passed your driver's medical and gained your provisional licence. You will now need to book both your Hazard Perception and Theory tests.
Depending on the LGV training package you have chosen, our 2 Start team will look to arrange these for you if they are included in your package.
Step 4 – Practical Training & Test
Now that you have passed your theory tests, it is time to start your practical driver training! Here at 2 Start Training, we have a variety of LGV training courses for both CAT C & C+E vehicles. Our team of training advisors will work with you to decide the ideal course that suits all your needs.
Once you have completed your training and our instructors feel you are ready, it will then be up to you to pass your 3a test at an approved training centre and also pass your 3b practical HGV driving test.
Step 5 – CPC Training
Any driver who is hoping to drive a vehicle over 3.5-tonnes commercially or for hire and reward purposes is required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5-years.
Those who are new to professional driving and do not currently hold a Category C licence will need to complete Initial training, including their MOD 2 case study & MOD 4 vehicle walkaround checks training and tests. You will then be required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years.
After you have completed the 5 steps mentioned above, you will have completed your driver training and gained your full licence. You are now able to take a job as an LGV or lorry driver and begin your journey in your new career.
What is the difference between Category C and Category C+E?
While some ask the question What is the difference between LGV and HGV?, the next biggest question we are typically asked is about the difference between Category C and Category C+E.
The licence category classification C (also known as Cat C, LGV 2, and Class 2) qualification allows drivers to operate vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg MAM). Licence category classification C+E (also known as Cat CE, LGV 1, and Class 1).
For more information on Category C and Category C+E licence categories, visit our LGV 2 and straight to C+E or upgrade from LGV 2 to LGV 1 pages or the Gov.uk website.
November 2021 Changes to Category C+E Licence Requirements
As of 15th November 2021, the DVSA changed the test requirements for a driver holding a category B licence looking to gain their Category C+E.
Since these changes, you can now:
- Learn to drive in an articulated lorry (category CE) if your provisional lorry licence was issued from 15 November 2021 (if you had a provisional licence before this date, you need to take extra steps to upgrade your provisional licence)
- Take your test in a large articulated lorry without having to pass one in a large rigid lorry (category C) first.
In addition to the above changes for C+E licence requirements, the Driver CPC part 3 tests are also changing as follows:
As of 29th November 2021, part 3 of the practical test was split into 2 parts.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence part 3 (driving ability) test is 1 of the 4 tests you must pass to drive a lorry for a living.
You now need to book and take your test in 2 parts:
How much does HGV/LGV training cost?
Many ask us if HGV training is cheap? This purely depends on the course you book.
The LGV driving course you require will depend on the category of vehicle you would like to drive and your current level of HGV driving experience along with any modules you may have already completed.
The cost of the training will be respective of the required number of theory and practical based training hours you will need to receive. This again comes back to your current level of experience and the vehicle classification you wish to drive; we can also offer an evaluation session with one of our instructors who will then be able to advise of the recommended number of training hours you will likely require to be test ready.
So no matter if you are looking for Category C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E, C or C+E licence costs, our team of advisors can discuss this with you after identifying which modules of the complete training package you require, which all impact the final price.
You can contact our team on: 02392 123 555 and get started today!
What Cat C (LGV 2) training packages are available?
For LGV 2 training, the training packages you can choose from include:
- LGV 2 course 5 days, which offers 17.5 hours of training and the DVSA test
- LGV 2 course 4 days, which offers 14 hours of training and the DVSA test.
- LGV 2 bronze package, which includes 17.5 hours of training and the DVSA test & CPC
- LGV 2 silver package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test and CPC
- LGV 2 gold package, which includes 17.5 hours of initial training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test, CPC and one retest on both theory and driving tests.
- LGV 2 professional package, which includes 17.5 initial hours of training, medicals and the theory test, the DVSA test, CPC and two retests on both theory and driving tests. If the course is passed on the first attempt – meaning that the retests are not required – you will be offered a free HIAB or ADR course.
- LGV 2 ultimate package, which includes 17.5 initial hours of training, medicals, and the theory test, the DVSA test, practical CPC module 4, two retests and C+E training. This course is everything you need to be able to drive a C rigid to full articulated vehicle C+E. If you pass the course on your first attempt with this package, you will receive the offer of a free HIAB or ADR training course.
What Cat C+E (LGV 1) training packages are available?
For LGV 1, the packages you can choose from include:
- LGV 1 Lesson, which includes 3.5 hours of training and a full articulated vehicle and trailer.
- LGV 1 bronze package, which includes 14 hours of training, a full articulated vehicle and trailer, and a DVSA test.
- LGV 1 silver package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test and is ideal for beginners.
- LGV 1 gold package, which includes 17.5 hours of training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test and is ideal for beginners plus one retest on the driving test.
- LGV 1 platinum package, which includes 17.5 hours of initial training, full articulated vehicle and trailer, the DVSA test, two retests and is ideal for beginners. If you purchase this package and you pass the course on your first attempt, you will receive a free 5-day ADR or HIAB course.
To take the above upgrade from LGV 2 to LGV 1 course, you MUST have first passed the LGV 2 course and will not be allowed to participate until you have passed that course.
What does HGV stand for?
HGV stands for Heavy Goods Vehicle and is typically the acronym used in the UK logistics industry when talking about lorry driving. HGV training refers to driver training that includes vehicles with a gross combined mass of over 3500kgs.
If you are planning on driving vehicles that fall into specific weight categories, you will need to complete licence acquisition.
HGV Driver Training at 2 Start
To obtain an HGV licence, you need to be aged 18 or older, hold a full UK car driving licence, Complete and pass all theory and practical tests and complete any Driver CPC training (if required).
HGV drivers are the backbone of the UK’s economy and logistics distribution network, training to become an HGV driver will allow you to join this in-demand industry sector and help the UK regain its strength logistically after the recent HGV driver shortage.
2 Start provides several LGV driving courses, which can all be booked online.
Our training facilities
We provide HGV training across the South Coast and our training depots cover the following areas:
All of our training depots have on-site reversing facilities and are approved DVSA 3a sites. It is extremely rare to find an HGV training company that have their own on-site reversing facilities, as most sites are not big enough to allow this. This means you can practice your HGV reversing manoeuvres on the same facilities that you will be tested on! Additionally, all of our training depots have well-lit and fully-equipped classroom facilities, including air conditioning.
If 2 start are the HGV training company for you, contact our team of advisors on 02392 123 555.
Why Train with 2 Start?
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