{"id":562,"date":"2013-10-08T01:58:32","date_gmt":"2013-10-08T01:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/?p=562"},"modified":"2019-02-05T11:21:12","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T11:21:12","slug":"getting-a-heavy-vehicle-driving-licence-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/getting-a-heavy-vehicle-driving-licence-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a heavy vehicle driving licence in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">You have to apply for the correct provisional entitlements if you want to become a lorry or coach driver. If you wish to drive a lorry or a coach as a profession you\u2019ll have to complete the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) and get a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) that you need to carry with you while driving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Lorries are called Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and coaches are called Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) in licensing terms.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Steps in getting a LGV or PCV licence<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Below are the steps and the course of actions you\u2019ll need to do for each step to get a LGV or a PCV driving licence<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">1. Application requirements<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You must be over 18 years old<\/li>\n<li>You must hold a full car driving licence of category B<\/li>\n<li>You must be able to pass the <a href=\"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/driving-if-ill-disabled\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">medical requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">2. Applying for a LGV or PCV driving licence<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvla.gov.uk\/dvla\/onlineservices\/order_forms.aspx?ext=dg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">D2<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/d4-medical-examination-report-vision-assessment--2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">D4<\/a> forms (click here for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/medical-examination-report-d4-information-and-useful-notes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">D4 guidelines<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Send the D2, D4, and your driver licence to DVLA<\/li>\n<li>Include the D740 form if you hold a photocard licence<\/li>\n<li>Include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/id-for-driving-licence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">original identity documents<\/a> together with a passport-style colour photo if you hold a paper licence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> You can usually get your driver licence within 3 weeks after the DVLA has received your application.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">3. Driving theory test<\/h3>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">The driver theory test for bus and lorry is divided into 2 parts<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>multiple choice<\/li>\n<li>hazard perception test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You have to pass both within 2 years of each other to obtain your theory test certificate. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/book-a-driving-theory-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">book for the test online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After passing both the multiple choice and hazard perception tests you will then get your theory test certificate including your theory test number on it which is a requirement to book for a practical driving test.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">4. Practical driving test<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The practical driving test (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/book-practical-driving-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">book online<\/a>) is a 90-minute test which includes the following categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>vehicle safety questions<\/li>\n<li>practical road driving<\/li>\n<li>off-road exercises<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Vehicle safety question<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Vehicle safety questions will be asked during your practical driving test for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/222568\/dg_170486.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">buses and lorries<\/a>, and for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/222570\/dg_170487.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> buses and lorries with trailers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Practical road driving<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">During the practical road driving there will be a 10-minute independent driving to assess your ability to make decisions on your own and drive safely. The examiner will also check on you in the following aspects:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>braking test<\/li>\n<li>use of mirrors<\/li>\n<li>vehicle controls<\/li>\n<li>driving in uphill and downhill<\/li>\n<li>use of correct signals<\/li>\n<li>awareness and anticipation of other road users\u2019 intentions<\/li>\n<li>choosing a safe place to stop<\/li>\n<li>dealing with hazards<\/li>\n<li>controlling speed and managing progress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Off-road exercises<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The off-road exercise consists of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2018S\u2019 shaped reverse into a bay and<\/li>\n<li>uncoupling and recoupling procedure (if testing with trailer)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">The test result<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After taking the practical test the examiner will declare if you passed or failed, and will also explain how you did in the test.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Vehicle qualifications for C, C1, C+E, and C1+E tests &#8211; Lorries<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lorries and coaches should meet certain qualifications (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/new-laden-testing-rules-for-driving-test-vehicles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">subject to change<\/a> on November 15, 2013) for the practical driving test to proceed.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">For lorries the vehicle must:<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>be capable of reaching 50mph<\/li>\n<li>be equipped with a tachograph<\/li>\n<li>be equipped (excluding the trailer) with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)<\/li>\n<li>have externally mounted offside and nearside mirrors for both the driver and the examiner<\/li>\n<li>have seats with seatbelts for the examiner or the person that will supervise the test<\/li>\n<li>have an enclosed box construction at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle (applicable for cargo compartment trailers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> A tractor unit will not be allowed for a category C or C1 test. The trailer could be a bit less in width than the towing vehicle only if it is equipped with external mirrors.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">C1 and C1+E &#8211; Medium-sized lorries<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Category <strong>C1<\/strong> vehicle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>minimum of 5 metres in length<\/li>\n<li>maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least 4 tonnes<\/li>\n<li>have an enclosed box construction at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: MAM or also know as \u2018gross vehicle weight\u2019 is the maximum weight of the vehicle with the maximum load that it could carry safely while being driven in the road.<\/p>\n<p>2 types of category <strong>C1+E<\/strong> vehicle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>medium-sized articulated lorry with a length combination of at least 8 metres and a MAM of at least 6 tonnes<\/li>\n<li>a combination of a category C1 vehicle towing a trailer with a MAM of at least 2 tonnes and a length combination of at least 8 metres.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">C and C+E &#8211; large goods lorries<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Category <strong>C<\/strong> vehicles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>minimum length of 8 metres<\/li>\n<li>minimum width of 2.4 metres<\/li>\n<li>MAM of at least 12 tonnes<\/li>\n<li>at least 8 forward gearbox ratios<\/li>\n<li>have an enclosed box construction at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2 types of category <strong>C+E<\/strong> vehicle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>articulated lorry with a minimum and maximum length of 14 to 16.5 metres and a MAM of at least 20 tonnes<\/li>\n<li>a combination of a category C vehicle towing a trailer with a MAM of 20 tonnes and a length combination of at least 14 metres with at least 7.5 metres from coupling eye to the extreme rear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">Vehicle qualifications for D, D1, D+E, and D1+E tests &#8211; Buses and coaches<\/h4>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">For buses and coaches the vehicle must:<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>be capable of reaching 50mph<\/li>\n<li>be equipped with a tachograph<\/li>\n<li>be equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)<\/li>\n<li>have externally mounted offside and nearside mirrors with correctly aligned mirrors for use of the examiner<\/li>\n<li>have seats with seatbelts for the examiner or the person that will supervise the test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Prison vans and stretch limousines on a lorry chassis won\u2019t be allowed for category D test<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Sub-category D1 and D1+E &#8211; Minibuses<\/h5>\n<p>Category <strong>D1<\/strong> &#8211; Minibuses<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>at least 5 metres in length<\/li>\n<li>between 9-16 passenger seats<\/li>\n<li>MAM of at least 4 tonnes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Category <strong>D1+E<\/strong> &#8211; D1 vehicles towing a closed box trailer<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>at least 2 metres in height and width<\/li>\n<li>MAM of at least 1.25 tonnes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Category D and D+E &#8211; Buses and coaches<\/h5>\n<p>Category <strong>D<\/strong> &#8211; Buses and coaches<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>at least 10 metres in length<\/li>\n<li>at least 2.4 metres in width<\/li>\n<li>more than 8 passenger seats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Category <strong>D+E<\/strong> &#8211; D vehicles towing a closed box trailer<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>at least 2 metres in height and width<\/li>\n<li>MAM of at least 1.25 tonnes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You have to apply for the correct provisional entitlements if you want to become a lorry or coach driver. If you wish to drive a lorry or a coach as a profession you\u2019ll have to complete the Driver Certificate of<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/getting-a-heavy-vehicle-driving-licence-in-the-uk\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,9,94,95],"tags":[30,70,116,115],"class_list":["post-562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advice","category-car","category-heavy-vehicle","category-passenger-vehicle","tag-driving","tag-driving-licence","tag-hgv-licence","tag-lgv-licence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=562"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3622,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562\/revisions\/3622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}