NEW LGV QUALIFICATION FOR TRUCK DRIVERS
If you are learning to drive a truck and intend to drive in a professional capacity in the EU, from 10 September 2009 you must have a new qualification, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), in addition to your vocational licence.
All new drivers upgrading to an LGV must complete all four modules, anyone who passed their LGV licence before 1st January 1997 is exempt from Modules 2 and 4.
Let us take you through our step-by-step guide.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LGV DRIVERS:
You must hold full (not provisional) category B entitlement (car) before you can take a LGV test. You must also gain a full C entitlement before taking a second test to add the trailer entitlement (+E). Not required for trailers that weigh less than 750 kg.
If you hold a valid licence and want to add provisional entitlement to drive Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) you need to complete application form D2 to upgrade your licence (there is no fee required to upgrade your licence) along with the medical report form D4. The D4 must be completed by a doctor and you should ensure that all the relevant questions are completed. The doctor will charge you for completing the report, we offer a discounted services so speak to us on FREEPHONE 08000 52 54 56
It is also necessary to return original documentation confirming your identity. There is no fee required for the application. The address to send this information is The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, SA99 1BR or you may be able to use the Post Office checking service
DVLA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within two weeks of receiving your application. It will take longer if your health or personal details have to be checked.
DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED AT THE TEST:
When you arrive at the test centre you will be expected to show both parts of your valid driving licence (the photocard and the paper counterpart).
You should also take your appointment letter or booking number. If you do not take the correct documents with you on the day you will not be able to take your test and you will lose your fee.
If you have an old style licence you must take both your paper licence along with a valid passport. The DSA no longer accept any other form of photographic identification.
HOW TO GAIN YOUR DRIVER CPC:
MODULE 1 - Licence Acquisition Multiple Choice Theory Test & Hazard Perception Test
The theory test is divided into two parts. The multiple choice test and the hazard perception test. The two parts can be taken at different times but both parts must be passed within a 24 month period to obtain a valid theory test pass.
Part one - multiple choice A question and several answer options will appear onscreen and you will have to select the correct answer to the question. Some questions may require more than one answer.
You will be asked 100 questions in 115 minutes. You can navigate between questions and ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later in the test.
The pass mark for the multiple choice part of the theory test is 85 out of 100.
Part two - hazard perception You will be presented with a series of 19 video clips which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.
To achieve a high score you will need to respond to the developing hazard during the early part of its development. The maximum you can score on each hazard is five. You will not be able to review your answers to the hazard perception test; as on the road, you will only have one chance to respond to the developing hazard.
The pass mark for the hazard perception part of the theory test is 67 out of 100.
MODULE 2 - The Driver CPC Case Study Test
In addition to passing Module 1, if you wish to obtain your Driver CPC and drive professionally, you also need to pass the Case Study Test. With each Case Study based on a real-life scenario that you may encounter in your working life, the case study method tests your knowledge and basic understanding by examining how you put your skills into practice.
Questions are based around these scenarios, and you will be asked to answer in a number of different ways, for example
- Selecting from multiple choice answers
- Clicking an area of a photograph or image
- Giving a short text answer
There will be seven case studies, each with between six and eight questions. The test, including the introductory screens, will last for 1 hour 30 minutes.
MODULE 3 - Practical Driving Test
You will need to pass the Practical Driving Test if you are a new LGV driver. It will be slightly longer than before, to allow you to show the examiner how you drive in a wider range of situations and on different types of road.
CAT C PRACTICAL TEST:
Drivers seeking vocational licence entitlement should be experienced and technically expert, the assessment criteria reflects this. At the beginning of the test you will be asked five vehicle related safety questions which will be a combination of "show me" and "tell me". A driving fault will be recorded for each incorrect answer to a maximum of four driving faults. If the candidate answers all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault will be recorded.
VEHICLE SAFETY QUESTIONS
These are basic safety checks that you should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, you won't be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for you to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.
You will be asked five questions that will be a combination of 'show me' and 'tell me'. A driving fault will be recorded for each incorrect answer to a maximum of four driving faults. If you answer all five questions incorrectly, a serious fault will be recorded. Happy Hour Training Services will supply you with the safety questions.
After the safety questions you will be examined on your general driving and on set exercises. The set exercises will include:
- An ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
- A braking exercise
The drive on the road last about 60 minutes and the overall test takes about 90 minutes.
This video is a PCV test, however the PCV & LGV driving tests are the same.
MODULE 4 - The Driver CPC Practical Demonstration Test
This is also a practical test, but it is only for new professional drivers who need to obtain their Driver CPC. It assesses your knowledge and abilities on matters of safety and security. For example, you will be required to show the examiner that you have knowledge of the following:
- Safe use of your vehicle, and the checks that you should make on the vehicle before driving
- Safe and secure loading
- How to check that your vehicle is secure from criminal acts and trafficking
- How to assess emergencies and risks.
PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST C+E TRUCK AND TRAILER
PRACTICAL TEST:
If you have already passed your truck test (Category C) and you need to tow a trailer greater than 750kgs then you will need to take a lorry and trailer test (Category C+E). You do not need to apply for provisional licence as you automatically have provisional C+E entitlement added onto your paper counterpart licence when you pass the C test. No theory and hazard perception test is required.
Coupling / Uncoupling:
For tests on Category C+E (Arctic lorry) there is a requirement to demonstrate uncoupling/recoupling of the trailer. Trainees will be asked to uncouple the trailer and then park the vehicle alongside the trailer. The towing vehicle is then realigned with the trailer before recoupling. During the exercise the candidate is assessed on:
- Control of the vehicle
- Accuracy of the manoeuvre
- Effective observation
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU:
- Assist with the paperwork for D2 application and D4 medical
- We can arrange for medicals at a lower cost
- Assist with the training for theory and hazard perception
- Assist with booking practical test and setting up course
- Happy Hour will book all tests online – with no booking fee charged for any test
HAPPY HOUR TRAINING COURSES:
Happy Hour Instructor Trainers are all fully qualified Approved Driving Instuctors (ADIs) and are LGV Fleet Registered through the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The training courses can be delivered over 2 days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days with a practical test at the end. The training programme will be structured to suit your individual needs and also structured to fit into your busy everyday life. The training can be carried out on a one:one ratio or two:one ratio. This will be down to the trainee’s discretion.
