Getting a truck driving license in the UK

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Licence: You will need to get a truck driving license in the UK (Heavy Goods Vehicles Driving licence) to drive vehicles above 3.5 tonnes in the United Kingdom.

Lorries are called Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) and coaches are called Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) in licensing.

In UK you need a Category C, C+E, C1, C1+E and a Category D, D+E, D1 D1+E to be able to drive vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. As long as your UK full driving licence mentions the type of vehicle you intend to drive.

You have to apply for the correct provisional entitlements if you want to become a Large Goods Vehicles or Passenger Carrying Vehicle, driver. If you wish to drive a lorry or a coach as a profession you’ll 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. get a truck driving license in the UK Getting a truck driving license in the UKget a truck driving license in the UK (Heavy Goods Vehicles Driving licence 3.5 tonnes)

Getting a truck driving license in the UK for Medium-sized vehicles with or without trailers

Category C1: Vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 7,500kg with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750kg – 18 years.

Category C1+E: As category C1 but with a trailer over 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 12,000kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle – 21 years and above.

Large vehicles with or without trailers

Category C: Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg – 21 years and above. Vehicle weights explained

Category C+E: Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer over 750kg – 21 years and above.

Minibuses with or without trailers

Category D1: Vehicles with a minimum of nine and a maximum of 16 passenger seats, with or without a trailer – weighing no more than 750kg – 21 years and above.

Category D1+E: As category D1 but with a trailer over 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 12,000kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle – 21 years and above. get a truck driving license in the UK

Buses with or without trailers

Category D: Any bus with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg – 24 years and above.

Category D+E: As category D but with a trailer over 750kg – 24 years and above.

Applying for a Large Goods Vehicles or Passenger Carrying Vehicle driving licence

Requirements for application

  • You must be over 18 years old
  • You must hold a full car driving licence of category B
  • You must be able to pass the medical requirements
  • Complete the D2 and D4 forms (click here for D4 guidelines)
  • Send the D2, D4, and your driver licence to DVLA
  • Include the D740 form if you hold a photocard licence
  • Include original identity documents together with a passport-style colour photo if you hold a paper licence

Taking the Driving theory test

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.

Taking the practical test.

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. Vehicle safety questions will be asked during your practical driving test for buses and lorries, and for buses and lorries with trailers. You can also get to us for more details about how to get a UK driving licence online without test. Get a truck driving license in the UK. The examiner will also check on you in the following aspects:

  • braking test
  • use of mirrors
  • vehicle controls
  • driving in uphill and downhill
  • use of correct signals
  • awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions
  • choosing a safe place to stop
  • dealing with hazards
  • controlling speed and managing progress

NOTE: There are many good training providers around to prepare you for the practical driving test. Shop around, but remember the cheapest
is not always the best. Look for a provider with a proven track record and compare first-time pass rates.
You will also need to consider the structure of the training provider. Is it a well-established local provider or a broker who relies on subcontracted trainers? Both structures offer different potential advantages and also possible drawbacks, so please ensure you make
the correct choice for your own needs.
In general, it will take around five days of intensive driving to prepare you for your test and many training providers will offer a precourse assessment to determine the length of the course. The test itself lasts approximately 90 minutes and takes in various different
types of road. This is carried out by a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiner. The cost for the test, excluding the cost of your
driver training, is £115.
If you want to use your LGV licence to earn a living, there is one more part of the initial qualification Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence you will need to pass. Buy a truck driving license

Rules and regulations for HGV drivers

LGV or PCV driving licenceget a truck driving license in the UK (LGV or PCV driving licence)

The main EU rules on driving hours are that you must not drive more than:

  • 9 hours in a day – this can be extended to 10 hours twice a week
  • 56 hours in a week
  • 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks. Get a truck driving license in the UK
  • at least 11 hours rest every day – you can reduce this to 9 hours rest 3 times between any 2 weekly rest periods
  • an unbroken rest period of 45 hours every week – you can reduce this to 24 hours every other week
  • a break or breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes driving
  • your weekly rest after 6 consecutive 24-hour periods of working, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period taken

Lorry driving is a great career to jump into if you have just left education, have been … The average salary for a Cat C+E LGV (Class 1 HGV) driver in the UK is … If you don’t already have a car driving licence, to get one you need to apply for a …Get your HGV Licence (Category C, C+E, C1, C1+E) to drive Heavy Goods Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes in the United Kingdom. About; Eligibility … The HGV Licence enables individuals to operate trucks or lorries that are more than 3.5 tonnes. get a truck driving license in the UK

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