HcV CoRIVING TEST
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If tales of driver shortages and declining numbers of test candidates make you think about becoming a professional truck driver, read Steve Mc Queen's simple guide, which includes everything you need to know about applying for an HGV test.
It has not been possible to take the rigid and articulated truck driving tests at the same time since January 1997. Assuming you hold a category A licence (cars), you must take the category C licence test (rigids) first, before you take the C+E (articulated vehicles) driving test. There are movi.s afoot to introduce a mandatory year's break between the two tests so that drivers will accumulate the "necessary" HGV driving experience. So if you are thinking about funding your own training, now might be a good time.
It costs you different amounts depending on which part of the country you live in. The box opposite shows average costs, but these are only a guide. Sonic package deals will include several of them. For example. ;it Lane Force in Bristol, the five-day driver training package for a company trainee for the Category C licence will cost i:602.25, and this includes an initial assessment, the driving test fee and VAT If you are a private individual you can get the same deal for £518.02, because the price includes tax relief.
However, don't judge a training organisation on its price alone. Any truck driver can set up an HGV driver training centre, but properly trained instructors will be on either the Rum or the DSA instructor register. Both schemes are voluntary, hut registration is subject to the instructor satisfying criteria in a two-part driving and instructional technique examination.
An RTITB-approved instructor will carry a badge with a photograph and a registration expiry date printed on it. There is also a wallet with the same details inside it. The DSA has a similar identification scheme. Make sure you see some identification, or a certificate to prove their registration.
Don't be afraid to check whether or not there is a training programme. This will indicate that the training has been structured in some way. Having considered the content of the training programme and the length of the course, ask about the value-added services. For example, at [an Treece HGV (HGV) Training Services in Nottingham, a certificate guarantees to find a truck-driving job for any trainees who pass the test.
Theory test
Finally, ensure that you pass the theory test before you do any driving training, and that the driving course leads to a practical test at the end. There could be a wait for the written Lest. For each week you have to wait after doing the driving you are likely to need at least another five hours' training. Wait two to three weeks, and you might as well book another course!
Once you are happy with the training organisation you have selected, it is normal to be subjected to a short driving assessment. This is normally used to determine the focus of your training course. You might have to pay for the assessment, and it could take anything from 30 minutes to more than an hour.
Now it is time to hand over your money However, in some areas, you can optimistically apply for financial help from the local TEC. A letter from an employer who is happy to take you on if you pass will increase your chances of a successful application, but TEC funds for HGV driver training are increasingly hard to come by "We have provided HGV driver training assistance through drawn-down European funding under EU Directive 111 for the unemployed and for people with disabilities, but the high unit cost involved makes it difficult," says Brian Partner, product development manager at Workington-based Enterprise Cumbria.
He adds: "If you live in a highly urban area such as Merseyside there is more chance of getting funding than if you are in a rural area. Basically, the higher the perceived level of deprivation, the higher the level of funding the TEC can apply for."
The kind of training you receive will vary from centre to centre. You might spend more time in the cab in some centres than you would in others.
One-to-one For example, the training at Lane Force is almost entirely cab-based. It is an intensive training course on a one-to-one basis—that is, one trainee to one instructor. However, two trainees to one instructor is common practice in many organisations—and not just for reasons of cost effectiven Alan Sutton is transport training consultant with the industry training body Centrex. "I would always prefer two trainees to one instructor," he says. "With one-to-one, saturation level can be reached very quickly. It becomes extremely intensive for the trainee, who gets the full attention of the instructor in all ways. It is sometimes easier to assimilate a point when you observe another trainee doing something. The trainees have only the instructor to measure their progress against when they are going through a hard time." Assuming you pass your rigid test, you still have to take the artic test, and it could take three weeks to get your updated licence back. In the meantime you might, of course, find a job.
A survey published by the Freight Transport Association last June identified London, East Anglia, the Midlands, Cumbria and parts of Yorkshire as areas where truck driver shortages were most severe. Despite this, most companies will still be looking for evidence of acquired driving experience. You could try to get this from an agency, but you might find they are looking for evidence of driving experience too. However, some companies don't regard agency work as good experience!
Learning to drive a truck is probably going to cost more time and money than you originally thought. So it's worth checking out the training schools—and checking the going rate per hour for a truck-driving job in your area—before you take the plunge. We hope it's worth it in the end. THE DRIVING TEST • Test centre • Reversing exercise • Braking exercise • On the road • Uphill start • Downhill start • Angle start • Level start • Gear-change exercise ARTIC EXTRA • Trailer coupling and uncoupling exercise, plus verbal questions
NATIONAL PASS RATES F MN TESTS 1
CV tests taken 66,310 CV tests passed 31,1 HGV test pass rate
prtGv tests taken 41,586
HGV tests passed 22,456
ICGV test pass rate 54%
THE THEORY TEST
ea truck, you must first pais the hurdle of a written test. Many aspiring HGV drivers fade into the woodwork al: the mere mention of the test ',and you must get Il right. The nUm er of questions is expected to increase to Y., some time next year. They are designed to test your knowledge of the Highway (ode, safety, weights and
dimensions and general driving issues.
ts to take the test, but if you pay
Lou can
GUIDE TO HGV TRAINING
LICENCE CATEGORIES
passenger seats and up to 3,500kg with a light trailer
Cl: Vehicles 3,500-7,500kg with trailer up to 750kg
C: Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg
DI: Small passengercarrying vehicles with nine to 16 seats with a trailer up to 750kg
D: Any bus over eight seats, trailer up to 750kg
13+E: Motor cars and light vans up to eight passenger seats and up to 3,500kg with a heavy trailer k +E: Vehicles 3,500-7,500kg with a trailer r cver 750kg. Combined weight not more than 12,000kg
C+E:Vehicles over 3,500 with a trailer over 750kg
Dl +E: Small passenger-carrying vehicles with nine to 16 passenger seats, trailer over 750kg. I Combined weight not more than 12,000 kg D+E: Any bus over eight seats, trailer over 750
• The Goods Vehicle Driving Manual, DSA • The Official Theory Test for Drivers of Large ,Goods Vehicles, DSA • The Highway Code, HMSO
REQUIRED FORMS AN DOCUMENTS —
DI: Application for a driving licence D4: Medical report
DLV 26(1): Application for an HGV test On driving test day you will need: al valid driving licence bLiditiFkotion with phot English speaker theory test booking line: 064 000666 Welsh speaker theory test book.ng line: 064: 700201 London & South-East: 0171 468 4530 Recorded information. 0171 468 4530 Midlands & Eastern: 0121 697 6740 Recorded information. 0121 697 6730 Wales & West: 01222 581040 Recorded information: 01222 581030 Northern. 0191 201 4088 Recorded information: 0191 201 4100 Scotland: 0131 529 8630 Recorded information: 0131 529 8592 TYPICAL HGV COSTS Provisional HGV licence £21
Assessment costs (average) Written theory test £25 (same-day result
Test Fee £73 5C Group C rigid (average) ..... .£600-£71X Upgrade licence ..................... .....£11 Group C+E training (average).. . ,£600-75C Test fee £73.5C Upgrade licence ......... „.. ............ £11 epileptic seizures" or must be Free of such fo at least 10 years without medication.
• Diabetics may not obtain an HGV licence unless they held a valid one on 1 April 1991 and the Traffic Commissioner had knowledg( of this before 1 January 1991.
THE YOUNG HG DRIVER SCHEME HGV, subject to certain criteria, but you need to be employed with a vehicle operatoi to take advantage of this scheme, which can lead to an HVQ level 111 certificate. YDS trainees can drive a (-licensed truck operated by their registered employers at 18 The move up to a (4 class vehicle can be ma at the age of 20, but they may drive an articulated truck only under supervision.
Regular driving assessments are mandatory. Additional training includes (P1 and ADR training if necessary. Trainees will lose their right to drive an HGV if they switc
GDIC 01