Q I have been offered a job in September 1970
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driving a 16-ton-gross 24ft platform lorry. August 30 1970 being my 21st birthday. Could I drive this ion',' on September 1 and then take an h.g.v. test later on when I get more experience, or do
have to take the test first? If the latter is the case, how do I go about obtaining the experience and applying for the test, and where is the testing place in my area?
At the moment I am driving a 3-ton lorry occasionally but more often a 30cwt van. Before this from 17 to 19 I was driving a 3-ton lorry on long-distance work.
AYou will be able to drive a heavy goods
vehicle from the day that you are 21 without immediately taking the h.g.v. test, on the assumption that your normal driving licence runs on beyond September 1 and is a Group 1 licence.
You would be in the same position as a man over 21 who has a current normal driving licence: this will cover you for driving heavy goods vehicles until it expires, but at that time you will need an h.g.v. licence as well as a renewed driving licence. You would be wise to make application for the h.g.v. licence well in advance of the expiry date, but not more than six months beforehand.
As soon as you are 21 you can take the h.g.v. test at any time, in readiness for the eventual application for an h.g.v. licence. You will not be able to claim a licence on the basis of h.g.v. experience, as this must be experience gained in the period February 2 1969 to February 1 1970, and during that particular period you will still be under 21 and therefore not eligible to drive the heavy vehicles on which experience is necessary.
The test centre in your area is Ministry of Transport Driving Test Centre, Grove Hill Road, Beverley, but application for the test should be made to Ministry of Transport, 29 Eastgate, Leeds 2.