Just as if you want to drive a car then if you want to become a HGV/LDV Driver then you will have to get a licence to do this. The good news is, is that anyone from the age of 18 who has a full UK Driving Licence can apply for a provisional HGV licence to start training.
There are 3 types of Category of HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) or LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) that you can choose to be instructed in.
Category C1
If you have passed your UK Car Driving Test before 1997 then you have automatically acquired Category C1 and the initial requirements of driver CPC are waived. Put simply, this means that you can drive a Goods Vehicle that’s Gross Vehicle Weight does not exceed 7.5 tonnes. You can even tow a trailer just as long as the gross Vehicle Weight of this does not exceed 750KG. If you have passed your driving test after 1997 then you can only drive a truck with a Gross Vehicle Weight not heavier than 3.5 tonnes and a trailer up to 750KG
Category C
If you are looking to be qualified to C+E then you must be qualified to Category C before you can complete the testing for that. Category C allows you to drive a HGV with a fixed Drivers Cab ie the Cab and trailer are fixed and cannot be separated. Category C allows you to drive a truck with gross Vehicle weight over 7.5 tonnes but less than 32 tonnes. Any trailer being towed must not be more than 750KG.
Category C+E
If you have a category C+E Licence then you can drive any type of HGV including the articulated type. As previously stated you have to have passed the Category C test before you can go for your Category C+E.
Of course you will need the correct provisional licence for the category of HGV before you can start driving and you will need to apply for this via Form D2. The good news is there aren’t any fees when applying for a HGV Provisional Licence.
