Understanding HGV Training
Do you need an HGV licence for your career or hobby?
Are you unsure what the process is to become an HGV driver?
Let us help!
We love training clients to drive HGVs in a confident and professional way but we understand that embarking on training to drive Class 1 and Class 2 sized vehicles can be daunting. Here are the steps you need to take to be well on your way to a fulfilling and exciting career. Find out more about HGV driver training with our FAQs and book your course.
1. Apply for your Provisional Licence
Before starting your HGV training course, you need to have provisional entitlement on your driving licence. To apply for your provisional licence, you need to complete the D2 and D4 forms.
You must also have a medical examination to get your provisional licence. The D4 form will need to be completed by a doctor. Hartlip HGV can supply HGV Medicals for £55 plus VAT. You can book these online.
When completing the D2 forms, you may get extra provisional entitlements in addition to what you are apply for. Once you have completed the forms, you need to send them and your driving licence to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR. Licences can take up to 3 weeks to be returned depending on medical checks etc.
2. Take your driving theory test
Once you have received your provisional licence, you will then need to book and pass your theory test. The test comprises two parts, part 1 is multiple choice and part two is hazard perception. You can take these in any order but you must pass each of these within two years of each other to obtain your certificate.
Multiple Choice
The multiple choice test is 1 hour 55 minutes long and 100 multiple-choice questions to answer. There are lots of ways to prepare for your HGV Driving Theory Test including:
- The Highway Code
- Know your traffic signs
- Official DVSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles
- Taking a practice theory test
Hazard Perception Test
You can purchase apps and software to practise hazard perception:
You can also find books and other materials in shops and online.
3. Take your CPC Module 2 Case Studies
Part of becoming a HGV driver is taking a CPC Module 2 case studies test. This can be done before or after your theory test.
The test is made up of 7 case studies that you will work through on a PC and you will be asked 7-8 questions per case study. The test lasts for around 1 hour 15 minutes and the pass mark is 40 out of 50.
When you have completed this module you can move onto your practical driving test.
We now have packages available where we book everything for you and provide the revision materials. Book here!
4. Take your practical driving test
The practical test is made up of 3 parts, off-road exercises, on-road driving and CPC Module 4. This is something that we book for you as part of your course. The CPC Module 4 can be done at any point during your course.
The off-road exercises part of the practical test is done in the test centre. The test is 30 minutes long and you are expected to :
- do an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
- showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking the test with a trailer.
The on-road driving part of the test will include 1 hours worth of driving and include being asked safety questions. During the practical test, you will be performing various manoeuvres such as a controlled stop, moving away at an angle uphill and downhill, dealing with hazards and selecting a safe place to stop etc.
To pass the on-road element of the test, you need to have 12 minors or less and no dangerous faults.
During your CPC Module 4 test, you will be tested on being able to:
- stop trafficking illegal immigrants
- do a walkaround vehicle safety check
- assess emergency situations
- load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
- reduce physical risk to yourself and others
The test comprises up to 5 topics from the CPC syllabus and you can score up to 20 points from each topic. To pass you will need to achieve 15 out of 20 in each topic area and an overall score of 80 out of 100.
Book your course today.
We offer a wide range of courses:
- Car to Class 1
- Class 2
- 7.5T
- B+E Trailer Training Lessons
- ADR
- OLAT
- Transport Manager CPC
- DGSA
- Periodic CPC Courses