A Guide to HGV Training in the UK


People who are considering a well paid driving career may want to look into a job as a heavy goods vehicle driver. Drivers in this job are paid to travel all over the UK and Europe. However in order to work as an HGV driver, job applicants must have completed HGV training and have a full HGV licence.

There are two different types of HGV licenses. These license types are called C and C+. The letter C represents any rigid vehicle which weights over 7.5 tonnes. The C+E class is used to describe larger articulated vehicles which have trailers. Drivers need to hold a C lass license before they can start HGV training for their C+E license.

Drivers have to fulfil some basic requirements before they can start HGV training. Firstly they must have a standard UK driving license. There are also a few age restrictions for HGV training. People applying for the C license must be at least 18 years old. This age limit is lifted to 21 for the C+E licenses. Drivers will also have to pass a medical examination. This examination will include an eye test.

Once a driver has passed the above requirements they will need to sit a theory test. Test takers will have to answer a series of multiple choice questions which cover issues faced by HGV drivers. This part of the test will be followed by a hazard perception test. During this portion of the testing drivers will be shown a series of video clips which have hazards in them. Once the test taker spots a hazard in the video he or she will need click a button. Applicants for the HGV license will need to score 50 points out of 75 to pass the theory section of the training.

Like with a regular driving license applicants will also need to pass a practical test. Drivers will be asked to drive a HGV vehicle in a variety of different conditions. Drivers will be asked to turn the vehicle, drive on the road and reverse in a confined space.

Lastly drivers will have to sit the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence otherwise known as CPC driver training. This is a three part theory test which consists of multiple choice questions and case studies. When a driver has completed both HGV and CPC driver training he or she will be able to work for a hauling company legally within the UK and Europe.

Tags: certificate of professional competence, hazard perception test, hgv licence, multiple choice questions

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