An average driver would struggle with anything less than 20 hours
Sorry but that’s just not true! Our normal course runs for just 14 hours + test. Our pass rate is the envy of many. It’s not just the amount of time. It’s what happens during the time that counts. Training time is increased very occasionally if necc’y. People trying to learn on old trucks with unqualified instructors without reversing areas are obviously at a disadvantage.
Sweeping statements can be dangerous.
Having said all that, I totally agree with most of the other advice i.e visit the trainer, have assessments etc etc. We have test failures from other trainers regularly. The story normally goes along the lines of " I went with so and so because he was a bit cheaper than you. The truck was knackered and the instructor was unkempt and rude. Spent more time drinking tea than driving. Didn’t see much of the test routes as it was 25 miles from the “training centre” which was the corner of a muddy yard. Wish I’d come here straight away. Would have saved a fortune and loads of hassle".
Until such time as the DSA decide that all instructors should be registered and qualified and then the schools accredited, the job will be a minefield for the new candidate.
Why candidates part with 4 figure sums without knowing who they’re dealing with never ceases to amaze me.
If ever there was a case of “buyer beware” then LGV training is it.
Good luck everybody. Pete 
Peter Smythe:
An average driver would struggle with anything less than 20 hours
Sorry but that’s just not true! Our normal course runs for just 14 hours + test. Our pass rate is the envy of many. It’s not just the amount of time. It’s what happens during the time that counts. Training time is increased very occasionally if necc’y. People trying to learn on old trucks with unqualified instructors without reversing areas are obviously at a disadvantage.
Sweeping statements can be dangerous.
:
I think your last comment is exactly what you have done in your previous paragraph Peter.
Unfortunately we don’t all have the luxury to have tests run from our training centre(for a number of reasons) so to state that the average number of hours for you is 14 doesn’t mean it isn’t 20+in other areas.
People do learn with qualified instructors in modern vehicles and do need more than 20hours, not always but it is the case
I think your last comment is exactly what you have done in your previous paragraph Peter.
Unfortunately we don’t all have the luxury to have tests run from our training centre(for a number of reasons) so to state that the average number of hours for you is 14 doesn’t mean it isn’t 20+in other areas.
People do learn with qualified instructors in modern vehicles and do need more than 20hours, not always but it is the case
I was simply making the point that it is perfectly possible to pass the test on less than 20 hours and that we continue to achieve this on a regular basis.
Hi peter and all
Can i Just say that from what i can see on this site you are all 1st class trainers who not only do the job for a living but when you get home you come on here and give some great and very useful advice for free .
Ash i have done a lot of research for the last 12 weeks thanks to reading the threads on this site and it has served me well im being sent on a course via a LVP (low value procutement ) from dwp . now i dont know if any of the instructors on here know about this but once you are accepted for LVP the form then goes to a company called Proc Serve who put the course out for tender 
(thats in the north west anyway) i don’t know about the rest of the UK .
now although on the form i had to get a quote from a reputable company and i did for £2000 that was for
cat C then cat CE back to back FLT , Hyab . and CPC . and the trainers i chose were in Blackburn .also found another great trainer in wigon . i did my theory myself and i already hold my cat D/DE licence and have for 15 yrs . now i find that the tender has gone to a company who are charging more and are 40 miles away who not only dont return my calls .but have now changed my dates back another month . and are sending me somwere else in Bury thats 45 miles away in rush hour traffic to do the FLT and Hyab . plus looks like only 4 hrs a day total tuition for 4 days not all driving tuition then test early on the 5th day so little or no training just before test plus i presume my training for modual 4 cpc .they also told me that Back to back training is very unusual and i should wait 6 months then go back to them . now had i not done my research on this site and via the net i would have possably thought that was good .
so I have now done even more research on the trainer they want to send me to and cant find one single testamonial or reveiw for him when i reserched the place he is sending me for the FLT and Hyab they are a builders supply company not a dedecated trainer …so research does pay off Big time mate and although the course is costing me nothing only stress i still am not happy with their choice because this is were the safty aspect comes into it …ok some one may just be lucky and pass with very little training but would they be a safe driver … i am now fighting again with dwp to get this trainer changed to one who comes with recomendations but i really do wish i had the money to pay and pick my own instructor . all i can say Ash is its your money research research and more research … 
BEST OF LUCK MATE
Roy
When I done mine through DWP I got to chose my trainer I also had approx 4 hrs a day training as this is normal ( although I done mine 1-2 ) but this was in the North East & I was on the sick at the time not sure if that makes a difference but was a few years ago now & things have changed as there is no funding in this area for training
I wish you luck but all I can ask is why didnt you research earlier as you are technically parting with a lot of money would you buy a car without seeing it 1st 
or is this just me as I wount even shop on line as like to know / see what I am buying especially for that kind of money sorry
Hi Animal
yep i did research before i applied and in no less than 5 emails warned the DWP and my adviser at JPC of the fact that they were tendering out such training i really thought that the Quote i put in from my chosen trainer would have been accepted lol ( that was a joke ) as this new company said they tendered for this in mid april and my application did not go on the system untill may id like to know how he tendered in april . i smell a rat there alone .
also no one has ever heard of the company NOW i find out that this guy does not even own a cat CE VEHICLE .( so how is he going to train me on artics ) …
For legal reasons i cant say who i got my info off as it would not be fair on him . BUT he is a reputable trainer instructor and one who should be getting the tendered jobs that this fligh by night Broker is getting .
This goes to show that had i not done my research and i was paying private then i would have been wasting my money ( lol make a note ASH 16 ) the Quote i got was for £2020.00 for cat C cat CE back to back and FLT +HYAB . so Ash 16 i think that your quote of £2000.00 is twice what it should be .if not more . research the company as i have and you will find out .
The hard part for me now is getting through to the DWP what im talking about as they know nothing about HGV training / trainers or laws ect . … one thing is for shore i will not be accepting any training from Transport training academy bolton NOW if he cant be honest with DWP then what is he doing tendering for jobs he cant complete …
so anyone who gets on a LVP funded course please do your research into the trainer as though it was your money being spent or wasted as the case may be … 
regards Roy
In what way does he not have a CE vehicle to train you in
As it may be a W+D ( wagon & drag ) which is perfectly legal as many of the trainers will tell you & acceptable
I was lucky as there are only really 4 trainers in my area & all have good reputations in there own rights think all can do FLT Hiab CAt C & CE all use artics
Did my cat C class 2 at 1st class in Enfield. Had a great trainer for a couple of days then some old bloke who stunk of booze so refused to go out with him, 1st guy was brill. Lorries really badly maintained pieces of crap and the lorry I had on my test was different to the one I trained in and has trouble with the range change switch not working properly and didn’t want to go into the 3rd/7th gate properly. They were X reg Daf’s then in bright yellow and covered in panel damage. Went to J Coates in St. Albans for my class 1 and they were brilliant, great training and good Merchant Trucks.
Jamie
Hi all
well animal lol nope no waggon and drag he has asked another Reputable trainer could he borrow their artic in the past
also from what im told he has no reversing ground at all (so were he does that i dont know ) .
so i Phoned DWP with my concerns and was told take it or leave it but if you dont take it you will loose your funding so ive now taken it up with my local MP . this idiot has just wasted another week of my life by being GREEDY and tendering for a course he cant do . but one way or the other i bet he wont get another tender through DWP when ive finished .
I now know two local trainers who cant get a sniffin with tenders through greedy unscrupulous unreliable
trainers / brokers who tender for things they just cant do . 
He dosent need his own reversing area as some providers dont but they have an arranged or agreement with where they can do it
As I know my chosen provider dosent have his own reverse area but that dont actually bother me tbh as I have heard good reports about him also 1 of the examiners can also recommend him ( He done my Cat C & it was him who canceled my test then tok my re test ) & know all of the providers
This guy didn’t Bother me to much even not returning calls until he was a bit aloof when asked about the course he was doing with me and once he had the contract from proc serve he put all the dates 3 weeks back .less than 1 hr after . thats what made me do more research on him could not find anything on the web re testamonials or reviews so i would never have picked this guy anyway .
Proc serve are having a look into him now as he was sending me somewhere else to to do My FLT and Hyab part after he tendered for the full course they also did not know he has no artic or wagon and drag Only a rigid .so it may have to back out to tender now but i dont see why he got the tender anyway .
Both the trainers that i got off this site came with great reviews are not to far away from home and do a 10 back to back course and gave me realy good quotes for the course .
Its a good job i looked on here and found some sound advise or I would have known no different . what was booked as a 10 day course was turning into a nightmare . … 
oh and i would have belived the DSA sign on his web page until i followed a link of this site and read the rules for using it . 
Let’s hope they see sense and change the provider for you to a more suitable one.
As has already been said in other threads lack of DSA registration does not make them bad instructors.
There are lots of recommended schools on this site. I know it comes down to cost at the end of the day as the tender won’t be accepted if the training cost comes in at too higher cost.
Fingers crossed that they see sense !!
Dean
Hi Dean
I dont know what will happen But Proc serve did not Know what was going on until friday but ive also got My local MP also on the case asking some serious questians .i’e How he put in a higher tender than my chosen Trainers and got the tender . both my 1st and 2nd choice of trainer came off this site with great testamonials and reviews . both have given me loads of free advice and always phoned me back within the hour . so any one of them will be fine with me and i have full faith that i will come out on top one way or the other .
i did my Cat D years ago with a cowboy firm in Hyde ( Reads ) lol dont think they are going now But they Sent be to Bredbury stockport for a test with an old crash box back loader double decker lol and the examiner pook one look at the bus and sent Us away saying you cant take that on test one of the windows was cracked (like a spders web ) and the fuel tank was leakin . ( ha its funny now but at the time it was’nt )
so they then put a board in place of the window and put three 5 gallon tubs under the stairs ( hidden) with a pipe to the fuel pump and payed for my re test at blackpool the next day .
that was in the good old days when you could find a company who would pay for the training /test and then sign you to a contract for 2 years ( but was a guaranteed two yrs work eh ) sadly them days are gone .
few i dont wanna go through all that again