From what i hear the age has been lowered to drive a lorry from 21 to 18. From what i can make out on the DVLNI website it says that for rigid body lorrys the age is now 18 but im not sure about an articulated lorry■■? I am very interested in articulated lorries and would like to learn to drive one, I asked my old driving instructor what the deal was and he seemed to think that the age for articulated lorries was lowered aswell. Could anyone explain in plain english what the deal with it is? Especially in Northern Ireland. And if anyone knows the proceedures for learning to drive an articulated lorry please let me no!
Many Thanks 
Im sure Rog will be along in a bit with better info but the age for taking a HGV license has been lowered from 21 to 18 but you have to complete a CPC(certificate of professional competence) before you can start training…you also still have to complete your class 2 ( Rigid C license) before you can take your class 1 (Artic C+E license)
BUT i would seriously think about this before you commit as the jobs market isnt great out there plus age not on your side on the insurance as most companies wont take on a 21 year old let alone 18
Hope this is some help
Adam
. Welcome kf28 .
From what i hear the age has been lowered to drive a lorry from 21 to 18. From what i can make out on the DVLNI website it says that for rigid body lorrys the age is now 18 but im not sure about an articulated lorry■■?
LGV C1 (3.5 to 7.5) has always been age 18 so no change there
LGV C (RIGIDS over 7.5) is now age 18
LGV CE (ARTIC & DRAWBAR) is now age 18
And if anyone knows the proceedures for learning to drive an articulated lorry please
I am going to assume that you passed your car test after 1997…
This is the basic version of the INITIAL driver CPC to see the in-depth version CLICK HERE
MEDICAL
APPLY FOR PROVISIONAL LGV LICENCE
Module 1a theory questions - multiple choice - LGV THEORY BOOK and/or training by LGV school
Module 1b HPT - HPT DVD and/or training by LGV school
Module 2 Initial driver cpc theory - senario questions - multiple choice INITIAL DRIVER CPC BOOK and/or training by LGV school
Module 3 practical drive - Training for this by LGV school. DSA LGV test centers & routes
Module 4 Initial driver cpc - practical on site (no driving) - Training for this by LGV school.
Both modules 1a & 1b must be passed before taking 3. Module 2 must be passed before taking 4
The mod 4 pass DQC (driver cpc card) cannot be issued until mod 3 is passed.
Many schools are doing the mod 4 test during the mod 3 training.
1a, 1b & 2 done at theory test centre - BOOK YOUR OWN THEORY TESTS or by LGV training school
3 & 4 done at LGV driving test centre
Modules 2 & 4 not needed if got C1 on licence
Modules 1a, 1b & 3 to get the LGV LICENCE
Modules 2 & 4 to be allowed to drive LGVs commercially
You do not have to do all the modules with the same training provider.
You may find that it is cheaper to shop around for the best deal for each module
All the theory & CPC books/CDs in one package
ONCE YOU HAVE PASSED C (RIGID) YOU CAN THEN DO CE - the only wait time is for your licence to be returned after having the C out on it (CE provisional is automatically put on it as well)
All the LGV TRAINING TIPS, including the Recommended LGV training schools that have been recommended by members, can be accessed by clicking on the link in my signature
The link includes THE INITIAL DRIVER CPC which started on 10 Sept 2009.
THE DRIVER SHORTAGE IS AN ADVERTISING MYTH - Generally more drivers than jobs in the UK
However, many newbies on this site have recently secured permanent full time employment
A read of THIS POST may also be useful.
Forum with some useful stuff and Forum for questions on drivers hours