First of all just wanted to say Hi - Another n00b wannabee here
I find myself in much the same positio as ‘gar374’ - who’s posts I’ve followed with interest. I’m 30-odd, have spent the last 15 years of my life behind a desk working in IT, dealing with stupid people and staring at walls… I’m DONE with it
Getting (voluntary) redundancy in December, and will be in the lucky position to have enough funds to keep me going for about a year - so I’m in no desperate rush for work.
I’ve decided that it’s time to do something that I want to do (always have actually), and that I’d much prefer being out and about driving around, than sat in an office all day.
My plan is to get C, C+E and D+E, then get FLT & do HIAB & ADR training, which i should think would give me ‘options’ and make me slightly (only just ?) more employable than your average newbie.
I’m guesstimating about £5000 for all of that training, does that sound about right ? Does a forklift license allow you to drive/operate Moffetts too, or are they covered separately.
So, there we are… I’m sure I’ll have loads of questions in the coming months, and will be posting regularly whilst doing training etc.
Passing C manual CE manual and D auto will get you all these in manual …
C1 C1E C CE D1 D1E D DE
If not passed car test before 1997 then you will also need …
LGV initial driver cpc modules 2 theory and 4 practical
And in all cases will need PCV initial dcpc modules 2 theory and 4 practical
Not sure if the HPT for LGV will also count for PCV if tests are within the 2 year HPT timeframe
The theory tests are different but there might be a conversion test = not sure
Perhaps member Peter Smythe can give definitives for these
So if I do C & CE manual, I can then do the D test in an auto, but still get manual entitlement ? Not the other way around I assume ? Ha. CE automatically gives you DE, once you pass D, right - there’s no additional D+E test ?
Are most PCV training vehicles auto these days then ?
I am post 1997, so need to do all of the DCPC mods, if I remember correctly it’s the same theory test for ‘Large Vehicles’, so the same test for either Lorry / Bus. Could be wrong though, but shouldn’t have much problem with the theory /HP tests anyway.
Case studies seem to be common sense. Anything in particular to look out for there ?
Cheers,
Chris.
ROG:
Chris1207:
My plan is to get C, C+E and D+E
Passing C manual CE manual and D auto will get you all these in manual …
C1 C1E C CE D1 D1E D DE
If not passed car test before 1997 then you will also need …
LGV initial driver cpc modules 2 theory and 4 practical
And in all cases will need PCV initial dcpc modules 2 theory and 4 practical
Not sure if the HPT for LGV will also count for PCV if tests are within the 2 year HPT timeframe
The theory tests are different but there might be a conversion test = not sure
Perhaps member Peter Smythe can give definitives for these
Hay, welcomb to the site. I recently passed my cat c. £5000 dose sound about right for all those license you want .
know just how you feel thow. Thay will all help to make you more employable. I would say just focus on getting your cat c and a counterbalance fork lift license is always useful.
as for the rest even thow there all great things to have thay wont alway make you that much more employable in the early days, once you got a year or twos expirants doing a trucking job, then getting more licenes will make you employable. I think you’d be just as well to wait till later on the ADR, Moffat.
I’m no expert on the trade, just sharing my own expirances , I was just the same when I started a year ago. I wanted every license going as I thought It would make me get a job more easily. but I found its as well to take one step at a time.
I got my cat c and counterbalance forklift license, that’s all I need for the moment to get a foot in the door, the only focus now is getting the golden two years expirances, that’s worth more than any license.
But do what you feel is right for you. Good luck With the training.
Cool, thanks for that. I think I just want to get it all done while I have the money just sitting there… otherwise I’ll just spend it on crap, and I think I’d much rather spend it on something worthwhile that will be of benefit in the future.
Something I’ve been wondering about the golden 2 years… is the experience transferrable from one category to another ? E.g. if I was to do C, CE, DE, then go drive buses for 2 years, would that ‘experience’ count in the trucking industry ?
I’d rather not drive buses, but I’m going to do cat D to give myself that option as, round here anyway, First are always screaming for qualified D holders. They don’t do the “we’ll train you” thing anymore though… which is a shame
Firstly thanks for the mention, good to hear someone is following along with my progress!
Sounds like you’ve got a similar plan to myself. I intended to do my HIAB but couldn’t fit it in for a few weeks by which time I was able to get my CAT C. I was told by my agency that CAT C + HIAB and I’d always be in work in my area.
As I’ve secured a 4 month contract I’m quite happy at the minute to carry on driving CAT C and gaining some experience which I think is the most important thing you can have in this industry. Having said that my CAT C+E was booked before I started working so I will still be going on that course in a couple of weeks. Would be great to be able to say to the TM that he has a spare CAT C+E drier should he need one. You never know I may gain some experience driving them as well.
I originally intended to get CAT D as well but as its another £690 I’ve decided to see if I get through the C+E without a retest first. Retests are £280 round our way so if I get C and C+E without a retest then I may consider it again.
Ive heard it can be good money on FLT (better than CAT C) but you’re not out and about seeing the sights with that.
I also thought about ADR but was told to leave it for a few years to gain some experience as no one will touch you without experience. ADR also counts towards CPC hours so you could gain 5 years experience before needing any more classroom work.
Good luck with it all and keep us up to date with your progress.
Haha, yeah I saw your videos on here - provided some good insight to the process Well done on passing BTW, and good luck with the C+E.
I guess I’ll play it by ear, get the licences, and see if any work comes my way… at that point I’ll probably weigh up whether to take the work or continue with training.
How have you found it, moving from the IT world to a driving job ?
Very different world mate. The first thing is everyone is really friendly. They will go out of the way to help you. I’m not fussy about being embarrassed asking people about anything. eg yesterday I couldn’t find the up/down button for the bay door (blocked by cages and different to most of the others), I asked and was helped out, no problem.
Longer hours than I did in IT, I’m doing about 10 hours a day (4 days) whereas I made sure I finished at finishing time in IT.
Lots more physical. We load the trucks (cages and pallets) and unload them at the other end. Some hand ball but mostly pallet of cage drops. We’re also double manned so you’re rarely on you own. I was single manned yesterday for some of the day but felt like a spare pr!ck when there were 2 of us as the van assistant did the loading/unloading. Was great being out there doing what I want to do on my own though.
I did some van work before getting this gig which was good (except collecting totes of books from charity shops). I’m still sore - on my own (fine) and very physical (from empty to fully loaded transit by hand).
Not sure if the HPT for LGV will also count for PCV if tests are within the 2 year HPT timeframe
Logic says this would make perfect sense. Sadly, some of the rules just aren’t logical and you will need to pass a seperate HPT for each category. No theory tests required for the C to CE upgrade.
Dont’ concern yourself with the automatic thing as it looks as though anyone with an auto licence will be upgraded in a few months. This assumes the licence holder has a manual car licence. Like I say, logic doesn’t apply!
The £5k estimate for the lot is probably comfortable provided you don’t struggle with any of the tests.
For ADR advice, get hold of Diesel Dave on the forum. He is the forum expert on ADR and will put you right and help you find a good trainer for ADR.
Just remains for me to wish you all the best, Pete
Just a quick post about training costs - I understand the cheap doesn’t = good position… someone mentioned Ritches Training in Glasgow for getting the medical, and once I had a good look around their site I came across this offer:
The Ultimate Driving Course
Stay fighting fit with this one! LGV C, LGV C+E & PCV D or Why not…
Pick an ADR (Dangerous Goods) and Lorry Loader (Hiab) course instead.
This course can be completed in stages to suit your needs.
Note: Modules 1 and 2 must be passed prior to arrival.
£2600.00
Does that seem like a good deal ? It’s 2:1 training, 5 days with test on the 5th day - each course is normally £997, so saves ~£300 on them all. Doesn’t include CPC mod 4, which looks to be around another £200.
They are on the ‘recommended’ list, but wondered if anyone had some real experiences with them ?
I’ve been looking at them aswell because they have their own accomondation
for 25 a day and free transport to training site, and they had an offer to gain C and C+E
with a discount, but I don’t see it any more.
As for you. I think that one grand saving is worth of it!
Chris1207:
Just a quick post about training costs - I understand the cheap doesn’t = good position… someone mentioned Ritches Training in Glasgow for getting the medical, and once I had a good look around their site I came across this offer:
The Ultimate Driving Course
Stay fighting fit with this one! LGV C, LGV C+E & PCV D or Why not…
Pick an ADR (Dangerous Goods) and Lorry Loader (Hiab) course instead.
This course can be completed in stages to suit your needs.
Note: Modules 1 and 2 must be passed prior to arrival.
£2600.00
Does that seem like a good deal ? It’s 2:1 training, 5 days with test on the 5th day - each course is normally £997, so saves ~£300 on them all. Doesn’t include CPC mod 4, which looks to be around another £200.
They are on the ‘recommended’ list, but wondered if anyone had some real experiences with them ?
Thanks,
Chris.
Hi chris, i done my C+E back to back with a different company Pat at Highfield Heavys)
But ive done my ADR in june with Ritchies, they have invested in a load of new trucks if your doing you C+E there.
The ADR was over 5 days, 4 days training and the 5th day was SQA Exams, I was sh*ting a brick about the exams be i shouldnt have cos the trainers where on hand incase you didnt understand any of the questions.
I seen loads of guys doing there C+E training there and its a profetional set up.
My ADR cost £575 - £200 from ILA Scotland and it also included 28 hours towards my DCPC. Ritchies offer a discount for extra courses if you sit any of there courses.
Update: Passed class 2 today Failed it last Friday for getting too close to a taxi, during an otherwise faultless drive. Today, a few minor faults mostly not enough mirrors when slowing down and a couple of dodgy gear selections/changes, but he passed me
Done mod 4 last week and passed that, so assume the DQC will just magically appear in the post sometime soon? Keeping hold of my licence for now, as I’ll be needing it ove the next couple of weeks.
As for the rest of my plans: Job Centre are putting me through the class D, which supposedly comes with a work placement. Starting that next week, I’m only doing it to get the licence, so if the jobs naff I won’t be sticking around - but it could be a good way of getting experience with large vehicles. Once I’ve done that, will send the licence off and then get cracking with C+E, then HIAB. Giving ADR, and FLT a miss for now, as I’ve decided it’d be best to get some experience first.
Deffo having a few beers tonight
Quick Q, for those in the know: Other than the driving licence, do I need anything else to drive (class 2) milk tankers ?
.
Well done on passing BTW, and good luck with the C+E.
