Firstly, thanks to those who started, run and have contributed to this site over the years, some fantastic information there for those who’re looking to change career path and head into trucking!
Getting my C/C+E is something I’ve thought about for some time but have only just started to try and put into motion. Until I started doing deeper research, I hadn’t come across the site and possibly in the nick of time before I committed to a broker! Unfortunately, from a financing point of view, I can’t afford to pay the full cost of one or both license courses up front so some sort of assistance will be required.
Through seeing the firm listed in the recommended trainers on the site, I’ve been in touch with a couple of very helpful women at LAGTA in central Scotland. Despite the number of companies I’ve spoken to, they were the first to mention applying for a CDL although I suppose on speaking to brokers, this wasn’t going to net them anything so it would never come up (regardless of them not being registered)! As LAGTA are on the register, I’m narrowing down to them and Scania (who are also) and just awaiting some final info from both before I finalise the number crunching.
Couple of initial questions for learned members here though to help with my decision making:
LAGTA only offer Wagon & Drag at the moment for C+E. Any thoughts for and/or against this?
Recommend doing C first then gain experience before doing C+E or do them both in succession in order to make most of having information in mind and open more opportunities
Most say that doing C+E in W&D is easier to get the licence especially if using the same rigid as you did for C
Do C then get licence back from DVLA and do C+E asap as the learning mode will still be fresh - chances are that if doing C and C+E with same rigid then the C+E course will be much shorter and so less money
LAGTA only offer Wagon & Drag at the moment for C+E. Any thoughts for and/or against this?
Recommend doing C first then gain experience before doing C+E or do them both in succession in order to make most of having information in mind and open more opportunities
Hi - and welcome. No problem training on w+d - we’ve done it for the last 17 years with huge success. But, I always suggest a short course on a “real” artic once you’ve passed your test. This should be IRO of 3 hours so you get to reverse, couple/uncouple and drive. A switched on driver will have no problem becoming reasonably comfortable in that time.
I always recommend moving straight on to CE providing it’s affordable. It will open more doors. You will not have picked up bad habits whist gaining experience on CAT C. IME the benefits of having gained experience are often outweighed by the bad habits - so you’re no further forward. But I don’t suggest going into debt for CE unless there is a definite opportunity at the end of it.
All the best with your training and test; fire away with your questions. Pete
From the perspective of switching between ‘traditional artic’ and W&D, is there an easier learning path on one to drive both or is it much the same each way round?
Peter Smythe:
I always recommend moving straight on to CE providing it’s affordable. It will open more doors. You will not have picked up bad habits whist gaining experience on CAT C. IME the benefits of having gained experience are often outweighed by the bad habits - so you’re no further forward
Thinking its better to gain experience before taking the CE is a mistake. What experience? The CE test is mainly about reversing and uncoupling a trailer, you wont get that driving a rigid no matter how long. If it requires 100% skill to pass the CE then 85% is learnt on the Cat C course (providing a W&D is used)
I do think that becoming a CE driver is probably better learnt in a full size artic but at twice the price of a W&D I think most lads want to pass the test 1st time, get the licence, and get earning money. Hardly anyone bothers after passing, paying more for an artic experience and I’ve never heard of any bad issues.
By the time you pass the CE test you are a pretty good driver.
At no point have I said that anyone couldn’t drive an artic because they passed on w+d. In fact, quite the opposite applies! I 100% agree that a switched on driver will be able to get out of a w+d, get into an artic and make a reasonable job of it. I’m sure the other trainers will agree that the coupling mechanism is totally different and needs to be taught. It would also be entertaining to watch the unit leave a front heavy trailer like a projectile cos the driver doesn’t understand air suspension.
Before we had artic, I always used to stop in a truckstop and explain the coupling and uncoupling with an artic in front of me. That’s ok - but it’s not the same as actually doing it.
The main reason that anyone should take a conversion course is for confidence. Many have passed tests on comparatively small vehicles and it better IMO for them to get used to a “real” truck with someone at the side of them who understands what’s happening or about to happen.
We too have plenty of drivers who don’t follow this path. It’s a free country and folks can choose their own path. They should be able to rely on good inductions - - but we all know about them!
If I was do learn on the artic, would the conversion to driving W&D be easier and possible without the need to do some ‘conversion’ training?
No need for conversion training from artic to w+d except for the actual coupling. And because you can actually see what’s happening (unlike an artic) most folks could safely sort that out. But IMO no-one should be asked to work with kit that is totally unfamiliar.
Trevster:
If I was to go with the W&D for my CE training, how much would I expect to pay elsewhere for a ‘conversion’ course onto artic?
Getting to the point where I’m about ready to source the financing and want to make sure I cover it all!
Pass CE in W&D then find an experienced artic driver to show you the differences especially the un/coupling even if that means going out on a day run for free with an owner operator who can cover you on insurance
There must be an owner operator somewhere who would like to reduce their driving and RTD hours for a day … maybe?
how much would I expect to pay elsewhere for a ‘conversion’ course onto artic?
We charge £200 incl VAT less 10% Trucknet discount making it £180. This course includes instruction in reversing, coupling, uncoupling and a good deal of driving. A certificate is issued to demonstrate that you have completed the course.
After more careful deliberation, I’ve decided that (as soon as I’ve got the funding in place!), I’m going to go with Scania over LAGTA for the following reasons:
1-2-1 training. A phone call to both to check on the training times to see how I’d fit that in with working hours/holidays revealed that LAGTA do 2:1 training full day as opposed to the 4 hour stints on your own at Scania.
Training times. As I work three backshifts and one dayshift during the week, I can actually train with Scania in the mornings and not need to take any time of work (providing I can swap the dayshift). If not, then I’d only need to take 2 days holiday as opposed to 8!
Split training. Scania’s training ‘week’ isn’t Monday - Friday. Instead they’ve gone for Wed - Tues with the weekend off to recharge and take stock, something that actually appeals!
Lesson from the above? Ask ALL the questions right at the start! However, that said, pleased I took the extra time to really sit and go through things - not just the costs and how it works but the practicalities of it. Something I’d encourage others to do. How will the course(s) fit in with my day to day life, it can throw up a number of questions that you perhaps don’t think of while you’re on a phone call!
