Hi all i have heard that people who take a lorry or bus test (category C, C+E and D, D+E) in an automatic vehicle will also receive manual entitlement for those vehicles, if they already have a manual entitlement for cars, lorries or buses is this correct thanks
Yes but it is not done automatically. You have to apply to the DVLA to change your licence.
m1cks:
Yes but it is not done automatically. You have to apply to the DVLA to change your licence.
That is if you already have just auto on the licence but if you have B manual and then pass LGV/PCV in an auto it comes back from DVLA as manual
Does this make the test easier in the automatic? I done mine in a manual. I guess the gear exercise isn’t done now, I passed 5 years ago.
kris206:
Does this make the test easier in the automatic? I done mine in a manual. I guess the gear exercise isn’t done now, I passed 5 years ago.
It doesn’t make it easier, the examiners just look harder at your driving since you don’t have to worry about the gears.
kris206:
Does this make the test easier in the automatic? I done mine in a manual. I guess the gear exercise isn’t done now, I passed 5 years ago.
In the last few years …
Braking exercise gone
Gear exercise gone
Auto restriction gone
Reversing area reduced in size
IMO there’s no right and wrong. A major employer near me has to spend time training artic drivers to use drawbar. And, of course, the other way around.
There are more artics on the road, but it’s certainly not exclusive.
As far as test goes, there is no doubt it’s a bit easier on drawbar.
Consider training/test on drawbar then conversion course (no test) to artic. That’s the best of both worlds.
Pete 
Thanks for that guys 
We have replaced all our LGV training vehicles from manuals to automatics, the only manual truck we now have is for HIAB training. Is it easier? well, its not just a little bit easier its A LOT EASIER. We keep track of our average pass rate (don’t let success rates, fool you) it was normally 65-75% and now its 90-95% each month.
It really is that simple, plus with the manuals it was a 5 day course but now it lasts 3 days, which means for the customer its, cheaper, less time off work and more likely to pass. Sure you will have to learn how to handle a manual gearbox on your own at work but pre 2005 we all passed in straight six gearboxes (mainly) and we managed to learn a range change.
Also, nothing to send to the DVLA, you get granted full licence on passing in either manual or auto, but must hold a full manual car licence. The driving examiners love our new trucks, its made their job a lot easier and safer. A customer would really have to be crazy to learn in a manual, if you want to try out a manual we offer an hours drive in a volvo globetrotter after passing the test 2006 model fitted with our hiab, so you can see how to handle a big manual box.
Tockwith Training:
We have replaced all our LGV training vehicles from manuals to automatics, the only manual truck we now have is for HIAB training. Is it easier? well, its not just a little bit easier its A LOT EASIER. We keep track of our average pass rate (don’t let success rates, fool you) it was normally 65-75% and now its 90-95% each month.It really is that simple, plus with the manuals it was a 5 day course but now it lasts 3 days, which means for the customer its, cheaper, less time off work and more likely to pass. Sure you will have to learn how to handle a manual gearbox on your own at work but pre 2005 we all passed in straight six gearboxes (mainly) and we managed to learn a range change.
Also, nothing to send to the DVLA, you get granted full licence on passing in either manual or auto, but must hold a full manual car licence. The driving examiners love our new trucks, its made their job a lot easier and safer. A customer would really have to be crazy to learn in a manual, if you want to try out a manual we offer an hours drive in a volvo globetrotter after passing the test 2006 model fitted with our hiab, so you can see how to handle a big manual box.
So your course duration and pass rate using an auto is now very similar to mine using a manual.
Maybe one day I will go auto but to me what I do now works and keeps be busy with great success.
So my thinking is “if it’s not broke why try to mend it”
Paul
The examiners at our private test centre have no problems at all with auto.
Our courses have been short for years - working on new vehicles, fully qualified instructors, own test centre and an infrastructure to dream of. So we haven’t shorted them further. But autos are easier for everyone concerned.
I assessed a guy yesterday who has failed 4 times elsewhere. When I analysed the faults carefully, it was clear that an auto would help in the drive. So we went out in one of our brand new autos. The drive was faultless. He’s having 4 hours before his test. Not on my recommendation. His decision as he wanted to “make sure”.
I cant see that we will ever purchase manuals again. But they’ll be available for at least 3 years as we have them less than 2 years old on fleet now. Some will choose manual, others will choose auto. Provided the customer gets what he has asked for, I cant see a problem.
Pete