This is my first post, wonder if there’s some good advice out there?
I have been looking into how to get an HGV licence and although there’s a lot you can find on the topic, I am still very confused…
Small, private company? Large, nationwide training provider?
See the centre, talk to an instructor or just go for it?
Hundreds of other questions still…
No time, though, I’d like to make a decision, sign up and get started asap.
Does anyone here know anything about The LGV Training Company that has its head office in Camberley, near Reading?
Hajnalka:
Small, private company? Large, nationwide training provider?
See the centre, talk to an instructor or just go for it?
That’s easy because the ‘nationwide’ providers are usually brokers (middlemen) who will relieve you of any excess money you have in exchange for doing stuff that you could do for yourself, or for advice that you can get on here for free.
It’s your money though.
Hajnalka:
Hundreds of other questions still…
Fire away mate, they’ll get good answers.
Hajnalka:
No time, though, I’d like to make a decision, sign up and get started asap.
That might not be such a good idea… more haste generally means more expense once you find out afterwards that you could have done something more cheaply. It’s your money though.
Hajnalka:
Does anyone here know anything about The LGV Training Company that has its head office in Camberley, near Reading?
A quick phone call asking to meet instructors and see the vehicles BEFORE parting with money/card details should set you straight because you can then tell where a company’s interest lies.
Hajnalka:
I’d appreciate an opinion or any kind of advice.
To be honest, I have been looking into it for a while now so not such a hasty decision it’s just that I don’t want to waste any more time.
Thank you for the link of the list, I had had a look at that already but found nothing in London.
I’m based in north London.
During my search, I spoke to schools that I wasn’t impressed by over the phone at all…but of course, that doesn’t mean their training is not up to scratch…
However, I’d like to get quality training for my money even if I only have a limited amount to spend on the course.
I understand that some nationwide providers are charging extra money that they shouldn’t…but to be honest, I didn’t find smaller companies very helpful or professional.
Would you look out for specific things when you visit the centre?
Or would you just want to have a general feel for it and see the condition of trucks or have a word with an instructor?
Hajnalka
This
Or you could go out of area I did btw I used Flair training in Chelmsford John was good passed np with him but did stay down there as would have been a bit of commute each day
I found it easy to concentrate as well due to no distraction from anything
So DieselDave says I should fire away with my questions.
Hope, you guys are all parked up for the night having nothing else to do but going through my list of questions and coming up with friendly, witty, helpful answers…
Some of these I have asked form a lot of different companies and I think, I know the answer but YOU are the experts and you’re not trying to sell me a course so I’d rather see what you have to say.
Here you go, just randomly:
Do I need to sort out the Initial CPC for myself before looking for work?
As a newly qualified driver, I guess, my chances of finding work are slimmer even if there’s a lot of jobs out there. Am I right?
What do you think of agency work versus a permanent contract with a company?
With a fresh licence, do I need to be a driver’s mate for a while?
Do you think a 5 day course (
Are there real differences between test centers? I mean, obviously, a professional driver should be able to pass a test anywhere, anytime without any problems. But we all know that it’s not only the driving that you perform there’s an examiner in the cabin as well… Are there notoriously bad centers, you think?
Do I need to worry about or ask about what happens if there’s damage to the truck whilst training?
Shall I pay extra money for the Additional training on Tacocard, fuel efficiency, driving hours etc…
Is it a must? Can I learn all that stuff by myself elsewhere for free or on the job? Will it diminish my chances of getting a job if I don’t do it?
What’s a respectable price for a Cat ‘C’ licence training? I’ve been in touch with many companies and now I’m thinking, if it’s not in the £1,300 - £1,600 range, there must be something wrong with the training. Am I right?
Or you could go out of area I did btw I used Flair training in Chelmsford John was good passed np with him but did stay down there as would have been a bit of commute each day
I found it easy to concentrate as well due to no distraction from anything
[/quote]
Great stuff! I was thinking about doing that, too. Going out of London, staying for the week and just concentrate on getting it all done properly.
I’ll be looking into Flair training!
Did you do C OR C+E with them?
Do I need to sort out the Initial CPC for myself before looking for work?
As a newly qualified driver, I guess, my chances of finding work are slimmer even if there’s a lot of jobs out there. Am I right?
What do you think of agency work versus a permanent contract with a company?
With a fresh licence, do I need to be a driver’s mate for a while?
Do you think a 5 day course (
Are there real differences between test centers? I mean, obviously, a professional driver should be able to pass a test anywhere, anytime without any problems. But we all know that it’s not only the driving that you perform there’s an examiner in the cabin as well… Are there notoriously bad centers, you think?
Do I need to worry about or ask about what happens if there’s damage to the truck whilst training?
Shall I pay extra money for the Additional training on Tacocard, fuel efficiency, driving hours etc…
Is it a must? Can I learn all that stuff by myself elsewhere for free or on the job? Will it diminish my chances of getting a job if I don’t do it?
What’s a respectable price for a Cat ‘C’ licence training? I’ve been in touch with many companies and now I’m thinking, if it’s not in the £1,300 - £1,600 range, there must be something wrong with the training. Am I right?
Firstly, cards on the table, I AM a training provider. But I’ll answer your questions honestly as I always do.
You will need Initial cpc before you look for work. This assumes you passed your car test post 1997. But good training providers will sort all this for you.
Yes. But there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that things are improving.
Agency work is, by it’s nature, ad hoc and unreliable. BUT, it’s an excellent way of gaining a lot of experience quickly. Most folk would always prefer a permanent contract.
No. But it’s handy if there is job specific knowledge to be gained.
5 days is the industry standard. Either 5 half days 1:1 or 5 full days 2:1
WIthout doubt, some centres have more difficult routes than others. Yes, you should be able to drive anywhere and pass a test - but why go out of your way to make life difficult?
Yes. If you’re with a broker you will find small print that will, potentially, be expensive in the case of damage. Reputable trainers carry fully comprehensive insurance and will not charge you for damage. Do your best not to do this though!
I would always recommend a 1 day course (which is a credit to your 35 hours periodic training subsequent to your intitial cpc) on tachos and drivers’ hours. If you fall foul of these rules you’ll loose your job and a great deal of cash in fines. Also make yourself unemployable as no-one could afford to take the risk with you. Better employers DO offer on the job training but would expect you to have this relatively basic knowledge before you start.
We charge £1350 for the CAT C course + £200 for the Initial cpc. Add medical, theory tests and there’s the total. I would be concerned if it was a great deal cheaper. Our cpc is priced virtually at cost as we unashamedly make a modest profit from the driving course.
Fire away with any more questions! And all the best with your decision. I would suggest you search for recommendations - on this site and others - rather than go on price alone. It’s also worth visiting the centre before you start. I have had customers travel 200 miles - - just to look. And yes, they have booked and been very happy. Ask questions on this forum and you will find out who can be trusted.
Hi and welcome to the forum there’s not alot to add that hasn’t been said already but it is an absolute MUST that you see the training school and there kit before finding a cheap deal online or over the phone. If it was me I’d rather spend a little extra on a reputable school with half decent motors to learn in I can’t think off anything worse than being a bag off nerves on test day coupled with fighting an old dog off a motor at the same time.
If you read this forum you will find many newbies really struggling to get work as alot off company’s now require 2 years experience for what ever reason. However you will also find the odd thread from someone who has landed on there feet with a gem off a job. Have the successful few worked harder to find a job than others who knows but I would suggest once you’ve gained your licence spend a weekend driving around all your local yards, speak to the boss’s yourself, make sure you make your self known and go prepared with a high viz and some boots incase you get lucky there and then. I think doing this will show alot more willing than posting cvs for some office worker more than likely to bin. Be persistent and something will come up.
Most importantly enjoy it relax and have fun best off luck.
Hi and welcome to the forum.
As already said go down and see the training school first its free and gives you a good feel for the place as you wouldn’t buy a car without seeing it.
As for work after passing your test try an agency while your looking for a permanent job, also take your cv to local companies before you take your test tell them when your test is and ask if there is any jobs or if not keep you on thier books.
All the best
Daytrunker:
Hi and welcome to the forum.
As already said go down and see the training school first its free and gives you a good feel for the place as you wouldn’t buy a car without seeing it.
As for work after passing your test try an agency while your looking for a permanent job, also take your cv to local companies before you take your test tell them when your test is and ask if there is any jobs or if not keep you on thier books.
All the best
There’s been some pretty good advice on this thread. You asked how to choose a training company. The simple truth is you want to pass as efficiently as possible considering cost, location and the overall impression the trainer provides.
Every trainer has passes and fails but I do think certain trainees are better suited to certain training styles. Get your own medical and provisional perhaps even the theory tests then try a few free trial drives. You will know who is right for you.
Most experienced trainers could arrange the whole lot for you but then you miss out on the fun bit.
LGVTrainer:
There’s been some pretty good advice on this thread. You asked how to choose a training company. The simple truth is you want to pass as efficiently as possible considering cost, location and the overall impression the trainer provides.
Every trainer has passes and fails but I do think certain trainees are better suited to certain training styles. Get your own medical and provisional perhaps even the theory tests then try a few free trial drives. You will know who is right for you.
Most experienced trainers could arrange the whole lot for you but then you miss out on the fun bit.
You only get 1 chance to get it right.
Thank you, John!
Are you the John who has just been recommended by one of the guys here?
Please, put me out of this misery and tell me why I should go with you.
What is your training style?
I should probably give you a little more info about myself.
I’ve had a car licence for 23 years and have driven a lot of different cars in lots of different countries without ever having an accident or a scratch.
BUT! I have never driven anything bigger than a van…
When I see people talking about splitters and 9 gears etc…I feel like they talking in Chinese. LOL
Having said that, I am a good learner and a few years ago have passed the ADI Part 1 (theory) and ADI Part 2 (practical) both for the first time.
I’m hoping that since what I need to learn is not how to drive well but to handle a large vehicle and deal with the different gearbox etc., I’ll be able to get my skills up to exam standards during the provided practical training.
Do you really think that the industry standard 16-20 hours behind the wheel is enough to pass for a newbie like me?
I passed my CE in Jan since March never stopped working in fact the company I work for now came looking for me
There is work out there but you have to go looking for it most dont advertise & dont just go to transport company
You could go to agency but dont depend on them yep it will be busy from now till end of year then could dry up but at least you will have some experience