There aint such a thing as Class 2 any more
Just looking for others opinions as regards the length of class 1 training.
With not knowing you from Adam (I presume), I would quote you 14 hours 1:1 plus test. Or come for an assesment in the hope of reducing the training time. People we have recently trained normally pass on 7 hours + test with no problem. With extremely rare exceptions, the likelihood of passing first time is increased with more rather than less training. But it is unwise to spend money that doesn’t need spending.
You asked about how much time was the norm when going straight to the old Class 1. The industry standard was 10 days 2:1 training.
Hope this helps, Pete 
Peter Smythe:
You asked about how much time was the norm when going straight to the old Class 1. The industry standard was 10 days 2:1 training.
Nowt to Class 1 or car to class 1?
Car to class 1 near me was a 7 day 2 to 1 standard in 1988
Car to class 1 near me was a 7 day 2 to 1 standard in 1988
Your candidates are either quicker learners than mine or you are the superior trainer!
It was 10 days in London when I trained there in the early seventies, 10 days in Nottingham when I moved in 1974. I also trained scores of bus conductors to drive buses from nowt and that varied between 15 - 20 days. But that was using a crash box, no power steering and vacuum brakes for what it’s worth!
Also trained some from nowt to Class 1. Can’t honestly remember how long that took but I’ll guess it was about the same as for a bus. Some things easier, some harder.
Pete
Peter = I did MY class 1 in 1988 so knew it was 7 days cos I rang round a few in yellow pages
I did MY class 1 in 1988 so knew it was 7 days cos I rang round a few in yellow pages
Maybe they realised they had a star candidate on the phone!?! (Removes tongue from cheek)
Clearly there have been differences between geographical areas.
Pete
I have two pieces of input here.
When I went for my class one. I pulled into the RTITB place in Hull with a delivery. I asked how much it would cost for a couple of days training and a test.
Them. “What makes you think you only need two days?”
I don’t, but can only afford that at the moment.
If you have time, go and have a play in that artic for half an hour and try to reverse it between the cones.
I did this because it was something I had been doing from about 12 years old. The guy said OK I have been watching you and will take you out on Monday and Tuesday, If I think you can do it I have a slot available on Wednesday. I did that and I passed. I felt quite humbled and excited. I shared the cab with another driver who also passed on the Wednesday.
The other thing I remember was that the training schools were charging a months wages for a weeks course to get a class one, they still are, it hasn’t got any more expensive for the newbies
In 82 when I trained for Bender SOM in Basildon all car to class 1 I was told before every assessment how long they needed. In those days tests were allocated to schools en mass a month in advance. Normally between 8-10 days. No theory test no CPC.
There was however a forward steering exercise which started from the reversing bay and ended in another bay far right hand side of area.
Now we get 8 hours not 8 days to get a class 1 pass.
Times have changed
Everyone has different levels of ability.
Someone might have trucking in their family or used to driving farm vehicles, they might be in a position to get after hours training from a family member or practice in a yard. This puts them at a distinct advantage over someone who say has literally come straight off the street having never even been in a truck.
Other things to consider when people quote 2 or 3 days training being enough, is this based on one to one training or double manning with another learner? If its double manning then 5 days training actually becomes more like 2.5 days training time behind the wheel.
OK, I know I’m still using the old language here, but am I correct in thinking that before you go near an artic you have to train and test on class 2, then go forward and train and test on class 1? 
(I promise I will learn the categories of vehicle before long).
Yes, that’s correct. But there is no requirement to hold the “class 2” for a certain period. That is a common myth.
If you’re interested, Class 2 is now CAT C whilst Class 1 is CE.
But for some of us it will always be Class 2 and Class 1! (not me of course 
)
Pete
So, really PAY for training on one and then pay again for the next? Can’t believe what I’m reading.
Yes, believe it! But there are deals about for a short upgrade courses at minimal cost. In our case the upgrade is £750 all in. That’s not bad is it?
Pete
So, generally speaking, if you can, what’s the cost of training for Cat C?
Trainers charge differently. But this is how we do it (and this is brand new, off the press, not even on the website yet!)
Starter Pack: includes medical, online theory training, classroom theory training, multiple choice theory test and hazard perception test - £150 all in.
Standard CAT C Course: 14hrs 1:1 tuition followed by test at our private test centre - £1350 all in
Driver cpc (only one of the following will be required)
Initial qualification: online theory training, Mod 2 test, Mod 4 training and test incl vehicle hire £200 all in
35hours periodic training: £200 all in
The Driver cpc rates are discounted for our customers taking a full CAT C course.
TOTAL cost - start to finish - £1750 all in.
Hope this helps, Pete
Many thanks for all the feedback much appreciated. Out of interest what kind of cost would 2 or 3 days be including test. Please feel free to PM me if preferred. I’m based in Darlington but as said I’m not adverse to travelling & stopping overnight.
Thanks again chaps.
In your case you are quite a distance from us but as you see earlier in the thread we have big success with our 2 day courses. These cost £599 inc test. 2 students train from 8-4 on Sunday and covers reversing. Uncoupling and test area familiarisation.
On the Monday one person drives from 8am until the test at 10.15 then the other guy drives from approx 11.30 until test time at 2pm.
This would not be possible in a full size artic mainly because a drawbar follows the prime mover without too much corner cutting. Generally we advise experienced cat C drivers to take a similar position when turning corners as they are used to.
I am surprised that wagon & drag trainers closer to home do not offer a shorter course option. In all fairness we didn’t either until a couple of years ago when we experimented with various options and found out how well the short courses work.
We have just (today) abandoned our short CE course because the pass rate didn’t stack up against the normal course and the instructors (who no-one ever considers!) found it very pressured as they are expected to consistently turn in a very high pass rate. That’s what they’re paid for but it’s only fair to give them the time to deliver.
But what we have done is reduce the price of the full course (14hours + test) to £1000 fully inclusive of 1:1 training, test fee and VAT. Then add free B+B and it stacks up quite well I think.
Anyone is welcome to have an assessment to see if the training time can be reduced. eg a farmer is not likely to need as long learning to reverse. Or someone who has had training elsewhere but it hasn’t worked out.
I have great respect for John at Flair and he is doing what he finds works for him. And that’s how the customer gets choice - and that’s surely a good thing. What we have done is to examine our results and act accordingly to provide the best for our customers and staff.
Pete
Peter will your prices stay the same from November when we have to load our trucks?
Peter will your prices stay the same from November when we have to load our trucks?
No intention of immediately increasing rates because of loading. The thinking behind this is a) folks have got it hard enough out there paying for the training b) I expect that the biggest difference in running costs will be fuel (though clearly every mechanical part on the vehicles will wear more quickly) and, as our mileage isn’t huge due to having our own test centre, I’m hopeful we can swallow the extra costs c) until we’ve actually done it for, say, 6 months we wont realistically know the effect of the extra load.
Having said all that, we do have to make a profit. But I am content to make a little less if it makes the world function easier.
Pete