Samir02392:
After all the worries I am pleased to say I have passed my test 
. Many thanks to everyone on the forum for the advice and the plentiful posts full of information!
Congratulations on the pass. As you said in your first post, the minimal extra cost for category C over C1 leaves you with a much more flexible licence. A later upgrade from C1 would require taking a C test - you can’t upgrade C1 to C by taking a CE test as you must have C before taking a CE test.
Taking C rather than C1 does mean getting to grips with an 8 speed gearbox (C1 tests can be taken on a 7.5t vehicle with a car like gearbox), but if you can get used to more gears and a larger vehicle, I believe it’s well worth taking your C test instead.
If you have any thought of driving commercially in the future, it may be worth considering taking your CE test as soon as possible after you get your licence back from DVLA. Your new licence will include a CE provisional as well as your C pass.
A CE test can be taken using a “wagon and drag” - the same sort of lorry you took your C test on (maybe the same lorry if it has towing gear) plus a large trailer. A CE pass on W+D is valid for artics as well, though many recommend going out with a trainer in an artic for a few hours after you pass CE on W+D to familiarise yourself with the different configuration.
There’s two advantages in doing CE sooner rather than later.
Firstly, your driving is at test standard now on C. Driving CE requires getting used to the trailer - you have a vehicle that bends in the middle and cuts in more on bends. However, you haven’t had time to pick up any bad habits or get out of practice on a test-style gearbox.
Secondly, many potential C employers run mixed fleets. All things being equal, they’ll take a driver with CE over one that only has C, as they can use him or her on a CE run if necessary. However, many employers want you to have held your licence for two years, and will not consider time you’ve held C when looking at you as a potential CE driver. If you get CE soon, it can ‘mature’ on your licence for a future possible career change or agency driving one day every other weekend (which is all that’s possible within EU drivers’ hours rules if you work Monday to Friday, because of the weekly rest requirements).
There’s little point doing the initial DCPC until you need it - it only lasts five years before you have to complete 35 hours of periodic training to renew. If you take the DCPC with a view to doing some agency driving, don’t forget to apply for a digital tachograph driver card.
If you do go for the DCPC, one intriguing way to get the 35 hours needed for one of the five year renewal cycles would be to do your operator’s CPC. Some providers give the option of gaining 35 hours DCPC credit by taking their operator’s CPC course. If you had an operator’s CPC, you would then have the necessary qualification to apply for a Standard International operator’s licence, which, with along with the correct insurance, would allow you to run your horsebox for ‘hire and reward’. This would allow you to be paid to drive other people’s horses around.
Be aware that if you go down this route, you will need the equine module of the livestock in transit certificate (that’s not the correct name but I can’t remember the right one) and you’d need to take the initial LGV Driver CPC tests.
Having said all this, the extra costs of being ‘O’ licenced with ‘hire and reward’ insurance just in case someone asks you to move their horse really doesn’t make sense. One significant extra cost would be the need to tax your Bedford at the ordinary HGV rate rather than the cheap Private HGV rate. You’d also need periodic maintenance inspections (though with your likely low mileage, you’d probably be able to persuade the Traffic Commissioner that the interval could be increased from every six weeks) and a tachograph with a current calibration certificate.
Just be aware - without a standard ‘O’ licence, hire and reward insurance, Driver CPC and the livestock in transit certificate, you cannot drive other people’s horses around for payment. I am fairly certain this ban includes driving for diesel money only.
If you have any interest in being an owner driver in the future - or are just interested - there’s no harm in doing the operator CPC course. However, you can’t claim the 35 hours of periodic DCPC credit unless you’ve passed the initial DCPC tests.
Right now, I appreciate that money is tight and you probably want to put any available money into the horsebox rather than more training. The fuel gauge sounds like it’s either a dead sender or gauge.
I hope you and your horses enjoy your new freedom. How about posting a picture of the horsebox - maybe with you proudly holding your pass certificate in front of it.
. I have been told its not a good pass rate for 1st time…
One nagging issue is cropping up where the gear gate is so narrow that I occasionally crunch reverse when trying to get into 5th… Im naturally nervous so hope I can keep myself together for it 
