New to trucknet

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi there,

I am new to the forum and considering doing my c and e category training.

I was looking at courses online where you can do this at the same time as I understand you should do c first then onto c and e? can anyone confirm?

also I am looking at this training:

thelgvtrainingcompany.co.uk/ … tegory-ce/

has anyone had any dealings with them or make any recommendations?

my only concern about getting my license is that nearly all jobs require 2 years experience min but how can you get experience without getting a job?

thanks for the help

2

C must be passed before doing C+E

The link leads to a broker who simply take a cut of your money and farm you out to a real LGV training school

NEVER PART WITH ANY MONEY UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE TRAINER FACE TO FACE unless you have some rock solid recommendations for a particular school

check out the link in my signature below and all the other stickies at the top of this forum

3

[/quotC must be passed before doing C+E

The link leads to a broker who simply take a cut of your money and farm you out to a real LGV training school

NEVER PART WITH ANY MONEY UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE TRAINER FACE TO FACE unless you have some rock solid recommendations for a particular school
e]

+1

Also don’t be fooled into thinking that you can immediately do CE after C. There will always be a delay of 2 - 4 weeks as it’s impossible to start the CE training until you have your CE provisional from Swansea following the C pass.

Bear in mind the driver cpc which you will need to complete.

The 2 year experience issue has been there for many years and suddenly evaporates when an operator has the truck stood with no driver. The fact is that many insurers increase the excess for inexperienced drivers and that is why you regularly see it come up. Always apply. If you sell yourself well you may well find that the rule no longer applies.

And, of course, there are still plenty of operators who are happy to take new drivers as they can mould them from the start into their own methods. (And, dare I say it, pay a bit less in some cases).

Happy to give more specific advice if you reply on here or pm me if you wish.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

4

thanks for the help guys.

is there anyone you can recommend in Scotland for training?

so the link from that company that says you can do c and e training together I am guessing is not true?

cheers

5

Where about in Scotland?
Here’s link to recommended schools

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=44667&p=503949#p503949

You can do C and C+E straight away BUT…
To do your C+E you must pass C driving test and
receive your licence back from DVLA with C+E provisional.
As Pete said that can take 2-4 weeks!

Make sure what is included in final price when book your training.
Medicals, learning materials, will it be 1:1 training, test fees, DCPC modules and so on.

6

Category C+E (Artic vehicle / Class 1 / HGV)

If you’re new to trucking, but you’re interested in the higher earning power of a position driving a C+E Vehicle, you can train back to back. This means that in the HGV Training course, you can complete your Category C and C+E training. It’ll take you eight days.

This is simply a lie. It’s absolutely impossible to complete C and CE in 8 days. Unless they mean 2 lots of 4 days - in which case the ad is downright misleading.

Just look at the photo on the website. Photoshop special!

On a similar note, there was a trainer at Peterborough Truckfest displaying an 02 plate Volvo - tidy enough. But check the website - - it’s a new Renault Premium!! I doubt if that was out so they had to display the older one!

It’s these tactics that really make my blood boil.

Photoshop is the curse of this industry so far as advertising goes. It’s used on too many websites and should be illegal.

To me, having discovered that anyone is trying to lead me up the garden, I would turn tail and run as fast as my little legs would carry me. No way would I spend money with anyone trying to mislead me.

Back to the OP. I can personally recommend Richies. Or consider residential.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

7

mrhankey:
so the link from that company that says you can do c and e training together I am guessing is not true?

In one course you can complete your Category C and C+E training

Cleverly put because it does not state they are done one immediately after the other has completed but leads punters to think that it does … one course … but it does not state with or without a break of X amount of time in the middle of it

A university course can have many breaks in it for holidays etc etc

This means that in the HGV Training course, you can complete your Category C and C+E training. It’ll take you eight days

another clever one - does not state that the 8 days are done in one go …

8

thanks for the help again.

so I should do c (7.5 tonne) then I can move onto c and e after?

I was looking at ritchies and gtg as I am looking to use ila credits I have and I think a few of my old mates from the army used ritchies for resettlement.

cheers

9

mrhankey:
thanks for the help again.

so I should do c (7.5 tonne) then I can move onto c and e after?

I was looking at ritchies and gtg as I am looking to use ila credits I have and I think a few of my old mates from the army used ritchies for resettlement.

cheers

Cat C is upto 32t not 7.5

Go visit them before booking speak with the trainers see the vehicles before parting with any money

It may not be easy to get a job as a new driver but not impossible but you have to go look

10

thanks again.

last question, promise :slight_smile:

so looking around online I am trying to get my head around it.

can I start doing a cat c then or do I need to do c1 first? just so i know i can do cat c and means i can drive up to 32 tonne did you say?

thanks

11

Go straight to C. The staged training means you have to complete C before CE. But you don’t have to do C1 before C.

Use Richies.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

12

mrhankey:
thanks again.

last question, promise :slight_smile:

so looking around online I am trying to get my head around it.

can I start doing a cat c then or do I need to do c1 first? just so i know i can do cat c and means i can drive up to 32 tonne did you say?

thanks

Really :open_mouth: :open_mouth:

Think there could be more I still ask questions & so do a lot of others :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

13

Yes, I missed that bit. Don’t stop asking questions. Always happy to help. Just make sure you use a good trainer and stay away from brokers - - or I’ll have nothing to do with you !!

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

14

Thanks, i just had hgv express on the phone and the guy would not let me off the call. was on for 40 minutes and he promised work etc which i think is bull to be honest. sounds far too good to be true.

speaking to ritchies and gtg. my only concern is when they say about the assessment for either 5 or 7 days. will they not just put me on 7 days for more money out me?

also does any of the courses or can you take courses that will go towards driving experience as alot of the jobs say 2 years or 180 days driving which as a new cat c driver i wont have. my wife is worried about me spending the money towards it for no work at the end.

i just have fancied doing it for years but never done and with my little one starting school after summer i want something regular for money and work. any thoughts on how to get the experience?

thanks again for helping.

15

Avoid hgvexpress they are a broker they will promise you everything but deliver nowt

It not easy getting a job as a new driver but not impossible you will have to go & look but if you do your CE it can open a lot more doors for you

Have an assessment with both of them see what they say ask the questions

16

Reputable trainers wont exaggerate the training time to get more money. Beware of those who under asses just to get your custom and numerous retests.

This is the importance of using reputable trainers. The ones you mention are both good. I suggest you give them both a try and compare.

All the best, Pete :laughing: :laughing:

17

The amount of time before many employers will give you a chance is the company insurers wanting you to have held the category on the licence for X amount of time - they look at the date you passed then go from there

There are also many other employers who like to employ newbies and give them a few days intro training

18

Thanks, so do you think I will pass then maybe have to wait a year or two before I get a job? I will try with agencies also in the hope I can get something. What sort of money would you expect an hour for cat c driver? Thanks

19

There are also many other employers who like to employ newbies and give them a few days intro training

I think ROG answered your question here.

Pay varies geographically and according to the type of work, hours and employer.

But, as a newbie in Scotland, I would estimate just over £7 per hour.

I wouldn’t settle for any less and you may be able to get more.

Given a typical 50hr week, that would be 40hrs @ £7 = £280. Then, hopefully, £10.50 per hour for the remaining 10 hours = £105. Total for the week £385. You might get nights out which range between £20 and £30 per night.

If you can afford it, go for CE. This will improve your employment prospects considerably and, when you get a job, the money should be at least £1 per hour more. So, on the same example, this would make £440. Doesn’t sound much more but at a cost of around £1k, you’ll earn the extra training costs back in around 20 weeks.

Don’t put too much weight on my wage estimates; you can be quoted all sorts of figures but I have gone for the lowest I would expect.

Pete :laughing: :laughing:

20

Thanks again guys. I am Defo going to try for c and e

So do cat c just now then it looks around 1kish again for the c and e yeah? I should have done with my resettlement from army but hey ho just need to pay myself now.