Mate of mine passed his class 2 last week , part of his navy resetalment package, he passed in a 12 t short back ,flat bed automatic but as he has manual car licence can drive any rigid, manual or auto .
Oh and what is the driver CPC initial assessment, another mate was told he can’t do any CPC modules until he’s passed this ? He drives a scaffolding lorry .
Yes…we can now take driving tests in auto. vehicles & gain unrestricted manual licence!!! Providing the successful candidate has a manual car licence.
Regarding Initial DCPC: Module 2 is taken at the theory test centre (extra theory-type test to pass).
Module 4 is a practical type test to be taken & passed at the LGV driving test centre - the test vehicle (or similar) is reqd. to be present along with the candidate & his Mod. 2 pass Cert. Here he will be questioned on safe loading, daily checks, stowaways, how to check the oil etc. And asked to demonstrate around the vehicle how he would do all these practical checks.
Once Mod. 2 & 4 have been passed a Driver Qualification Card will be issued to allow him to drive manual or automatic rigid vehicles.
No DQC = no driving job. Once he has his DQC he has upto 5 years to take DCPC Periodic Training of 35 hours!!!
Never-ending story!!!
I am surprised that the Navy resettlement did not sort out the initial driver cpc for him …
So you can get your Class 2 not only in an automatic but in a short 12 tonner? 
rob22888:
So you can get your Class 2 not only in an automatic but in a short 12 tonner?
YUP
You can now get C+E in the above with a drag on it that is not what we would class as full sized
Yes, we use w+d manual or auto. Has to be said that the outfit comes in at 15.5m so it’s only a metre shorter than a “real” artic. For the purists, we also have 16.5m artic.
Pete 
ROG:
rob22888:
So you can get your Class 2 not only in an automatic but in a short 12 tonner?YUP
You can now get C+E in the above with a drag on it that is not what we would class as full sized
I don’t think it’s particularly great that you can potentially gain full C+E without actually demonstrating you can safely handle at least a ‘proper’ large goods vehicle, the sort you might actually realistically encounter 9/10 in a driving job. You should be taking your class 2 test in an 18 tonner minimum in my opinion.
Seems it’s all just about making it as easy as possible to get people through their test for some training outfits.
Passed on a flatbed? Are you sure. I thought that wasn’t allowed anymore.
When I did my test, I’m sure I read that the body of the vehicle had to be at least as high and as wide as the cab.
I’m no expert, so I could well be wrong.
Flatbed … Maybe the forces have different rules ?
i past in a glorified 7.5 ton milk float, a 12t MAN ,the size differance to 18t is massive really for a newbie, id drove them before cough cough, you should have to pass in a 18t splitter end of, thats what most of the wagons are that youre gunna drive, then for C&E an auto would do as you already know how to work the splitter
Come on Mr Smythe. Where are you when we need you?
In the garden as it happens!
This really has been done to death. We offer a full range of training vehicles and folks have the choice. Clearly it’s a bit harder to pass on a larger vehicle, but we all know that they’ve got to do it at some point.
It’s interesting, though, that I have had many, many drivers pass on a “dinky toy” w+d and then get work at Sports Direct driving “proper” artics. All without serious problem. So maybe we’re doing something right?
As far as auto goes, when it was first mooted my expression was that “it’s one step too far”. Then think about it. I passed on a grotty 5 speed. Then went on to drive most variations out there - without any further training. Most 2 axle rigids are either straight 6 or auto and the majority of artics are now auto (yes I know there’s loads of manuals as well). When Iveco delivered our last new manual Jan last year, the rep told me that was the only manual he had sold that year. That must say something.
IMO the best way now is to learn on 8 speed rigid followed by full size auto artic. But each to their own.
Pete
ROG:
Flatbed … Maybe the forces have different rules ?
Nope rules are the same.
This guy reckons his mate passed with a flatbed last week though Pete.
Nobody passed their test on a flatbed last week.That is a fact.
Well that’s what I’d thought, but if you read the original post…
Sounds like a case of MMTM
Pete
Whoopee. I knew something!!!
albion1971:
Nobody passed their test on a flatbed last week.That is a fact.
My mistake , it was the way he described it to me , I thought it odd too at the time , his first introduction to the world of driving was doing the test, part of his resettlement package , he’s done his 22 years , is a qualified diver & was hoping to remain in a class room based teaching capacity with the navy , cut backs meant they would not be offering him anything after his service but here you go , go get an HGV licence , it was still a small truck , not much bigger than sprinter van !
Now he wants that £40k + a year job the Navy said he can earn, I’ve told him to let me know when he finds it …
rob22888:
ROG:
rob22888:
So you can get your Class 2 not only in an automatic but in a short 12 tonner?YUP
You can now get C+E in the above with a drag on it that is not what we would class as full sized
I don’t think it’s particularly great that you can potentially gain full C+E without actually demonstrating you can safely handle at least a ‘proper’ large goods vehicle, the sort you might actually realistically encounter 9/10 in a driving job. You should be taking your class 2 test in an 18 tonner minimum in my opinion.
Seems it’s all just about making it as easy as possible to get people through their test for some training outfits.
Agree, and the auto should only be for c+e
Once c is obtained in a manual
IMO