I know its not truck, but trying to find this info is next to impossible
first question, the theory and hazard perception is it the same as car but just more ? I know theory is 100 questions as oppose to 50
next question, is it possible to learn the cpc online, basically teach yourself ? It is just common sense really isn’t it ?
next question, is it possible to do the practical without training, I have a mate who is a car ADI he could sit with me for a few hours(I have a 16 seater with tacho already) It’s just a higher test really and I drive the same size vehicle every day 1200 miles a week, how difficult can it be ?
And the bit I really need to know, after everyone has slagged me off over the other questions lol 
I have D1+E on my license now as I am no new driver but not for hire and reward, If I pass the D1 do I automatically get the D1+E for hire as well as I already have it not for hire, or will I need to do the test with the trailer
Thanks for any help
hazard perception is basically the same, theory questions different, get dsa book 
is your 16 seater over 4 ton ?
Noworries:
is your 16 seater over 4 ton ?
Its the new high roof 17 seat transit I think its bang on 4000kg
ok for test vehicle requirements then 
Would deff have a days training, a lot of people who thought how hard can it be ended up disappointed, you need to do it the examiners way to get a pass
Noworries:
ok for test vehicle requirements then
yep, I drive a citroen relay now its a 14 seater converted for wheelchairs, so its licensed for 8 and I can drive it on a taxi license. Its a foot shorter than the transit and no tacho. My boss just bought this Transit and I need the D1 to drive it, obviously want to do it the cheapest easiest way possible. Awaiting return of my provisional now so I can get it soon as possible
Where are you based ?
Hull
don’t know any trainers that far north but would definitely recommend having a days training to get the test sorted first go
Yes it does look like at least a days training, just need to get my head round this cpc, been reading about it online
cpc mod 2 is case study based, i found it straight forward and common sense, theory test was harder question about conductor ringing bell, something like how many times for emergency , read the dsa book and keep revising , passed with 99 out of 100 with about three days revising in spare time, good luck, mod 4 is straight forward, if you have a days training , trainer will go through mod 4 , its all about vehicle checks etc. Good luck, let us know how you get on
Thanks, any idea whether i would need to do the D1+E or if I would get it automatically as I have it without the hire and reward bit ?
Not sure
You will need a further test for D1+E. Your vehicle must have additional mirrors fitted for the examiner and be a minimum of 4000kgs. Check the plate on the passenger door pillar. (The examiner probably will so it’s no good blagging it). I would think it’s a bad idea to go without training. Why not have an assessment drive to find out? The normal training is often around 8 or 10 hours so it could be an expensive option not to do it.
A good trainer will sort your dcpc for you at the same time.
Be aware that the driving standard is identical to that required of a coach driver - just on a smaller vehicle.
All the best with it, Pete 
Thanks I will get an assessment done as soon as possible, could I actually do that without the provisional, as technically I can drive it without passengers ?
just ordered the book from amazon
If this is for compny purposes will your employer pay for this?
I do not see the reason why you wish to pass D1 if you can get a D instead it could well be worth doing the D ok, it will be 20 hours training and more money but it will ope up other avenues.
Re D1 if you have that on your licence then I do believe, but check with DVLA that as long as it is nto for H&R then you can legally drive it. I think it is the same as the guys who have the W&D on there class 2 trucks could drive legally to the centre take test then drive home again without an instructor.
As stated not sure how that works, but if you do need somebody sitting beside you make sure your mate has the relevant licence to do so being a car ADI will not count for nothing if he doesnt have correct categories on his licence.
Disco
I understand what you’re saying but my situation isn’t that simple lol, I work for a small company and I am self employed, my boss is actually a mate, we’re never going to get anything bigger than 16 seats and I am not interested in driving for big companies driving coaches. He is going to help towards the costs but I still want to get it done as cheap as possible. The D would be significantly more money as I would use the training companies vehicle, I know my local company Welwyn use the trainees vehicle which makes a big difference in cost. Looking at what some people charge for training and the price of the test (£115) I could probably just go for it and wing it, fail a few times and still save a lot of money lol, I am not going to of course but there are more options to (DIY) this when I already have the vehicle 
Yes I can drive this vehicle legally as long as its not for hire and reward even with the huge trailer. I think I can also drive without the tacho up to so many miles from base, again not for H&R, obviously need to gen up on the tacho stuff as well
If you can legally drive it jsut not for H&R, you could drive yourself to the test centre take test and drive home regardless of a pass or fail, get your ADI mate to sit bedside you and get your methods up to test standards, you will do ok, you drive it all the time anyway good luck and less us lot know how you get on.
Disco
But his adi mate is not a vocational licence trainer and has no minibus training experience so surely its the blind leading the blind,i,e do you have to do a pcv door exercise for minibus test ?
do you have to do a pcv door exercise for minibus test ?
Yes. The test is exactly the same as for a coach.
The whole prospect of going for a test without training in a vehicle that isn’t normally used for training is a bit scary. The vehicle has to have additional mirrors - and will be turned away if the examiner isn’t happy with them. So there’s 1 test fee up the proverbial.
It’s not unheard of for someone to pass without proper training. But flukes are thin on the ground and it’s an expensive method of learning! Surely far better to spend a bit on training rather than waste it on test fees. It’s also bad news to keep turning up at the test station and failing tests. Word gets around.
Using your own vehicle, you may be able to get around 3 or even 4 hours training for the cost of a test fee. That’s long enough to be told how it’s got to be. But doubtful if it’s long enough to put it into practice.
There also seems to be a bias (this is only my perception) against “private” entries at some test centres.
A point that no-one has picked up on is the importance of actually knowing and putting into practice safe driving methods applicable to a passenger carrying vehicle. I’m the first to beat the drum about the test being out of date etc etc - but it’s the only measuring stick we’ve got. And to be sure of passing the candidate will need proper training in all aspects of driving that class of vehicle. And then there’s the minor point about ongoing safety having scraped through the test.
It concerns me that someone not prepared to take proper training could, at some point, be driving a minibus with my family on board. We really need to take it a bit more seriously.
Best way to do it is with a professional trainer in a school vehicle. But it’s also the most expensive in the short term. Pete