Cut a long story short, a friend of mine and his father have well established ski organising group, they go on about 4 holidays with about 30 people, hire a coach and driver to drive everyone and equipment out to the resort.
As his dad is retiring they are looking at his son and me taking over (we are both ski instructors and both 23 years old). We would both like to do our PSV License so we could both drive the coach to the resorts…
I did my Rigid HGV last September just gone so would I need to re do my medical, theory test etc.?
For my friend would it be the same 4 modules as the HGV (theory, practical, cpc theory, cpc practical)?
Could you recommend any companies for training, we are in the South East.
Hey bud, did my pcv last year, about 2 years after my class 1.
You should be ok on your medical as it lasts for about 3 years I believe but you will have to do everything else again, theory, haz percep, case studies and the module about walk round checks. I was under the impression that I could drive coaches empty and only have to take a module or two to get a full cat D but turns out not. Also, with the DCPC you will have to do something called a DCPCconversion which I have never heard of and neither had the driving school I was with. It’s basically just a different name when you book your case studies to be honest. The DVLA / VOSA must have your details come up on the computer when you book so it automatically comes up with Cpc conversion when you book it.
As for a driving school, I can’t help sorry as I’m not from your way hope it all works out for you though!
CPC should carry forward, but the theory and hazard perception tests will have to be redone.
Medical MAY have to be redone, but I think I read something about a 12 month window a while ago: meaning if you have submitted a medical within the past year you don’t need to submit a new one.
Double check all this with decent training company, they should keep you right. Can’t point you towards anyone though as I’m not from down your way.
Yeah, just remembered that I did my Cpc as a “new driver” it was all in with the course bit from what I hear, when you do your Cpc days to renew it all, it does include both cats on the one card. At the moment, I have 2 Cpc cards, one with just ce and the other with ce and de but the De still expires after ce so when I renew, both cats should have the same dates.
bazza123:
What does the PSV test involve that’s different to a rigid? How to open the door?
Never understood the need for a separate test…
When I took my PSV test in 2003 there was no difference in the test at all and despite having a C+E I wasn’t allowed to drive an empty coach.
I bought a coach to take my test in, it was far cheaper than a driving school and intended selling it when I got my licence but fell in love with it and still own it. I had a retired DSA driving examiner as a tutor.
If there are two of you doing the practical it might be cheaper if you have a full licence holder to accompany you to do the same and you can do as much or as little practice as you want. Don’t forget though that the test vehicle requires ABS, which wasn’t a requirement when I did mine.
bazza123:
What does the PSV test involve that’s different to a rigid? How to open the door?
Never understood the need for a separate test…
When I took my PSV test in 2003 there was no difference in the test at all and despite having a C+E I wasn’t allowed to drive an empty coach.
I bought a coach to take my test in, it was far cheaper than a driving school and intended selling it when I got my licence but fell in love with it and still own it. I had a retired DSA driving examiner as a tutor.
If there are two of you doing the practical it might be cheaper if you have a full licence holder to accompany you to do the same and you can do as much or as little practice as you want. Don’t forget though that the test vehicle requires ABS, which wasn’t a requirement when I did mine.
When I did my PSV test (1991) - granted it was very close to what a Cat. C rigid test would be now, however the focus is on ‘the comfort & safety of the passengers’ at all times. For example, the emergency stop which we used to do in the test station, I was made to re-attempt (I presumed I braked too harshly on my first go!!!) so did it again a little more gently & the examiner said ‘Ok carry on’. Also a slight difference was (don’t know if it still is) - we used to have to pull up at a couple of bus stops where no-one was waiting & actually open the door. He checked the door opening was alongside the bus stop & you were close enough into kerbside, so passengers didn’t have to take a leap of faith. So, bazza, partially true what you said above…or at least it used to be!!!
Regarding Driver CPC - you will need to do Initial CPC case study & Practical (Modules 2 & 4) even if you did them for LGV -as they are different for PCV licence. These will then get added to your DQC card (after passing practical driving test 1st) as categories D/D+E with the relevant expiry date, before which you must complete the 35 hours of Periodic Training (which can be dual-purpose & be used for both Categories C and D. Confusing isn’t it■■?
I would argue that if you can drive properly then you can drive anything, but there are differences between classes of vehicles which need to be taken into consideration. Even the PSV test is examining for two entirely different types of operation - coach and bus. Coach driving is getting there quickly and so smoothly that no coffee is spilt. Bus driving is a real workout round the tightest, busiest roads possible in your area. Even if you are used to multi-drop round town there is no real comparison. As you live in the south east, take a trip up to London and stand watching the buses turning left out of Lower Regent Street onto Piccadilly with several feet of the driver’s front corner sweeping over the traffic island.
Daz1970:
Regarding Driver CPC - you will need to do Initial CPC case study & Practical (Modules 2 & 4) even if you did them for LGV -as they are different for PCV licence. These will then get added to your DQC card (after passing practical driving test 1st) as categories D/D+E with the relevant expiry date, before which you must complete the 35 hours of Periodic Training (which can be dual-purpose & be used for both Categories C and D. Confusing isn’t it■■?
LGV initial dcpc passed sept 2014 so DQC issued with LGV expiry in sept 2019
Now we come onto two possible scenarios …
Scenario 1
35 hours periodic dcpc not completed
PCV initial dcpc passed june 2015
New DQC issued with LGV expiry june 2019 and PCV june 2020
35 hours periodic then completed
New DQC issued expiry dated for both june 2025
Scenario 2
35 hours periodic dcpc completed
DQC for LGV now expiry dated june 2024
PCV initial dcpc passed june 2015
New DQC issued expiry dated for both june 2024
then you will already have D provisional so a medical will deffo not be needed