I got my LGV Provisional almost four months ago, had to wait a while to get an appt’ to sit my LGV theory and Hazard perception tests and passed both about two months ago. I’m saving up presently to move onward with all the rest, practical, etc, etc.
One month ago I was done for using a mobile while driving. No complaints, fair cop, three points on a clean licence, bummer. This was while driving a Vivaro at work (I’m not a driver by trade tho’ I have been a few times over the years).
Got a letter today from the DVLA noting my CU80 offence and warning me that if this happens again within three years I’d be referred to the Traffic Commissioner who will judge if I’m a fit person to hold a LGV/PCV licence and who has the power to suspend/disqualify me from holding the licence.
I’m a bit puzzled because I obviously don’t yet have a LGV/PCV licence, just the provisional on my ordinary licence? I’m assuming they are saying that they could suspend/disqualify my provisional status?
I’d be grateful for some info’ and advice on this please.
The final line of the letter does state that “this letter does not in any way affect your ordinary driving licence”.
As far as they are concerned you do have an LGV - provisional or full no difference .
You applied for your LGV so no doubt they assume your expecting to become one ( probably not as simple as that but you get my drift) They expect you to be professional so that’s why referred to TC. They see it on your licence so yes they can suspend etc as they deem fit. All part and parcel of being a LGV/PSV driver .
The fact that you don’t currently hold a full HGV licence is irrelevant, you hold a provisional HGV licence and therefore can legally drive large vehicles, and that’s why it may be of interest to the TC.
I imagine that what they’re saying is that you could potentially have the provisional HGV entitlement revoked if you get caught again.
This is due to rule changes as of september this year that all drivers of LGV’s if caught using a mobile phone CU80 for the second time in any vehicle, even a car they will have their driving licence taken off them for a period of time, its expected to be normally 3 months, this was brought in due to numerous car drivers being crushed by truck drivers not looking ahead and failing to even slow down from motorway speeds before hitting a car stopped in front. check out some of the tv programmes on youtube showing the traffic cops attending these crashes, its grim.
Truck hits car at 50mph = dead car driver, government think this is not any good, prod mr traffic commissioner to do something - new rules brought in.
I’m teaching a driver cpc tomorrow about this, oh joy 7 hours of truck crashes here i come, can’t wait.
So if I was caught a second time (in my works van, not an LGV as I’ve not even started LGV training yet) I would almost certainly have the LGV provisional entitlement removed from my ‘ordinary’ licence for 3 months?
This would not affect my ordinary day to day job (ordinary licence, not LGV) ?
well you would be called to see Beverley Bell or one of her traffic commissioners to explain why you think you are fit to drive a truck, if you don’t convince the TC then you will have action taken against your licence, how and what depends on standard policy at the time. Will have to see what happens through other cases in the future, but they are taking a hard line.
it does seem interesting that offences driving a car can affect your lgv licence.
Tockwith Training:
it does seem interesting that offences driving a car can affect your lgv licence.
I was looking at it the other way round. It would be strange that I’d be banned from driving in my normal everyday (non-LGV job) for getting done for using a phone a second time (in my normal everyday non-LGV job) because I held a LGV provisional entitlement on my ordinary licence, having never yet driven an LGV.
An ordinary car driver caught twice or even three times using a phone would only get the 6 or 9 points, (3 for each offence) and continue driving as normal? But I, if caught twice could/would be banned because I have an LGV provisional entitlement?
I think its got something to do with the whole “professional driver” thing. We’re supposed to be a level up from the masses so any offense is clamped down on hard.