7.5t LGV Training – West Country Driver Training

LGV 7.5tonne Driver Training:

If you’re fortunate to have held a Full driving licence before 1st January 1997, you will have automatic right to drive a commercial vehicle up to 7.5tonne. (This is known as Grandfather rights) After this date you will need to undertake training with us to achieve your Category C1 Licence.

Driving a LGV (Light Goods Vehicle) for leisure?

Do you need to drive a 7.5tonne vehicle that can carry your precious investment and your riding team?
Transporting your Pony and/or Horse to shows, events or gymkhanas’ can be challenging for any driver. Why not equip yourself with the necessary skills to be able to arrive safely with your valuable equine arriving calm and relaxed after the journey. You may have reached a stage when being able to camp with your equine is far more appealing than towing a trailer or digging out the mildew covered tent again!

You might be coveting that long-held dream to invest in a super-duper motorcaravan and the only thing that is putting you off is your car driving licence limiting you to a vehicle no more than 3.5tonne in weight.

Or… if you ever need to hire a larger van to do a self-move when relocating… several good reasons for upgrading your car licence to include the category C1, allowing you to drive vehicles up to 7.5tonne.

This training course is delivered to anyone who needs to drive for leisure.
There’s a Medical Assessment, Theory Test, Hazard Perception, Off-road Reverse Manoeuvres and On-Road Test requirement but no CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) required, so it’s a fairly straightforward path to take.

Driving a LGV (Light Goods vehicle) for work or business?

Maybe this is your first step towards driving an LGV and you are looking for experience driving a larger Goods carrying van before moving into the world of becoming a HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) Driver.

As part of your training, you’ll benefit from getting used to a larger vehicle on our busy roads. Because you will ultimately driving for reward (Getting paid to deliver goods to customers, you will study for something called CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) This qualification is split into 4 groups:

CPC Mod1 is your Theory Test (100 questions multiple choice and Hazard Perception)
CPC Mod2 is a case study exam you will take as part of your Theory Test
CPC Mod3a is your off-road reverse manoeuvres test
CPC Mod3b is your on-road practical test
CPC Mod4 is again case studies relating to loading your vehicle and how to plan journeys Etc

Once you’ve passed these exams, you will be ready to commence your life on the road as a professional driver delivering goods and products the length and breadth of the UK

You will need to apply for a Digi-Card. There’s a further explanation of Digi-Card in our FAQs section

Definitely your first step to becoming a true “Knight of the road” and leading to a very rewarding career pathway

West Country Driver Training requires 12 hours’ notice of cancellation of lessons.
Failure to give the required notice WILL result in full charge of your lesson rate.

Please notify your instructor of all test dates and times as soon as you receive them.

Retests: In the unlikely event that you don’t pass first time, there is a set fee of £450.00 on the day of the driving test covering the use of your instructor’s truck for a 3 hour session.

Additional lessons: If you require additional tuition this is charged at £129 per hour and will be arranged with your instructor if you and they deem it necessary.

Book your Theory Test online here
Book your Practical Test online here

Or call 0300 200 112

What is the difference between Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles HGV?

Here’s a simple explanation: Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) are your Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and Luton Box Vans plated up to 7.5tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) are trucks plated from 12tonne to 44tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) in either a rigid format or articulated (Wagon & Drag is another version of an articulated unit)

What are “Grandfather rights”?

If you’re fortunate to have held a Full driving licence before 1st January 1997 you will have automatic right to drive a commercial vehicle up to 7.5tonne, which includes driving an ambulance. If you gained your full licence after this date you will need to undertake training with us to achieve your Category C1 Licence.

What is a C1 licence entitlement?

A C1 Licence will enable you to drive any commercial vehicle up to 7.5tonne.

You will need to apply for a Provisional Entitlement Category C1 to learn to drive an LGV vehicle

Do I need CPC to drive a 7.5t vehicle?

This depends on why you will be driving one.

If driving for “leisure” purposes – perhaps you own a horse lorry, or need to hire a large van to move house and you are not being paid to do so you do not need a CPC
If you are driving commercially, yes you do need a CPC and need to choose our course with this option included.
- Certificate of Professional Competence is a UK recognised scheme that promotes the Professional aspect of all LGV drivers, It is a prerequisite that if you are paid to drive and deliver goods, then you need this CPC qualification as part of you training. We deliver as part of your training package what is known as “Acquired CPC” You will achieve:
  - CPC Mod 1 as part of your Theory Test and Hazard Perception
  - CPC Mod 2 Case Studies. You will do this as part of your Theory Test
  - CPC Mod 3a will be achieved as part of your off-road reverse, coupling and uncoupling manoeuvres
  - CPC Mod 3b is your on-road Practical Test
  - CPC Mod 4 will be an exam you will take after your Practical to assess your capabilities about loading and planning your journey Etc….

What is a Digi-Card and Do I need one?

A Digi-Card (Driver Card) is a means of recording your driver hours if you are a commercial driver, E.g. paid to drive a commercial LGV.

You will need to record your drivers hours and periods of rest to prove to the authorities that you are not driving illegally. The Authorities being the Police and VOSA.

If you are driving for leisure, you are exempt from this legislation.

Do I need to do another Theory Test?

Yes, you will need to demonstrate your road knowledge and loading techniques by doing a 100 question Multiple choice Theory Test and 14 Video Clips Hazard Perception Test

Can I do additional CPC courses?

Yes you can of course sign up with our CPC providers to complete a full 35 hour course over a period of one week. Ideal Driver Training

Still got questions? Please feel free to drop us a line, we look forward to hearing from you.