Best place to do trailer/LGV test west midlands? and a Q.

vallin

vallin

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 April 2009
Messages
5,016
Location
Cambridge
Visit site
I am planning on doing my trailer and/or LGV test this summer and am looking for recommendations for test and training centers near staffordshire. The biggest thing I have driven is a minibus and don't have a trailer or anything to train with so could really do with somewhere that training sessions are too dear. Suggestions please!

Also can someone clarify, do you need a health check for LGV or just HGV?
Oh, and if anyone could give me a ball park figure that's be super helpful :)

Thanks
V :)
 
Can't help with recommendations as not in your area but yes you do need a medical. My OH paid just under £2000 for his HGV training, test, theory test, theory books, pass protection and medical and think C1 training is similar (though there are lits of places that do it cheaper, but we found those that did weekend courses were expensive as they charged a premium). Good luck finding somewhere :)
 
vallin said:
I am planning on doing my trailer and/or LGV test this summer and am looking for recommendations for test and training centers near staffordshire. The biggest thing I have driven is a minibus and don't have a trailer or anything to train with so could really do with somewhere that training sessions are too dear. Suggestions please!

Also can someone clarify, do you need a health check for LGV or just HGV?
Oh, and if anyone could give me a ball park figure that's be super helpful :)

Thanks
V :)
Click to expand...
Check out my signature :D - that should give you confidence in my answers

Firstly lets look at the two options -

B+E
No medical needed
One off financial outlay and lasts for life
You already have that provisional on your paper part of licence
No theory tests
Cost in my area (leicester) is about £650 all inclusive for a 1st time pass done over 3 half days with test on day 3
B+E test plus VIDEOS to look at

LGV C or C1
Neither gives the right to tow trailers over 750 kgs (your current B does under specific rules)
If the choice is a C1 lorry or a C lorry then choose C as the cost will be the same (passing C covers C1)
If the choice is doing C1 in a large 5 tonne van and you only want C1 (up to 7.5 tonnes) then that may be easier and a bit cheaper
NEVER pay a penny until you have VISITED the training school of your choice and met the trainers and seen the vehicles

The process and costs
Medical using a D4 form - NEVER pay more than about £50 - google for LGV MEDICALS
Provisional application form D2 - tick C and D - nothing else
Send D2 & D4 forms with both parts of licence to DVLA

Once back from DVLA then...
Book theory tests at you local DSA theory test centre - same one for cars etc
1a - theory test £35
1b - HPT (same as car one but more clips and higer pass req) £15
Fail one and only that one needs retaking

I'll assume this is for PRIVATE LGV driving so will not go into the initial driver cpc as you only need that if going to drive LGVs commercially

Now book your practical training which is usually for 5 half days 1 to 1 or 5 full days 2 to 1 with test on day 5
NEVER do 1 to 1 all day - the brain cannot handle the concentration level for that long
The cost can be between £800 to £1,000

Practical test - a few safety questions - a reverse in the test centre grounds and a 1 hour road drive

You will have to keep the medical current to retain the LGV categories so if you pass your first LGV under the age of 40 that will need medicals at ages 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 68 .......

To get a towing licence with LGV you will then need to train for and pass a LGV C1+E or C+E test and that will upgrade your B to B+E for life
that will be another £800 to £1,000 please

Whats your pleasure ?
 
Last edited:
OK, *think* I understand that. Eventually I would like to do both car towing (not LGV towing) and LGV. Just need to work out which would be easier/more useful to do right now. What's the difference between C and C1?
 
vallin said:
OK, *think* I understand that. Eventually I would like to do both car towing (not LGV towing) and LGV. Just need to work out which would be easier/more useful to do right now. What's the difference between C and C1?
Click to expand...
C1 = any rigid vehicle from 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes
C = any rigid vehicle from 3.5 tonnes to whatever weight it is designed for
CAVEAT - as long as they have less than 10 seats in total otherwise they become PCVs
 
Last edited:
ROG said:
THESE are just off M1/M69 and do LGV C and B+E - are they close enough to warrant a call?
Click to expand...

They're about an hour and a half away, so probably a bit too far. I was looking at possibly using this company as they will do the B+E training in a 4x4 with horse box (not sure if this is the norm, but makes sense for me to train with a horse box...)
http://www.a1traininggroup.co.uk/
 
ROG said:
C1 = any rigid vehicle from 3.5 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes
C = any rigid vehicle from 3.5 tonnes to whatever weight it is designed for
Click to expand...

Ah, ok. Being a one horse, maximum two horse, owner, I suspect I'd be fine with just the C1 then (if that's the cheapest option, obviously if it's the same price I'll go for C :) )
 
vallin said:
Ah, ok. Being a one horse, maximum two horse, owner, I suspect I'd be fine with just the C1 then (if that's the cheapest option, obviously if it's the same price I'll go for C :) )
Click to expand...
you're getting the hang of this :D

Still tick C and D on the D2 form though because C covers C1 and ticking D means that if at any time in the future you have the urge to get PCV then that medical and all later ones will cover PCV so no getting a seperate identical medical
 
ROG said:
you're getting the hang of this :D

Still tick C and D on the D2 form though because C covers C1 and ticking D means that if at any time in the future you have the urge to get PCV then that medical and all later ones will cover PCV so no getting a seperate identical medical
Click to expand...

OK, makes sense. Shall do! I assume there is quite a lot more theory for the LGV? or is it nice and simple like a normal license where you just do the practice test over and over and then pass with pretty close to 100% :p
 
vallin said:
I assume there is quite a lot more theory for the LGV? or is it nice and simple like a normal license where you just do the practice test over and over and then pass with pretty close to 100% :p
Click to expand...
Imagine your car theory test book and then make it at least 4 times as thick then make the test with more questions and a higher pass mark

Try googling for LGV ONLINE THEORY TEST and see what you're in for - many are FREE without joining anything
 
ROG said:
Imagine your car theory test book and then make it at least 4 times as thick then make the test with more questions and a higher pass mark

Try googling for LGV ONLINE THEORY TEST and see what you're in for - many are FREE without joining anything
Click to expand...

Hmmm, sounds delightful. I shall start learning it as soon as I'm done with finals...the joys!
 
I've done neither but know him and the lady that works with him. Sound people and would have no hesitation about going to them if I want to do my HGV (I'm that old I didn't have to take the test to drive a 7.5 ton :eek:)
 
I did my trailer test last summer and it cost me approx £700 for training and two tests! I had never towed before, my car was a Peugeot 206 at the time and I just couldn't grasp reversing a trailer! The actual drive on the test was fine- just common sense but the reverse at the test centre was painful! You are only allowed to put forward and correct your reverse once! The instructor who trained me gave me one and half days training and then I had to pay to use his 4x4 during my test, which I failed on the reverse! I then required extra 'reversing' training plus my second test so it totaled about £700 in the end! Worth it though now, its lovely being independent!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!! :)
 
Not sure where in staffs you are but I did my C last year with Bassets transport training.....they were fab. 1st class training with great instructors. They do an assesment drive before you book your course so you only have to pay for what you need. Total cost for me was just over a thousand pounds including medical, theory etc.
 
Another vote for billy Thomas HGV. Did my trailer test 2 yrs ago with them. ( female instructor is my best mate too!) they both have / had horses too so understand and do a bit about driving with horses on as well as driving "like a delivery truck" for the test. Good luck. They are just off m54 nr w'hampon. Nr Rodbaston- in horsey directions ;-)
 
Oh and you can have help with theory etc too. Choose which test you want to do initially because they are not easy. Make sure you know the area well ie. Wolverhampton ring roads etc. they do trailer test with an ifor 505
 
Brilliant, thanks for all the info guys. Really, really helpful :) Think I will get my trailer test out of the way first and then get on with the LGV test :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top