Driving a HGV and a none HGV is there much difference?

P

painted ponies

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 October 2010
Messages
213
Visit site
I have been driving my 7.5ton with a friend I have no problems and I'm getting fairly confident but need to take my test. Id prefer not to do the typical 5 day intensive course, it’s a little on the expensive side and it’s very hard to get time off work. So there much difference between driving a HGV and a none HGV? Has anybody taken the C and C1 tests, is there much difference?

Any other info would be greatly appreciated
 
I did my HGV test in June. The cost is not that much more than an LGV course/test and the test is the same just done in a bigger lorry so I decided to go for the HGV. That way should I ever need it I already have it without doing another test.

The main diffence between my 7.5ton and the 18ton I learnt in is the gears - my lorry has 5, the HGV had 8 - so split gear box. Also everything is obviously heavier - need more welly on the accelerator, brakes feel heavier etc...

I personnally think the course is worth it as even if you are confident (although I wasn't) It would give you a chance to get familiar with all of the possible test routes and iron out any bad habits you may have picked up in your driving.
 
not a great deal of difference, things to watch on test are lower speed limits (40mph on single carriageway roads, and 7.5 tonne weight limits! they will try to catch you out! I failed first c test by going through one in an 18 tonner!:o look in mirrors every few seconds and before signaling (including braking) oh and even when another vehicle passes you on single carriageway roads! obviously they are longer and slightly wider but once rolling thats not a major issue. Reversing test isnt too bad in a rigid. The best advice is to take a couple of lessons and book test with a local reputable hgv driving school, i tried do it on cheap with the c test and failed once. when i did the c & e test i used a big local school and passed first time.
 
I just passed my C test a few weeks ago - hadn't driven my 7.5 tonner before that. Didn't really notice any difference in terms of size/dimensions but the gear box is a lot different!! I struggled with the split box to start off with and couldn't get it into the high box.. being the weakling I am!! Other than that pretty similar, but you would need some lessons in the HGV to get used to it I would have thought.

Maybe to save money just do your C1?

My ex is of 7.5 able age but had to get HGV for his work, he's a bit tight and wouldn't have any lessons so just kept taking his test. Even though he could drive the vehicle well he failed on silly things, I think he didn't drive in a bus lane he should have and went down a 7.5 ton max road. If you have lessons they go through all this with you so that helps a lot.

I'm sure if you got in touch with some trainers they would give you more normal weekly lessons if you didn't want to do the intensive course. I'm quite happy tootling round the countryside on my 7.5 ton but it's a lot harder around town etc. with all the gears!
 
Starbucks said:
I drove a 12.5 tonner for my lessons/test - would that have been wider than my 7.5 ton DAF? Didn't really feel it!
Click to expand...

yes ,by 2 or 3 inches ,not a lot you might think. today I did a delivery in my 17 tonner and drove down a road by "braille". I was just clipping the wing mirrors of the parked cars on one side. (if I had hit a car on the other side,well he would have had to explain why he had parked blocking the highway). Watch one of the artic drivers to supermarkets ,and see how accurate a professional HGV driver really is.I am in awe of some of these guys.
 
I've done the C1, whilst the OH did the C test.

We both passed, and we own a non hgv 7.5. I didn't ever want to own anything bigger than 7.5 as it would never fit down the lanes, so no point me even trying to take the other test.

Can I just point out / ask.....
...who is taking you out? Did you know they need to have taken their test 3yrs before? The law changed last April & I wouldn't want the insurance to be void if you didn't know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top