HGV vs non-HGV: Pros and cons

[cp1980]

Given many of us under a certain age have to take a test to drive anything over 3.5t (transit van) size, is it better to invest in an old-school 7.5t non-HGV lorry, or should we plump for a 10t, 12t or even 18t HGV to have that extra capacity?

Is it true that second hand HGV lorries are cheaper to buy?

Specifically, what are the costs for:
- Servicing and plating (MoT)?
- Road tax?
- Is insurance signficantly more or less (as a general rule)?
- How much worse is fuel economy?

Any other useful snipits gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[ROG]

Given many of us under a certain age have to take a test to drive anything over 3.5t (transit van) size, is it better to invest in an old-school 7.5t non-HGV lorry

Cannot help you with the rest but if considering what LGV course to take then compare prices carefully between C1 and C because C covers C1

You can go direct from B (car) to C

OH - and NEVER book through a BROKER - always visit a school before parting with any money

 

[perfect11s]

Given many of us under a certain age have to take a test to drive anything over 3.5t (transit van) size, is it better to invest in an old-school 7.5t non-HGV lorry, or should we plump for a 10t, 12t or even 18t HGV to have that extra capacity?

Is it true that second hand HGV lorries are cheaper to buy?

Specifically, what are the costs for:
- Servicing and plating (MoT)?
- Road tax?
- Is insurance signficantly more or less (as a general rule)?
- How much worse is fuel economy?

Any other useful snipits gratefully received.

Thanks

I would work on about £500 for a service and MOT plus any work over and above routine servicing required,
Private HGV is £165 per 12 mothes
insurance sorry not a clue as I have a trade policy,
a 7.5, 10,and 12 tonne about the same mpg, older pre 2001 about 15 ish newer 20 ish or better
14, 18 and bigger about 12 ish all depends on weight driving style ect
The main thing to bare in mind is over 7.5 ton even if for private use you will have to use the tachograph and comply with drivers hour regs hope that helps...

 

[C&C]

Thought about taking my 7.5t test a while back and when ringing around different schools i was told by ALL of them not to bother with the C1 (7.5t) and go straight for the C (upto 18t rigid body HGV), this covers C1 and the tests cost the same money. I believe you do have to use a taco on anything over 7.5t and will have to comply with drivers regs as said before, this can be tricky especially if you start driving for a living as well....you will be retricted on hours driving your own HGV.

Thats pretty much all i know

 

[becca1305]

I took my full cat C training and test as it was the same price as a C1. Im glad I did as it opens up more opportunities in the future and it would have been silly not to when theres a good chance I will want a HGV in the future. A HGV licence is also a good bonus if applying for jobs at competition yards.

However, we bought a 7.5tonner as my parents also need to be able to drive it on their grandfather rights. I also had it built to my spec, and whilst second hand HGVs seem to get cheaper than 7.5tonners after a certain age they are far more expensive to buy new or nearly new. Theres also all stipulations to be taken into account which need doing to keep a HGV on the road which isn't such a faff with a non-HGV.

I dont know about the insurance but it was hard and costly enough getting me insured on a new build 7.5tonner dread to think what it *could* be on a HGV.

The other advantage to a 7.5tonner rather than a HGV is less route planning as when enroute to competitions I often encounter roads with 7.5ton weight limits on them, and there have been several gates/accesses that I would have dreaded trying to get a longer lorry through!

I would definitely get the full cat C licence then see what makes sense for you for your budget and circumstances

Ooh and I agree DONT book through a broker. I did - BIG BIG mistake all they do is put you through a training yard so you might as well go to them straight cut out the bull from the broker and also instead of paying for a set package of 5 days training they will evaluate you and tell you how many you actually need be it 3 or 7 etc.

 

[cp1980]

Thanks for your comments, guys. That's really helpful.

 

[cp1980]

Bump.

Anymore comments?

 

[Clippy]

Not a comment, but a question on a similar line...

I was told, and don't know how accurate, but if you have Grandfather rights to drive 7.5t, when you update your paper license, you are then entitled to drive 10t.

It looks unlikely reading it back on here! But someone told me this and was most insistant!

 

[cp1980]

Not a comment, but a question on a similar line...

I was told, and don't know how accurate, but if you have Grandfather rights to drive 7.5t, when you update your paper license, you are then entitled to drive 10t.

It looks unlikely reading it back on here! But someone told me this and was most insistant!

No - this is not the case, it is 7.5t all the way.