Supervising driver laws/rules for B+E & LGV

[ROG]

I've had a few recent enquiries both public and private about the current rules when supervising B+E and LGV learner drivers so perhaps a simple as possible explanation might help.

The current laws/rules are these:-

FOR B+E

The supervising driver must be over age 21

The supervising driver must have held the B+E licence category for at least 3 years

Pre 1997 B+E licence holders can supervise B+E learners

L plates must be fitted to the front of the towing vehicle and the rear of the trailer

Insurance must cover the B+E learner

The trailer can be loaded or empty for training but must be empty for test

They can use motorways

NOTE:- all B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licences


FOR LGV (or PCV)

The supervising driver must be over age 21

The supervising driver must have held the LGV licence category for which they are supervising for at least 3 years
A higher LGV category covers a lower LGV category (C is higher than C1 and C+E is higher than C1+E)

Pre 1997 licence holders who got categories C1, C1+E, D1 & D1+E cannot supervise using those entitlements which are expiry dated the same as their B (car) licence
They can supervise if they passed a DSA test covering the category for which they are supervising and those entitlements will be expiry dated when the next medical is due (different expiry dates to the B (car) category)

L plates must be fitted to the front and rear of the vehicle or front of vehicle and rear of the trailer

Insurance must cover a learner

The vehicle and/or trailer can be loaded or empty for training but must be empty for test

They can use motorways

NOTE:- before getting a provisional LGV (or PCV) licence the learner must pass a medical and apply to DVLA

 

[ROG]

The B+E & LGV tests at the DSA practical test centres or from the training providers own practical DSA approved test centres are conducted in exactly the same way with the only exception being the un/coupling of a trailer.

The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise (old measurements) - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

The rigid LGV C1 or C test
I compiled this on another site and it contains all you need to know

No intial driver cpc required for private LGV driving unless the driver is driving over 7.5 tonnes and under age 21

One difference is that the reversing area is now a lot smaller but just as easy to do



DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

 

[miss_wilson]

i was told the grandfather rule didnt apply anymore

 

[sidsmum]

I remember something about that too although it didn't quite seem to make sense as how can you ever learn if the 'grandfather' rights were removed? You'd never be able to practice?

 

[galaxy]

They do for trailer (b+e) but not for the C category

 

[ROG]

i was told the grandfather rule didnt apply anymore

SUPERVISING RULES
Many read that and saw - vehicle plus trailer combinations - but then ignored this - (categories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E) - so assumed it meant B+E !!!