WOW! Is this for real?

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jules89

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So apparantly 18 year old's are now, as of today, allowed to drive a LGV lorry...

Is this real? Have I got this right or am I going totally bonkers?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsid_10000000/newsid_10001500/10001544.stm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

go to Medium sized vehicles, with or without trailers

I got my license in 2007 and I am 19 - so I can drive my lorry now legally!?

I'm rather confused but so excited. Can someone please tell me if I'm right on this?

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now on the phone to dvla I need to know!
 
You still need to take the test though. Its more you can take your HGV at 18 now instead of doing your medium goods at 18 then your HGV at 21.

Surely the Middle goods is going to disappaer now I would have thought as both tests cost roughly the same so why bother with the MGV if you can take your HGV!
 
I thought you could drive a 7.5 tonne or under age 18 anyway and just had to be 21 for an over 7.5 tonne. I know I was 21 (just!) when I did my over 7.5 tonne test.
 
Let me get this straight, so i'm 19 and we have a 7.5tonne lorry, can i now apply for my provisional and to take the test?? When i get my provisional can i drive with the L's on, providing older person beside me who passed test before test needed to drive LGV.


OOOOOh hope so
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[ QUOTE ]
I thought you could drive a 7.5 tonne or under age 18 anyway and just had to be 21 for an over 7.5 tonne. I know I was 21 (just!) when I did my over 7.5 tonne test.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're old though like me. We could always drive 7.5t on our car licence. These young things can't drive over 3.5t (hence the explosion in the market for 3.5t boxes) without an HGV licence for which they have had to wait until they were 21.
 
Hiya, I Start My Class 2 driving on sunday, and have the test on the following thursday. (mega nervous! lol)
U can apply for your provisional but need a medical first (just short of £100)
But its not like a car where u can drive with your L plates on, unless you have passsed your theory it is illegal to do so.

As from the 10th of september you now need to do your CPC test aswell which give you 4 tests insted of 2, plus the theory is up to 100 questions now (get the CD rom, thats what i studied from n i got 94 out of 100, and 70% in my hazard preception

Over all itl cost just under £900.

But instead of doin your 7.5t test, u might aswell do you Class2 as its the same price and will allow you to drive larger ridged lorries.

Insurance is a git though! lol

good luck
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ook as were talking about tests, I am yet to take my driving test yet ca n drive, am 21 years old and was going to take my HGV3 anyway, could I do a HGv 3 test before I get my driving licence and if I pass my HGV3 would that then cover me to drive normally aswell.
 
Indeed. I'm not sure it's really a good idea that learning to drive in a Vauxhall Nova (nearly 20 years ago
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) automatically qualifies me to drive a 7.5T lorry (and a 16 seater mini-bus); but there have to be some advantages to being old!
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also on towing I only found out the other day that if you have a cat B license you don't need to take the trailer towing test if the combined weight of horse/trailer/car is less than 3.5tonne!

I only realised this when a girl on our yard explained why she had bought a single trailer.

I just need a tow bar then I can drag Soap around the country myself!
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Im going for medical (Im 21) this afternoon, then I can drive the lorry on L plates, but yes you can now do that at 18!!
There were always ways to do this before at 18.
Fwiw, the insurance was not that much for me to be able to drive it!
 
Well I'm dead chuffed now because even though I have to do my test because the ages have come down I can do my HGV and LGV at the same time, and got a great deal!

I was worried about this because of course with 3 horses up on my lorry I am probably going to go over 7.5t and you can get fined and lose license on the spot if you're over!
 
Indeed doesn't matter if you have licence to drive a HGV, if you are driving a vehicle with max laden weight of 7.5t and you are overweight you are still liable to all the fines. They have a max laden weight for safety, (you also can't have more than 'x' weight (dependant on vehicle) on either axle as again unsafe. This should be detailed in vehicle registration documents normally).

If you have three horses I suggest selling your 7.5t lorry and buying a proper HGV (you get more lorry for your money anyway at HGV level) and taking your HGV test. That way you know you are safe and legal.
 
[ QUOTE ]
....I can do my HGV and LGV at the same time, and got a great deal!



[/ QUOTE ]


Don't know why the dvla have to make everything so confusing
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but if you just take the large vehicle test, doesn't that cover you for medium vehicles automatically?
 
re the driving on L plates I 'think' that you have to be accompanied by someone who has taken the test rather than someone who is just automatically qualified because they are old
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!

I would check this with the DVLA, am sure I have read it somewhere.
 
Yes thats my understanding to ester the person sitting with you should not have grandfather rights they must have the test hence why my OH cant sit next to me learning to tow
 
yup, I didn't realise that and don't think a lot of people do as I know a LOT of people that get there parents to sit next to them.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Also................ if you passed your car test before 1997 then your ok for a 7.5t, although you may now need to sit your CPC test


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[/ QUOTE ]

You only need to do CPC/CPD if driving is part of your living. Weekend riders are fine, but if you are a groom you may get caught for it, especially if the job advert specifies you need a lorry licence.
 
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