Can anyone recommend a reputable PCV/minibus training provider

bloomingflower

Hello


I am not quite sure if I am posting this in the right forum lol...

Please can anyone recommend a reputable PCV training course provider? I have searched the web and unfortunately I have only come across some companies who have had bad reviews from customers and are trying in vain to get there money back. Some bad reviews on 1st Class Trucking which I have read on the other posts have put me off them..so... I just need a name of at least one reputable company that can provide a decent course in which I don't have to worry about whether they are trying to fleece us.

I am actually asking for my husband who already drives for a living but drives a Transit Van on a normal licence and wishes to change career as it were and drive a bus with a tail lift. He knows he has to add the D1 to his licence beforehand and take medical etc..

I live in the surrey area..

many thanks for any suggestions..x

squeaky

Hiya,

We have a Motoring & Public Transport board which I'm sure will be of great help to you, so I'll move your query across there for you.

Good luck.

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gpc273

Hi,

I don't live in your area so I couldn't recommend any PCV schools in your area, however I can offer a few tips.
Do not use a training broker, they will take money for a poor service that you can arrange direct with a training provider. This link although talking about mainly trucks offers some insights into what I'm talking about: (You'll need to add he dots in the right place, I don't have the posting rights)

www trucknetuk com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=30889

Also before you part with any hard-earned go and see the trainer and their vehicles.

Hammyman

When did he pass his test? If it was pre-1997 OTTOMH, he should have D1 already.

AnythingButChardonnay

A pre-97 D1 would be not for hire and reward.

Your husband needs to decide whether to take category D or D1 training. D1 would be quicker to obtain and slightly cheaper (especially as he has experience of driving a similar-sized vehicle), but for an extra couple of hundred quid it may be worth going for full-sized bus. He'll have to do the same theory test/hazard perception either way.

If he's going to be driving for a living he'll have to worry about "Driver CPC" too unfortunately.

From google I've found, but I'm sure there are loads more:

www.wallaceschool.co.uk West London do bus and minibus training. I imagine there are quite a lot of independents in the Home Counties to choose from.
http://www.drivertrainingcentre.co.uk/ in East Sussex do minibus/bus
http://www.malcolmslgvdrivertraining.co.uk/ in Kent appears to do PCV (which may not include just minibus - not clear)

Hammyman

AnythingButChardonnay wrote: »

If he's going to be driving for a living he'll have to worry about "Driver CPC" too unfortunately.

"Worry about" as in "he will have to have before he can be employed". The Driver CPC is a 35 hr training course.

AnythingButChardonnay

Hammyman wrote: »

"Worry about" as in "he will have to have before he can be employed". The Driver CPC is a 35 hr training course.

Not quite. As he will be obtaining it newly it is obtained by means of a theory module (done at a theory test centre) and a practical module. That's valid for 5 years and within that time he will have to do the 35 hours to keep it going.

colino

I'm a bit surprised that your area isn't the same as round my way and it appears every bus has an ad wanting you to become a PSV driver. They will train all and sundry FOC through the test and get you (him) the badge all for a bit of rostered work.