how can i drive a 7.5 ton truck?

daniel-2412 · 27 February 2008 at 11:37AM

hello to all just a quick question, not sure if this is the right site? not sure when i passed my driving test on the front of my card it has my signature with the date 5/9/00 and on the back i have b,b1,f,k,l,n,p all starting from 10/08/00
with a 71 written underneith, im sure that i am not allowed to drive a 7.5 ton lorry on this licence but can anyone please tell me what i have to do to be able to drive one please. thankyou for your help as always.

Conor_3 · 27 February 2008 at 12:24PM

You have to apply for a Category C1 provisional licence and take a Cat C1 test. You'll also need to go and take a HGV medical for the provisional application. You'll also need to take a theory test.

A WORD OF ADVICE.

Cat C costs exactly the same as Cat C1 for the medical, licence application, lessons and test but allows you to drive rigid HGVs up to 32 tonnes so if you're going to go for this, might as well get the Cat C. Also once you've passed, apply for a digital tachograph card as all vehicles fitted with a tachograph from 56 plate on are digital.

The good thing about having a HGV licence is that you should never be out of work if you're not too fussy about the type of job you do. Since I passed mine in 93, the only times I've not had work is when I've chosen not to.

daniel-2412 · 27 February 2008 at 12:39PM

thankyou connor, i dont s'pose you would have a rough idea of how much this would all cost or if they have an intensive course like they do with cars so if you dont pass you get to keep trying without having to pay over and over do you? thankyou again for your help.

Conor_3 · 27 February 2008 at 6:22PM

Yeah...the lessons tend to be around the £1200 mark for a weeks intensive with test. Not sure what the theory and licence is but the costs for that are on DVLA website.

The medical depends entirely on what your GP charges. Mine charges £85. All in all I reckon on around £1400 or thereabouts.

For more info on schools etc, pop along to the Roundtable forums at Trucknet ( https://www.trucknetuk.com) and post in the Newbie forum.