Becky Hinshelwood 18th July 2023

The Best Tips to Help You Pass your HGV Driving Test

Ready to start a new career brimming with opportunities, great wages, and exciting experiences? A job as an HGV driver could be just what you’re looking for. The great thing about becoming an HGV driver, is you don’t need to earn a degree or go to college. However, you do need to pass a series of tests to prove you can capably drive your new vehicle.

There are a few different states to passing your HGV driving test, starting with the theory exam. It’s a good idea to study up as much as possible before you take this part of the test, and even try out some practice exams online. However, the theory test isn’t the main source of anxiety for most drivers.

The chances are, you’ll be most panicked about passing your practical exam.

Fortunately, we have some top tips to help.

First: Get to Know the HGV Practical Test

Becoming an HGV driver means passing five different CPC tests. The first two sections of the examination are the “theory” and “case study” sections, which essentially just require you to study up and know your stuff. The third and fourth sections of the test are made up of off-road driving, on-road driving, and a practical demonstration.

During part 3 of the Driver CPC, you’ll be tested on vehicle safety, practical road driving, and off-road exercises. During this stage, you’ll need to show your examiner you know how to:

Signal correctly
Use your mirrors (often)
Leverage the controls in the vehicle
Move away on an angle (up and down hill)
Demonstrate awareness and anticipation
Control your speed
Deal with hazard
Make controlled stops
Find a safe place to stop
Reverse into a parking bay

Depending on the vehicle you’re training to use, you may be required to perform extra actions, like uncoupling and coupling a trailer to your vehicle. If you pass the third section of the Driver CPC, you’ll move onto the practical demonstration, where you further demonstrate your ability to minimise risk, assess emergency situations, and unload or load vehicles.

Preparing for your Practical Test

Good preparation is the key to successful HGV driving. That’s why it’s such a good idea to make sure you’re getting support and guidance from the right national HGV training provider. Your training provider will help you to prepare for your theory exams, and build confidence in all of the manoeuvres you need to showcase for your examiner.

As you approach the time for your test, your instructor will also be able to give you some personalised tips on how to improve your chances of success.

As well as following these instructions, you should also:

Check the details: You’ll be able to book your CPC test with an approved private test provider or the DVSA. Both will give you instructions on what you need to bring to the exam in advance. You’ll need your theory test pass certificate, and an HGV (if it’s not provided for you). Double-check the requirements before you go.
Practice: The more practice you get before your test, the more confident you’re likely to feel on the road. Don’t rush yourself into taking the test before you’re ready. Instead, make sure you have as many lessons as you need. It may be helpful to have a lesson the day before your test, so you can boost your confidence. You can also ask your instructor to take part in a few mock examinations with you leading up to the big day.
Get a good night’s rest: Nerves and excitement before your test can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, but it’s important to get as much rest as possible. Exhaustion can make it harder to concentrate, and could lead to mistakes. Try to avoid making up for a bad night’s sleep with too much caffeine, as this can increase your feelings of anxiety.
Choose the right outfit: This might seem like an unusual tip, but it’s more helpful than you’d think. When you’re driving, you don’t want uncomfortable clothing to distract you. Plan for the weather and make sure you’re going to be warm. Avoid any clothes that are too restrictive, or hamper your movement, and remember to wear sturdy shoes.
Plan for your arrival: Plan your route to your exam location in advance. You should be able to book a test somewhere close by, but it’s important to ensure you arrive on time. Getting to the destination early will give you a chance to take a breather before you begin, and it shows good organizational skills to your examiner. Make sure you have all the right documentation with you before you go!

During the Test: Top Tips for Success

Once the day of your test arrives, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Try to relax before you go, and avoid getting yourself too worked up. If you don’t pass the exam this time, you can always learn from your mistakes and try again. When you begin your test remember to:

Remove all distractions: As soon as you get into the HGV, all of your attention should be on driving. Leave anything distracting behind, including your phone, keys that might dig into your pocket, or anything else that could get in the way.
Check your blind spots: Blind spots can be a major issue for HGV drivers, so make sure you’re checking them regularly, particularly before you start pulling out. Look over your shoulder for cyclists, and remember you can take your seatbelt off to check behind you when you’re reversing. Just make sure you fasten it again before you continue driving.
Look at your mirrors: You should be checking your mirrors every 15 seconds or so to ensure you’re not going to get into any hazardous spots. Don’t be scared about making it obvious that you’re looking. Your examiner needs to see evidence that you’re constantly aware of what’s going on around you.
Anticipate: Anticipation and awareness are two of the main things your examiner will be looking for. Make sure you change gears smoothly when the time is right, and avoid any situations where you’ll have to suddenly hit the brakes. If you’re going to stop, start slowing down gradually.
Stay calm: Minor errors won’t necessarily cause you to fail your exam (you can have up to 15 of them). However, losing your nerve because you do something wrong could lead to sloppier driving. If you make a small mistake, don’t let it get to you. Carry on driving as if nothing happened.

You Can Pass Your HGV Driving Test

Passing an HGV driving test can seem like a daunting concept. There’s a lot of pressure in having someone watch your every move. However, it’s important to remember that you should already have all the skills you need to succeed.

Working with the right training provider will immediately boost your chances of success, by making sure you’re prepared for all of the elements the test has to offer. Use easyashgv today to source the training you need for your new career.

Becky Hinshelwood

Becky is a writer for Easy as HGV, specialising in creating engaging content for the HGV industry and covering a variety of topics relevant to small businesses.

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