Charlotte Haye 27th July 2016

Not All HGV’s Are Created Equal

When looking to qualify as a HGV driver, there are many routes open to you. As per the EU directive, a Heavy Goods Vehicle is anything weighing more than 3.500kg, and anyone who wishes to drive such vehicles professionally needs to be fully trained and in possession of a license. There is not just one kind of HGV or LGV license out there though, so you can pick what kind you want to pursue. You can choose from category C1, category C or category C and E, alongside the mandatory Drive CPC.

Driver CPC

Driver CPC stands for Certificate of Professional Competence, and is the standard qualification all HGV drivers need to be able to drive professionally. In order to gain a Driver CPC drivers must take part in a 4-part examination made up of 2 parts theory and 2 parts practical testing. Once you have the qualification you will need to undertake 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years, and submit evidence that you pass medical examinations every 5 years to keep it valid.

Category C1

Category C1 is the very first, basic level of HGV training and licensing that you can achieve. This license is essentially a step up from a regular UK driver’s license, and allows you to drive a vehicle of 3,500 kilograms, as long as that vehicle is under 7.5 tonnes in gross weight. There are very few limits to what the form of that vehicle can be – it can be set up as a lorry, truck or a tractor trailer setup in which you tow a trailer. Anyone who passed their drivers test before 1997 automatically has a C1 license as well, so it’s worth checking to see if this applies to you.

Category C

A category C license allows drivers to drive vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but must not exceed 32 tonnes. Category C ( or Class 2 as they are otherwise known) licenses typically covers a vehicle with a cab and trailer fixed permanently together. In other words, what we would consider a ‘standard lorry’. While you have this license your vehicle weight must not exceed 750 kilograms. This license is a stepping stone within HGV training – a way to move on to the category C and E license. You must be over 18 to have this license.

Category C and E

A category C and E license is the most comprehensive HGV license you can hold. With this license drivers can drive and handle a draw bar or articulated vehicle. The E part of the category C and E license stands for entitlement, and means that the bearer can go up to or over 750 kilograms in weight. This particular license is also known as Class 1, allowing the driver to drive any large goods style vehicle needed, including a double trailer.

While the status of these licenses doesn’t tend to vary, the details often do, so it is important to stay in the loop. More importantly, you must possess a Driver CPC to qualify for any of these licenses, and to do that you must complete at least 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. To find out more about the details of each license type, or to start your journey into becoming a HGV driver, get in touch today.