Driver 35hour cpc

[dogboss1960]

I wanted to earn some extra cash returning to hgv driving only to find out that I need to do 35 hours cpc training.
Having done more miles in reverse than most new drivers entering the profession I find it absolutely ridiculous.
I have done first aid courses, roping and sheeting, driven low loaders and clocked up many thousands of miles along the way.
My question is why? How many eggs must I suck when my experience speaks for itself?
Steve

 

[neilydun]

If anyone failed the test I took shouldn’t be anywhere near a site to be honest.

Or maybe they should have attended the courses for Eastern Europeans where the answers were told to the participants.

I can’t comment on the managers cscs test as I never took one.

Just what I’ve experienced and seen.

I had to take an nvq some years ago, in my trade, intsalling flooring.
There was an interview, some practical work, then a set of recorded questions.
When the questions began, I was asked my first question, then the guy paused the recording.
He then proeceeded to tell me the answer, and told me to repeat it, when he started recording again.
I declined, and said I would stop the interview, unless I could provide my own answers.
When asked why he did this, he answered, because unless I passed, he would not get paid.
I have put around another 10 installers through this process, and this is standard practice.

Its pretty much all a money making con !

 

[JockandRita]

Really depends if you decide to drive commercially

Yes, which I have been doing off and on since 1977/8 on Rigids, then Artics, then on buses and coaches since 87, and back to Artics.

Yeah, have a few Transport Manager friends, all want me to drive for them. They run legal and I can get hours to suit.

My 2 x days a week has dried up, with the last gaffer wanting me to be more flexible............by doing nights now and then. At 68 x years of age, not bleddy likely. If any of your Transport Manager friends are in the PE6 postal area, I don't m8nd day work 2 x days a week.......just not every week, as still got lots of MH'ing to do.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[neilydun]

It's a bit like the post '97 drivers who want C1. Most are taught in a 4500kg panel van, the same size of a large minibus rather than a 7500kg box. How are you supposed to teach or learn about air brakes, blindspots & pedestrians in a panel van??
Want C1+E? most will just put a large standard A frame trailer on the back of the panel van rather than a similarly sized drawbar trailer.

I was surprised when I turned up & found a 20ft box 7500kg Mitsubishi Canter & a drawbar trailer waiting for me and I had to show that I knew how use the tail lift etc. most of the questions were about retarders, exhaust brakes, digital tacho's & diff locks etc.

For me, I think location makes a difference. Up here in North Yorkshire there are a lot of 7500kg/12000kg rigid trucks on the road. The area needs drivers for C1 & C so, at my training centre anyway, seem to be taught accordingly.

My wife & I turned up for Class 2 training some years ago.
In the yard was a beautiful Scania, plenty of age on her, with an 8 speed manual split shift and over 1 million miles on the clock.
When I asked the instructor why we were learning in such a bag of sh!t, he said, in the real world son, this is what you will be driving, when your last in through the door.
I have never driven professionally, but I would think he was probably right.

 

[bobnick]

Right, are we all clear now.

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[jongood]

My wife & I turned up for Class 2 training some years ago.
In the yard was a beautiful Scania, plenty of age on her, with an 8 speed manual split shift and over 1 million miles on the clock.
When I asked the instructor why we were learning in such a bag of sh!t, he said, in the real world son, this is what you will be driving, when your last in through the door.
I have never driven professionally, but I would think he was probably right.

Apparently the new guys can take a test in an auto! I took my test in 1991 in a Freighter 6 speed no split or range change but thankfully the instructor insisted I learnt how to double de clutch. Came in really useful when the first truck I drove for money had a 9 speed fuller (straight cut), it was horrible though!

 

[starquake]

My 2 x days a week has dried up, with the last gaffer wanting me to be more flexible............by doing nights now and then. At 68 x years of age, not bleddy likely. If any of your Transport Manager friends are in the PE6 postal area, I don't m8nd day work 2 x days a week.......just not every week, as still got lots of MH'ing to do.

Sadly not PE6, I'm down in suffolk, and being near the port, and major other businesses (business park literally pushbike distance from house), theres no shortage of work. May be worth asking around Steel places as one local one wants drivers (C2) work for dropping building steels off, hiab work. They are willing to take part timers there (one non-TM friend) works there and wants me in to interview, but I don't fancy their shift patterns for > 2 days as would interfere with my motorhoming too much.

The issue is I'm wanting 4 on 4 off personally as best suits our motorhoming needs. I know I won't get it as a new driver instantly, however driver friend (and TM friend) both saying there is a new place being built that hopefuly should be hiring just as I pass and will likely have to take anyone given the large scale of the firm (it's a 100+ bay distribution centre), and lack of drivers locally.

 

[starquake]

Apparently the new guys can take a test in an auto! I took my test in 1991 in a Freighter 6 speed no split or range change but thankfully the instructor insisted I learnt how to double de clutch. Came in really useful when the first truck I drove for money had a 9 speed fuller (straight cut), it was horrible though!

Locally all the driver instruction firms teach in an auto. No local firm has manual tractor units these days. They do ask you have a manual (car) license as if you take the C+E test in an auto, but have a manual car you can still drive manual C1's.

C+E training firms here (the 2 good ones I'm likely to go with) also tend to drive with a fridge trailer, mostly as it's the largest and widest, so you are used to it. I have been reccomended who to go with by a C1 driver friend, and both him and the TM reccomended the same 2 firms for training. They also said where not to go, as there are some bad lcoal firms too, who do C+E with skelton container trailers.

 

[L' Hobo]

Yeha, it will you get both Provisional C+E and D on the same medical. HOwever you do need to pass C+E seperately (articulation) for full Lorry rights.

The issue being most motorhomes are PHGV not Coach class.

I honestly do not understand why PHGV makes any difference in not qualitying to drive a +7.5ton vehicle (no-ones trying to drive an artic or a class 2 hgv just a heavier Motorhome) if you have passed the medical for a full PSV., please explain?

 

[L' Hobo]

It's a bit like the post '97 drivers who want C1. Most are taught in a 4500kg panel van, the same size of a large minibus rather than a 7500kg box. How are you supposed to teach or learn about air brakes, blindspots & pedestrians in a panel van??
Want C1+E? most will just put a large standard A frame trailer on the back of the panel van rather than a similarly sized drawbar trailer.

I was surprised when I turned up & found a 20ft box 7500kg Mitsubishi Canter & a drawbar trailer waiting for me and I had to show that I knew how use the tail lift etc. most of the questions were about retarders, exhaust brakes, digital tacho's & diff locks etc.

For me, I think location makes a difference. Up here in North Yorkshire there are a lot of 7500kg/12000kg rigid trucks on the road. The area needs drivers for C1 & C so, at my training centre anyway, seem to be taught accordingly.

But most on here passed their test before 97.

I think I'll stay confused and shut up!

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[L' Hobo]

Right, are we all clear now.

NO!

 

[neilydun]

Apparently the new guys can take a test in an auto! I took my test in 1991 in a Freighter 6 speed no split or range change but thankfully the instructor insisted I learnt how to double de clutch. Came in really useful when the first truck I drove for money had a 9 speed fuller (straight cut), it was horrible though!

Our instructor mentioned, that not far in the futre, they would be buying an auto and the Scania they used would be retired.
He also mentioned that they would be required to be carrying a load, which I always thought should have been the case anyway.

 

[starquake]

I honestly do not understand why PHGV makes any difference in not qualitying to drive a +7.5ton vehicle (no-ones trying to drive an artic or a class 2 hgv just a heavier Motorhome) if you have passed the medical for a full PSV., please explain?

7.5t to 32t is a class 2 license (ie C today). -> thats the law, 7.5t to unlimited is class 1.

PSV only entitles you to buses (of the size related to your PSV).

Interestingly however a HGV driver can (or could when I last checked) drive a bus in certain circumstances (empty except driver) to and from a MOT or for repair etc.

 

[jongood]

I honestly do not understand why PHGV makes any difference in not qualitying to drive a +7.5ton vehicle (no-ones trying to drive an artic or a class 2 hgv just a heavier Motorhome) if you have passed the medical for a full PSV., please explain?

Does the PSV licencevhave a module about dealing with moaning passengers?

 

[olley]

When my bil took his HGV test back in the day, he didn't have a car license, and you could go straight to class 1. Took it with a empty flat bed trailer as well.
Once he passed he automatically got a car license.
Those were the days.

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[L' Hobo]

Does the PSV licencevhave a module about dealing with moaning passengers?

I never had any of those so can't remember.

 

[L' Hobo]

When my bil took his HGV test back in the day, he didn't have a car license, and you could go straight to class 1. Took it with a empty flat bed trailer as well.
Once he passed he automatically got a car license.
Those were the days.

Wasn't that before they were called HGV's?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Its pretty much all a money making con !

Unfortunately yes.

It doesn’t make anyone safer on site.

 

[olley]

Wasn't that before they were called HGV's?

He's 10 years younger than me so was born around 1960, so he could have taken the test in 77-78
I believe the HGV license came in early 1975 ish.

 

[Silver-Fox]

C+E training firms here (the 2 good ones I'm likely to go with) also tend to drive with a fridge trailer, mostly as it's the largest and widest, so you are used to it. I have been reccomended who to go with by a C1 driver friend, and both him and the TM reccomended the same 2 firms for training. They also said where not to go, as there are some bad lcoal firms too, who do C+E with skelton container trailers.

I would possibly do artic test if I didn’t have to do class 3 to start with.

I can’t see how taking class 3 before artic helps but hey what do I know

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[Silver-Fox]

I honestly do not understand why PHGV makes any difference in not qualitying to drive a +7.5ton vehicle (no-ones trying to drive an artic or a class 2 hgv just a heavier Motorhome) if you have passed the medical for a full PSV., please explain?

As they say it’s the way it is.
Beats me but

 

[Silver-Fox]

Interestingly however a HGV driver can (or could when I last checked) drive a bus in certain circumstances (empty except driver) to and from a MOT or for repair etc.

Bizarre

 

[Silver-Fox]

Does the PSV licencevhave a module about dealing with moaning passengers?

Nope, that’s what the good brakes are for

 

[olley]

You don't need to as I understand it now, car license straight to class 1.
From Google
Yes, it is now possible to go directly from a car (Category B) license to a Class 1 (Category C+E) HGV license in the UK, without first needing a Class 2 (Category C) license. This change in the law was implemented in November 2021 to address the HGV driver shortage.
To obtain a Class 1 license directly from a car license, you will need to:
1. Apply for the provisional C+E entitlement on your driving license
. You can do this by sending your driving license, a completed D2 application form, and a D4 medical form (completed by a doctor) to the DVLA, according to the National Driving Centre.
2. Pass the practical driving test for the Category C+E license,
which allows you to drive articulated lorries and rigid vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
3. Consider whether to get a Class 2 license first,
even though it's not required. While the direct route is now available, some recommend gaining experience with a Class 2 vehicle first, as it can be a smoother transition into the industry. Some companies may also require a period of Class 2 driving before offering Class 1 roles, according to a Reddit t
hread.

 

[Silver-Fox]

You don't need to as I understand it now, car license straight to class 1.
From Google
Yes, it is now possible to go directly from a car (Category B) license to a Class 1 (Category C+E) HGV license in the UK, without first needing a Class 2 (Category C) license. This change in the law was implemented in November 2021 to address the HGV driver shortage.
To obtain a Class 1 license directly from a car license, you will need to:
1. Apply for the provisional C+E entitlement on your driving license
. You can do this by sending your driving license, a completed D2 application form, and a D4 medical form (completed by a doctor) to the DVLA, according to the National Driving Centre.
2. Pass the practical driving test for the Category C+E license,
which allows you to drive articulated lorries and rigid vehicles with a trailer over 750kg.
3. Consider whether to get a Class 2 license first,
even though it's not required. While the direct route is now available, some recommend gaining experience with a Class 2 vehicle first, as it can be a smoother transition into the industry. Some companies may also require a period of Class 2 driving before offering Class 1 roles, according to a Reddit t
hread.

Thanks that’s interesting.

So in the Government’s wisdom went from direct to class 1 to having do class 3 and now it’s back again straight to class 1

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[starquake]

Thanks that’s interesting.

So in the Government’s wisdom went from direct to class 1 to having do class 3 and now it’s back again straight to class 1

Yeah, I'm going to be going direct from B to Class 1. They will have me out ina. Class 2 for about a day, then onto Class 1's immediately thereafter.

There isn't a huge price difference in doing a C (class 2) to a CE (Class 1) so my thoughts are get the unrestricted one, even if I'll be driving class 2 trampers mostly.

 

[starquake]

Silver-Fox Should add if you're considering it, price wise, I've been quoted around £1k for a simple C1 (ie, 7.5t), £2000 for C and £2500 for CE.

So class 1 is more expensive than a normal 7.5t C1
but an unrestricted CE isn't that much more than a Class 2 (now C) license.

 

[jongood]

Its all nonsense really, the only way to make improvements is to bring in periodic driving assessments and more police tonensure that people who dont have the necessary licences aren't on the roads.

 

[The Wino]

I had to take an nvq some years ago, in my trade, intsalling flooring.
There was an interview, some practical work, then a set of recorded questions.
When the questions began, I was asked my first question, then the guy paused the recording.
He then proeceeded to tell me the answer, and told me to repeat it, when he started recording again.
I declined, and said I would stop the interview, unless I could provide my own answers.
When asked why he did this, he answered, because unless I passed, he would not get paid.
I have put around another 10 installers through this process, and this is standard practice.

Its pretty much all a money making con !

That's a reason to improve regulation of the process not to scrap it altogether. I think most occupations now require some form of compulsory revalidation certainly all NHS employees have compulsory modules to keep up to date. If drivers see themselves as a qualified job why wouldn't they expect to have the same regulations applied to them.

 

[Jonno1103]

But most on here passed their test before 97.

I think I'll stay confused and shut up!

I did originally, passed at 17 in 1985 but then I had my leg damaged and they took all of my grandfather rights away when I had to retake my test in an auto back in October '97. I spent the best part of £10k arguing with them to give them back but they refused. They gave me B+E a couple years ago but I want a larger moho so needed to sit a C1+E for either the trailer or tow car. Cost £1200 all in & took 2 days.

They don't know what they're doing as when my licence came back (which was within a week) there's no auto restricton for the C1???

My dad lost an eye in 1996 aged 55 no retest & carry on regardless... I get shot in the leg and suffer periodic numbness and they took it all.

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[neilydun]

That's a reason to improve regulation of the process not to scrap it altogether. I think most occupations now require some form of compulsory revalidation certainly all NHS employees have compulsory modules to keep up to date. If drivers see themselves as a qualified job why wouldn't they expect to have the same regulations applied to them.

The reason I went into construction, was exactly what you describe.
I did not want to be in a regulated, computer says no, environment.
A lot of people I meet on site, are exactly the same. I also know a lot of drivers, who are the same.
Everythng does not need to be regulated to the hilt, to make it better.