C1 typical costs to learn/pass

[noggin61]

Hi everyone, newbie here. After 35 odd years of caravanning and boating we’re heading out on the MoHo adventure. I have grandad rights relating to my C1 status but my son doesn’t. As we’re the family sharing type owner he will need to pass his C1 to be able to drive our MH when we get it. Despite what they say size does matter and we’re over 3500kg. I was wondering what the likely costs are in attaining said C1 for my son. He’s a competent blue light driver so practicality shouldn’t faze him it’s more about time and money? Look forward to your replies. Cheers.

 

[Puddleduck]

I would suggest he gets the full C license rather than C1.

Sorry I have no idea about costs but perhaps a call to a local HGV training centre might shed some light?

 

[Abacist]

If he’s a competent blue light driver then he’s probably driven a van or minibus or could perhaps hire one to get some practice then just take a test?

I have no idea if a course is mandatory as a requirement before sitting a test!

 

[Nanniemate]

Where is he based

 

[Peter and Julie]

Hi everyone, newbie here. After 35 odd years of caravanning and boating we’re heading out on the MoHo adventure. I have grandad rights relating to my C1 status but my son doesn’t. As we’re the family sharing type owner he will need to pass his C1 to be able to drive our MH when we get it. Despite what they say size does matter and we’re over 3500kg. I was wondering what the likely costs are in attaining said C1 for my son. He’s a competent blue light driver so practicality shouldn’t faze him it’s more about time and money? Look forward to your replies. Cheers.

Direct Access courses are about £60ph thats C+E (Artic) would cover anything he drives. The C cat would be anything from £50ph. Plus Medical plus theory modules.
recommend a 16h course for C category if any experience of vans (Sprinter types).

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[Grianan]

Interested too. Son drives minibus a couple of times a week for his University sailing club so experienced but needs C1.

 

[GMLS]

Might be worth a watch

 

[Gaston aires]

Get him to call Drivers4u. They have centres all over the U.K.
Im going to Colchester for mine on Wednesday.
Phil

 

[Lenny HB]

If you do the full course and test around £800-£1k.

 

[Lenny HB]

Interested too. Son drives minibus a couple of times a week for his University sailing club so experienced but needs C1.

Crazy situation my SIL can drive a 16 seater minibus but not my Motorhome.

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[Nanniemate]

Get him to call Drivers4u. They have centres all over the U.K.
Im going to Colchester for mine on Wednesday.
Phil

Hate to ask but what are they charging and for how long is it 121 or buddied up

 

[Gromett]

I would suggest he gets the full C license rather than C1.

I wouldn't.

The C1 can be taken in a panel van and is MUCH easier to drive.

I had to do my C1 and passed it with only a day and a half training. If you are used to driving a panel van, then they will just have to train you on the reversing element and knock any bad habits out of you.
For most people I think this will be mirrors and signals for the most part.

I failed my first attempt at taking the C. It is a completely different beast (although there were mitigating circumstances).

 

[Gaston aires]

Hate to ask but what are they charging and for how long is it 121 or buddied up

£55 and it lasts for 3 years. This is to retain it, not get it.
Phil

 

[pappajohn]

C1 will be £1000 plus.
Shop around as many advertisers are only agents for multiple driving schools and their booking fee will be added to the final cost.
Go direct to a school and all you pay is the actual school fee.

 

[Nanniemate]

£55 and it lasts for 3 years. This is to retain it, not get it.
Phil

Now I'm really confused what are you paying £55 for that last 3 years

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[nicholsong]

I would suggest he gets the full C license rather than C1.

Sorry I have no idea about costs but perhaps a call to a local HGV training centre might shed some light?

Depends on age. If over 45 with a 'C' licence the medical is every year. For a C1 licence it is every 3 years when over 70.

 

[Peter and Julie]

Get him to call Drivers4u. They have centres all over the U.K.
Im going to Colchester for mine on Wednesday.
Phil

If Drivers4u are an agent they charge a commission/fee. Better to contact the provider direct!

 

[pappajohn]

If you're anywhere near Leicestershire try Data Academy.
A funster owns it and has an excellent pass rate.

https://www.dataacademy.co.uk/

 

[Gaston aires]

Now I'm really confused what are you paying £55 for that last 3 years

Once you reach 70 yrs, you lose C1and C2 unless you reapply for them. £55 is the cost that D4drivers charge to give you an eye test and basic medical, that’s less than doctors charge. You have to attend a regional centre for the service. They also fill in the forms and send them off. Good value I say.
Phil

 

[Peter and Julie]

Depends on age. If over 45 with a 'C' licence the medical is every year. For a C1 licence it is every 3 years when over 70.

If you're anywhere near the Midlands try Data Academy.
A funster owns it and has an excellent pass rate.

AKA Motoroamin on RVOC site

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[Gaston aires]

If Drivers4u are an agent they charge a commission/fee. Better to contact the provider direct!

See my nanniemate reply.

 

[Peter and Julie]

See my nanniemate reply.

Agency?

 

[The Artilleryman]

Depends on age. If over 45 with a 'C' licence the medical is every year. For a C1 licence it is every 3 years when over 70.

Surley that should be 1st D4 medical lasts till age 45, then every 5 years till 65, then every year after that.

If you have grandfather rights to C1, the same as above for commercial use, private use as above.

 

[Nanniemate]

Once you reach 70 yrs, you lose C1and C2 unless you reapply for them. £55 is the cost that D4drivers charge to give you an eye test and basic medical, that’s less than doctors charge. You have to attend a regional centre for the service. They also fill in the forms and send them off. Good value I say.
Phil

Sorry I got confused that it was for the licence acquisition I thought gosh that's cheap then thought maybe it's just for the vehicle I do loose track sometimes

 

[stewartwebr]

I did my C1+E about 10 years ago. Due to my existing C1 entitlement being gained through Grandfather rights, my first course of action was to complete the medical to gain C1 provisional. This appears as a separate entry on the rear of your license. The Grandfather C1 remains on a sperate entry with Code 107 in the comments section.
Next was the hazard and theory test which was around £30, but only required because I had not completed one when I obtained my car entitlement.
Then the training, 3 days with test on the afternoon of day 3, cost was around £1100 mark including test fee.

I then decided I needed my C entitlement as I was looking at Liners. I thought I was an experience driver given I have been driving 7.5t +9m motorhomes and towing a car behind for years.

The training school offered my a free 30 mins assessment. On the back of that they said 3 days traning with test on the 3rd day. I was a bit miffed as I thought I was better than that. However, they were right. It is not about how you drive, but how they assess you in the test conditions. I felt like I spent more time looking backwards than forwards on the first day. Pass a parked car, mirrors, everything you pass you look back and check. There were a number of tips and I was glad I did the 3 days. I passed first time, it would have dented my pride if I failed as I passed my car and C1+E first time, so needed this to be number 3. Cost was £1200

As others have said the C1+E and C all require medical with frequency based on age. I’m still every 5 years and the medical is extremely basic and can be done at a cost of around £35 from various medical provider.

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[nicholsong]

I did my C1+E about 10 years ago. Due to my existing C1 entitlement being gained through Grandfather rights, my first course of action was to complete the medical to gain C1 provisional. This appears as a separate entry on the rear of your license. The Grandfather C1 remains on a sperate entry with Code 107 in the comments section.
Next was the hazard and theory test which was around £30, but only required because I had not completed one when I obtained my car entitlement.
Then the training, 3 days with test on the afternoon of day 3, cost was around £1100 mark including test fee.

I then decided I needed my C entitlement as I was looking at Liners. I thought I was an experience driver given I have been driving 7.5t +9m motorhomes and towing a car behind for years.

The training school offered my a free 30 mins assessment. On the back of that they said 3 days traning with test on the 3rd day. I was a bit miffed as I thought I was better than that. However, they were right. It is not about how you drive, but how they assess you in the test conditions. I felt like I spent more time looking backwards than forwards on the first day. Pass a parked car, mirrors, everything you pass you look back and check. There were a number of tips and I was glad I did the 3 days. I passed first time, it would have dented my pride if I failed as I passed my car and C1+E first time, so needed this to be number 3. Cost was £1200

As others have said the C1+E and C all require medical with frequency based on age. I’m still every 5 years and the medical is extremely basic and can be done at a cost of around £35 from various medical provider.

stewartwebr

Interesting post and good information.

I used to drive professionally (semi-retirement job) on 7.5t and did get into the habit of checking mirrors if passing a moving vehicle, as I still do in the MH (7m), but would have needed to be trained to do it with a parked car.

[BTW have sent PM re GC]

Geoff

 

[Ridgeway]

Interesting thread. Just started the process to recover my C1 after giving it up 20yrs ago, oh how i wish I’d kept it……

And now realise here (like UK) there’s a chuffing theory as well this is going to be a painful experience…

 

[noggin61]

Where is he based

West Sussex

 

[noggin61]

I did my C1+E about 10 years ago. Due to my existing C1 entitlement being gained through Grandfather rights, my first course of action was to complete the medical to gain C1 provisional. This appears as a separate entry on the rear of your license. The Grandfather C1 remains on a sperate entry with Code 107 in the comments section.
Next was the hazard and theory test which was around £30, but only required because I had not completed one when I obtained my car entitlement.
Then the training, 3 days with test on the afternoon of day 3, cost was around £1100 mark including test fee.

I then decided I needed my C entitlement as I was looking at Liners. I thought I was an experience driver given I have been driving 7.5t +9m motorhomes and towing a car behind for years.

The training school offered my a free 30 mins assessment. On the back of that they said 3 days traning with test on the 3rd day. I was a bit miffed as I thought I was better than that. However, they were right. It is not about how you drive, but how they assess you in the test conditions. I felt like I spent more time looking backwards than forwards on the first day. Pass a parked car, mirrors, everything you pass you look back and check. There were a number of tips and I was glad I did the 3 days. I passed first time, it would have dented my pride if I failed as I passed my car and C1+E first time, so needed this to be number 3. Cost was £1200

As others have said the C1+E and C all require medical with frequency based on age. I’m still every 5 years and the medical is extremely basic and can be done at a cost of around £35 from various medical provider.

Thanks for a comprehensive answer.

We’ve circumvented the issue now and ended up with a sub 3500kg wagon which is going to suit our needs perfectly.

Thanks anyway.

 

[westfielder]

Lots of info on web - C1/D1 may be a thing of the past again as we're out of Europe. Maybe worth waiting....

Driving licensing call for evidence

www.gov.uk