How to become a lorry driver

HOW TO BECOME A LORRY DRIVER Six steps to your LGV licence Getting your LGV lcence Is a great career move. Before you can traln to become an LGV driver, you must normally hold a car driving llcence and be at least 18 years old. With the country facing an Increasing shortage of lorry drivers and the potentlal to earn a decent salary, It's an option lots of people are choosing. STEP 1: HAVE A MEDICAL To apply for a provisional lorry licence, you need to get a medical report form filled in by a doctor. STEP 2: APPLY FOR A PROVISIONAL LICENCE APPROVED WEEKS Once you have passed your medical, you can apply for your provisional LGV licence. Send the medical report form, provisional licence application plus your driving licence to the DVLA. Your provisional entitlement is placed on your licence and is usually returned within two weeks. STEP 3: TAKE YOUR THEORY TEST If you passed your car driving test before 1997, you have to do two theory tests - hazard perception and multiple choice. If you passed your car driving test after 1997, you have to complete hazard perception, multiple choice and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence module 2. You need to pass hazard perception and multiple choice within 2 years of each other. The theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test. STEP 4: START YOUR DRIVING LESSONS We recommend you undergo an assessment to establish how many lessons you need. Every learner is different, but we typically recommend four, half-day lessons before you take your test. STEP 5: TAKE YOUR PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST The test lasts about an hour and includes vehicle safety questions, practical road driving and off-road exercises. Hopefully, you'll pass. If you fail, you need to wait 3 clear working days before you can retake. STEP 6: GET YOUR DRIVER CPC CPC If you want to drive commercially, you will have to complete the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence initial qualification to get your Driver Qualification Card (DQC), which you'll need to carry when you're driving. To maintain your Driver CPC qualification, you'll need to do 35 hours of training every 5 years to refresh your skills. WHAT NEXT? Congratulations - You are now allowed to drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg). Once you have your Category C licence, you can apply for your Category C+E licence to become an articulated lorry driver. Created by: TIR DRIVER TRAINING www.tirtraining.co.uk For more information, check out the original blog