After all of the instruction and preparation, both in the classroom and behind the wheel, the HGV candidate must still pass a test in order to be licenced as a professional driver. Passing the test is not necessarily easy. It requires concentration, calmness, and confidence in the training and information one has received. The good news is that students who train with the HGVT (HGV Training Services LTD) Training Centre make us proud with a pass rate in excess of 92%.

You can pass the HGV test as well with the right kind of training and support. The HGVT (HGV Training Services LTD) Training Centre can provide both. We are the largest and most reputable training company in the UK with more than four-dozen facilities staffed by experienced instructors and dedicated support personnel. We make it our mission to walk each of our students through the entire process from start to finish, ensuring they pass their tests the first time so they can get right to work

The Two Primary Tests

There are two primary tests that every HGV student must pass in order to be licenced. The first is the HGV theory test; the second is the practical skills test. We provide training and preparation for both.

The HGV theory test is a two-part test a candidate must pass before he or she can begin practical skills training. Students can book and take this test whenever they like, sitting for both parts at the same time or splitting them into two separate sessions. We recommend doing both at the same sitting whenever possible. The two parts of the test are as follows:

1. Multiple Choice – The first part of the theory test is a 100-question multiple-choice exam testing the candidate’s knowledge of general highway safety and driving practices. It is similar to the theory test taken for a car licence but modified to account for the unique nature of HGV driving.
2. Hazard Perception – The second part of the theory test involves hazard perception. Candidates are shown 19 videos with 20 potential hazards to look for. There are 100 questions the student must answer relating to the information gleaned from the videos.

A passing grade for part one is 85%; a passing grade for part two is 67%. Only when a candidate has passed both portions of the test can he or she then go on to practical skills training. Candidates can take the individual parts as many times as necessary in order to pass them.

The second HGV test taken upon completion of training is also a two-part test. Both parts are conducted during the same session at an authorised testing facility. Those two parts are as follows:

1. Driving Skills – HGV candidates will physically drive an HGV under the supervision of a DVSA tester. The tester gives the candidate-specific instruction designed to test his or her driving skills. The test will include everything from braking to backing to cornering.
2. Practical Demonstration – The HGV test also includes a practical demonstration that the candidate understands how HGV vehicles work and what is legally required in terms of safety and regulatory compliance. This test contains five separate modules dealing with vehicle loading, cargo securement, illegal immigrant trafficking, emergency situation assessment, and walk-around safety checks.

The entire process for the practical skills test can take up to two hours to complete. During the driving skills portion, a candidate cannot be cited for any serious faults and cannot have more than 15 minor faults in total. For the practical demonstration, the driver will need to answer 80 out of 100 total questions correctly.

Five Keys to Success

At first glance, it may seem as if the HGV test requirements are rather daunting. As stated earlier, passing the test is not necessarily easy. However, more than 90% of our students pass their tests the first time. How do we achieve such a high success rate? By preparing our students with the five keys to successful test-taking. Those five keys are:

1. Information

The HGV driver needs to know a lot of information to pass both portions of the theory test. Additional information is required for the practical demonstration portion of the practical skills test. We prepare our students by giving them only the information they need to pass these tests. We do not fill their minds with unnecessary information that can be learned on the job.

We also utilise an intense and fast-paced training approach that ensures the vast majority of our students to retain the information they learn. The idea is to disseminate the information, teach our students how to retain it, and get them to the testing centre while everything is still fresh.

2. Training

We believe that training goes well beyond just the impartation of static information. It also includes applying the learned information to the task at hand. To that end, we put drivers behind the wheel of an HGV where they can put all of their acquired knowledge to use. It is one thing to read from a manual how to back a trailer up to a loading bay, actually doing it is an entirely different matter. We train drivers in order to develop their skills prior to taking their final test.

3. Practice

We encourage our students to practice for all four testing phases well in advance of actual testing. For example, we provide state-of-the-art software with plenty of practice questions that prepare candidates for the theory test. Candidates can also take advantage of a number of free resources online offering hundreds of practice questions.

During practical skills training, we encourage our drivers to practice behind the wheel. The more time they spend driving, the better they will get. As they say, practice makes perfect.

4. Confidence

We believe that a competent driver is a driver who will pass the HGV test the first time. Therefore, we strive to encourage our students whenever they do something well and provide further instruction and training in those areas in which they do not do so well. By the time our students are ready for their final practical skills test, they have the confidence to approach the test with the knowledge that they are fully equipped to succeed.

5. Calmness

Nothing inhibits taking the HGV test quite like anxiousness and fear. Therefore, we work with our students throughout the training process to teach them to remain calm, cool and collected. A relaxed mindset allows students to make clear and rational decisions throughout the test session.

Throughout the entire training and testing process, our instructors are always available to answer questions. As a student, never be afraid to ask. Far too many drivers who fail the HGV test do so because they went into testing without first getting answers to their questions. We provide experienced instructors who have worked in the real world as HGV drivers; utilise them by asking as many questions as you can think of.

One of the things that sets the HGVT (HGV Training Services LTD) Training Centre apart is the fact that we send one of our instructors with the student on the day of his or her final HGV test. This enables the student to ask any remaining questions and receive additional advice prior to the test beginning. We have found this practice helps our students maintain a calm mindset.

Train with Us to Succeed

There are a lot of training companies you could work with to earn your HGV licence. We invite you to train with us. Why? Because we prepare you to succeed. We train you to do well not only on your HGV test but also throughout your entire career as a professional driver. What you learn at our training centre will be invaluable to you for as long as you work in the industry.

If you are ready to succeed in your career as a professional driver, there’s no need to delay any longer. The sooner you contact us to begin training, the sooner we will have you ready to take and pass your HGV test.

Learn More about HGV

The following additional articles may help you to decide whether training for a career in HGV is right for you.

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