As someone interested in earning an LGV licence, we suspect you have a lot of questions about the process. So who better to ask than experienced drivers themselves? At the HGV Training Centre, we only employ instructors who have spent time behind the wheel as real-world professionals. Each of our instructors is an accomplished professional driver who knows exactly what it takes to obtain a commercial licence and to be a successful and productive worker.

As you read this guide, you will discover just what is necessary to acquire a licence to be a professional driver. We will discuss various licence classes as well as how to approach your training classes at the HGV Training Centre. Whatever LGV class applies to your licence or the training you undergo our instructors have all the answers you need. Let’s start by discussing licence classes.

The LGV Class Licence

It used to be that the term ‘LGV’ referred to light goods vehicles not requiring a special commercial driving licence to operate. But things have changed. Now the government uses the term to reference any vehicles above and beyond motorcycles and standard passenger vehicles. The licence you need to drive one of these vehicles depends on its size and weight. There are four licence classes, also known as categories, we can train you for:

1. Category C1 – This first LGV licence class is for the smallest of commercial vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes MAM (maximum authorised mass). These are typically smaller box trucks, commercial vans, and horseboxes.
2. Category C1+E – Driving a commercial vehicle between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, with a trailer of up to 750 kg in tow, requires a Cat C1+E licence. We normally see this licence applied to larger commercial vans and horseboxes where trailer towing is involved. Someone with this licence also qualifies to drive the vehicles assigned to the C1 licence class.
3. Category C – A Category C licence is designed for large commercial vehicles in excess of 7.5 tonnes MAM. If your goal is to drive an articulated lorry, tipper truck or bin lorry, for example, the Category C is probably what you are looking for. This is the most popular LGV licence class we train for.
4. Category C+E – This LGV licence class enables you to drive the largest commercial vehicles on the road with the exception of coaches and buses (they require a Category D). This includes vehicles in excess of 7.5 tonnes with trailers in tow. It also includes some oversized vehicles that would otherwise not qualify under a Category C licence.

Each of these licence classes involves training specific to the vehicles in question. For example, if you train to earn your Category C1 licence, you will not be tested in a Category C vehicle. Likewise, if you sign up to take the Category C test, it is assumed that you have trained using an appropriate vehicle. Training in a lower class vehicle is inappropriate in as much as it may not prepare you to pass your Category C test.

You will be happy to know that the HGV Training Centre utilises only late-model equipment that drivers are likely the use in the real world. We also train each student using a vehicle appropriate to the licence he or she is seeking. In this way, we can ensure each of our drivers receives the kind of training required.

Important Tips for Taking Training Classes

We mentioned at the start of this guide that we would also be addressing the idea of taking LGV classes in order to train for your commercial driving licence. Our instructors have provided us with a number of very helpful tips that will make the training process as easy and successful as possible.

Their first tip is to decide what category licence you want to earn before signing up for any classes. It makes no sense to pursue a Category C1 training programme if you fully intend to drive Category C vehicles. You might just as well go for the higher category training class and earn that licence. Obtaining the Category C licence gives you acquired rights, meaning you will be able to drive all of the lower class vehicles as well.

Additional tips direct from our instructors include the following:

1. Pace Yourself – We all learn at different rates. The key to navigating the fast-paced and intense training regimen of commercial driver training is to pace yourself. In other words, attend your classes every day and give appropriate time to study during the evening hours. Do not wait and leave all of your study until the evening before a module exam. Definitely, do not wait until one or two days before your final test to get all of your studying done.
2. Put Aside Distractions – We utilise a very concentrated training approach that enables our students to obtain their licences in a matter of weeks. But in order to accomplish this, it’s necessary to temporarily put aside any distractions in your life. If you are willing to focus for just three or four weeks, you can take and pass every LGV class you need to obtain your licence. Then you can go back to enjoying those other things.
3. Ask Lots of Questions – There truly is no such thing as a dumb question. If you don’t know something, it is far better to ask than to go into one of your tests without all of the information you need to pass. As a side note, rest assured that our instructors love questions. Asking questions demonstrates to them that you want to learn as much as you can.
4. Ask for Help – If you are struggling with a particular topic or skill, please do not ignore it under the assumption you will eventually figure it out. DVLA testers are very particular at test time, as well they should be. Our instructors are directed to provide as much extra help as you need to overcome your struggles. Take advantage of that help and the experience that comes with it.
5. Try to Relax – We know it is easier said than done, but the most successful students are the ones who know how to relax. There is no need to get anxious or nervous prior to the start of classes. There is nothing to worry about the first time you climb into the cab of a training lorry. Remember, our instructors have your back throughout the entire training process.
6. Utilise Administrative Assistance – We offer all of our students administrative assistance to help them with things such as submitting paperwork and booking tests. Take advantage of that assistance. Let us handle the administrative things so that you can concentrate on learning and retaining.

   There is a lot more to LGV training than meets the eye. But if you can successfully learn to drive a car, you can likely learn how to drive an articulated lorry or commercial van as well. You just need the right LGV class instruction from certified instructors with real-world experience. We provide that at the HGV Training Centre.

   Our training programmes for every LGV class licence can be obtained through one of more than four dozen training facilities located throughout the UK. The size of our organisation enables us to offer new classes that regularly form  in an environment that is conducive to learning. Contact us for more information about class locations, scheduling, pricing, and anything else you want to know about earning your LGV class licence.

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