With a category C1 licence, you can drive any van up to the weight of 7.5 tonnes, which gives you plenty of scope for lots of different vehicles.

For even more flexibility, your C1 licence also allows you to tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg behind your truck. This gives you a potential total weight limit of 7.5 tonnes plus 750kg, totalling 8.25 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM) combined. That’s a lot of haulage and more than enough for many driving jobs.

Why should you consider getting a C1 licence?

If you’re looking to drive professionally, the C1 licence is a great place to start. It’s much cheaper than other large vehicle licences including the category C licence, so you can test the market without unnecessary expenditure. Because it’s a smaller vehicle, if you already have your regular car licence you’ll find there are far fewer hours of training needed for your C1 licence. A van is much easier and more accessible to train in than a large HGV, and much more like handling a car. If you have a car licence you may have a question in mind, “Can I drive a 7.5 tonne lorry or van on a car driving licence?”. If you have passed your car driving licence before 1st January 1997, you are entitled to drive a vehicle up to 7.5 tonne.

Please note, if you wish to obtain a licence to drive a 7.5 tonne vehicle and tow a trailer weighing MORE than 750kg (CAT C1 + E), you are required to complete additional testing, even for pre-1997 licence holders.

For more detailed information please call us on 03308183333 .

Finding work with a C1 licence is relatively easy. This is the most common driving certificate required for most smaller delivery companies travelling locally. You’ll also find that the pay is very similar for C1 licence drivers and C licence drivers, so you get good value for your time and effort.

What do you need for your C1 training?

If you do need to take a test before you can drive C1 vehicles, there are a few things you should know before you start your training. First of all, you need to be at least 18 years old and the holder of a regular car licence. Without this licence, there’s no further training you can do, because all van, PCV and HGV training is supplementary to your car licence and can’t be done instead of your car licence.

Driving professionally – especially larger vehicles – requires you to be medically fit and well. This is because you’re driving something that needs to be handled carefully and controlled to the full extent of your ability, which some medical conditions might interfere with.

Medical

To check you’re fit enough to drive, you’ll need to pass a medical exam specifically for drivers looking to upgrade their licence. This is carried out by a GP (HGVT can help organise this), as well as getting a D4 form filled out by your doctor. Make sure to take the form along with you. When you are 45 and over, you will need to renew the medical test every 5 years. If you are 65 and over, the medical test is renewed annually.

Theory and Practical 

Before you can start your practical training, there’s a theory test to take. We can help you to book your slot, and give you all the materials you need to pass. Everything is controlled through our HGVT App. Here you can book your medical, theory and practical tests, as well as keep up to date with your progress all the way through the course. Our online free theory test portal will help you to practice before you take the actual test. Once you are confident, you can take your test and get ready for your practical training and test.

At HGVT, we have over nationwide network of over 60 training centres across the UK so we’re sure there will be one not too far from your current location! It typically takes between 14-16 weeks to obtain a Full Cat C licence.

Driver CPC

Additionally you need to obtain a Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). If you want to drive professionally, you’ll need to get your CPC, which is an assessment of your ability to handle various situations in relation to vehicle safety and efficiency, this also includes knowing what to do in an emergency. Every individual who wishes to drive professionally needs 35 hours of JAUPT approved CPC training. This training needs to carried out every 5 years to keep their Driver’s Qualification Card valid.

When do I need to renew my C1 HGV licence?

The law states that the C1 licence must be renewed every 5 years.

Key steps for renewing a C1 licence:

• If you are under 45:
  1. The DVLA will send out a renewal application form (D47PU) about 56 days before your licence expires.
  2. Fill out the form and send it with your current licence to the DVLA, along with a new passport-style picture if required. (You can also renew online via GOV.UK if eligible.)

• If you are over 45:
  1. The DVLA will send out a renewal application form (D47P) about 56 days before your licence expires.
  2. See your GP for a D4 medical report.
  3. Gather the completed D47P form, the D4 medical report and your current licence and send it to the DVLA, along with a new passport-style picture, if required. (You can also renew online via GOV.UK if eligible.)

Our staff are always on hand to assist you in during every step of your journey through the course, talk you through your needs, and advise of any different types of training you might want depending on what you need the licence for.

For more details on the HGV CAT C1 licence training price, please call us on 03308183333 .