Tag Archives: Horse box courses

HGV Training

Posted on by

Before selecting a HGV Course you should do some research and check that the HGV Training provider is actually qualified and can issue legal documents which will be accepted by the DVLA for upgrading your driving licence.  There are brokers who will point you in the direction of accredited HGV Training but they will charge you several hundred pounds for the privilege.  HGV Training is expensive and you will want to make sure that you get the best for your money.  Look for a centre which is approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) which is an executive agency of the Department of Transport.  The HGV Training provided by registered DSA centres will provide you with the best training available and meet all the safety standards laid down by both theUK and EU regulations.

Before embarking on HGV Training you will need to have a clean current car driving licence.  Most people who passed their car test prior to 1997 will already have categories C1 and C1+E on their licences. New EU regulations require lorry drivers to pass the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).  This is in addition to the initialHGV Course.  This applies to any driver who does not have a Category C1, C or C+E  and includes successfully passing two further examinations, a practical test and a case study.  The CPC also requires professional lorry drivers to undertake a set number of hours per year towards compliance with the regulations, and is extra HGV Training to keep lorry drivers safe on the roads and up to date with new regulations.  HGV Training is ongoing as professional lorry drivers are required to keep up with health and safety issues.

There are many benefits of being a lorry driver.  Once you have completed your HGV Training you will be able to demand a high salary, job satisfaction and have what most people can only dream of – job security.   The flexibility of hours and opportunities for self employment are further advantages.  You will be in charge of your own career.  Once you have completed your HGV Training and have some experience, you will be able to pick and choose your jobs, or retire early.  Some lorry drivers work only part of the year, or work on contract.   You will have the flexibility to be able to work locally, nationally or internationally while earning a great salary.

HGV Training also includes getting qualified to drive a horse box or trailer.  If you passed your driving test after 1997, you will need to take a test to drive a car and trailer.  A category C1 licence entitles you to drive a lorry of no more than 7.5 tons fully loaded.  HGV Training is available for horse box owners who want to drive fully loaded lorries over 7.5tons and gain a category C licence.  It important that you calculate the weight of the horse(s) into the weight or you may be driving illegally.  The HGV Course specially designed for driving horse boxes takes 5 days.

Lorries are big heavy vehicles and are dangerous in the wrong hands. All road safety considerations will be taken into account during your HGV Driver Course.  Whether you are planning on being a professional lorry driver or are a more recreational driver driving large vehicles, you will need to undergo the relevant HGV Training.

HGV Courses

Posted on by

Driving on today’s busy roads is dangerous and there are many accidents every day.  If you want to be a lorry driver, you should make sure you undergo the best HGV Training possible at a centre which registered with the Driver Standards Agency (DSA).  The HGV course will include a mixture of stringent practical and theory tests which are designed to make sure you have all the knowledge you need to drive safely on modern roads and motorways.  There are two sets of regulations you will need to be familiar with and will be included in your HGV course.  European Union (EU) regulations if you want to drive in Europe, andUK regulations for driving in theUK.

Manoeuvring a large vehicle is just one of the things you will learn on your HGV course.   You will be taught that you need to consider other road users at all times.  Some car drivers do not realise just how much room a lorry takes when making a turn at a roundabout for example.   You will learn about braking distances.  A heavy vehicle takes much longer to slow down than a car, and during your HGV course you will be taught the theory about braking distances before you put it into practice on the road.  Driving laden and non laden vehicles is very different, as anyone who has driven a horse box or loaded van will tell you.  The same vehicle will react differently to attempts to slow down quickly when it is laden than it will when not laden.   Your HGV course will teach you all about laden and unladen vehicles and braking distances as well as how much load you are allowed to carry.  Foreign regulations are different than in the UK, and if you are a foreigner taking an HGV course in theUK with the intention of driving in theUK, you will need to follow theUK regulations.

The weight of the unladen vehicle will dictate whether you can drive it or not.  An HGV course which includes Class 2 training will allow you to drive a light goods vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes.   If you successfully pass Class 1 training, you will be able to drive articulated lorries.

The costs of attending a HGV course are quite high, over a thousand pounds.  Sometimes the government gives grants towards the training, and your HGV training centre will be able to provide you with information.    Once you have your certificate, the HGV training centre may also be able to help with finding your first job as a professional lorry driver.

There are many HGV training centres in the UK and you will be able to find one near you by doing an internet search or looking in Yellow Pages.   Before taking the HGV course, you will be required to take a medical and have a clean full car driving licence. Once you have successfully completed the HGV course, your car driving licence will be updated to reflect your new qualifications with a category C or category E, depending on which HGV course you have taken. You will then be able to seek work as a well paid lorry driver.

HGV Express: The Truck School

Posted on by

Why Truck School?

Deciding to go to truck school to upgrade your driving skills and become a lorry driver could be the best decision you ever made. There are many HGV courses available nationwide, but before selecting a school you should ensure that they are registered with the Driver Standards Agency (DSA). The DSA is an executive agency of the Department of Transport and is authorised to provide lorry courses and certification for updating your current driving licence. A registered HGV training centre will be equipped to teach you all you need to know about driving large vehicles on the road, and also help you with getting your first job.

Driving a heavy goods vehicle is not just a lucrative employment opportunity; it is also a great responsibility. Therefore, obtaining the right type of licence at a DSA approved school is absolutely essential to make sure that you are eligible and well informed for the job. Here at HGV Express, we do much more than just teach you how to drive.

What do you need?

In order to be able to attend truck school, you will need a clean, full driving licence for a car before you can be accepted on to a HGV training course. The main focus of the course will be to make sure you have the skills to be able to drive a lorry on today’s busy roads. As well as the practical knowledge to be able to drive the truck, you will be required to learn about EU and UK regulations on such subjects as laden and unladen weight limits, speed restrictions and the intricacies of the tachograph in the case of the class 2 training.

Once you graduate?

When you graduate, you’ll be able to enjoy your new driving career. As an inexperienced professional driver, you will need to convince potential employers that you are able to apply the practical and academic skills you have learnt. Not only will you be a professional lorry driver, but you’ll also be an ambassador for truck drivers everywhere.

What will you learn?

After passing your lorry driving training, you’ll have an increased responsibility towards road safety. Road manoeuvres, such as negotiating roundabouts, are taught during your HGV course. It is much more difficult than you think, as you have a longer vehicle behind you, meaning that you will need to move to the right hand lane to turn left for example. This is not a natural action and must be thought out ahead. Turning at roundabouts is just one of the things you will be taught at lorry school.

Why choose lorry driving?

Being a lorry driver is a great occupation. Flexibility of hours and security of employment in addition to a well-paid career are just some of the reasons why you might want to undergo HGV training. There are opportunities for purchasing your own lorry and going self-employed as well as good jobs with small and large companies. Once you have been to truck school and passed the course, the choice will be yours. After completing your HGV training you’ll have the opportunity to progress in your career as a lorry driver.

We provide all the necessary information on becoming accredited, obtaining employment and most importantly, keeping up with the changing rules and safety regulations within the industry. HGV Express can turn you into a safe, reliable and fully qualified driver.