Frequently Asked Questions
(we can help you to complete this if required) Before you start you must complete your D2 Form, you can get a copy from any Post Office or you can order this form online.
(Booked at a date and time to suit you).
The law requires HGV drivers to be in reasonably good health. Every new driver must undergo an HGV medical exam with accompanying paperwork (D4. Candidates are required to undergo a new medical exam every time their licence comes up for renewal. A Doctor cannot assess whether you are fit to drive a commercial vehicle, they simply complete the D4 medical examination form. The DVLA makes the decision on whether you are fit to drive.
Here is a list of some of the things a physician is required to check in during the HGV medical:
• Neurological disorders
• Diabetes
• Cardiac
• Psychiatric illness
• Substance misuse
• Sleep disorders
• Other medical conditions
• Medications
When you pass the medical, you’re given a D4 medical certificate. You then have four months to pass your driving test, otherwise, you will have to take it again.
What do you need to take with you?
• Your driving glasses/contact lenses & prescription.
• Details of any ongoing medical conditions.
• Prescription medications that you are taking.
• D4 form
Driver CPC part 3a test: off-road exercises.
Module 3a is a practical demonstration of a reversing exercise, we will train you to do this first. Your test will last up to 30 minutes, and includes: an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay. showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer.
You must usually have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3a test.
Take your Theory pass certificates and your photocard driving licence (provisional driving licence).
Driver CPC part 3b test: on-road driving – Practical Road driving
During your practical road driving, the examiner will see how you:
• Use the vehicle controls
• Move away at an angle, uphill and downhill
• Do a controlled stop
• Use the mirrors
• Give appropriate signals
• Show awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions
• Manage your progress and control your vehicle speed
• Deal with hazards
• Select a safe place to stop
There will also be 10 minutes of independent driving, designed to test your ability to drive safely while making independent decisions.
Your test will include:
• Vehicle safety questions
• 1 hour of practical road driving
Take your Theory pass certificates and your photocard driving licence (provisional driving licence).
(practical test)
This is a practical demonstration test. You will not be required to drive in this test but will be expected to have a good knowledge of the other duties you will be required to perform as a driver. This may include securing of the load using the correct restraining devices, daily checks of the vehicle, loading of the vehicle etc. This test consists of 5 topic areas which cover the Driver CPC syllabus. In order to pass you will have to score 15 out of 20 in each topic area (75%) and an overall score of 80%.
On completion of all 4 modules, you will be issued with your Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which is valid for 5 years. Within the 5 years you will be required to complete 35 hours of Periodic Driver CPC Training and then every 5 years thereafter.
People passing their car test before the 1st January 1997 will only be required to take modules 1 and 3.
(this is online 35 hours course)
The final step is passing your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.
Unless you have “grandad rights” (passed your car test before 1997), you’ll need to do Initial CPC first – module 2 and module 4 and you cannot drive HGVs professionally without the CPC qualification, save for a few exceptions.
After obtaining your first Driver Qualification Card (DQC), you will need to undergo 35 hours of refresher training, called Periodic Training, every 5 years to stay qualified.
(Booked at a date and time to suit you).
This is a theory test consisting of 100 multiple choice questions relative to HGV/LGV or PCV (depending on which you are taking). To pass this you must answer at least 85 correctly.
The most important document you’ll need to take to your Theory Test is
your photocard driving licence (provisional driving licence).
(Hazard Perception) – (Booked at a date and time to suit you).
The Hazard Perception test consists of 19 clips with 20 score-able hazards. To pass this test you will be required to achieve a pass mark of at least 67 out of 100.
The most important document you’ll need to take to your Theory Test is
your photocard driving licence (provisional driving licence).
(case studies) – (Booked at a date and time to suit you).
A computer-based test consisting of 7 real life scenarios. There are 50 multiple choice questions of which you must get at least 40 correct answers to pass.
The most important document you’ll need to take to your Theory Test is
your photocard driving licence (provisional driving licence).
Modules 1a, 1b and Module 2 are normally booked at the same time to
save you time if you need all three of them.
From the 15th November 2021, the HGV driving test was split into two parts known as 3a and 3b. The 3a test covers the off-road exercises and 3b covers the road driving element. You must pass the 3a test before you can book the 3b test.
Once the theory test is out of the way and you have received your results you get to jump in one of our training vehicles and start your practical training with our instructor. Practical training can take anything from 12 to 26 hours depending on your requirements, including your Driver CPC training.
(we can apply this for you online)
A digital tachograph is a radio-sized device fitted on goods and passenger vehicles. The tachograph digitally records various types of driver and vehicle data such as journey distance, speed, driving time, and driver activity. The data is stored in the vehicle unit memory and on driver cards.