Getting started

To become a lorry, bus or coach driver you need to:

• have a full car licence
• be over 18
• get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

You must have the full Driver CPC if you drive a lorry, bus or coach as the main part of your job.

You usually need to pass 4 tests to get it.

You don’t need the full Driver CPC if you:

• don’t want to drive for a living, for example you want to drive for a hobby or carry passengers or goods non-commercially for personal use
• drive in certain other situations, such as taking your vehicle for a pre-booked annual test (MOT)

You still need to pass the part 1 (theory) and part 3 (driving ability) tests of the qualification.

The category of provisional licence you need depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive.

To apply, order forms D2 and D4 from DVLA.

Click here to visit the  page on the government website where you can request the relevant

application form to be sent to you.

Alternatively you can contact our office and we will send them out to you.

The D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. This could be either:

•  your GP - but an optician might need to fill in the section about your eyesight
• a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical exams (We have attached a list of local providers)

Your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you.

You can only apply for a provisional trailer (+E) licence when you’ve got the full licence for the vehicle you’ll be driving.

Send both forms and your photocard driving licence to DVLA. There’s no application fee.

You only need to include a passport-style colour photo and original identity documents if you have a paper driving licence.

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1BR

You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. It can take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked.

You can book the part 1 theory test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence.

The test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts

separately, but you can take them on the same day.

It doesn’t matter which one you take first, but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.

What to take to your test

You must bring one of the following:

• a Great Britain photocard driving licence
• a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
• an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring the right documents.

How the test works

Multiple-choice questions part

You can take a practice test to find out how the test works.

The multiple-choice questions part lasts for 1 hour and 55 minutes, and the pass mark is 85 out of 100

questions.

Hazard perception part

You’ll watch 19 videos, and there are 20 developing hazards to spot.

The pass mark is 67 out of 100. You can’t review your answers.

Your test results

You’ll be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you’ve just taken.

When you’ve passed both parts, your theory test certificate will be posted to you. You need this when you book your Driver CPC part 3 driving test.

Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3 driving test within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 1 theory test again.

If you fail the theory tests

You’ll get a results letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed.

You can book another theory test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working days.

You can book the part 2 case studies test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence. You don’t need to have passed the Driver CPC part 1 theory test and this can also be booked for the same day as the CPC Part 1 but normally a few hours apart

What to take to your test

You must bring one of the following:

• a Great Britain photocard driving licence
• a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
• an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you don’t bring the right documents.

How the test works

The test is made up of 7 case studies you work through on a computer. The case studies are short stories based on situations that you’re likely to come across in your working life.

You’ll be asked between 6 and 8 multiple-choice questions on each case study.

The test lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the pass mark is 40 out of 50.

Your test results

You’ll get a letter with the results at the test centre.

You need the test pass reference number when you book your Driver CPC part 4 practical demonstration test.

The pass letter is valid for 2 years.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 4 practical demonstration test within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 2 case studies test again.

Revision Material

There is a very good App called “LGV Theory Test and Hazards” which has a green icon and is licenced by the DVSA. Its costs £11.99 and is available on Apple and Android.

You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3 test.

How the test works

Your practical test will last about 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes:

• vehicle safety questions
• practical road driving
• off-road exercises

Vehicle safety questions

During your test you’ll be asked vehicle safety questions on either:

• lorries, buses and coaches
• lorries, buses and coaches towing trailers

Full training will be provided in relation to these questions as part of your course.

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.

Off-road exercises

The off-road exercises will include:

• an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
• showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer

Test result

After you’ve taken the practical test your examiner will tell you if you’ve passed and explain how you did.

You’ll pass your test if you make:

• 15 or fewer driving faults
• no serious or dangerous faults

If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away, but you can’t take it for another 3 clear working

days.

You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 2 test before you can book the Driver CPC part 4 test.

How the test works

You’re tested on being able to:

• load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
• stop trafficking in illegal immigrants
• assess emergency situations
• reduce physical risks to yourself or others
• do a walkaround vehicle safety check

The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.

To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.

After you’ve passed all 4 of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests, you’ll be sent a Driver CPC card. This is sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.

You must carry your Driver CPC card while driving a lorry, bus or coach professionally.

Every 5 years you must:

•  take 35 hours of Driver CPC training to keep driving professionally
• renew your lorry or bus driving licence

If you’re 65 or over, you must renew your lorry or bus driving licence every year.

You can undertake your driving course after you have completed the CPC Parts 1 and 2. Part 3 is the actual driving test after the course and Part 4 can be done almost immediately after.

D4 Drivers

https://d4drivers.uk/

03003030668

bookings@d4drivers.uk

Rates: £55

Locations:

Gatwick

Horsham

Brighton

Portsmouth