Category C

To gain your provisional entitlement and begin Category C licence acquisition, you must be:

• at least 18 years old
• hold a valid Category B (car) licence

You will also need to complete a medical assessment to ensure that you are fit to operate a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV)

After you complete your Class 2 driver training and gain your Category C licence, you can drive professionally.

However, if you’re driving for hire or reward, you must first complete the initial Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This includes the MOD 2 theory and MOD 4 practical demonstration training and test. Once completed, you must then do 35 hours of driver CPC training every five years to stay compliant. If you drive as a hobby and not for a living, CPC training is not required.

Keep in mind, you’re not allowed to repeat the same CPC topic during the same five-year period.

Doing so means those hours won’t count towards your CPC total, and you’ll fall short of legal requirements. Therefore, always plan your modules carefully to meet your full 35-hour requirement.

Throughout your Class 2 Driving course, you will be required to complete a test at each stage of your HGV training journey. Although, this is dependent on any tests you may have already completed prior to booking your course with us. The tests are set as a combination of both theory and practical elements.

The 3b (on-road) driving test is conducted by an official DVSA examiner who you will meet in our reception area. The examiner will confirm your credentials and then begin your practical test for the Category C rigid LGV. You will drive a set route, along with numerous challenges to test your driving abilities. These will cover Urban, Rural and Dual Carriageway driving to allow the examiner to see you demonstrate your competency to drive and manoeuvre the vehicle safely, in line with the laws & legislations of UK roads. To pass, you must successfully drive with no more than 12 driving faults or any serious driver faults or more than 4 recurring minor faults (which can be deemed a major by the examiner).

For your medical examination, this will be conducted by a qualified medical examiner, either a local doctor or GP who will also complete the D4 form.

The theory and MOD 2 CPC part of your course will include the case studies, multiple choice, hazard perception and initial CPC tests. These are completed on a PC in a controlled test environment, which will be at a testing facility convenient to you.

The Driver CPC part 4 (MOD 4) element of the course is a 30 minute practical safety demonstration, checking the vehicles external and internal safety and security levels are up to standard. Each student will be asked a selection of questions while walking around a stationary vehicle.

The 3a (off-road) reversing test is conducted by a 2 Start DVSA approved examiner. This test will take place at one of our DVSA approved testing areas, which you will have used for practicing throughout your training course. The 3a test will require you to implement your training and demonstrate to the examiner that you can manoeuvre the Cat C vehicle to the standards outlined by the DVSA. You will also be required to conduct an “S” shaped reversing manoeuvre.

Other training to consider if you want to upskill includes:

Obtain your Lorry Mounted Crane ALLMI certification

Driver CPC training (only applicable to those who drive professionally)

Upskilling to gain your Category C+E entitlement

Completing ADR training to transport hazardous goods by road

Reputable Salary Checkers estimate the following for a truck driver across the South Coast:

While all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we suggest conducting your own research and use these figures for information purposes only.

HGV Truck Drivers in Theale averages £41,819 per annum.

HGV Truck Drivers in Hampshire averages £41,558 per annum.

HGV Truck Drivers in Reading averages £42,670 per annum.

HGV Truck Drivers in Worthing averages £40,520 per annum.

HGV Truck Drivers in Portsmouth averages £41,163 per annum.

The Category C licence is ideal for anyone entering the road haulage industry, either independently or through a company. As long as you’re over 18 and hold a full, valid UK driving licence, you can begin Class 2 training.

However, you must also pass a medical assessment before starting the course. Once that’s complete, you’re ready to begin your training and work toward earning your Category C licence

After passing your Category C licence, you can drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes with trailers up to 750kg. In addition, your licence will include the full Category C1 entitlement, allowing you to drive smaller commercial vehicles as well.

After you pass your Class 2 LGV test, the examiner will give you your Category C pass certificate.

Next, the examiner will ask whether you’d like them to send your licence for updating, or if you prefer to send it yourself. If you still need to complete your Mod 4 or plan to hire a car, it’s best to keep your licence and send it later at your convenience.

Once you’ve passed, you’re allowed to drive a Category C vehicle immediately, provided you’re covered by the appropriate insurance. You must then send your driving licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) so that they can update your category entitlements to include Category C.

Once you receive your updated licence, you will have the “Category C” entitlement on the back of your driving licence card.

You may also use your pass certificate to drive for up to two years, even if your licence hasn’t yet been updated. However, if you fail to update your licence within those two years, your pass certificate becomes invalid, and you will lose your entitlement to drive Category C vehicles.