What is C1 Driver Training?
C1 Driver Training will allow anyone who already holds a category B (car) licence to drive vehicles from 3, 500kgs/3.5-tonnes up to 7, 500kgs/7.5-tonnes with a trailer up to 750kgs. Completing this Category type will allow you to drive vehicles such as ambulances and some horseboxes.
A Category C1 vehicle is also known as a 7.5 tonne lorry, due to its structure somewhat resembling a Cat C vehicle, but smaller.
If you are wanting to drive vehicles that fall into these categories, you will need to complete 7.5 Tonne driver training and test.
How do I gain my 7.5 Tonne (C1) licence?
In order to complete one of our C1 courses, you need to:
- To have a full category B licence (car)
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete CPC training if you’re driving as part of a job or for financial gain
The first step to your training is to complete a driver's medical, which is a higher standard medical required to drive a car.
Your medical can be booked for you by the team at 2 Start locally and conveniently for you. Once you have passed your medical, you will be required to gain your provisional C1 licence and then complete your theory tests. There are 3 theory tests that need to be completed which are:
- Multiple-Choice test
- Hazard Perception test
- MOD 2 CPC (if required)
Once you have passed all of your theory tests, it will then be time for you to complete your selected 7.5 Tonne driver training course. After your training has been completed and you are confident with your driving ability, it will then be time to take your DVSA driving test! Additionally, you will need to complete the Module 4 CPC demonstration test if you are driving as part of a job or for financial gain.
In order to be eligible to complete one of our 7.5 Tonne courses, you will need to be over 18 years old and already hold a Category B (car) licence.
If you passed your Category B licence after January 1997 you would need to follow the steps below to obtain your Category C1 licence:
- Apply for the provisional entitlement using form D2, we can supply this to you or you can get one online from the DVSA here: Order DVLA forms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Apply for and attend a medical using the form D4, again we can help you to book this part of the process and help you with the forms.
- Attend and pass the theory tests required. There are 2 if you wish to drive a C1 vehicle privately such as a horsebox or ambulance. If you want to drive a C1 vehicle for hire and reward you will need to complete the third theory test which is the CPC Module 2 case study theory test.
- Once you have passed your theory you are ready for your practical driver training. You will be taught by one of our highly skilled instructors. You will learn how to drive the vehicle safely on the road and practice the manoeuvres required to pass the C1 DVSA practical test.
- If you pass your C1 practical test and you wish you drive the vehicle for hire and reward then you will need to take a further practical test which is the Module 4 CPC. This is a show-me-tell-me practical where you are required to demonstrate your knowledge and ability in areas such as vehicle safety, securing loads and your ability to manage emergency situations.
How long does C1 training take to complete?
All of our C1 driver training courses are conducted on a 1:1 instructor-trainee ratio, allowing our instructors to give you detailed and focused training. Our courses are taught over a 3.5-hour day period, in one of our new Iveco Daily 5.2-tonne vans, providing students with the correct knowledge and skills that they need to pass their driving test.
All of our instructors are dedicated to ensuring that you have the skills and confidence required to operate a category C1 vehicle safely and to pass your test.
Our courses take between 3.5 hours and 24.5 hours to complete.
How much is C1 training?
Similarly, to the length of your training course, the price will also vary depending on which one of our training courses you decide to complete and your current level of C1 driving ability.
Do I need Driver's CPC training?
Driver’s CPC training will be required by anyone who is driving a vehicle over 3,500kgs as the main part of their job or for hire & reward services. If you are driving as part of a hobby, then you won’t need to complete any CPC training.
We have a variety of Driver’s CPC courses for you to choose from with both classroom and online training options available, as well as 7-hour & 35-hour options.
Our training facilities
If you complete your training at any of our depots, you will have access to dedicated on-site reversing facilities which will help you practice your reversing manoeuvres ready for your test. Additionally, all of our depots are DVSA 3a-approved test centres which means you can practice on the same facilities that you complete your 3a test on. This gives our students an advantage as it is very uncommon for driving schools to have the space for these facilities.
Also, we have continuously invested in our training facilities and fleet to give our students the best experience possible. All of our training vehicles have automatic gearboxes and are fully air-conditioned.
Course locations
Our 7.5 Tonne & 7.5 Tonne and Trailer Training courses are available to complete at all of our training centres, which include locations in Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading, Theale and Worthing.
C1 Licence Driver Training Duration
The driver training is conducted in one of our new Iveco Daily 5.2-tonne vans, that meet all the vehicle test requirements. Training courses start at either 07:00, 10:30 or 14:00 with a one-to-one instructor-trainee ratio over a 3.5-hour period. This provides the instructor with enough time each day to fully instruct drivers on different test routes and manoeuvres required to pass your C1 driving test. Your practical driving test will be booked for you and completed on the final day of your course.
C1 Medical Requirements
The first stage of the C1 licence acquisition is to complete a driver's medical. This is a higher standard of medical than that required to drive a car. This can be arranged locally for you by the 2 Start team. We will issue you with a D4 medical application form for the doctor to complete at the appointment.
C1 Provisional
Once the medical is completed you will need to fill in a (D2) licence application form. This will ask you for the provisional entitlement you are applying for, e.g. C1 (7.5-tonne licence) or C (ridged lorry licence). Additional medical questions also need to be answered and the form signed at the bottom, please note no picture is required if the licence you currently hold is in date and is the photo type card. You will then need to send the D2 and D4 application forms, as well as your current driver's licence, to the DVLA. They will then return your licence with the provisional entitlement that you have applied for on it.
C1 Theory Tests
You will be required to do 3 theory tests:
Multiple Choice – The 100 multiple-choice questions are still part of the new test. These questions cover all the basics of safe and proficient driving of large, commercial vehicles. You must get 85 of the questions correct in order to pass this portion.
Hazard Perception – Learners will watch nineteen one-minute-long hazard perception test video clips. Hazard perception clips are computer-generated imagery (CGI) and are filmed from the perspective of a passenger in the vehicle. Learners have to indicate, by clicking a mouse, when they observe a developing hazard. All of the hazard perception clips will include one developing hazard, and one clip will include 2 hazards. The sooner the student reacts to a developing hazard, the more points are scored. Points are from five down to one, with no score if the candidate reacts too late. The test pass mark is 67/100 and the test contains 19 CGI clips.
MOD 2 CPC – The case study test lasts 75 minutes and covers seven case studies, with 50 questions altogether. You’ll need to score at least 40 out of 50 to pass the test. Before you start the test, you can have a practice session of up to 15 minutes.
Practice C1 Theory Test
2 Start has a multiple choice theory, hazard perception and initial CPC practice page on our partner website. When booking your theories or a package through us you will receive 90 days of access to this site for FREE.
Module 4: Driver CPC Demonstration Test
Enduring your Module 4 Driver CPC training, you’ll need to show that you can keep your vehicle safe and secure. You’ll be asked about:
- Safe use of your vehicle and checks to make before driving
- Loading your vehicle safely and securely
- Checking for risks from criminal acts and trafficking
- Assessing emergencies and risks.
The test lasts 30 minutes. You’ll need to score at least 80 out of 100 points, with at least 15 out of 20 for each topic area.
Our Training Locations
Our six training depots are located in: Portsmouth; Otterbourne; Aldermaston; Theale; Worthing and Havant. Our training centres are conveniently situated within the local areas of the following counties to provide the maximum coverage within: Hampshire; Isle of Wight; West Sussex; East Sussex; Surrey; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Berkshire; Wiltshire and the eastern side of Dorset.
Why Train with 2 Start?
Call our advisors 02392 123 555
Speak with our experienced advisors Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm
