7.5 Tonne Vehicle Towing a Trailer – Category C1+E

LGV Category C1+E Driving Licence:

In order to be qualified as a LGV C1+E driver (over 3.5t to 7.5t towing a trailer) you first need to already hold at least a full standard category B car driving licence, or a full LGV category C1 driving licence. In either case you must also have a valid and in date LGV category C1+E provisional entitlement.

On the 15 November 2021 the UK Government made many changes to rules for HGV and bus driving licences and tests. Further guidance and details for LGV C1+E can be found on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/changes-to-hgv-and-bus-driving-tests-from-autumn-2021

Theory Test:

All standard category B car licence holders will be required to pass the LGV Module 1a (multiple choice) and LGV Module 1b (hazard perception test) before attending LGV C1+E practical training.

Please be aware if you passed your car test prior to Jan 97 and have a LGV C1+E licence entitlement by acquired rights with a towing restriction, then you will need to pass a HGV medical, apply for a provisional LGV C1+E entitlement (double entry) and then take the LGV Module 1 multiple choice and hazard perception theory tests.

Provided you passed your LGV C1 practical driving test after Jan 97 and hold a full LGV C1 entitlement there are no further theory tests when upgrading your driving licence from LGV C1 to licence category LGV C1+E.

Practical Driving Assessment:

You may wish to attend a free one hour C1+E driving assessment. For this you will need to produce your full category B or LGV C1 driving licence and supporting evidence of the LGV C1+E provisional entitlement. The duration of the assessment drive is approximately 60 minutes.

The driving assessment will consist of a brief introduction to the vehicle and trailer followed by the instructor taking you out driving on the local roads in various traffic situations and completing an off-road reversing exercise.

After the LGV C1+E practical assessment drive the instructor will then be in a better position to advise more accurately as to how many training days are needed in order for you to reach test standard.

We recommend most LGV C1 drivers to attend a 16 hour LGV C1+E practical training course. However some LGV C1 drivers who already have experience in reversing small trailer combinations may attend a reduced LGV C1+E training course duration of just 12 or 8 hours.

As a general guide, category B licence holders will be required to attend a 20 hour LGV C1+E training course. However where category B licence holders already have some experience in reversing trailers then subject to the assessment drive a reduced LGV C1+E training course duration of 16 or 12 hours could be possible.

Free 1 hour assessment drives are generally available during most working days (Monday to Friday). To book an assessment drive, please call our office at your convenience.

Practical Driver Training & Test:

All on-road training will be conducted on a ‘one to one’ basis. The instructor will be focused purely on you as an individual, as you will not be sharing the vehicle with anyone else.

In general timings are between the hours of 7.30am and 3.30pm; however the timings may be adjusted slightly in order to link in with the practical test timings.

An intensive LGV C1+E practical training course can be carried out in just 2 working days, or if necessary over a longer period of 3 to 4 days.

The LGV C1+E practical training and tests will cover the Module 3a off-road reversing, trailer uncoupling and recoupling exercises, and also the Module 3b vehicle safety check questions, driving on urban and rural road settings, dual carriageways and motorways.

All training and finance options can be discussed with the admin team prior to making any booking. This will allow us to provide you with your allocated training and test dates to suit your personal requirement.

Big Wheelers (South Wales) Limited are registered with the DVSA as a training provider and are able to book LGV C1+E practical driving tests up to ten weeks in advance.

Under normal circumstances your practical test is always taken on the final day of your training.

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