There are four categories of HGV / LGV Licences. The main categories are:
Category C – Class 2 – Rigid Lorries (Age 18+)
These are the fixed body vehicles, this means that they are all one unit making them a lot easier and are similar to 7.5 ton lorries, but bigger. These vehicles tends to be used to fit inner city and town shops and smaller factories for multi-drop deliveries. Category C is required to drive vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 7.5 tonnes yet not exceeding 32 tonnes GVW (construction and use regulations.) Category C, (known formerly as a class 2 or HGV 2) is best described as a rigid vehicle, meaning the cab and trailer are permanently fixed together. If you took your car test after 1997 and would like to drive a lorry over 3,500kg then this is the licence for you. We can arrange training close to where you are based for your comfort and convienience. Earning potentials are in the region of £26 – £28k a year.
Category C+E – Class 1 – Articulated Lorries (Age 18+)
The C+E licence is most commonly associated with the Articulated lorries you immediately associate with truck driving. Cat C+E is also a Rigid lorry with a “Draw Bar” Trailer. These vehicles are used to shuttle stock from the ports to the main distribution sites in key locations for the Rigid vehicles to make the more local distributions from. The C+E trucks are the road equivalent to the intercity express trains, where the Cat C vehicles are more like the suburban commuter trains.
Your earning potential as a Class 1 Driver is up to £34k a year, and with the ever growing demand of online shopping, there’s no better time to become a HGV driver. Also, the working pattern can mean that you’ll work a few days, followed by a few days off, meaning you can grab a few days quality time with your family. Completing our exclusive combination course means you’ve got the best of both worlds – you can take your pick. Long haul or local drops? A few hours work or a few days work at a time? It’s your decision.
If you want to drive articulated or drawbar type vehicles, then you must gain category CE licence entitlement. The letter E represents the trailer element. Having cat C+E (formerly known as Class 1 or HGV 1) means you can drive any type of Heavy Goods Vehicles or Large Goods Vehicle. Also Passing the Cat C+E practical test will give you the B+E and C1+E entitlement. If it is a Category C+E qualification that you wish to achieve then this is a very simple process. We will enrol you onto one of our combinations courses. This means we will take you through the Category C and C+E Training courses in a timescale and location that suits you.
Category C1 – 7.5 ton
Many people already have this entitlement on their licence if they passed their (car) driving test before Jan 1997. These vehicles are common and used mainly in local distribution and among courier companies and businesses requiring “multi-drop” routes such as bakeries and newspaper deliveries.
Category C1+E – 7.5 ton with a trailer
As above, but with any trailer including the little mini generators or luggage trailers.
