SDS HGV Training

Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING! Driver CPC Exemption Cards. There is currently a scam circulating where you will see an offer for a Driver CPC Exemption Card.

Vosa staff will not under any circumstances ask you to provide a such a card as proof of exemption. You may qualify as being exempt from the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), But you do not need a card to prove it. These cards have no legal validity. see www.businesslink.gov.uk/cpc for more information. This same page contains information on exemptions.

In all honesty ... No. Most people will say yes to this. But this is not true. Not everyone is cut out to drive large goods vehicles, just as not everyone is cut out to drive a car, ride a motorbike or even in some cases a push bike! Many factors and a person's general attitude to driving and ability to learn new driving skills are paramount. You will need to meet the minimum requirements for you vocational licence – as long as you're focused these aren't difficult. Most of it is common sense. All driving schools will offer a driver assessment for a small fee. This allows you to try before you book your course. So give it a go first. This will give you chance to try driving a large vehicle and see if it is for you. If you then decide it's not the career for you, you can spend your money on other career development.

NOTHING! HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) is what a lot of people still use when referring to lorries/trucks. In 1992 this was changed to LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) to meet with European language. Not every language had a word for ‘heavy'.

Your practical test will be approximately 1 ¼ - 1 ½ hours. This will include questions relating to your vehicle, reversing exercise, controlled braking exercise, and driving out on a variety of roads you will also have to do uphill and downhill starts. Tests including trailers will also have to do a further exercise to show you can uncouple/recouple your trailer in a safe manner.

This happens from time to time; sometimes it's down to nerves on the day or just a momentary lack of concentration. Whatever happened try and use this as a learning curve. We will get you a retest at the earliest convenient date and if required we can arrange further training.

As soon as your licence comes back from the DVLA you can start training for and take you CE practical test.

For the safety of yourselves and others mirror checks should be part of your everyday driving, whether you're riding a moped, driving a car, riding a motorbike or driving a large goods vehicle.
Anyone taking a test will have to conform to the DSA's driving standards. Anyone who believes they know better and think that the driving standards do not apply to them simply is not suited to a driving career and will NOT pass their test.

Digital Tachograph Cards are avaliable from the DVLA. you can get the application form D777B from your local DVLA office. To find your nearest office serving your postcode phone 0870 243 0444. Local offices are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday when you ask for the form either quote the form no D777B or ask for a application for a Digital Tachograph Driver Card. Company Cards are also available so make sure you get the correct form for you.

Getting that first job seems to be a problem for some new Drivers. with the help of the internet it is easier to search for jobs by location. Various driving jobs are available at www.drivingjobs.co.uk
Some companies may offer training days at their regional distribution centres. They may operate large fleets of distribution vehicles from these depots, and are usually short of Drivers. This could be a route to work. The downside of working for some of these companies is the bureaucracy. But the training day may acquaint one with all this. And the little cab gizmos, etc.
Signing up with an agency can be beneficial to gaining experience in a different number of fields.
Don't just send a CV to every company in the area, they often just find the bin. Get out and meet any potential employer face to face, leave a CV ideally with a photo. This is the best way to sell yourself. Know the questions you'd like to ask. Employers will often remember the person who made the effort to come in and see them. Be honest and if it's possible, offer to go out with one of their employees for the day to see how the job works. This gives you the opportunity to find out more about the job and maybe your future work colleagues & employer. One day's unpaid work show's your keen to learn and want to work, and it could lead to full time employment, whatever happens it has given you a day's experience you wouldn't otherwise have had.