HGV Training Blog

Archive for August, 2011

« Older Entries

Latest Driver CPC numbers analysed

Sunday, August 28th, 2011

lgvDriver CPC licence acquisition is required by all new and existing professional bus, coach and lorry drivers.

There are a number of drivers who are/will be exempt from needing Driver CPC, however the general rule of thumb is:
if you drive a bus, coach or LGV professionally you need Driver CPC.

Recent statistics relating to Driver CPC training (Initial and Periodic) have been released by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and can be viewed on the Department for Transport Website. The published statistics refer to Initial and Periodic Driver CPC training for PCV and LGV combined. Please note: the DSA does not differentiate between PCV and LGV, so the statistics represent the bus, coach and LGV industry as a whole. Perhaps the best way to analyse the statistics is by Initial and Periodic Driver CPC training separately.


Initial Driver CPC Statistics
Since September 2008 and July 2011 a total of 27,828 Initial Driver CPC Qualification cards (DCPCQC) have been issued. This represents all new entrants (PCV and LGV) who passed Modules 2 & 4 of the initial Driver CPC qualification.

Initial Driver CPC must be obtained by all new entrants whose intention is to drive a bus, coach or LGV (over 3.5 tonnes) professionally. Therefore by definition not all new entrants will need the qualification as not everyone will drive professionally. There are a number of exemptions to Initial Driver CPC. This would include (for example) private use, driving for the emergency services, etc. Also all new LGV entrants (Category C) who passed their car driving test before 1st January 1997 will have gained C1 (7.5 tonnes) via grandfather rights and will also be exempt (however may still require periodic Driver CPC Training.)

No one knows for sure how many people need Initial Driver CPC, however it is widely believed that the 27,828 figure released is below the number that should have it. This is partly based on the number of LGV and PCV practical driving tests passed since September 10th 2008 (at least 120,000.) VOSA and other enforcement agencies are now actively checking new PCV and HGV drivers have the required DCPCQC.

If you are a new entrant, not exempt and are driving professionally without a DCPCQC, then you are committing an offence. If you are an employer and knowingly send a “new entrant” on revenue earning duties (who does not have a DCPCQC) then you too are committing an offence. Ignorance is not an excuse. If in any doubt contact the DSA, DVLA or a reputable local training provider, and get professional advice and, (where applicable) get qualified.


Periodic Driver CPC training statistics
lgv1 Periodic Driver CPC training must be completed by all existing professional coach, bus and LGV drivers. This includes drivers who have passed the Initial Driver CPC qualification.

Drivers who already had D1, D1+E, D, D+E, C1, C1+E, C and C+E (before 10th September 2008 PCV, and 10th September 2009 for LGV) then 35 hours formal training must be completed every 5 years.


For PCV: by 10.9.2013
For LGV: by 10.9.2014

For those who passed the Initial Driver CPC qualification, 35 hours periodic Driver CPC must be completed every 5 years (within 5 years of passing the Module 4 qualification.) No one knows for certain (DSA, DfT, VOSA, transport industry and transport training industry) how many PCV and LGV drivers will be subject to Periodic Driver CPC training. Best estimates put it at 750,000 – 800,000 drivers. Going by these estimated figures approximately 26,250,000 – 28,000,000 periodic Driver CPC hours will need to be completed by 10th September 2014.

Statistics published by DSA state that (since September 2008 and July 2011) 5,781,379 periodic Driver CPC hours had been completed and recorded. That accounts for approximately 20% of the total hours that must be completed by 2014 (based on 800,000 drivers.) Some drivers have completed the full 35 hours training already and as a result some 20,193 Driver CPC Qualification cards (DCPCQC) have been issued by DVLA.

A very encouraging figure that has been released is the number of professional PCV and LGV drivers who have started and completed at least 7 hours Driver CPC periodic training. Official statistics state at least 424,000 PCV and LGV professional drivers have started periodic Driver CPC training. Basic maths says, 5,781,379 Driver CPC hours completed by 424,000 drivers, means (on average) approximately 14 hours have been completed by each driver.

In total, to date, including both Periodic and Initial Driver CPC, 48,021 DQCQC have been issued. The statistics make interesting reading and although some of the numbers look impressive it is clear there are still many drivers who have yet to start and complete the required training. This includes both Initial and Periodic Driver CPC training.

There are many views on Driver CPC. Some see it as a stealth tax, others as a real chance to recognise and professionalise the commercial transport industry. Love it or hate it one thing is for certain, Driver CPC is not going away. Surely therefore it makes sense to get optimum value and benefit from Driver CPC through quality training and education? We here at www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk recommend you don’t just attend courses that are the cheapest and “tick the boxes”. Look at how Driver CPC can make your drivers more competent and in turn improve your transport business.

Speak with your local training provider and make sure Driver CPC works for you.

Posted in Advice, News, Training Tips | No Comments »

Money back guarantee scheme from HGV Training Company, Peter Smythe

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Truck driver training courses have always been a major expense – frequently involving candidates going into debt or working two jobs to save up for it. There is no pressure like financial pressure. We’ve heard “gotta get it done first time cos I can’t afford another test” and “gotta pass or I lose my job”. There are hundreds of trainers in the UK with assorted offerings; the good, the bad and the downright ugly!

It’s a sad fact that candidates are amazed to discover that there is no compulsory registration for LGV instructors. There is a voluntary register operated by the Driving Standards Agency and many good instructors are proud to have jumped the hoops to qualify for a place on the register. Many other instructors trade on the knowledge that candidates will assume they are suitably trained, qualified and registered.

LGV schools are one of the few sectors not regulated by law. Once again, there is a DSA Accreditation Scheme for LGV Schools but it is purely voluntary. There is no more than a handful of schools actually accredited by DSA. Beware of claims of such accreditation – - they are frequently false. Being accredited by DSA is a quality assurance for the candidate. Vehicles, premises, training records, instructor qualifications, training methods all come under scrutiny. So any school who is genuinely accredited is capable of delivering really good training that is proven to the highest standards.

Then there is the spectre of the brokers who purport to have depots all over the country when, in reality, they have none. Brokers are notorious for taking the money then taking forever to book the training with a local trainer. On occasions, brokers disappear together with candidate’s cash. The broker will do nothing that any decent trainer will do – they just do it slower and charge more for the privilege. And, incidentally, are some of the culprits for false accreditation claims.

One HGV training company, Peter Smythe Transport Training Ltd, feel each issue should be robustly addressed to offer the candidate the best possible training resource. So we only employ LGV instructors who are highly experienced, talented, qualified and registered with the DSA as LGV driving instructors. Take note, “qualified and registered with the DSA as LGV driving instructors”. There are cases of car instructors purporting to be LGV instructors. It clearly isn’t the same thing.

Having achieved the correct qualification levels for all their LGV instructors, they then went on, at the request of DSA, to open their own private driving test centre – -the first of it’s type in the UK at their purpose built training centre. Not being content with that, they then went for LGV Centre Accreditation. They have now held that for a year and the recent renewal audit visit was “an absolute pleasure” according to Colin Thorneycroft, Asst Chief Driving Examiner from DSA.

Is that all? It would be plenty if that were all! But no, the progress continues. Given the issue that candidates are under pressure (some almost to the point of unbearable) to pass the test, Peter Smythe Transport Training have made it as relaxed as possible. They believe that this measure will increase their already legendary pass rate. They now offer a genuine money back guarantee.

The candidate will receive a normal training course running up to test. But extra training will be provided prior to test if they consider it necessary. Hopefully then, a first time pass. But life just isn’t like that all the time. So if it goes wrong they now provide unlimited training up to a second test. And a third. And a fourth. And a fifth. And so on.

The candidate pays the test fees (which carry a small surcharge for the site) and no more. If, eventually, they consider that the candidate will never pass the test, they can terminate the training and give a full refund of the training fees. This will exclude all test fees and any accommodation costs they have incurred for those travelling to their Mansfield training centre from afar.

They believe there is no other trainer in the UK offering this guarantee. It’s based on some simple principles:

  • Their pass rate is very high
  • The candidate should know how much all this will cost
  • The pressure is taken out of the situation
  • They have a genuine desire to help folk into what we believe is a brilliant industry.

This is new. They fully understand scepticism from any quarter. If they had never been heard of and had no track record this would be most understandable. But the fact is that the school can trace it’s roots back to 1947, it’s been under it’s current ownership since 1984 by Peter Smythe who has been training truck drivers since 1974 and bus drivers since 1971. Their reputation is magnificent and will not be put at risk by false claims and promises. They simply couldn’t afford to risk their position within the industry.
To anyone out there who is concerned about training, give Peter Smythe Transport Training a call on 01623 620062 or visit their website. If concerned about the guarantee, give it a go and see if it really is true. Because if it isn’t you would simply be able to ruin them.

As a footnote, Peter Smythe Transport Training would like to point out that although they have accreditations, qualifications and the nerve to offer a money back guarantee, there are other very competent, fair trading instructors out there. It may just be difficult to establish who they are.

Tags:, ,
Posted in HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

HGV training company, Gordon Springate adds girl power to the industry

Saturday, August 20th, 2011

GPWe always like to broadcast good news on www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk and Kent based Gordon Springate Training always comes up trumps.

We would like to congratulate Jo Carter and Emma Parrot on having recently passed there category C+E practical driving tests with the Kent based training company.
According to Springates Training Manager, Martin, both ladies are now set on becoming full time articulated drivers.
We wish Jo and Emma the best of luck as they embark on their new and exciting careers.

Did you know that only 1% of professional HGV drivers are women? Although driving a truck is a male dominant occupation, the haulage industry needs and welcomes the fairer sex to get on board and behind the wheel.

If you’re in the Kent area and are considering gaining HGV entitlement why not contact Gordon Springate Training today?

Their professional staff and experienced instructors will help you get the result you want.

Posted in HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

Operator CPC module 4 case study paper released for September 2011

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Approximately 2-3 weeks before the Operator CPC exam is sat, the pre-released case study is made available. It essential preparation material for anyone sitting the module 4 (case study) CPC exam as some of the questions will be based on the on the pre-released scenario.

This is the penultimate exam before the harmonisation of the CPC national and international qualification. Next year the module 4 exam will be obsolete. Sufficient preparation is therefore required to achieve CPC success.

You can access the CPC September 2011 case study PDF by visiting the OCR website.

For more information on Operator CPC, visit our CPC resources page.

Most learning providers listed on www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk can assist you with Driver or Operator CPC training.

Posted in Advice, News | No Comments »

Thanet teen passes first time to become Britain’s youngest HGV driver

Friday, August 19th, 2011

malcolmsKent based Malcolms LGV Driver Training recently helped an 18 year old become the youngest HGV driver in the UK.

www.thisiskent.co.uk writes:

“Anthony Elson, 18, broke the record when he passed the HGV class one test and says it was in tribute to his brother Marc Dunk who was killed as he cycled to work.

Marc, died in February last year after he was hit by lorry on his way to the Charles River Laboratories in Manston.

Anthony and Marc’s mother Christine Elson said: “I am absolutely overawed with him. I can’t believe it. Anthony has done so well and he has done it in the memory of his brother. His whole family are so proud of him. “Anthony completed his HGV course with the help of money from a life insurance policy left to him by his brother.

He is now able to drive the largest articulated lorries – the youngest person in the country to be able to do so. He said: “I was really glad when I passed first time. It is something I have wanted to do for such a long time. I could never have done it without my brothers help.

“Christine said: “Marc and Anthony were very close and Marc always had faith in his brother. He would have been proud of him “Because of Marcs legacy and his own determination, Anthony now has a bright future ahead of him and intends to take his work abroad.

Anthony, whose father Tony also worked as a haulier, said: “I want to get a couple of years experience in Europe but then I hope to drive a lorry in America and Canada.”

via This is Kent | Thanet teen passes first time to become Britain’s youngest HGV driver.

Well done to Anthony and well done to Malcolm’s LGV Driver Training on getting the job done first time.


contact Malcolm’s Driver Training online or call 0845 6433 915.

Posted in HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

HGV and Driver CPC training company Big Wheelers (South & West Wales) makes it a hat trick.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

BWswReputable, professional and established HGV, ADR and Driver CPC training company Big Wheelers are delighted to announce the opening of a new training centre in Rhondda Cynon (R.C.T.)



This brings the number of locations Big Wheelers deliver commercial driver training solutions to three, including:
Cardiff, Plymouth and now Rhondda.

Established in 1999, the primary role of Big Wheelers has been to provide the highest standard of local HGV training for all types of drivers.
Having a location in Rhondda means Big Wheelers can now service the following surrounding areas:

Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, Mountain Ash, Brecon, Aberdare, Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea.

Big Wheelers (South and West Wales) Senior Instructor Mark James will manage day to day operations. Mark has a vast amount of knowledge and experience of training and testing on all categories of vehicles throughout the whole of South and West Wales.

He is a Grade 5 Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), holds a Fleet Training Certificate in Driving Instruction (Driving Instructor Association), and is also fully qualified to deliver HGV training as a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Registered LGV Instructor.

Big Wheelers Managing Director Derek Massey confirms “with Mark heading the team of local instructors in the South and West Wales Region, we are confident you will receive the best possible training on your doorstep. You will have the support, resources and backing of a well established HGV training company for any licence category and will get you quickly on the road to succeed in your future driving career.”

www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk is dedicated to promoting the best the commercial transport training industry has to offer. We are all about promoting quality local training providers like Big Wheelers (South and West Wales.)

Why not contact Big Wheelers (South and West Wales) today and speak to the professionals in the South and West Wales area?

Posted in Advice, HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

HGV and Driver CPC training school based in Northants adds real power to the HGV LGV training network.

Friday, August 12th, 2011

PowerdriverOur job at www.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk is to provide you, the visitor with free, unlimited access to the best independent commercial transport training schools in the UK.

It is therefore with great pleasure (and pride) we welcome Northants based Powerdriver UK to the HGV/LGV training network.

Although Powerdriver UK is a relatively new entrant to the industry they have all the right policies, procedures and principles in place.

For example, this company choose to invest in the (voluntary) DSA qualified qualification.
They also choose to invest (voluntary again) in training vehicles that are modern, serviced and well maintained. This alone should give you the confidence and trust needed when sourcing a reputable and professional training provider.

Powerdriver UK objectives are simple, clear yet have real purpose and meaning.

They will provide all clients with the highest standard of driver training, using up to date equipment that is compatible with industry standards,
They will ensure that each trainee becomes a well trained, safe and competent driver.
They will create a learning environment that is modern, professional and relaxed.

If you need professional training and are based in the Northants area why not contact Powerdriver UK today and get your career of to the best possible start?

Posted in Advice, HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

HGV and Driver CPC Training Company in Oxfordshire acquires new HGV training Vehicle

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

JLDIt’s out with the (not so) old and in with the (very) new for Oxfordshire based
JLD Driver Training.

JLD located in Banbury have just ordered a brand new Mercedes Benz Atego training vehicle to add to their existing modern fleet.

This new acquisition will bring the training fleet size to an impressive 5, covering categories B, C and C+E.

It has been the goal and aspiration of JLD’s Managing Director, David Vincent to purchase a brand new truck every year.

As Managing Director, David Vincent states
“JLD Driver Training Limited are dedicated to delivering training courses of the highest standard and our policy of “Getting it right first time” proves that you can do the job properly and have a successful business”.

Having a modern, well maintained vehicle to learn to drive with, coupled with being taught by a qualified, experienced instructor are the key ingredients to getting the result you want first time.

JLD are a company that believe passionately in what they do, which has helped make them Oxfordshire’s premier driver training company.

Based in Oxfordshire? Need HGV or Driver CPC training? Don’t leave it to chance. contact the professionals today.

Posted in HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

HGV, Driver CPC and ADR training company in Carlisle and Dumfrise join HGV/LGV training network

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Brokerwww.hgvlgvtraining.co.uk is delighted to welcome Nithcree Dumfries and
Nithcree Carlise Training Services as the latest addition to the HGV, LGV and Driver CPC training network.
Nithcree, initially set up as a haulage company, has over the years diversified into commercial training (as well as still retaining the original haulage business.)

Today, this well reputed, established and family run training company offer many commercial transport training solutions including: LGV (C1, C and C+E) Driver CPC (Initial and Periodic) and ADR (initial and refresher, all classes and modules.)

They have training locations in both Dumfries and Carlisle, as well as deliver quality training “in company”.

The Nitchree ethos is to only employ qualified, experienced instructors who will help you attain your goals and get the results you need.

If you need quality HGV, Driver CPC and ADR training and are based in the Carlisle or Dumfries, area why not contact the experts today?

Posted in HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

Tips and Advice on how to avoid an HGV training broker

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

BrokerHGV Training brokers are not HGV training companies.

They are sales and marketing companies who (via their websites) give visitors and callers the overwhelming impression that they are national HGV training companies who have thousands of driving jobs.

Their websites make claims of having training centres (25, 30 or 40+) around the UK and that they only employ/use DSA qualified instructors.

In reality they have no training centres. They employ no instructors and the jobs they advertise are in most part just taken from other recruitment agency websites. Brokers are simply facilitators who arrange training for you.

Signing up with a broker will mean you have no control as to where you train, when you train or with whom you train.

Here are our 5 tips on how to avoid signing up with a broker.

1. Visit the training company.
If a company claims to have numerous training locations around the UK, and in particular in your area, then go and visit them. Any reputable training company would gladly welcome (in fact encourage) your visit.
Your visit can confirm that the company is genuine, will help you reach you goals and meet your aspirations. If a company makes excuses (for whatever reason) then alarm bells should start ringing.

2. Do not part with any money over the phone.
Flashy websites and a determined salesman can give a false sense of trust and confidence. You may feel like giving your credit card details over the phone after just 10 minutes but do not be fooled. Seeing is believing. Go back to step 1 and visit the company before you part with a single penny.

3. If it sounds too good to be true, it normally is.
In these times of austerity and high prices, never has a truer word been spoken. Please remember brokers employ sales people who are commission driven and whose sole purpose is to get your credit card details. They will tell you whatever you want to hear to get those magic numbers. “80,000 driver shortage, pass in just 5 days, earn £30,000 +, sign up today and save ££££££’s.” Go back to step 1.

4. The hybrid broker.
A relatively new phenomenon in the commercial transport training industry. Brokers are getting wiser as people looking for HGV training are getting more savvy.
Some brokers have purchased 1 or 2 training vehicles (pictures taken and posted on their websites) to give the impression that they are a bona fide training company. This gives the visitor the impression they have their own vehicles at the 40 or so training centres they (apparently) own all over the UK. Our advice is simple. Go back to step 1 and visit the local centre and see the vehicles.


5. Go direct.
If you’re serious about a career as an HGV driver then going direct to real experts in your area will save you time, money and frankly a lot of hassle.
When you consider the overwhelming majority of HGV training in the UK is delivered by local independent established training providers, it make sense to go direct rather than chancing it with a broker.


Using our website gives you free, unrestricted access to some of the best independents this industry has to offer.

We don’t list brokers or middlemen.

Established local training providers will give you honest advice and guide you through the whole LGV licence process.

It pays to look around and do some research before you part with your hard earned money.
Undergoing HGV training is a serious business. Just by taking the steps above, you will help ensure you get it right first time.
Please, please, please check around before you buy….

Posted in Advice, HGV Training Companies, News | No Comments »

« Older Entries