Monthly Archives: November 2023

Considering training for a PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) licence and changing careers?

Perfect for sociable professional drivers who want to drive to a variety of locations – from tourist destinations to airports – a PCV licence could be the key to getting you behind the wheel of your new life.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about PCV licences.

What is the PCV licence?

Previously known as the PSV (public service vehicle) licence, a PCV licence comes in two varieties and allows you to drive either:

Buses and coaches – Cat D licence
Minibuses – Cat D1 licence

Depending on what you drive, you can expect a starting salary of around £25,000, rising to £38,000 with more experience – however, this can change depending on your hours, contract, and which company you work for.

Driving jobs that require these licences combine driving professionally with the sociability of meeting people – making it ideal for more outgoing individuals.

The bus and coach licence (Cat D)

This licence is designed for bus or coach drivers and permits them to carry up to 64 passengers on both single and double-decker vehicles.

Cat D vehicles have more than 8 passenger seats and are at least 10m long and 2.4m wide.
These vehicles and their drivers are used for a range of purposes, including:
School trips
Coach holidays
Visiting tourist attractions or large sporting events

The minibus licence (Cat D1)

The D1 licence is suitable for drivers who want to drive minibuses with 16 passenger seats or less.

Cat D1 vehicles should be 5-8m long with a maximum mass of 4 tonnes.

Minibus drivers can drive to many of the same places as buses and coaches but also frequently can be used as:
Taxi travel to closer destinations
For hen or stag dos
For private hospital transport
Private event transport – for weddings or funerals
Local sports events

How do I get my PCV licence?

Similar to other large vehicle licences, as long as you have your Cat B (car) licence, the stages for gaining your Cat D or D1 licence are as follows:

Complete your medical examination
Study for and pass your theory test
Train and achieve your Cat D/D1 driving test
Complete your CPC training (Certificate of Professional Competence)

Then you can look for your very first driving job in either a minibus, bus, or coach

How much will a PCV licence cost?

The exact cost of a PCV licence depends on many factors, including your experience level of driving Cat D or Cat D1 vehicles and if you have any previous HGV training.

For this reason, every learner will need to chat with one of our advisors to get a bespoke, no-obligation quote.

Achieve your PCV licence with HGV Training Network

With a choice of over 40 locations across the country, you’ll be sure to find a training centre that suits you with the HGV Training Network. We also offer finance on all our training courses allowing you to train now and pay later when you begin your new career.

For more information, or to book HGV training near you, call our helpful team on 0800 254 5007 or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Any sort of driving test can make you anxious – which can, unfortunately, increase your risk of failing your HGV test.

But if you have failed an HGV test three times now, you might well be wondering what you can do to limit your chances of failing a fourth time.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about failing your HGV driving test, so you can limit the chances of it happening to you in future!

What happens if I fail my HGV test?

Just as with the car driving test, if you’ve failed an HGV test, your examiner will ask you to park up and go through your results with you.

They will talk you through your driving test report, outlining the faults you have made and why specifically you have not passed.

This could be because of:
1. Having amassed 12 or more minor driving faults
2. Committing one serious or dangerous fault – sometimes called majors

If either of these things happens, you will unfortunately fail your HGV driving test.

How long after taking your theory test can you retake?

After your failed theory test, you will have to wait at least three working days, Monday to Saturday, before you can rebook your HGV theory test.

The rebooking rules are the same if you have also failed your HGV practical driving test.

No matter if you have failed your HGV test three times, or thirteen times, it is essential that you work on the areas identified in your test report.

This test report will be sent to you over email after your last test and can be shared with your instructor to ensure you focus on the areas that need the most improvement, to give yourself the best chance of passing next time.

What’s the pass rate for the HGV theory test?

Exact pass rates can differ across the country, but the UK government data for test pass rates in the year ending March 2022 were:

• Theory multiple-choice was 64.9%, up 4.1 percentage points versus March 2020
• Theory hazard perception was 83.4%, up 2.2 percentage points when compared to March 2020

The most common reasons for failing your HGV driving test

Working in descending order, below are the most common reasons drivers failed their on-road practical HGV driving test between 1^st October 2017 to 30^th September 2018. 

10. Response to signs and signals – traffic signs

With 1,662 fails recorded, drivers have frequently missed essential road traffic signs on their practical test, including those noting height or weight restrictions on routes. 

Because of the size of your vehicle, it is essential you pay close attention to road signs otherwise you could end up stranded or stuck. 

9. Judgement – meeting an oncoming vehicle 

With 1,693 fails, drivers have not shown competence when meeting an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a serious or dangerous fault, such as blocking narrow roads or overtaking incorrectly. 

8. Awareness – Planning

With an equal number of failures, there were two reasons for failing for awareness and junctions. 

• Awareness – planning, 2,040 fails. 

Failure to plan ahead, pay close enough attention to vulnerable road users, or failing to ensure your vehicle has passed safely through hazards are all examples of failure to demonstrate awareness and planning ahead. 

7. Junctions – turning right

Also with 2,040 fails poor positioning at a junction, especially when turning right, often results in failure during driving tests as traffic around you then have to take action to avoid you. 

6. Response to signs and signals – traffic lights 

With 2,205 fails, mistakes with traffic lights are fairly common. 

Remember, because of the size and weight of your vehicle, your stopping distance is increased versus a car or bike. As such, you should always anticipate and prepare for stopping at a traffic light! 

5. Move off – safety 

Failure to move off safely from a range of road and traffic conditions will result in drivers joining the 2,594 fails committed in 2017-18. 

Always observe effectively, take your time, and drive on when ready. 

4. Mirrors – change direction 

If you don’t check your mirrors when changing direction, how can you be aware of hazards on either side or behind you? 

Well, you can’t – and changing direction then becomes a hazard. 

Don’t join the 3,187 fails and ensure to look thoroughly in all directions and mirrors before you take action. 

3. Control – steering 

Like the 4,348 drivers who failed because of their steering control, avoid making contact with the kerb while turning. 

Gentle contact is unlikely to result in failure but mounting the kerb will likely result in a fail. 

2. Junctions – observations 

Surprisingly, the second most common reason for test failure, at 5,925 faults, is failing to observe carefully enough at a junction. 

Pulling out into a gap that isn’t large enough can be dangerous for you and other road users – resulting in failure. 

1. Reverse left – control

With 6,233 recorded fails, incorrect control during the reversing exercise can easily result in a failure. 

Drivers often forget that there is no penalty for taking your time and remaining in control – and examiners would rather you take longer and complete the manoeuvre safely rather than rush and become dangerous. 

Get test ready with HGV Training Network

To ensure you face your HGV driving test with confidence, make sure you choose a reputable, welcoming, and trusted HGV training provider. Find your nearest location and get started today.

For more information, or to book HGV training or PCV training, call our helpful team on 0800 254 5007 or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

After you’ve finished celebrating earning your HGV licence, it’s time to start planning your next move as a newly qualified professional driver.

But before you make any decisions, there are several considerations to think about after finishing your HGV training and gaining your licence.

So, keep reading to find out what you should incorporate into your plans before plotting any future career moves.

Consider where you want to be based

Firstly, it’s wise to ensure that you’re looking for your first professional driver role in a suitable area – it’s pointless to apply for a permanent role in an area you’re moving away from.

If you know where you’ll be living and you’re leaving soon, it’s worthwhile applying for opportunities in that area – you can find localised roles on sites such as Indeed or LinkedIn.

If you have a few months before relocating, you could opt for a temporary role in the meantime so you’re still earning an income and increasing your experience behind the wheel.
Did you know that HGV Training Network ranks among the highest-rated HGV training providers in the nation? Click here to explore a selection of reviews from our delighted students.

Decide between  full-time or part-time roles

Just like any other career, you’ll need to consider whether you’re looking for a permanent full-time position or not.

You may desire a part-time role or a contract job depending on your circumstances – these roles are excellent if you share childcare with a partner and can’t commit to full-time work. 

Contract positions are also excellent if you wish to start work quickly if you’re in between places and require more flexibility with time off.

Full-time positions are better suited to…

Resolve on a specific role 

Within the HGV driving sector, there are many different companies that require your newly acquired skills and qualifications, meaning you can choose a role that best aligns with your needs.

There are financially rewarding commercial supply chains or private retailers that hire their own in-house HGV drivers, such as supermarkets and furniture stores.

However, some roles offer an additional intrinsic reward which may drive you, such as distribution positions that deliver essential supplies to hospitals. 

Want to speak with one of our helpful team members? If so, call us on 0800 254 5007

 Contemplate earning further licenses

If you currently only hold a Class 2 license, you may wish to consider adding another string to your bow by earning your Class 1.

The Class C1 qualification permits you to drive the largest HGVs, such as the lorries found on motorways weighing between 7.5 and 44 tonnes.

Driving the largest HGVs is incredibly lucrative, with drivers earning upwards of £40,000 per year – plus, additional licenses open the door to future instructing roles if you wish to switch up your career!

After taking some time to contemplate your next steps, you can start to apply for your dream positions in the HGV sector – whatever it may be!

Get in touch with HGV Training Network today

If you’re only just considering earning your first HGV license, we’re on hand to help jumpstart your new and well-paid life on the road.

Here at the HGV Training Network, our experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding a career in HGV driving and book you onto one of our programmes. Simply call our friendly team on 0800 254 5007 for further information –   we’ll be happy to help.

Considering there are so many different vehicle types and sizes on the roads, each with their own traits and necessary skills, it’s understandable that many of these vehicles require their own licence to operate legally. This is why it’s no surprise that many people who wish to drive a minibus – for personal reasons or professionally – wonder whether they need a special kind of licence before they get behind the wheel.

So what, if any, licence do you need to drive a minibus? And are there any other parameters around driving minibuses people should be aware of? At HGV Training Network, we’re expert providers of HGV training, as well as training for other types of vehicles, so we’re ideally positioned to shed some light on this topic for you.

*Did you know… HGV Training Network is home to training courses covering a variety of vehicles and licences, not just HGVs? Get in touch today to find out more!

Do you need a licence to drive a minibus?

The short answer is yes and no. The official rules say if you received your driver’s licence after the 1st of January 1997, you’ll need to undertake PCV training (Passenger Carrying Vehicle training) and earn a PCV licence, along with other documents, which we’ll discuss in a moment. If that’s you, and you’re interested in driving minibuses in any capacity, reach out to the HGVTN team today – we can definitely help you. If you received your licence before this date, this rule doesn’t apply to you.

Although, depending on how you’re planning to drive the minibus, and whether or not you’re planning to charge people to ride said minibus, you may or may not require a special kind of licence to drive it. Let us break it down for you…

The rules if you’re not charging people to ride your minibus

If you’re planning on driving a minibus with passengers, but are only doing so for social purposes and you aren’t planning on charging anyone as a passenger, you do not need a special licence to drive a minibus. You only need your standard car licence, assuming you already have one.

However, according to the UK Government, you must still meet several requirements to drive a minibus outside of a professional capacity:

• You must be over 21 years of age.
• You must have had a standard driving licence for at least 2 years.
• You must meet the Group 2 Medical Standards – click the link to learn more about what these are.
• You must be driving voluntarily and not, in any way, use the minibus for commercial purposes.
• The weight of the minibus (with all passengers aboard) must not exceed 3.5 tonnes – though you may also have up to 750kg of equipment to assist disabled users, like a wheelchair ramp.
• You can not tow a trailer.

These are the rules in place for the UK. However, people planning on travelling abroad sometimes plan on using a minibus to get around. In this case, the UK rules do not apply and you must follow the official rules set out by the government of the country you plan on visiting, so be sure to conduct thorough research and find out exactly what you need before travelling.

The rules if you ARE charging people to ride your minibus

If you plan on charging people to ride your minibus, you’ll need both of the following documents:

Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence

The PCV licence will allow you to drive a large vehicle with multiple paying passengers aboard. In this instance, a Category D1 licence obtained through PCV training will allow you to drive vehicles of up to 16 passengers – like minibuses. But larger vehicles with more passengers will require you to obtain a full Category D licence – the kind used if you wish to drive buses or coaches – and you’ll need to undertake further PCV bus training.

To pass PCV training, you’ll need a PCV entitlement (a form of provisional licence), which we can help you obtain. As part of the exam, you’ll need to take a theory test – including a hazard perception test and multiple choice test – as well as undertake practical training at an official training centre before taking a practical driving test.

This will also involve earning your CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), a qualification all drivers must earn to ensure they’re fit to drive professionally.

Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence

The PSV licence is the licence that allows you to charge for your services if you plan on transporting passengers and accepting payment.

If you’re curious about either of these documents and would like more information on minibus driver training, get in touch with the HGV Training Network team today.

The rules if you are only charging people running costs to ride your minibus

Occasionally, you may only wish to charge people the cost of fuel so they can utilise your services. In this case, you only need to apply for a minibus permit, which can be done through the DVSA website.

However, the following standards must be met:

• You must be over 21 years old.
• The minibus must be able to carry between 9 and 16 passengers.
• You must be driving it for a voluntary organisation, such as a charity or for religious purposes etc.
• The minibus is only to be used by people involved in this organisation and no one else.
• You will not make any profits from collecting fuel costs from your passengers.

Join our PCV training course and earn the qualifications you need to drive minibuses at HGV Training Network

Whether it’s for professional or personal reasons, if you need to undergo PCV driver training to add a new licence to your collection to drive minibuses, HGV Training Network is here to help. Our training staff is made up of reliable drivers with experience of driving many vehicles, including minibuses, so you’ll be in excellent hands. Speak with a member of the HGVTN team today to book your PCV test and theory tests or to find out more.

Learn more about our additional licenses including horsebox training, trailer training, HGV training, ADR training, HIAB training and others or contact us for more information.