Cat C License, same waiting list?

cormie

Hi,
I'm thinking of getting a Cat C license but don't know what the story is with it. Do you just do a theory test, get a provisional and then apply for a full, the same process as a B license? Would I be waiting 12 months to sit the full test like I would if I was applying for a B and what's the story with being a provisional Cat C driver if there is such a thing? Do I need a fully licensed Cat C driver with me all the time

Any feedback appreciated:)

seamus

cormie wrote:

Hi,
I'm thinking of getting a Cat C license but don't know what the story is with it. Do you just do a theory test, get a provisional and then apply for a full, the same process as a B license? Would I be waiting 12 months to sit the full test like I would if I was applying for a B and what's the story with being a provisional Cat C driver if there is such a thing? Do I need a fully licensed Cat C driver with me all the time

That's exactly it.

Provided you have a full C licence; You apply for the theory test, sit it. Apply for a provisional C licence. Apply for your test. Sit it.

You would not drive a category C vehicle without a fully licenced C driver beside you. You need a fully licenced C driver with you at all times. Afaik, no insurance company will cover you for everyday driving unless you have a full licence.

mondeoman

cormie wrote:

Hi,
I'm thinking of getting a Cat C license but don't know what the story is with it. Do you just do a theory test, get a provisional and then apply for a full, the same process as a B license? Would I be waiting 12 months to sit the full test like I would if I was applying for a B and what's the story with being a provisional Cat C driver if there is such a thing? Do I need a fully licensed Cat C driver with me all the time

Any feedback appreciated:)

hi m8,
First apply & pass theory test,then get a medical form fill out by your GP(not a lot to it),then you can get your prov licence,the waiting list is way shorter than cars prob 6-10 weeks(gorey is).you get a seperate prov licence & when you pass it will be all on the one licence (B,C1 + C);) ,you do need a fully licenced 'C' driver with you at all times but i have seen loads without:eek: .
best of luck with it.btw lessons are €90 each approx(2hrs)

peasant

Whaaaaaa?

There is such a thing as a provisional C licence?
And people actually driving around on one?
30 tons of gravel jockeyd around by someone who's never driven a truck before??

Jeeez ...I never realised ...

That's it ...from now on, I'm staying at home.

Insanity ...

seamus

peasant wrote:

There is such a thing as a provisional C licence?
And people actually driving around on one?
30 tons of gravel jockeyd around by someone who's never driven a truck before??

The theory is of course that you wouldn't be driving a truck in an employment sense unless you had gotten your full licence.

There are however, a large number of people driving lorries and rigid trucks on provisional licences. It's quite scary really.

cormie

Thanks for the replies:) may as well get it out of the way incase I want to go supersize;)

The thought of people driving around on provisional licenses isn't so bad if they've had lessons and have a full B license, but yeah, going straight to a 3.5 tonne plus at 17 for your first vehicle would be a bit ridiculous driving around on your own:p

One last question, will I need my own 3.5+ vehicle to sit the test? I'm only interested in a Transit Jumbo and the likes at the moment, nothing bigger really:)

unklerosco

U can rent the trucks off places that do the lessons... airport, ISM etc

Fas do a C licence course, €400 for 10 lessons n it includes the theory test n the test itself... more than half the price of paying ur own way. Think it might be an eve course so anyone can do it(not sure)

Also, as soon as u start doing lessons apply for the test, that way by the time u finish ur lessons u'll ave ur test.. I didnt do that n waited six weeks till after my last lesson before i got my test.

peasant

cormie wrote:

The thought of people driving around on provisional licenses isn't so bad if they've had lessons and have a full B license

Or so you may think ...

Driving a 4 ton Transit after having some experience on a car is one thing ...driving a proper truck (especially if its fully laden) and possibly with a trailer, is a different world altogether.

You take your first lesson, then we'll talk again

unklerosco

Exactly... Driving a Rigid HGV unladen n fully laden is a totally different world in itself. U really gotta know ur brakes...

Technically u could just do a C1 in a vehicle that falls in that cat(big transit etc) but its worth doing the full C... Once u get the hang of it its easy as pie, I find it easier to drive my truck than my mams citroen berlingo...

cormie

Yeah, sure it's even pretty daunting going from a ford fiesta to a transit, I'm afraid to go any bigger:p

unkel

peasant wrote:

Whaaaaaa?

There is such a thing as a provisional C licence?
And people actually driving around on one?
30 tons of gravel jockeyd around by someone who's never driven a truck before??

Jeeez ...I never realised ...

That's it ...from now on, I'm staying at home.

Insanity ...

I couldn't agree more. That's complete madness :mad:

Moved to learning to drive. Maybe Wishbone Ash could confirm / deny this provisional C license

Wishbone Ash

unkel wrote:

Maybe Wishbone Ash could confirm / deny this provisional C license

Of course it's possible to drive a rigid truck under a provisional C license (or an articulated truck under a provisional C+E license after passing a C test). How else can a person lbe legally expected to earn?

You must bear in mind that a provisional C license holder must already have a full license in category B. Another point to remember is that 95% of provisional truck drivers do not have their own truck and only get the opportunity to drive a truck belonging to a school and are therefore always accompanied by a fully licensed driver, unlike many of our category B friends.

In my experience, very few employers will employ a truck driver with a provisional license as their insurance policies don't usually allow it, but, as in very industry, there are 'cowboys'. This would not apply to 'owner-drivers' though.