Applying for a C licence.

oldscoil

Hi again Folks.

I have being looking into applying for a C licence.

I rang the Motor office but didn't get the "menu" option I was looking for.

Unless I am over looking the simplest thing (web page etc etc) I cannot seem to find a clear application form or phone number.

Apologies if this seems like I am being lazy, I have looked.....

Thanks in advance.

DriveSkill

Hi,

The application procedure is basically the same as for a Cat B licence.

So, you have pass the theory test first, then apply for the learner permit (same form as cat B just tick the Cat C box). The main additional requirement for Cat C is you need a medical report form signed by a GP.

Note : you have to have a Cat B first before getting a Cat C but I assume you know that!

Good luck!

Declan.

Burtchaell

Declan said it all...

oldscoil

Thats great Declan.

I'm a pretty good driver, car wise. But I have never driven a van before, what's the learning curve on van driving?

Any idea on the success rate, or dificulty of teh exam?

Thanks in advance....

Burtchaell

Yes actually im in oldscoils boat. Im up to date on the procedures to apply on all but im interessted in what they ask you to do in the test. I can't see them asking you to do a 3 point in a truck now:p so what do they ask if anyone knows and from scratch how many lessons would you need???

guil

did my test 30/05/08, durin the test i just drove around for about an hour i think and was asked to reverse around 2 corners,
bout half way through he wasnt markin the sheet at all and i thought i'm either doin well or i failed already, didnt make things better that when i fifnished the test and parked the truck, he never asked anyq's about where does water go ad where are the air tanks etc.
got back to the center and was informed i had passed
i had 5 lessons and a pretest havin never drove a truck beforehand

SourKraut

Do you have to drive a particular type of vehicle for the test - can you make it easier on yourself and drive a 4 ton van for the C1 test, for example?

guil

i think once its within the weight limit if what test u are doin ya can use it, good question though

DriveSkill

oldscoil wrote: »

Thats great Declan.

I'm a pretty good driver, car wise. But I have never driven a van before, what's the learning curve on van driving?

Any idea on the success rate, or dificulty of teh exam?

Thanks in advance....

The first thing I would say is are you sure you want a C licence ? The reason I ask is you refer to it as a 'van'. While technically it can be a large van it is usually referred to as a 'rigid truck'. For the purposes of the test in Cat C the vehicle must be at least 12,000 kg GVW, min of 8m long and 2.4 m wide with a closed box body (i.e. you are relying on side mirrors for rear view) . There are other requirements on having high and low ratio gears etc.

I would say the learning curve depends totally on the person. If you are a very capable driver then doing the truck lessons would not be much of an issue. You would need to get used to the gear box, the size obviously and the steering will probably feel slightly different to a car as the front wheels tend to be underneath the cab as opposed to being out of in front of you in a car. Note truck lessons are more expensive that car driving lessons.

Best of luck if you decide to go with it.

Declan

DriveSkill

guil07 wrote: »

i think once its within the weight limit if what test u are doin ya can use it, good question though

The requirements on the vehicles for each category are given here :

http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/your-licence-and-vehicle/representative-vehicles-for-driving-test/index.html

oldscoil

DriveSkill wrote: »

The first thing I would say is are you sure you want a C licence ? The reason I ask is you refer to it as a 'van'. While technically it can be a large van it is usually referred to as a 'rigid truck'.

Thanks for all your help so far Declan.

You mentioned if I'm sure I need a C licence as I keep mentioning a van.
To be honest, I'm not 100% sure HOWEVER I have noticed that some van drivers jobs always state that a full clean C licence is needed, even though they sound like they are referring to ordinary van.

I was wondering if this is just a way of vetting people for van jobs (I also noticed that some other jopbs, have full clean B licence even though the jobs themselves don't seem to involve driving !?!?!).
I'm wondering do they aim high just to cut out the time wasters

DriveSkill

Well I guess if the job states a requirement is for a Cat C then you have to assume that is what is required - but check the 'fine print' - does it say 'desirable' etc. As with all job adverts the list of requirements is a 'wish list' on behalf of the employer. You may never find a person with all the requirements and so they compromise on some things. If the ad says Cat C 'desirable' for example then I would apply anyway. Try find out as much as you can about the companies and if it is obvious that they use large rigid trucks and are looking for a driver then they cant comprise on the licence cat so no point applying to them without it.

It totally depends on the type of job and van/truck etc. For example most courier type company vans would be Ford Transits/Renault Masters etc and they can be driven on a standard Cat B car licence. However if it was something like a furniture delivery company then its likely to be a larger truck and probably a Cat C would be required.

The other reason the requirement for a Cat C might be on the job advert is just as a 'preferred' option to get more skilled drivers even though it may not be a strict requirement. Obviously people with a Cat C licence should be better able to handle a van than say someone with a clean Cat B but only ever used to driving a mirca (no offence to Mirca drivers )

Burtchaell

Everyone talks about rigid trucks. Just to get it right. Those 31,000kg GVW tip trucks cement mixers etc.(4 axle trucks like the ones roadstone use) are covered under C or do you need anyhting extra like the way you need a haz chem cert for a fuel tanker?

hobochris

Burtchaell wrote: »

Everyone talks about rigid trucks. Just to get it right. Those 31,000kg GVW tip trucks cement mixers etc.(4 axle trucks like the ones roadstone use) are covered under C or do you need anyhting extra like the way you need a haz chem cert for a fuel tanker?

nope they're just cat C.

to work for an oil company you'd need a hazchem.. if you're not sure you'll know by an orange plate on the front and rear of the truck with a number on it, all haz chems must have this number in case they're in an accident so the emergency services know straight away what the truck is carrying.

Burtchaell

Good insight thanks.

guil

DriveSkill wrote: »

For the purposes of the test in Cat C the vehicle must be at least 12,000 kg GVW, min of 8m long and 2.4 m wide with a closed box body (i.e. you are relying on side mirrors for rear view)

was that changed recently cos when i did my test i used naas school of motoring and i'm nearly certain the truck was only 8 ton

Wishbone Ash

SourKraut wrote:

Do you have to drive a particular type of vehicle for the test - can you make it easier on yourself and drive a 4 ton van for the C1 test, for example?

You may drive a 4,000kg van for the C1 test at a minimum but it must be at least 5 metres in length.

DriveSkill wrote:

For the purposes of the test in Cat C the vehicle must be at least 12,000 kg GVW, min of 8m long and 2.4 m wide with a closed box body (i.e. you are relying on side mirrors for rear view) .

Those regulations only apply to vehicles registered after 01/01/04. Many driving schools have much older vehicles and slacker regulations apply. In fairness, I did the C and EC in much older trucks as my instructor always used full sized enclosed vehicles and had no time for those schools who just barely met the basic requirements.

oldscoil wrote: »

I also noticed that some other jopbs, have full clean B licence even though the jobs themselves don't seem to involve driving !?!?!)

Although the actual job may not involve driving as such, the applicant may be required to go to meeting etc. in different locations that may not be readily accessible via public transport, hence the requirement for a licence.

In saying that, it used to annoy me that many employers advertise "must have a full driving licence" without stating the category. I used to tell my wife, who works in HR for a very well know government body, that their licence requirements were vague as, technically, a category W full licence holder would meet the criterion.

It's gone so PC now that the ads she places have to state that the applicant must have access to transport even if they can't drive themselves. In other words, if the applicant has a 'driver', they are deemed to qualify!

Burtchaell wrote: »

Everyone talks about rigid trucks. Just to get it right. Those 31,000kg GVW tip trucks cement mixers etc.(4 axle trucks like the ones roadstone use) are covered under C or do you need anyhting extra

There is no upper or lower limit in a category C licence. If the truck weighs 200,000kgs and has the required special permits, any driver with a category C licence is legally permitted to drive it (all else being in order).

guil07 wrote: »

was that changed recently cos when i did my test i used naas school of motoring and i'm nearly certain the truck was only 8 ton

That just doesn't sound right. Did it have an 8 tonne payload?

guil

i'm not sure bout the payload but i remember bein told somethin about 8 tonne by the instructor, a 2 axle truck is 18 tonne gvw isnt it

vinniem

Hi, quick question. Applying for C test, learner permit on the way. From reading previous posts on this thread Im not sure if I need a C licence or not. I want it to drive a campervan GVW 3850kg on ford transit base. Can someone tell me if I do need a C licence for sure please?:)

Wishbone Ash

vinniem wrote: »

Hi, quick question. Applying for C test, learner permit on the way. From reading previous posts on this thread Im not sure if I need a C licence or not. I want it to drive a campervan GVW 3850kg on ford transit base. Can someone tell me if I do need a C licence for sure please?:)

The minimum requirement would be a category C1 which is basically a heavy van/light truck licence (i.e. up to 7,500kgs)

You could go straight for the category C though and if successful, you would be licenced to drive any size/weight of rigid truck.

vinniem

Thanks Wishbone

KEN.G

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The minimum requirement would be a category C1 which is basically a heavy van/light truck licence (i.e. up to 7,500kgs)

You could go straight for the category C though and if successful, you would be licenced to drive any size/weight of rigid truck.

So if you go for your C first and pass the test do you automatically get your C1 license?

Wishbone Ash

KEN.G wrote: »

So if you go for your C first and pass the test do you automatically get your C1 license?

Yes as a category C is for any weight whereas a C1 is up to 7,500kgs.

It's the same with D/D1, EC/EC1, ED/ED1.


EDIT: It doesn't work the other way around - if you pass the C1 you must pass another test to get the C.