C1 and D1 Driving Tests

VanPercy

Hi,

I have a couple of questions regarding the above tests:

1. I know a minibus carrying 16 is required for the D test but what is the smallest Vehicle that lessons and tests can be done in for a C1?

2. After getting the theory test for the D1, do I need a CPC Cert before applying for the test?

These liciences are job specific so thats why I'm going for them instead of the C and D. IS there a big difference in the Vehcles used for the C and D rather than the C1 and D1.


Anyones help would be much appreciated


VP

DriveSkill

The requirement for the various vehicle categories are defined here :

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

In summary the '1' versions are smaller than the full C or D categories.

The CPC is independant of the driving test however they can be taken together if you wish (remember you also need a CPC theory test first).

If you are not driving commerically then you dont need a CPC at all so you can just do the driving licence test but if you are planning on working commercially then I think its probably best to do them together.

VanPercy

Thanks Drive Skill,

So do you know the type of van I could use for the C1; ie would a transit with a long wheel base be sufficient? I'm looking to do it in the smallest one I can legally do it in.

Cheers

VanPercy

Sorry, one other questions is:

Are the stages for application as follows:

1) Pass Theory Test
2)Apply for Provisional Licience...along with Eyesight report??
3)Pass Test, and then apply for Licience...is eyesight report needed now as well?

DriveSkill

You are going to find it very hard to find a Transit van that meets the requirements. Even the LWB ones are less than 4,000kg I think - there is something called a Transit Jumbo but I'm not sure.

However, even if you find one that meets the length and weight requirements there are other requirements. For example it needs a Tachograph if registered after 2004 and very few Transits are going to have that!

Maybe an obvious question but why are you not just using the driving schools vehicle or are you intending teaching yourself ? If it was me I would do the full C and D tests and forget about the C1 and D1.

DriveSkill

VanPercy wrote: »

Sorry, one other questions is:

Are the stages for application as follows:

1) Pass Theory Test
2)Apply for Provisional Licience...along with Eyesight report??
3)Pass Test, and then apply for Licience...is eyesight report needed now as well?

You need a medical report also for C and D. Eyesight report is only on learner permit application

VanPercy

Thanks again Drive Skill, you are indeed a fountain of knowledge.

One last thing , Do I have to wait 6mths between getting learner permit and going for the test in both categories?

DriveSkill

VanPercy wrote: »

Thanks again Drive Skill, you are indeed a fountain of knowledge.

One last thing , Do I have to wait 6mths between getting learner permit and going for the test in both categories?

No, the 6 month rule does not apply to Cat C and D (only to bikes, cars and work vehicles (W) )

globulin777

DriveSkill wrote: »

You are going to find it very hard to find a Transit van that meets the requirements. Even the LWB ones are less than 4,000kg I think - there is something called a Transit Jumbo but I'm not sure.

However, even if you find one that meets the length and weight requirements there are other requirements. For example it needs a Tachograph if registered after 2004 and very few Transits are going to have that!

Maybe an obvious question but why are you not just using the driving schools vehicle or are you intending teaching yourself ? If it was me I would do the full C and D tests and forget about the C1 and D1.

We have the Transit Jumbo in work but as far as I recall its spec DOES NOT meet C1 class, we drive it on a B.:)

VanPercy

Cheers, Ive decided to do A C test and the D1 as I can never see myself driving a coach for a job. Thanks for the advice

Wishbone Ash

globulin777 wrote: »

We have the Transit Jumbo in work but as far as I recall its spec DOES NOT meet C1 class, we drive it on a B.:)

It would depend on it's gross weight. Even a standard Transit with a 2 tonne payload would require a C1.

globulin777

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It would depend on it's gross weight. Even a standard Transit with a 2 tonne payload would require a C1.

Hi Wisbone....

Class C1 has a Gross Vehicle Weight between 4000kg and 7500kg.
This type of vehicle has to be fitted with a Tachograph.
I am sure that our Jumbo would not exceed the 4000kg to put it into this classificetion unless we filled it with an extremely heavy cargo, but I can check the info plate next week in work and get all the specs.

My guess would be that we would need to fill it with either bottled liquids or bags of heavy aggregate to exceed the 4000kg limit as the Transit Jumbo does not seem too heavy, but I stand to be corrected.:)

globulin777

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It would depend on it's gross weight. Even a standard Transit with a 2 tonne payload would require a C1.

This from Ford.........

Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg): 3,550, gross vehicle weight rating (lbs): 7,826, curb weight (kg): 2,176, curb weight (lbs): 4,797, gross trailer weight braked (kg): 2,750, gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 6,063, gross trailer weight unbraked (kg): 750, gross trailer weight unbraked (lbs): 1,653, front axle weight (kg): 1,750, front axle weight (lbs): 3,858, rear axle weight (kg): 2,300, rear axle weight (lbs): 5,071, max legal load (kg): 1,374, max payload (lbs): 3,029, gross train weight (kg): 6,300 and gross train weight (lbs): 13,889:)

globulin777

globulin777 wrote: »

This from Ford.........

Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg): 3,550, gross vehicle weight rating (lbs): 7,826, curb weight (kg): 2,176, curb weight (lbs): 4,797, gross trailer weight braked (kg): 2,750, gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 6,063, gross trailer weight unbraked (kg): 750, gross trailer weight unbraked (lbs): 1,653, front axle weight (kg): 1,750, front axle weight (lbs): 3,858, rear axle weight (kg): 2,300, rear axle weight (lbs): 5,071, max legal load (kg): 1,374, max payload (lbs): 3,029, gross train weight (kg): 6,300 and gross train weight (lbs): 13,889:)

That makes it a B unless its overloaded weight wise.:)

guil

no its C1, anythin between 3500kgs - 7500kgs is C1

timmywex

Yeh, its a c1 by 50 kilos!

globulin777

guil07 wrote: »

no its C1, anythin between 3500kgs - 7500kgs is C1

This is a strange one....:):):)
Cat B states "not exceeding 3500kg".

Cat C1 states "having a gross vehicle weight weight of at least 4000kg but not exceeding 7500kgs".

Cat C states " having a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,000kg".

Now if you take that as written, the Transit Jumbo seems to fit in nowhere. However if you load it and keep it below 3500kg I presume you can drive it on a B as the difference is only 500kg. This still leaves the conundrum of a 500kg disparity between 3500kg (B) and 4000kg (C1), which is quite a gap.
Perhaps the Transit Jumbo in irish spec meets the lower limit, I will check the manual Monday.
I am going to check up on this one... there is probably a reasonable explaination somewhere, I see that there are different terms too such as GVW, GDW, etc.......... Maybe someone reading has an answer ???

Wishbone Ash

globulin777 wrote: »

gross vehicle weight rating (kg): 3,550
curb weight (kg): 2,176
gross trailer weight braked (kg): 2,750,
gross trailer weight unbraked (kg): 750
max legal load (kg): 1,374
gross train weight (kg): 6,300

As has been said, if that van has its maximum payload, it would require a category C1 licence to drive it on a public road.

Similarly, anyone with a category C1 licence could only drive it with a gross trailer weight of 750kg. A heavier trailer would require an EC1 licence.

If the van grossed 2,000kgs and it was drawing a trailer grossing 1,000kgs, an EB licence would be required even though the total weight is 3,000kgs.

However, the legal maximum on a B could be extended to 4,250kgs by adding a 750kg trailer. If the van grossed 3,500kgs and the trailer 750kgs, then it could still be legally driven on a B licence.

Wishbone Ash

globulin777 wrote: »

This is a strange one....:):):)
Cat B states "not exceeding 3500kg".

Cat C1 states "having a gross vehicle weight weight of at least 4000kg but not exceeding 7500kgs".

Cat C states " having a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,000kg".

They are the representative weights for a driving test vehicle, not the actual limits applying to those licence categories.

globulin777

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

They are the representative weights for a driving test vehicle, not the actual limits applying to those licence categories.

Spot on......:):):)

globulin777

globulin777 wrote: »

Spot on......:):):)

e

Actually I've never seen a Transit fitted with a tacho either...... wonder what the story is there.... I imagine that legally it should have one, so.

(after 01/01/2004)....

globulin777

globulin777 wrote: »

e

Actually I've never seen a Transit fitted with a tacho either...... wonder what the story is there.... I imagine that legally it should have one, so.

(after 01/01/2004)....

The Jumbo is both LWB and high roof, so its quite possible the standard LWB meets B, though I have'nt checked its spec.:)

globulin777

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

As has been said, if that van has its maximum payload, it would require a category C1 licence to drive it on a public road.

Similarly, anyone with a category C1 licence could only drive it with a gross trailer weight of 750kg. A heavier trailer would require an EC1 licence.

If the van grossed 2,000kgs and it was drawing a trailer grossing 1,000kgs, an EB licence would be required even though the total weight is 3,000kgs.

However, the legal maximum on a B could be extended to 4,250kgs by adding a 750kg trailer. If the van grossed 3,500kgs and the trailer 750kgs, then it could still be legally driven on a B licence.

Similarly, anyone with a category C1 licence could only drive it with a gross trailer weight of 750kg.

Sorry... don't get the 750kg ?:)