Timeframe involved

MidlandsM

Hi,

My brothers been made redundant and fancies driving trucks for a living. He was asking me did I know the answer to the following question, but I knew there was a forum here so I said I'd ask you good people here.He's got a B licence for the car.He'd like to get a rigid licence and then onto an artic one.What are the steps and the time frame involved, like how long will it take him to get as test for a rigid and then for an artic etc.

Thanks:),

M.

MidlandsM

anyone know?>?

DriveSkill

Brief overview of the steps involved :

1. Do the theory test, this can be booked online and is generally short waiting list, you can chose the test center and the date/time.

2. Get a medical certificate from a doctor, ensure they tick all the licence category boxes!

3. Apply for the Cat C Learner Permit

4. Start doing some lessons lets assume 2 months of lessons - could be less, could be more depending on his standard of driving

5. Apply for Test and allow approx 10 weeks wait - again will vary on test center. Should apply for test before the lessons are complete so perhaps 3-4 weeks into the lessons after discussion with instructor.

6. PASS THE TEST (lets assume you are at about 3 months from start to finish)

7. Apply for EC learner Permit

8. More lessons...

9. Apply for Test

10. PASS the TEST (probably now about 5-6 months from starting point).

All times are approximate, I know people who have passed the Rigid and Artic tests with 2-3 lessons in which case longest wait is just for the test date.

Important to also point out that if he wishes to drive commerically which I think is the case he also needs to do the CPC test (theory and practical) which can be done in parallel with the standard driving test so wont take any extra time (more money though and obviously some study effort required!)

Good luck with it.

MidlandsM

Brilliant response, thanks!

Richie15

The numbers are in the right order, the letters within the numbers can be done in any order or even together. In the real world steps 5 and 6 can be done together, you don't have to wait for the pink piece of paper to apply for the Artic LP, but technically it's one after the other.

I've included prices too, some of them only approximate as noted by the tilde symbol (~).

1: About a month waiting on Theory test, do Medical in the meantime.
(a) Medical (~€60)
(b) Theory Test (€36.50)

2: Two or three days waiting for them to post it to you.
Obtain Cat.C Learner Permit (€15, or free if you already have one that's still in date)

3: About a month waiting for theories, take lessons in the meantime and while waiting for practicals.
(a) CPC Multiple Choice (€70)
(b) CPC Case Studies (€70)
(c) Rigid Lessons from an ADI (~€50 - €60 each)

4: I was two months waiting for my last test, but it varies widely.
(a) CPC Driving Test (€110)
(b) CPC Practical Test (€32)

5: Few days. You can get both together or get Full C first.
(a) Obtain Cat.C Licence (Free, since you'll be adding Cat.C to your existing B licence)
(b) Obtain Cat.EC Learner Permit (I think this is free, but since your C Permit is no longer valid it's a grey area)
(c) Obtain CPC Card (not sure how you go about this?)
(d) Obtain Digital Tachograph Card (€50, optional but recommended)

7
Artic Lessons from ADI (a bit more than the rigid)

8: Again, about two months waiting.
Artic Driving test (€110)

9
Obtain Cat.EC Licence (Free if your C licence is still valid)

That's about 6 months in total, but it could be a good bit more. Cost would be around €500 not including lessons. And that's without your CPC Periiodic Training (€50 - €100, depending where you do it).

MidlandsM

Even Better, thanks Ritchie.

I was saying to him about €1000 should be what he'd be looking at, but you know for €500, it's not too bad if he can get all the passes first time etc.

Thanks for the comprehensive advice gents.

Richie15

Well that's €500 just for the bureaucracy. Doesn't include lessons (about €500 - €800 for a course of ten) or truck rental (around €200) and that'll be twice then. So including all that, around a grand or more seems realistic. But at least once he's got the rigid and the CPC, hopefully he'll be able to start working and that'll fund the Artic lessons.

By the way, if he's under 25 he's pretty much f'd. There's a loophole in the anti-discrimination legislation that allows employers refuse to hire someone based on age if it's for insurance reasons.

If that's the case he could either get the training over with while he's ageing, and be fully qualified by the time he's insurable, or he could spend his money on a van instead and be a courier...

MidlandsM

We'll the good news is he's in his 30's and he's got access to artics to do the test in - friend of his is a haulier and i reckon he'll wind up working for him in the future etc.

MidlandsM

Right, Had a chat with him last night and we've decided we'll BOTH go for the Rigid and Artic tests and therefore, help each other and share travel expenses to lessons etc.

So, I'm going to book the theory test - where do I get a book
or CD Rom to help me study for it?

Thanks!

DriveSkill

Any decent bookshop will have the CD or the book (4th edition).

It can also be purchased online here : http://www.theorytest.ie/english/test-preparation.php

the CPC test questions are also on the above site.

MidlandsM

Hi there,

I follwoing up on my move to get a truck licence.

I got a theory test late next week -
Questions - does the theory book here - http://dttstore.prometric.com/

will it cover me for the theory test for trucks?

is the CPC test down the road later? and is there a book for that?