C licence

mickdw

Is there a minimum number of lessons that you must do before applying for test for C licence?
I got the theory done and had a lesson before. No doubt I need a few more but is there a set number of hours that must be done?

miller50841

Is it a learner permit or did you get provisional before new rules came in?

mickdw

Learner permit got about 2 years ago after doing theory test. Will have to get a 2nd one now as its probably out of date.

miller50841

As far as I know the mandatory lessons apply to car licence and motorbikes.

The C and (trucks and buses) will have to do the CPC course every year for 5 years which you then get a card(type of another licence) and courses continue every year.

Padkir

miller50841 wrote: »

As far as I know the mandatory lessons apply to car licence and motorbikes.

The C and (trucks and buses) will have to do the CPC course every year for 5 years which you then get a card(type of another licence) and courses continue every year.

I think you're right about the mandatory lessons.

However I'm almost certain that there are additional CPC requirements if you got your licence after 2008 for buses / 2009 for trucks. This involves additional theory tests and case studies which I'm told can be quite tricky. They also cost quite a bit...

If you had it before that all you needed to do was one day per year, but I'd say you have missed out on that...:(

I was lucky I got my truck licence in 2008!:p

You can get all the information here ---> http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Professional-Drivers/Driver-Hours/Getting-your-CPC/

CiniO

mickdw wrote: »

Is there a minimum number of lessons that you must do before applying for test for C licence?
I got the theory done and had a lesson before. No doubt I need a few more but is there a set number of hours that must be done?

No there is no requirement for any driver training before doing C licence test.
You can go straight for a test without any lessons if you wish.

But also consider the fact, that if you want to work as a truck driver you will need driver CPC qualification, which most applicants for C licence would do together with their licence.
It involves 2 theory tests which you must do before driving test (they cost 70 euro each - 140 total), and then addition practical CPC test usually conducted after your C licence driving test.
It might sound difficult, but in reality it isn't. It's just a little bit a theory to learn. Practical CPC test in reality is just theory test, but condicted verbally in front of instructor.

Also after you obtain it, you must complete 1 day training every year, which costs usually between 45 - 65 euro.
You don't have to do CPC, but without it you won't be able to work as a truck driver.

Mycroft H

CiniO wrote: »

No there is no requirement for any driver training before doing C licence test.
You can go straight for a test without any lessons if you wish.

But also consider the fact, that if you want to work as a truck driver you will need driver CPC qualification, which most applicants for C licence would do together with their licence.
It involves 2 theory tests which you must do before driving test (they cost 70 euro each - 140 total), and then addition practical CPC test usually conducted after your C licence driving test.
It might sound difficult, but in reality it isn't. It's just a little bit a theory to learn. Practical CPC test in reality is just theory test, but condicted verbally in front of instructor.

Also after you obtain it, you must complete 1 day training every year, which costs usually between 45 - 65 euro.
You don't have to do CPC, but without it you won't be able to work as a truck driver.

If your driving voluntary, personally or for the emergency services you do not need the CPC

CiniO

BX 19 wrote: »

If your driving voluntary, personally or for the emergency services you do not need the CPC

I didn't know about the exception for emergency services.

Mycroft H

CiniO wrote: »

I didn't know about the exception for emergency services.

It does exsist.
http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Professional-Drivers/Driver-Hours/Getting-your-CPC/

Exemptions

Driver CPC certification is not required for drivers of vehicles used:

For non-commercial purposes, eg driving as a volunteer; drivers of emergency or rescue vehicles
For a registered RSA approved Driving Instructors who are giving driving instruction
In the course of someone’s work, provided that driving the vehicle is not the driver’s principal occupation, eg, a plumber using a light truck to transport their materials.
Vehicles with a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h

mickdw

That cpc stuff is mad. I knew of cpc but didnt think there was so much involved. I really have no interest in driving for a living anyway so I might just do the test anyway to get the licence.
Jesus, flying lessons are looking like less hassle than lorry driving now.

miller50841

mickdw wrote: »

That cpc stuff is mad. I knew of cpc but didnt think there was so much involved. I really have no interest in driving for a living anyway so I might just do the test anyway to get the licence.
Jesus, flying lessons are looking like less hassle than lorry driving now.

It works out approx with few lessons, truck rental, testand so on around €1000 to €1500 very expensive if you don't really need.

I have done 4 of the cpc courses and Im not messing they are so boring and us proffesional drivers as they like to call us already know or really should know most of the stuff in the courses. Its really just a refresher course.

guil

Luckily i got my C and EC for around €1200 all in

I had acquired rights with the CPC but the yearly thing is a doddle and dragged out a lot, a moron couldn't fail it.
My employer pays for mine and i get paid for the day at time and a half.

AlekSmart

mickdw wrote: »

That cpc stuff is mad. I knew of cpc but didnt think there was so much involved. I really have no interest in driving for a living anyway so I might just do the test anyway to get the licence.
Jesus, flying lessons are looking like less hassle than lorry driving now.

Pretty much as it is,and where it is going.

The entire issue of Vocational Driving Licences is set to become even more tightly regulated,with some Jan 2013 changes introducing more restrictions and obstacles to overcome.

However there are some who disagree on the entire issue of Truck and Bus driving licences being any big deal at all......from

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056722760&page=2

Formation :What is a fair wage for someone to drive a bus? Should it be on a par with someone who spent 4 years in college and another 3 years to qualify at low wages in their profession? should it equal someone who did a 3 year apprenticeship to become an electrician or plumber at less than minimum wage?

You get a suitable driving license, do a short course I assume and do a job where there are many people qualified to do it and ye are blaming some lad who underpaid a fare by a few cent as the reason you earn what you do? A bit of perspective!

Piece of cake really,Heads you win.......Tails you.....?????

guil

AlekSmart wrote: »

Pretty much as it is,and where it is going.

The entire issue of Vocational Driving Licences is set to become even more tightly regulated,with some Jan 2013 changes introducing more restrictions and obstacles to overcome.

However there are some who disagree on the entire issue of Truck and Bus driving licences being any big deal at all......from

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056722760&page=2




Piece of cake really,Heads you win.......Tails you.....?????

What exactly do you mean by the bit in bold?

btb

changes afoot are as link below

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Third%20Directive/Link%205.pdf

biggest change for those with a licence already will be the 5 year renewal and medical. Will be same in uk, used to be after age 45 you needed medical every 5 years unlike here which was 10 years no matter what age you were.

guil

btb wrote: »

changes afoot are as link below

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Learner%20Drivers/Third%20Directive/Link%205.pdf

biggest change for those with a licence already will be the 5 year renewal and medical. Will be same in uk, used to be after age 45 you needed medical every 5 years unlike here which was 10 years no matter what age you were.

I know about them but really they are not that big a deal. More of an inconvenience and only an extra €100 or so every 5 years

btb

Changing the renewal to 5 years might make a lot of lads who dont use the licence anymore give it up as with DriverCPC at 50e a year and now another 50-60e every 5 years to the doc for the medical and the cost of the licence (whatever they set it at). Its an expensive category to keep on your licence if it isn't making you money.
Also medical here is a doddle, what happens if the bring in one like in the UK, how many would be medically unfit to hold a licence.

All food for thought, as its not exactly the best rewarded career in Ireland and some may say that it never was.

Bobbyo247

Hi lads , new to this thing so bare with me . I have my theory test and the 2 cpc s done now I have the practical and the driving test in a few weeks

What I would like to find out is
1. What material to study for the practical ( not driving test ) test .
2 . I have heard from some people that a split gear box rigid truck can only be used on the driving test . I hope this is not the case as I can get a truck for free at work to use . It's the right size weight and height but a regular 6 speed gearbox . Money is tight and it would save on lessons as well .

As for finding the answers off the rsa website , it would be easier to grow wings and fly . Worst website ever

Any help would be greatly appreciated . Cheers

vinniem

miller50841 wrote: »

As far as I know the mandatory lessons apply to car licence and motorbikes.

The C and (trucks and buses) will have to do the CPC course every year for 5 years which you then get a card(type of another licence) and courses continue every year.

Only required if your a professional driver

CiniO

Bobbyo247 wrote: »

Hi lads , new to this thing so bare with me . I have my theory test and the 2 cpc s done now I have the practical and the driving test in a few weeks

What I would like to find out is
1. What material to study for the practical ( not driving test ) test .

I got the material from driving instructor.
It's about 15 to 20 questions with 3 to 5 correct answers.
You just have to learn them, as those are exact the same questions examiner asks you. He asked me maybe 10 out of 20 from the list (exact the same as I got from instructor).

2 . I have heard from some people that a split gear box rigid truck can only be used on the driving test . I hope this is not the case as I can get a truck for free at work to use . It's the right size weight and height but a regular 6 speed gearbox . Money is tight and it would save on lessons as well .

It depends on the year of registration of the truck you are planning to take.
If it's before 04, then it doesn't need split box. If it's 04 or newer, then it does need it. (it needs at least 8 forward gears, and I assume split box is the only one providing so many gear ratios, but I'm not sure about it)

Here's your answer.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2006/en/si/0537.html

Minimum vehicle requirements for the purposes of the practical driving test where the test vehicle was first registered on or after 1 January 2004

Category

Vehicles in Category

A

Motorcycle without sidecar with an engine capacity greater than 125 cc and capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h.

A1

Category A1 motorcycle without sidecar with an engine capacity greater than 50 cc or with a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h, but with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cc.

B

Category B vehicle capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h.

C

Category C vehicle with a design gross vehicle weight of at least 12000 kilograms, a length of at least eight metres, a width of at least 2,40 metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h; fitted with anti-lock brakes, equipped with a gearbox having at least 8 forward ratios and recording equipment; the cargo compartment shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the cab.

C1

Category C1 vehicle with a maximum authorised mass of at least 4000 kilograms but not exceeding 7,500 kilograms, with a length of at least 5 metres and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h; fitted with anti-lock brakes and equipped with recording equipment; the cargo compartment shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the cab.

D

Category D vehicle having passenger accommodation for more than 16 persons, being at least 10 metres in length, and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h; fitted with anti-lock brakes and recording equipment.

D1

Category D1 vehicle with a length of at least five metres, with a gross vehicle weight of at least 4,000 kilograms, and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h; fitted with anti-lock brakes and recording equipment.

EB

A combination, made up of a category B test vehicle capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h, which should be either -

(a) a 4 wheel drive vehicle and trailer, or

(b) a vehicle with a minimum length of at least 4.25 metres and trailer,

The trailer should have a design gross vehicle weight of at least 1400 kilograms; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the motor vehicle; the trailer to have a minimum internal length of 2.4 metres, the closed box body may be slightly less wide than the motor vehicle provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the motor vehicle.

EC

either an articulated vehicle or a combination of a category C test vehicle and a trailer of at least 7,5 metres in length; both the articulated vehicle and the combination shall have a maximum authorised mass of at least 20000 kilograms, a length of at least 14 metres and a width of at least 2,40 metres, shall be capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h, fitted with anti-lock brakes, equipped with a gearbox having at least 8 forward ratios and with recording equipment; the cargo compartment shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the cab.

EC1

A combination made up of a category C1 test vehicle and a trailer with a design gross vehicle weight of at least 2000 kilograms and a minimum internal length of 2.4 metres; this combination shall be at least 8 metres in length; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the cab; the closed box body may also be slightly less wide than the cab provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the motor vehicle.

ED1

A combination, made up of a category D1 test with trailer. The trailer used shall have a design gross vehicle weight of at least 1,400 kg and have internal length of at least 2.4 metres; the cargo compartment of the trailer shall consist of a closed box body which is at least 2 metres wide and 2 metres high.

M

Two-wheeled mechanically propelled vehicle, not capable of being manually propelled, with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and

having a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h.

W

Work vehicle and land tractor.

Minimum vehicle requirements for the purposes of the practical driving test where the test vehicle was first registered prior to 1 January 2004

Category

Vehicles in Category

A

Motorcycle without sidecar with an engine capacity greater than 125 cc and capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h.

A1

Category A1 motorcycle without sidecar with an engine capacity greater than 50 cc or with a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h, but with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cc.

B

Category B vehicle capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h.

C

Category C vehicle with a design gross vehicle weight of at least 10,000 kilograms, a length of at least 7 metres, and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h.

C1

Category C1 vehicle with a design gross vehicle weight of at least 4000 kilograms and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h.

D

Category D vehicle having passenger accommodation for more than 16 persons, being at least 9 metres in length, and capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h.

D1

Category D1 vehicle capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h.

EB

A combination, made up of a category B test vehicle with trailer, which should be either:

(a) a 4 wheel drive vehicle and trailer, or

(b) a vehicle with a minimum length of at least 4.25 metres and trailer.

The trailer used shall have a design gross vehicle weight of at least 1,400 kg and have internal dimensions of at least 2.4 metres × 1.2 metres.

EC

Articulated vehicle having a combined design gross vehicle weight of at least 18,000 kg and an overall length of at least 12 metres, capable of a speed of at least 80 km/h.

EC1

A combination, made up of a category C1 test vehicle with trailer, having a combined length of at least 8 metres. The trailer used shall have a design gross vehicle weight of at least 2,000 kg and have internal dimensions of at least 2.4 metres × 1.2 metres.

ED1

A combination, made up of a category D1 test vehicle with trailer. The trailer used shall have a design gross vehicle weight of at least 1,400 kg and have internal dimensions of at least 2.4 metres × 1.2 metres.

M

Two-wheeled mechanically propelled vehicle, not capable of being manually propelled, with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and/or having a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h.

W

Work vehicle and land tractor.

Bobbyo247

Thanks for the help , looks like I'll have to find a small fortune to get the lessons and rent a truck . All the trucks at work are after 04 anyway .

It's a bit of a joke that I can't use the truck I am going to be driving for work on my test .
Cheers for the advice anyway

CiniO

Bobbyo247 wrote: »

Thanks for the help , looks like I'll have to find a small fortune to get the lessons and rent a truck . All the trucks at work are after 04 anyway .

It's a bit of a joke that I can't use the truck I am going to be driving for work on my test .
Cheers for the advice anyway

I'd say there's no reasons to complain.
There is no obligation to take any lessons.

If I can be honest with you, Ireland is probably the only country in EU where you don't need to take any lessons prior to driving test.

Look at simple comparision of procedure of what you need to do to obtain C licence in Ireland and Poland (as I'm familiar with their system).

Ireland -
1. Pass theory test - 40 euro.
2. Do Medical check - 50 euro.
3. Apply for driving permit - 15 euro.
4. Pass 2 CPC theory tests - 140 euro.
5. Rent a truck for driving test + CPC practical - 150 euro
6. Pass Driving test - 120 euro
7. Pass CPC practical test - 35 euro
8. Apply for new driving licence with added C category - free.
9. Apply for CPC qualification card - free.
Total cost: 550 euro (probably below average weekly salary)

Poland -
1. Do training with instructor (minimum 20hours theory + 30 hours practical driving with instructor) - about 700 euro
2. Do medical check - about 20 euro
3. Pass theory test + practical driving test (truck is provided by test centre) - 50 euro.
4. Do CPC training (including exams at the end) 140hours (130h theory + 8h practical + 2h simulators) - about 1000 euro
5. Do medical check for CPC - about 25 euro
6. Do psychological check for CPC - about 30 euro.
7. Apply for new driving licence with C category added and CPC qualification code on it. - 20 euro.

Total cost: 1845 euro (about quarterly average salary)

In Ireland obviously if you can't drive truck, you will have to take lessons, and this will probably double the cost of C licence. But anyway - amount of time and money which you need to spend to obtain this licence is tiny comparing to Poland here.

And in Poland you also can't pass a test on truck which you choose, but you have to use one provided by test centre.

Bobbyo247

I don't know where you got the quotes for renting a truck for the test . No one will let you rent a truck from them without taking lessons . 5 at least . Total I was quoted was 850 euro for 5 lessons and use of the truck for the test . I don't think I need lessons . I'm driving them for years locally and with a full licence driver for the past 20 months . I would just like to rent the truck for the test but can't do it . Bit of a racket I reckon

CiniO

Bobbyo247 wrote: »

I don't know where you got the quotes for renting a truck for the test . No one will let you rent a truck from them without taking lessons . 5 at least . Total I was quoted was 850 euro for 5 lessons and use of the truck for the test . I don't think I need lessons . I'm driving them for years locally and with a full licence driver for the past 20 months . I would just like to rent the truck for the test but can't do it . Bit of a racket I reckon

I'm sure it's possible to find a company which will rent you a truck without taking lessons from them.