c1 licence

runforest1

Hi, just a quick question. Can anyone who's recently done a c1 licence test describe what they have to go through? Any pointers/tips? I'd really appreciate it as my test i s coming up soon. Been driving cars for the last 8 years and my 6.5 t crew cab tipper on and off for the last two years. Is it true that I can't use my truck for the test? Does it have to be a box body? How many lessons would ye recommend? Really appreciate it, cheers, nik

TomJoe Wallace

runforest1 wrote: »

Hi, just a quick question. Can anyone who's recently done a c1 licence test describe what they have to go through? Any pointers/tips? I'd really appreciate it as my test i s coming up soon. Been driving cars for the last 8 years and my 6.5 t crew cab tipper on and off for the last two years. Is it true that I can't use my truck for the test? Does it have to be a box body? How many lessons would ye recommend? Really appreciate it, cheers, nik

Would love some information on this if anybody has any.

Just passed my C theory test (Woohoo). So applying for the permit.
Don't have to do the CPC part of it because I'll only be using it for Emergency Services (That's the dream anyway!)

Is there a specific amount of lessons that needs to be done or is it whatever you think yourself? I have no idea what to expect to be fair. Haha

Silvera

I passed my C test in 2003, and my E+C (Truck+Trailer) test in 2014 (both first time) and I would suggest that both of you go for category C instead. If you pass you automatically get category C1.

From other discussions I have read on this, and other, forums it seems that there aren't many driving schools who can supply a C1 truck for lessons/test.

This is the school/truck I used for my E+C lessons/test -

http://www.aclearsteerdriving.com/?page_id=46

(I had to travel 2 hours each way (to Athlone) to take the lessons/test, but it was worth it as I found the instructor and the truck+trailer combo (as opposed to an artic) suited me best).

TomJoe Wallace

Silvera wrote: »

I passed my C test in 2003, and my E+C (Truck+Trailer) test in 2014 (both first time) and I would suggest that both of you go for category C instead. If you pass you automatically get category C1.

From other discussions I have read on this, and other, forums it seems that there aren't many driving schools who can supply a C1 truck for lessons/test.

This is the school/truck I used for my E+C lessons/test -

http://www.aclearsteerdriving.com/?page_id=46

(I had to travel 2 hours each way (to Athlone) to take the lessons/test, but it was worth it as I found the instructor and the truck+trailer combo (as opposed to an artic) suited me best).

Thanks for the info!

I don't think it's even worth my while going for the C anyway as I'm solely doing it for the purpose of driving and ambulance. (I don't even need to do CPC)

I would have no use for a C license otherwise just trying to pursue my Paramedic dream slowly but surely :P

Silvera

I didnt take my C or E+C test for professional purposes. In 2003 I did the C test in the belief/hope that I would automatically get E+B too (plus the challenge of getting category C

When that didnt pan out, rather than just do E+B and be restricted to that size of combination, I did E+C so that I got all categories of trailer on my licence. Havent done the CPC annual 'tests' either (didnt need to do the CPC practical either as I passed category C before 2008). Obviously my route of lessons/tests was a bit more expensive than just doing category C1 (c.€3000 in total ...spread over 10 years).

yourpics

TomJoe Wallace wrote: »

Thanks for the info!

I don't think it's even worth my while going for the C anyway as I'm solely doing it for the purpose of driving and ambulance. (I don't even need to do CPC)

I would have no use for a C license otherwise just trying to pursue my Paramedic dream slowly but surely :P

Chances are obtaining a C1 licence will cost the same as C category and as Silvera says it may be difficult to find a school with a C1 lorry (unless you know someone etc).
Once you have had a lesson or two you will have a good idea where you stand and how many more lessons / practice you need. There is no minimum amount required.
I did my C licence last year and hope to do CE this year.

Edit: These lads have a box transit for C1, might be worth a call.

http://www.advancedrive.com/training/truck/c1-light-truck/

Bit of a cheat way to get a C1...should be made drive a 7.5T DAF....what do you think Silvera!!!!

Silvera

^^^^ Hmmm, Transit for C1....should be a bigger truck alright :rolleyes:
Then I suppose if somebody just needs it for ambulance or campervan use then....meh

(I've seen that Transit parked up in Salthill a few times when I visited Galway)

Interestingly, they also do category E+C1 lessons! It's the only school I've seen who offer that category too...though I'd say reversing the Transit+Trailer combo could be extra tricky...the trailer seems completely hidden behind it?!:eek:

http://www.advancedrive.com/training/trailers/


The E+C combo they use seems to be easier to operate than a traditional E+C artic, i.e. the trailer has a 'rear steering' set-up...

http://www.advancedrive.com/training/truck/artic-truck/


I recall when I was doing my E+C (rigid+trailer) test last year in July, another school parked their rigid+trailer combo beside us near the test centre. My instructor commented that the other school's combo was the smallest weight of truck+trailer combo available to use for category E+C lessons/tests. It was also a Galway-based school (dont recall the name, was a blue and white combo iirc).

sjb25

TomJoe Wallace wrote: »

Thanks for the info!

I don't think it's even worth my while going for the C anyway as I'm solely doing it for the purpose of driving and ambulance. (I don't even need to do CPC)

I would have no use for a C license otherwise just trying to pursue my Paramedic dream slowly but surely :P

http://www.graduateschoolofmotoring.net have C1 vehicles advertises to people wanting to become paramedics....... I'm on the current paramedic panel for training and I just went and did my full C and got C1 with it was handiest for me cost is the same anyway from what I hear

yourpics

Silvera wrote: »

^^^^ Hmmm, Transit for C1....should be a bigger truck alright :rolleyes:
Then I suppose if somebody just needs it for ambulance or campervan use then....meh

(I've seen that Transit parked up in Salthill a few times when I visited Galway)

Interestingly, they also do category E+C1 lessons! It's the only school I've seen who offer that category too...though I'd say reversing the Transit+Trailer combo could be extra tricky...the trailer seems completely hidden behind it?!:eek:

http://www.advancedrive.com/training/trailers/


The E+C combo they use seems to be easier to operate than a traditional E+C artic, i.e. the trailer has a 'rear steering' set-up...

http://www.advancedrive.com/training/truck/artic-truck/


I recall when I was doing my E+C (rigid+trailer) test last year in July, another school parked their rigid+trailer combo beside us near the test centre. My instructor commented that the other school's combo was the smallest weight of truck+trailer combo available to use for category E+C lessons/tests. It was also a Galway-based school (dont recall the name, was a blue and white combo iirc).

Yeah the transit / trailer combo seems tricky. I often wonder how the insulation lads reverse the 7.5T with a hidden air compressor towed along behind!!

Not sure yet if I will go artic or rigid and drag.

Silvera

yourpics wrote: »

Yeah the transit / trailer combo seems tricky. I often wonder how the insulation lads reverse the 7.5T with a hidden air compressor towed along behind!!

Not sure yet if I will go artic or rigid and drag.

Yeah...I've seen those tiny compressors on tow..they must unhitch it asap when they reach a site. It would be near impossible to reverse with it attached - unless ofcourse the towing vehicle had a rear-facing camera/screen in-cab?!:D

I went for the wagon-and-drag combo for several reasons -

- Many UK schools use/recommend them for E+C lessons/test - and then take a lesson or two in an artic after passing the test (if/when required for a driving job - see 'UK Trucknet' forum)
- I tried normal artics (x2) and found that I could more-easily 'get my head around' the wagon-and-drag set up.
- I see myself using a wagon-and-drag combo (in a personal capacity) in the future
- It was different/more of a challenge than an artic.

The downside was that I had to do a 4-hour round trip to do each 2 hour lesson in Athlone. I couldnt find any other school who used a wagon-and-drag set up closer to home.

There is also another school in Athlone who also use a similar (Renault) wagon-and-drag set up. However, having previously tried a Renault truck (artic) I hated (yes, hated!) the side-by-side gearbox. The Scania truck at the school I used has a (imho) more logical 4-over-4 gearbox (i.e a simple switch on the front of the gear shift to move between high and low box).

yourpics

Silvera wrote: »

Yeah...I've seen those tiny compressors on tow..they must unhitch it asap when they reach a site. It would be near impossible to reverse with it attached - unless ofcourse the towing vehicle had a rear-facing camera/screen in-cab?!:D

I went for the wagon-and-drag combo for several reasons -

- Many UK schools use/recommend them for E+C lessons/test - and then take a lesson or two in an artic after passing the test (if/when required for a driving job - see 'UK Trucknet' forum)
- I tried normal artics (x2) and found that I could more-easily 'get my head around' the wagon-and-drag set up.
- I see myself using a wagon-and-drag combo (in a personal capacity) in the future
- It was different/more of a challenge than an artic.

The downside was that I had to do a 4-hour round trip to do each 2 hour lesson in Athlone. I couldnt find any other school who used a wagon-and-drag set up closer to home.

There is also another school in Athlone who also use a similar (Renault) wagon-and-drag set up. However, having previously tried a Renault truck (artic) I hated (yes, hated!) the side-by-side gearbox. The Scania truck at the school I used has a (imho) more logical 4-over-4 gearbox (i.e a simple switch on the front of the gear shift to move between high and low box).

Ah yes the good old slap over gearbox!! A Hino favourite!!
I have both artic and r&d near where I live so I will probably give both a shot!

Sofa King

As previously highlighted, you are better off going for you C licence as it covers both C1 & C, you may have no use for a C licence now but you'll never know when you will have a use for it! - You may eventually want to become a firefighter and the C licence would be handy then.

You don't have to do the CPC course but I highly recommend that you do, I've been on my courses with a few paramedics who are doing them to keep them up to date for themselves as they may have to have them up to date for whatever reasons sometime in the future.

CPC has to be back dated if you decided a career change from being a paramedic down the road, so for the sake of about €50 a year I would recommend that you keep them up to date, for yourself more than anything else.

Also, do you need a D1 licence also for driving an ambulance? I used to drive the ambulance for the Civil Defence and I had to acquire the D1 licence (as I had my C licence) in order to do so, again, I did my D licence and got both D1 & D.

sjb25

Sofa King wrote: »

As previously highlighted, you are better off going for you C licence as it covers both C1 & C, you may have no use for a C licence now but you'll never know when you will have a use for it! - You may eventually want to become a firefighter and the C licence would be handy then.

You don't have to do the CPC course but I highly recommend that you do, I've been on my courses with a few paramedics who are doing them to keep them up to date for themselves as they may have to have them up to date for whatever reasons sometime in the future.

CPC has to be back dated if you decided a career change from being a paramedic down the road, so for the sake of about €50 a year I would recommend that you keep them up to date, for yourself more than anything else.

Also, do you need a D1 licence also for driving an ambulance? I used to drive the ambulance for the Civil Defence and I had to acquire the D1 licence (as I had my C licence) in order to do so, again, I did my D licence and got both D1 & D.

D1 requirement for the latest national ambulance service panel has been removed no longer required altough a lot of volunteer ambulances and privates may still require it still but national ambulance service is only C1 now well for student paramedic
Intermediate care operative is another post in the national ambulance service and at the moment they require the D1

Like you I just did the C and D and got it done
I didn't do my CPC at all I have a job and will hopefully be on the next student paramedic class so have no need but I agree it would be handy if you wanted to get some work out of the licences and while waiting