Bus licence category D. Has anyone done it recently?

Commotion Ocean

I have a few questions:

Firstly, why is the theorytest for it so damn expensive compared to the car and motorbike tests? It's not like doing the test is more time or money-consuming.

Do you have to get your medical before applying for the learner permit or before applying

I was thinking about going for the ISM. I was thinking two sets of ten lessons should cover it if I absorb the information quickly. Are ISM recommended or would you go somewhere else?

Airport School of Motoring have a test pass guarantee. Is this gimicky or are they a good school? They never really specified after how many lessons you'd pass. So that could mean after 50 lessons.

Stupid question, but if I got my test in a category D in a single-storey coach, would I be eligible to drive double deckers if I did my CPC at a later stage?

Do you have to do retests every so often?

Any other hints / do's and don't's ??

neris

Did mine back in June started lessons around February but had to wait for test as Id passed theory tests few years back and had to sit a missing module so probably cost me a month extra in lessons but was worth it in the end. Where are you planning on doing lessons/test? If your going Finglas I,d recommend another driving school up there. They only have the 1 coach and its not as shiny or new as the other 2 youve mentioned but the instructor is good. If you get the D license you can drive any bus from a mini bus up to a double decker. You need to do the theory tests before you get the permit but you can do CPC later but it,s much easier to do it on the day as you,ll have the bus there. You need medical when applying for permit and again when applying for the full license.

Commotion Ocean

neris wrote: »

You need medical when applying for permit and again when applying for the full license.

Can you do this at a normal GP?

neris

yeah its a very quick test. the doc just fills out the forms. I spent more time in the waiting room then it took the doctor to the test and fill in the form. you may need an eye sight test if you wear glasses

Commotion Ocean

http://www.ism.ie/driving-lessons/coach wrote:

**Special: 10 hours + Vehicle Test Hire (including 1 hour before) is now €940.00 (SAVING of €100)

So €25 for revision material, €75 for the theory test, €940 for lessons and test hire and €120 for the test, (without doing CPC).

So €1,160 in total - assuming I pass first time. Doesn't seem bad.

neris

think of budgeting for extra lessons aswell. I take it that 10 hours of lessons is actually 5 lessons at 2 hours.

neris

Also whydo u want to drive a bus and not have the cpc? No one will give you a bus driving job without a cpc.

DakarVert

What does the actual test have to be done in, Will anything with more than 16 seats do or does it have to be a full fat 53 seater coach?

Commotion Ocean

DakarVert wrote: »

What does the actual test have to be done in, Will anything with more than 16 seats do or does it have to be a full fat 53 seater coach?

D1 is a small bus (>8 seats, not incluuding the driver) if I'm not mistaken and D is a full bus.

boardsuser1

DakarVert wrote: »

What does the actual test have to be done in, Will anything with more than 16 seats do or does it have to be a full fat 53 seater coach?

For a full D licence it must be done in a full size Coach.

neris

There's a minimum size and weight on what you can use in the tests for categories D & C. It's on the driving test website

boardsuser1

neris wrote: »

There's a minimum size and weight on what you can use in the tests for categories D & C. It's on the driving test website

An example of what is acceptable for the bus driving test is a Dennis Javelin Plaxton or a Scania L94 irizar Century.

Silvera

KC161 wrote: »

For a full D licence it must be done in a full size Coach.

There is a school of motoring based in Athlone who use a (6-speed?) relatively-small bus for category D lessons and tests. When I did my C+E lessons / test there in 2014 my instructor said it would be a good vehicle to use due to it's small size and simplcity (he was from a different school).

I also spotted these in Galway today..
Would this be a 53-seater?

boardsuser1

Silvera wrote: »

There is a school of motoring based in Athlone who use a (6-speed?) relatively-small bus for category D lessons and tests. When I did my C+E lessons / test there in 2014 my instructor said it would be a good vehicle to use due to it's small size and simplcity (he was from a different school).

I also spotted these in Galway today..
Would this be a 53-seater?

Hi Silvera, yes that coach is a 53 seater 6 speed manual Volvo B10M Plaxton, a 1997 Cork reg as it happens. Owned by Philip Rice. Regulations changed in June 2014. I done my D licence in a 33 seater Mercedes in Cork in 2013 so can understand what the instructor meant by the more preferable smaller coach. They are gone sadly.

Commotion Ocean

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why the theory test for buses and lorries is so expensive? It's not like there's more expense involved in doing the theory test

I even fail to see why the driving test itself is so expensive for buses, it's the person sitting the test who pays for the bus rental anyway. You're just paying for the tester's time, regardless of whether you're driving a Vespa or an army tank.

Pat Dunne

dfeo wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why the theory test for buses and lorries is so expensive? It's not like there's more expense involved in doing the theory test

I even fail to see why the driving test itself is so expensive for buses, it's the person sitting the test who pays for the bus rental anyway. You're just paying for the tester's time, regardless of whether you're driving a Vespa or an army tank.

In all fairness your questions are well beyond the scope of this topic.

If you're so excerised about the costs, contact your local TD requesting them to table a Parlimentary Question on the matter you wish to raise in regard of the costs. By law the relevant Minister will have to respond to your TD's, PQ.

Did my own course of leasons with Airport School of Motoring in August/September just gone, a really great team of instructors, who have brilliant practical experience of the industry. Two excellently maintained 50 seater Mercedes Coaches.

Did my test in October at Finglas and passed, was delighted. Got a job in November, with plenty of variety and lots of hours.

Commotion Ocean

Pat Dunne wrote: »

In all fairness your questions are well beyond the scope of this topic.

If you're so excerised about the costs, contact your local TD requesting them to table a Parlimentary Question on the matter you wish to raise in regard of the costs. By law the relevant Minister will have to respond to your TD's, PQ.

Did my own course of leasons with Airport School of Motoring in August/September just gone, a really great team of instructors, who have brilliant practical experience of the industry. Two excellently maintained 50 seater Mercedes Coaches.

Did my test in October at Finglas and passed, was delighted. Got a job in November, with plenty of variety and lots of hours.

I've heard they're a good crowd.

Is it difficult to schedule lessons due to them only having two buses?

I'd say you'd be waiting a while for the test too

Pat Dunne

dfeo wrote: »

I've heard they're a good crowd.

Is it difficult to schedule lessons due to them only having two buses?

I'd say you'd be waiting a while for the test too

No, its very easy to schedule lessons with them, give them a shout they're sound to deal with.

Applied for my test at the end of August (just gone), sat it six weeks later and passed first go.

neris

The schools will generally give you priority on test day to use the bus over lessons.

boardsuser1

neris wrote: »

The schools will generally give you priority on test day to use the bus over lessons.

+1

Commotion Ocean

If I passed my D license and subsequently did DE, would that entitle me to BE?

I currently have B and W

If I did D and DE would I then have:

B
BE
W
D
D1E
DE

boardsuser1

dfeo wrote: »

If I passed my D license and subsequently did DE, would that entitle me to BE?

I currently have B and W

If I did D and DE would I then have:

B
BE
W
D
D1E
DE

Are there schools that even do DE lessons? Yes is the answer to the question however.

Commotion Ocean

KC161 wrote: »

Are there schools that even do DE lessons? Yes is the answer to the question however.

If I did CE then I assume it'd cover me for all of the E categories.

boardsuser1

dfeo wrote: »

If I did CE then I assume it'd cover me for all of the E categories.

If you have the D to go with it yes!

Commotion Ocean

KC161 wrote: »

If you have the D to go with it yes!

Can you just get a C learner permit and go straight for the CE test, or do you have to do C first?

I can't imagine a driver being allowed to go straight for BE test without having first done B.

neris

dfeo wrote: »

Can you just get a C learner permit and go straight for the CE test, or do you have to do C first?

I can't imagine a driver being allowed to go straight for BE test without having first done B.

Youve to do the C category 1st and then you can go for CE

cantdecide

DE (or any bus+trailer category) does NOT give you BE or expand any of your truck categories to truck+trailer. However, if you have pre-existing bus categories and you pass a truck+trailer category, you WILL THEN get the equivalent bus+trailer category automatically. The only way to earn BE is to pass a BE test or a CE test. C1E will not give you BE automatically even though C1E is bigger than BE.

In short; having truck+trailer categories will automatically give you bus+trailer categories on passing bus tests. The reverse is not true.

Silvera

cantdecide wrote: »

DE (or any bus+trailer category) does NOT give you BE or expand any of your truck categories to truck+trailer. However, if you have pre-existing bus categories and you pass a truck+trailer category, you WILL THEN get the equivalent bus+trailer category automatically. The only way to earn BE is to pass a BE test or a CE test. will not give you BE automatically even though C1E is bigger than BE

In short; having truck+trailer categories will automatically give you bus+trailer categories on passing bus tests. The reverse is not true.

I wasnt aware of that! Thats a strange situation isnt it?
You'd imagine that if a person passes C1E then they should automatically get BE?!

boardsuser1

cantdecide wrote: »

DE (or any bus+trailer category) does NOT give you BE or expand any of your truck categories to truck+trailer. However, if you have pre-existing bus categories and you pass a truck+trailer category, you WILL THEN get the equivalent bus+trailer category automatically. The only way to earn BE is to pass a BE test or a CE test. C1E will not give you BE automatically even though C1E is bigger than BE.

In short; having truck+trailer categories will automatically give you bus+trailer categories on passing bus tests. The reverse is not true.

So if I did my test in a 40ft coach with a trailer with a capacity greater than 750 kg I wouldn't be entitled to category BE?

Why can't the RSA be on boards .

***Shakes head***

Commotion Ocean

cantdecide wrote: »

DE (or any bus+trailer category) does NOT give you BE or expand any of your truck categories to truck+trailer. However, if you have pre-existing bus categories and you pass a truck+trailer category, you WILL THEN get the equivalent bus+trailer category automatically. The only way to earn BE is to pass a BE test or a CE test. C1E will not give you BE automatically even though C1E is bigger than BE.

In short; having truck+trailer categories will automatically give you bus+trailer categories on passing bus tests. The reverse is not true.

So you're saying that if I passed C, then CE, then did D I would not get DE.

But if I did D first, then CE I'd get DE ??

neris

Youd get the DE if you have the CE already whenyou pass the D test

Commotion Ocean

neris wrote: »

Youd get the DE if you have the CE already whenyou pass the D test

And BE too, I assume.

boardsuser1

I done mine in the following order after category B.

C
D
CE, which gave me BE & DE. As well as all the categories ending in 1

donkey balls

Lads I am thinking about doing the D1 license so was in contact with the RSA who told me that I need a leaner permit, I presume this is a provisional license also need to do some theory test then the actual driving test.
So where are the theory tests held and what sort of questions are asked also would I need to do any lessons, I'm an ex tanker driver/artic driver.

boardsuser1

donkey balls wrote: »

Lads I am thinking about doing the D1 license so was in contact with the RSA who told me that I need a leaner permit, I presume this is a provisional license also need to do some theory test then the actual driving test.
So where are the theory tests held and what sort of questions are asked also would I need to do any lessons, I'm an ex tanker driver/artic driver.

Go for the full D licence

theory test and cpc's need doing.

make sure you get an upto date medical if you don't already have it.

donkey balls

Ah I wont be driving for hire or reward it is for a voluntary orq it be a Ford transit size mini bus, Don't even know if I should do any lessons for the driving test.

boardsuser1

donkey balls wrote: »

Ah I wont be driving for hire or reward it is for a voluntary orq it be a Ford transit size mini bus, Don't even know if I should do any lessons for the driving test.

I know of people who went down the route you are planning to do, they regretted not going for the full D licence in the end.

Always best to get lessons to iron out any bad habits.

donkey balls

KC161 wrote: »

I know of people who went down the route you are planning to do, they regretted not going for the full D licence in the end.

Always best to get lessons to iron out any bad habits.

I'm not throwing bouquets at myself but with me being an ex tanker driver and having gone through driver assessments which are more or less the same as a driving test, I was thinking of just using the mini bus for the test and probably a few spins in it before hand to get use to the gears controls etc.
I am just wondering is there any difference with the actual test.

boardsuser1

donkey balls wrote: »

I'm not throwing bouquets at myself but with me being an ex tanker driver and having gone through driver assessments which are more or less the same as a driving test, I was thinking of just using the mini bus for the test and probably a few spins in it before hand to get use to the gears controls etc.
I am just wondering is there any difference with the actual test.

Only difference I found is you must be more aware of your surroundings due to your passengers, take cornering slowly, my bus instructor said 'your passengers shouldn't move' as in side to side. Also when slowing down don't brake hard. It worked for me.

donkey balls

KC161 wrote: »

Only difference I found is you must be more aware of your surroundings due to your passengers, take cornering slowly, my bus instructor said 'your passengers shouldn't move' as in side to side. Also when slowing down don't brake hard. It worked for me.

That's what I was thinking for the actual test do you know anything about the theory test.

boardsuser1

donkey balls wrote: »

That's what I was thinking for the actual test do you know anything about the theory test.

The theory test is mainly common sense, you were already in the driving game so you should be ok with it.

The theory test disc is about €20 and includes the CPC as far as I know, when I done it I only had to do the Bus case studies as i already had the rigid licence.

Did you pack up tanker work only recently?

If you are driving for the likes of the civil defence/emergency services then you are CPC exempt.

The theory test was about daily checks, moving off, speed limits on motorways in a bus/ mini bus.

For the motorway it's 100km/h
National road 90kmh. The rest you obey the speed limit signs.

Anything with over 8 passengers is governed by a limiter.

She won't or shouldn't go over the 100 mark.

I drove a 16 seater transit 2 years ago and she wasn't limited unusually.

donkey balls

KC161 wrote: »

The theory test is mainly common sense, you were already in the driving game so you should be ok with it.

The theory test disc is about €20 and includes the CPC as far as I know, when I done it I only had to do the Bus case studies as i already had the rigid licence.

Did you pack up tanker work only recently?

If you are driving for the likes of the civil defence/emergency services then you are CPC exempt.

The theory test was about daily checks, moving off, speed limits on motorways in a bus/ mini bus.

For the motorway it's 100km/h
National road 90kmh. The rest you obey the speed limit signs.

Anything with over 8 passengers is governed by a limiter.

She won't or shouldn't go over the 100 mark.

I drove a 16 seater transit 2 years ago and she wasn't limited unusually.

Ah I'm out of the tanker work a few years now still heavily involved in the transport industry though when it comes to the rules and regs their is nothing I don't know, I am just looking to get the D1 for the voluntary services so know that I be exempt from the CPC crap.
The theory test is that a computer based test ? is there many places that you can do the test.

boardsuser1

donkey balls wrote: »

Ah I'm out of the tanker work a few years now still heavily involved in the transport industry though when it comes to the rules and regs their is nothing I don't know, I am just looking to get the D1 for the voluntary services so know that I be exempt from the CPC crap.
The theory test is that a computer based test ? is there many places that you can do the test.

Like myself so, still stuck in it in some way, shape or form.

Yeah the theory test is computer based.

Link below

http://www.theorytest.ie/

neris

KC161 wrote: »

Only difference I found is you must be more aware of your surroundings due to your passengers, take cornering slowly, my bus instructor said 'your passengers shouldn't move' as in side to side. Also when slowing down don't brake hard. It worked for me.

you,ll also be asked to stop at a bus stop and pull away but you have to go through the motions as if theres passengers on the bus and check your internal mirror aswell before pulling away

boardsuser1

neris wrote: »

you,ll also be asked to stop at a bus stop and pull away but you have to go through the motions as if theres passengers on the bus and check your internal mirror aswell before pulling away

Forgot about that, the bus stop I stopped at wasn't a proper one, so yes you are correct there.

DakarVert

Going to go ahead with this,
Is it as simple as do the D licence theory test to get my D Licence provisional which will then last for 2 years?

No need for CPC until I have passed the test?

boardsuser1

DakarVert wrote: »

Going to go ahead with this,
Is it as simple as do the D licence theory test to get my D Licence provisional which will then last for 2 years?

No need for CPC until I have passed the test?

You need to do a medical for the learner permit.

Are you doing the CPC?

If so you'll need to do a case studies theory test and a multiple choice theory test BEFORE THE PRACTICAL TEST.

That is a show and tell (walk around) basically.

I done it on the day of my rigid and bus tests but had all the theory tests done beforehand.


Link below;


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

DakarVert

KC161 wrote: »

You need to do a medical for the learner permit.

Are you doing the CPC?

If so you'll need to do a case studies theory test and a multiple choice theory test BEFORE THE PRACTICAL TEST.

That is a show and tell (walk around) basically.

I done it on the day of my rigid and bus tests but had all the theory tests done beforehand.


Link below;


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

Ah that's easy enough to follow! Thanks.

How does it work when driving without a Tacho Card then while driving on the provisional? (Just ignore it saying 'Driving without Card' ?

boardsuser1

DakarVert wrote: »

Ah that's easy enough to follow! Thanks.

How does it work when driving without a Tacho Card then while driving on the provisional? (Just ignore it saying 'Driving without Card' ?

You can't drive professionally until you get the full licence.

As for the tacograph card, you are required to have one, if you lose it then you fill in the paper in the unit and retain it for inspection.

If you ignore it then the owner of the vehicle would be in trouble.

If it is for lessons then the vehicle is exempt for that purpose.

Pre May 2006 is Analogue (paper sheets)
Post May 2006 is the digital.

neris

You don't need a tacho card for lessons. You don't need a tacho card when you get your test if your driving within a 50km radius on a non commercial run