Category DE

Richie15

Hi guys!

Just passed my CE (Artic) test last week (wehey). I already have Cat. D (Bus) so obviously I ticked DE on the form. I've heard that's the only way of getting it, not sure that part is true but I definitely remember reading somewhere official that it's the usual way.

Anyway, the licence arrived today and it's got BE, C1E and CE but no DE or D1E. I've been trying to find the "somewhere official" all day and I can't. Nothing on the NDLS Website, or the RSA. Tried IrishStatuteBook.ie and got hundreds of irrelevant SIs.

Anyone able to point me to it please? Thanks!

Richie15

I found it! 😁 Right, I'll get into the NDLS office tomorrow hopefully...

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/si/537/made/en/print#article27

Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006

Regulation 27.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a certificate of competency shall not be required to be submitted with an application for a driving licence where -

(c) the application relates to vehicles in a category set out in column (1) of the Table below and the conditions set out in column (2) of the Table opposite the mention in column (1) of that category are complied with.

TABLE

ED
The applicant holds a driving licence in respect of vehicles in category D and -
(a) the application is accompanied by a certificate of competency in respect of vehicles in category EC, or
(b) the applicant holds a driving licence in respect of vehicles in category EC.

ED1
The applicant holds a driving licence in respect of vehicles in category D1 and -
(a) the application is accompanied by a certificate of competency in respect of vehicles in category EC or EC1, or
(b) the applicant holds a driving licence in respect of vehicles in category EC or EC1.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

When I passed my artic test at the time, I did as you did and ticked the DE box's as I already had the D category

Got my license back with all the categories on it !

Unless it's changed since but I don't think so because we don't have a DE test here !

punisher5112

Was it hard to do the test and how much you reckon spent on lessons etc...

Richie15

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

When I passed my artic test at the time, I did as you did and ticked the DE box's as I already had the D category

Got my license back with all the categories on it !

Unless it's changed since but I don't think so because we don't have a DE test here !

I've heard of other people having trouble too. It doesn't look like it's been changed on paper, but I think there's a lot of people in the NDLS that aren't aware of it. That's fair enough though, I imagine it's not very common. Far as I know most drivers just prefer one or the other, and of course it's not easy getting the money together to do the lot.

punisher5112 wrote: »

Was it hard to do the test and how much you reckon spent on lessons etc...

Hard enough, to be fair. Just about missed it on the first go, and just about got it on the second. The examiner made a good point too, he said first time that my driving was pretty good but this is the top level of professionalism so pretty good is just not good enough.

Honestly, it didn't cost me anything except the petrol to get there. I did it through the ETB. Gets pretty costly if you're not eligible for that though, ISM do a package of 10 hours for €800 not including hire of the truck for the test (another €240). I'd say the 10 would be loads if you got the Rigid about 2 - 5 years ago and have been working at it. Any less and you won't have the experience, any longer and you'll probably have more bad habits to iron out.

Edit: Not affiliated with ISM by the way, just used them as the example because they're national and their prices are pretty clear on the website. I think you'll pay around the same with any company.

punisher5112

Richie15 wrote: »

I've heard of other people having trouble too. It doesn't look like it's been changed on paper, but I think there's a lot of people in the NDLS that aren't aware of it. That's fair enough though, I imagine it's not very common. Far as I know most drivers just prefer one or the other, and of course it's not easy getting the money together to do the lot.



Hard enough, to be fair. Just about missed it on the first go, and just about got it on the second. The examiner made a good point too, he said first time that my driving was pretty good but this is the top level of professionalism so pretty good is just not good enough.

Honestly, it didn't cost me anything except the petrol to get there. I did it through the ETB. Gets pretty costly if you're not eligible for that though, ISM do a package of 10 hours for €800 not including hire of the truck for the test (another €240). I'd say the 10 would be loads if you got the Rigid about 2 - 5 years ago and have been working at it. Any less and you won't have the experience, any longer and you'll probably have more bad habits to iron out.

Edit: Not affiliated with ISM by the way, just used them as the example because they're national and their prices are pretty clear on the website. I think you'll pay around the same with any company.

Cheers, have been at buses last 13 years so well use to larger vehicles just never drove an artic....

Something I've always wanted to do.

Richie15

punisher5112 wrote: »

Cheers, have been at buses last 13 years so well use to larger vehicles just never drove an artic....

Something I've always wanted to do.

That's a fair bit of experience, you might be ok with the minimum lessons so (I think most schools are Min. 3-5). Might be worth your while doing one, and see what the instructor thinks.

Wishbone Ash

I also got the DE/D1E when I ticked the boxes after passing the CE.

Richie15 wrote: »

... I've heard that's the only way of getting it, not sure that part is true!...

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

.... because we don't have a DE test here !

I find that hard to believe. If someone with a D licence required a DE there would have to be a mechanism for getting it without having to have a truck and trailer licence. I'm pretty sure I've seen a bus with a trailer at the test center in Finglas.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I also got the DE/D1E when I ticked the boxes after passing the CE.




I find that hard to believe. If someone with a D licence required a DE there would have to be a mechanism for getting it without having to have a truck and trailer licence. I'm pretty sure I've seen a bus with a trailer at the test center in Finglas.

You might've seen a minibus and trailer but not a full sized bus or coach with trailer

Like I say, there's no test here for it. Look into it, it's been asked before here

Wishbone Ash

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

You might've seen a minibus and trailer but not a full sized bus or coach with trailer

Like I say, there's no test here for it. Look into it, it's been asked before here

It was 15-20 years ago so perhaps things have changed but it was definitely a full size coach and trailer.

I'd imagine, if there's no test opportunity, it would have to be granted on application. A coach operator, who may never have to/wish to drive trucks, couldn't be expected to do 2 irrelevant tests just to get a trailer category for a relevant vehicle.

Richie15

I went into the NDLS Centre today armed with the Regulations. The girl who served me double checked with the help desk, confirmed I am entitled to the categories but said if she processed it there she'd have to charge me again. Gave me a phone number to ring and they said I have to sit a DE test. I quoted the Regulations and she said I'll have to email them a copy.

My advice to anyone in a similar situation, print a copy and submit it with your application in the first place.