ED + ED1 licence

triple-M · 28-09-2012 02:45PM #1

Hi everybody,

I currently hold a full C+ D truck and bus licence and have my E+C artic test coming up shortly.I am trying to find out if I pass the E+C test will it entitle me to the E+D licence(bus and trailer/articulated bus).Some people tell me the artic test covers the bus and trailer as I already have a full bus licence others tell me it doesnt,reason I am wondering is that there is a potential of work with a bus company that operates articulated buses near the airport,regards

Faith+1 · 28-09-2012 07:11PM

triple-M wrote: »

Hi everybody,

I currently hold a full C+ D truck and bus licence and have my E+C artic test coming up shortly.I am trying to find out if I pass the E+C test will it entitle me to the E+D licence(bus and trailer/articulated bus).Some people tell me the artic test covers the bus and trailer as I already have a full bus licence others tell me it doesnt,reason I am wondering is that there is a potential of work with a bus company that operates articulated buses near the airport,regards

No, it will give you the full EB though.

Del2005 · 29-09-2012 09:19PM

Faith+1 wrote: »

No, it will give you the full EB though.

Unless it's been changed I got ED when I passed EC or more correctly I had C + EC and when I passed my D test I also got ED. This was about 4 or 5 years ago.

Faith+1 · 30-09-2012 01:24AM

Del2005 wrote: »

Unless it's been changed I got ED when I passed EC or more correctly I had C + EC and when I passed my D test I also got ED. This was about 4 or 5 years ago.

If that was the case then they'd give you the D if you pass your C test and vice versa. The RSA have drawn a line between the bus and truck tests these days .i.e EU regulations.

triple-M · 30-09-2012 08:31PM

thanks faith +1,Any idea if any driving schools could actually train somebody for their e+d I-ve never seen anyone taking lessons in an articulated bus or a bus and trailer combo

Faith+1 · 01-10-2012 12:08AM

triple-M wrote: »

thanks faith +1,Any idea if any driving schools could actually train somebody for their e+d I-ve never seen anyone taking lessons in an articulated bus or a bus and trailer combo

I've never seen a school that teaches the ED but I'd ring some of the bigger driving schools to find out...

Wishbone Ash · 01-10-2012 06:41AM

Just to clarify a few things lads.

1. An ED licence is not required to drive an articulated bus on public roads. It may be driven on a standard D licence as the "trailer" is not detachable and the bus is driven via the rear axle - not centre one.

2. I was given the ED and ED1 on application without a test as I had already held a EC and D licence.

3. Faith+1 - in relation to your comment if that was the case if you already had a C they have give you a D. That is not a valid comparison. A ED licence entitled one to tow a relatively small trailer behind a bus. Anyone who has a D and an EC will be accustomed to 13.6 metre (or longer) trailers and it would seem absurd if they had to undergo a test for a much smaller trailer.

4. The ED ED1 tests are quite rare as most holders have them by default. A bus driver who does not have a truck licence would be required to sit it if he wished to tow a trailer.

5. Articulated buses are very easy to drive. I got about an hour's training before being sent out in one and most of that related to non-driving matters.

OP - Contact Aircoach if you are interested in driving articulated buses at the airport. They have the contract for the long term car parks there.

Faith+1 · 01-10-2012 01:43PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Just to clarify a few things lads.
3. Faith+1 - in relation to your comment if that was the case if you already had a C they have give you a D. That is not a valid comparison. A ED licence entitled one to tow a relatively small trailer behind a bus. Anyone who has a D and an EC will be accustomed to 13.6 metre (or longer) trailers and it would seem absurd if they had to undergo a test for a much smaller trailer.

True however they are still seperate categorys, the EU road directive is over ruling anything the RSA previously did and let's be honest it's a nice little earner for the RSA. The OP should ring the RSA to be 100% certain but even at that opinions change from employee to employee.

triple-M · 02-10-2012 06:45PM

EC Test passed and new licence applied for I ticked EC EC1 ED and ED1 on the form and the lady at the counter didnt say anything so hopefully I-ll get them all,I-ll let yous know when it arrives,According to aircoach they require their drivers to have ED to drive the bendy buses,but they said they-ll take me out for an assessment once I have ED on either my full or learner permit...

Wishbone Ash · 02-10-2012 08:00PM

triple-M wrote: »

According to aircoach they require their drivers to have ED to drive the bendy buses

That's seems odd. I worked for them on a casual basis for 5 years and most of their drivers only had a standard D licence and many of them were restricted to automatics. I had an unrestricted licence and the downside of that was that I frequently drew the short straw with their few manual buses. Doing the staff car park in a manual was tough going - 2,500 gear changes during a 12 hour shift!

Congratulations on passing the test.

triple-M · 03-10-2012 07:47AM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's seems odd. I worked for them on a casual basis for 5 years and most of their drivers only had a standard D licence and many of them were restricted to automatics. I had an unrestricted licence and the downside of that was that I frequently drew the short straw with their few manual buses. Doing the staff car park in a manual was tough going - 2,500 gear changes during a 12 hour shift!

Congratulations on passing the test.

thanks

I guess nowadays they can be more fussy,they probably see someone with an E on their licence as less of a crash risk as they would be more used to driving trailers/flexible vehicles

ED + ED1 licence

Comments