Learning to drive a PCV.

[Dr Jekyll]

Vaguely wondered about this as an interesting experience as much as anything else.

Can anyone that's done it recently comment on how long it takes, how much it costs, generally what it's like?

[s p a c e m a n]

Try here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[R0G]

PCV D courses are similar in cost and length to LGV C courses

To go from cat B to cat D in order to drive them commercially you will need to pass these modules
1a PCV theory test
1b HPT
2 PCV driver cpc theory test
3 practical road drive/reversing
4 practical PCV dcpc test

If not already covered by a D4 medical then that is an extra £50ish as well

Taking the standard 5 half day 1 to 1 or 5 full day 2 to 1 courses with test on day 5 then that lot without any retests is likely to set you back between £1k and £1.5K

[s p a c e m a n]

rog, is the pcv cpc the same as the hgv one or would I have to complete another?

[R0G]

s p a c e m a n said:

rog, is the pcv cpc the same as the hgv one or would I have to complete another?

The initial dcpc is different for each but the periodic can be counted for both

[Dr Jekyll]

R0G said:

PCV D courses are similar in cost and length to LGV C courses

To go from cat B to cat D in order to drive them commercially you will need to pass these modules
1a PCV theory test
1b HPT
2 PCV driver cpc theory test
3 practical road drive/reversing
4 practical PCV dcpc test

If not already covered by a D4 medical then that is an extra £50ish as well

Taking the standard 5 half day 1 to 1 or 5 full day 2 to 1 courses with test on day 5 then that lot without any retests is likely to set you back between £1k and £1.5K

Thanks

[Hooli]

R0G said:

PCV D courses are similar in cost and length to LGV C courses

To go from cat B to cat D in order to drive them commercially you will need to pass these modules
1a PCV theory test
1b HPT
2 PCV driver cpc theory test
3 practical road drive/reversing
4 practical PCV dcpc test

If not already covered by a D4 medical then that is an extra £50ish as well

Taking the standard 5 half day 1 to 1 or 5 full day 2 to 1 courses with test on day 5 then that lot without any retests is likely to set you back between £1k and £1.5K

Or take a job with a Bus firm, get it for free & then quit paying back the £1.5k-£2k costs. Only trouble with that is your likely to get an auto licence.

I did it the bus way & managed 18months before getting fired Then went coaching & after about the same time I quit before getting fired. Still got a manual licence out of it, not that I'll ever use it again unless desperate for work.

[GC8]

If I was spending my own money then Id be looking at HGV Class 2 / C. If you really want to be a bus driver at some point then this will upgrade your automatic bus entitlement to manual too.

[Motorwaymick]

I took my PCV test 10 years ago, didn't like it jacked it in and was sent a bill for £1,300, binned it never heard another thing from them. Fast forward a few years and I got TUPEd back there. Bus driving in London is not bad money for sitting on your arse, £13 -14ph after initial term.

[GTO Scott]

GC8 said:

If I was spending my own money then Id be looking at HGV Class 2 / C. If you really want to be a bus driver at some point then this will upgrade your automatic bus entitlement to manual too.

Exactly this. I have a full manual 'D' licence and I'm looking to take 'C' in the next month or two, but unlike the bus industry it's very rare to find a HGV operator that is willing to put you through your licence. If you just want the 'D' licence, do it with any bus operator willing to put you through your test, and use the money you earn whilst learning with them (most operators pay you a basic weekly wage whilst you learn) to pay them back if/when you quit if they chase you for it.

And don't work as a bus driver - not if you consider yourself reasonably intelligent.