HGV Driving Test – The Ultimate Guide

How to Qualify

There are certain requirements to become an HGV driver for any type of LGV vehicle including a large articulated lorry. According to the government website, you should have a full car licence and be over the age of 18. Next, you must get a professional driving qualification called the driver certificate of professional competence or CPC for short. You also need an HGV provisional licence which currently does not cost anything.

Your heavy goods vehicle test is very important as it’s the start of your chosen career meaning you want to pass your test as soon as possible to get your HGV licence. Get in touch with L&T Transport for HGV driver training in Yorkshire.

The Testing Process

Now, we need to look at getting ready for your practical driving test, we need to know what happens during the test. During your practical test, you will be assessed on independent driving including your driving ability and manoeuvres. The DVLA states that HGV drivers must pass 4 stages to get their HGV licence.

Theory test – Stage 1 is your HGV theory test. This is divided into two parts including the multiple-choice questions and the hazard perception. During the multiple-choice questions, you have the choose the correct answer. You may be asked asked vehicle safety questions. The hazard perception is a little different as you get played a video and you must click when you see a serious fault. If successful, you will receive a theory test pass certificate.
Case studies – The next stage of your test is what qualifies you under the full driver CPC regulations. This part involves a 75-minute test which includes various real case studies based on likely things that would happen whilst you are working.
Driving ability – Stage 3 involves you being tested on your driving skills to ensure you can drive safely on the roads. You will be in a full-sized vehicle whether you are a bus driver or driving an articulated lorry.
Demonstrations – Finally, stage 4 is the last part and it is known as a practical demonstration. You are required to show you can complete basic tasks that every HGV driver is legally required to like the vehicle safety questions. Your vehicle safety questions should be memorised in your head before your test.

How to Prepare for Your HGV Driving Test

You might be thinking there isn’t a way to prepare for your LGV driving test, however, we know some of the best tips when it comes to getting ready for driving tests. From learning all vehicle controls to mastering the controlled stop to dealing with other road users. Driving tests are not easy, so follow our guide to get your driving licence and your very own pass certificate.

Your test is very important to you as it is the first step in your LGV career. We will discuss the best ways to get you feeling confident for your test no matter what type of lorry you are in, articulated lorry, large rigid lorry or medium-sized lorries.

Practical road driving in an HGV is a lot different from a car and avoiding dangerous faults is important so you can pass your test. The fewer driving faults the better so, you can get to the required pass mark.

So, how do you prepare for your driving test?

Get Plenty Rest

HGV tests require a lot of attention so get plenty of rest the night before you take your test. You should aim to go to bed early and leave your phone or any distractions away from you so you’re not tempted to go on it. This will help you to be calm and relaxed on the day of the test, and it will also help you to focus and perform at your best on your test.

How to Get Plenty of Rest

Avoid Caffeine

You should avoid drinking caffeine on the day of your HGV driving test. Too much Caffeine can make you feel anxious and jittery, which is the last thing you want to feel on the day of your test.

Set An Alarm

Set an alarm for the morning of your test. This will help you to wake up on time and make sure that you are not rushed on the day of the test.

Go to Bed Early

It is important to get plenty of rest before your test. This means that you should try to get a good night’s sleep the night before. Going to bed early will help you to be calm and relaxed on the day of the test, and it will also help you to focus and perform at your best.

Get Rid Of Distractions

One of the best ways to prepare for your test is to get rid of distractions. This means that you should try to avoid doing anything that may interfere with your focus and concentration on the day of the test.

There are many ways you can avoid distractions when preparing for your test. Firstly, avoid going on your phone a lot on the morning of your test as you may read something which could then be on your mind all day.

Secondly, avoid doing large tasks before your test this could stress you out or cause injury which means you may have a disadvantage in your test.

Practise All Manoeuvres

One of the best ways to prepare for your test is to practise all manoeuvres. This means that you should try to master all of the different types of manoeuvres that you may be required to do during the test.

There are many different manoeuvres that you may be required to perform during your test. These manoeuvres include reversing, turning, changing direction and much more.

It is important to practise all of these manoeuvres before your test so that you are confident and ready when it comes to the day of the test. You can find plenty of resources online which will help you to practise all of the different manoeuvres required for your HGV test.

Dress in Clothes You Find Comfortable

When it comes to your test, it is important to wear comfortable clothes. This means that you should avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing. Wearing comfortable clothes will help you to feel relaxed and at ease on the day of your test.

There are many different types of clothing you can wear for your test. However, it is important to make sure that you are comfortable with what you are wearing. You should also avoid wearing any extremely loose or flowing clothing as this could get caught in the controls of the vehicle.

Master the Basics

When it comes to preparing for your driving test, it is important to master the basics. This means that you should be confident in your ability to drive safely and effectively before taking your test.

There are many different basic skills that you will need to master to pass your driving test. These skills include reversing, turning, changing direction and much more.

Ensure You Are Fully Prepared

Being prepared for your driving test is important to ensure that you perform at your best on the day of the test. There are many different ways that you can prepare for your test, and it is important to make sure that you are prepared in all aspects.

One of the most important ways to prepare for your driving test is to make sure that you have all of the necessary documents. This means that you should have your provisional lorry licence, driving licence and anything else you may need.

You should also make sure that you are familiar with the route of your test and take traffic conditions into mind. This means that you should know where you need to go and what roads you will be taking. As well as this, thinking about other road users’ intentions can help you make more informed choices.

It’s also important to take into mind other road users

Get in touch with us today for HGV driver training across Yorkshire.

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