driver licensing

• At present time licensing requirements are harmonised across the EU, to achieve complete mutual recognition of driving licences in all 27 member states and to set common standards of health and competence

  
• The EU harmonised driver licensing system has proved popular beyond the EU borders and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have all adopted the regime

  
• Beyond these 30+ countries, the EU driver licensing system alone might not be sufficient and additional documents such as an International Driving Permit might be required

  
• This module covers the following areas:

  1. Categories of licence entitlement

  2. Licence application procedure

  3. Tests

  4. Licence validity and duration

  5. Medical and conduct requirements

  6. Licence production requirements

  7. Employers' responsibilities
• Driving licences in the UK

  Issued by the DVLA at Swansea, a single licence is issued to each holder which specifies the various categories of vehicle that the person is permitted to drive

  
• Photocard licences


  • Issued giving all of the driver's details on a credit card sized licence which also contains a photograph, must be updated every 10 years

  
• Current photocards


  • Contain security features including changing images, holographic features, laser engraved black and white photograph, tactile features, optically variable ink and a unique card number (on the reverse)
• Individual drivers are allowed to view their licence information on-line at a DVLA website and arrangements are available for employers, etc., to use similar systems to check the licence details of their drivers

  
• Key categories of goods vehicle entitlement


  • B
  • C1
  • B+E
  • C1+E
  • C+E
• Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)

  The gross plated weight for most goods vehicles in the UK

  
• For goods vehicles, "vocational licensing" starts once a vehicle exceeds 3500 kg MAM

  
• Category B licence holder


  Allowed to operate an Electric Goods Van up to a higher weight limit of 4.25 tonnes, must not be towing a trailer, must only be operated within the UK and only after the driver has undertaken an additional five hours of training
• Vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7500 kg


  Defined as "large goods vehicles", licence categories C and C + E fall within the definition of large goods vehicle

  
• Maximum vehicle trailer combinations which may be driven by holders of category C1 and C entitlements


  • C1 - Maximum Trailer MAM 750 kg, Maximum MAM for Combination 8250 kg
  • C - The MAM of the vehicle plus a maximum additional 750 kg for the trailer

  
• Minimum ages of drivers


  Category B entitlement can be obtained at age 17, Category C1 and C entitlements can be obtained at age 18
• Drivers who have gained their Driver's CPC and have passed their Category C theory and practical tests can then move on and gain C+E, again at age 18
• Category C1 is a sub-division of the main C category: it is not necessary to obtain a C1 qualification as a stepping stone to a C or C+E entitlement
• Groups of drivers who have had their entitlements preserved

  • Category C1 drivers who passed their category B test prior to 1 January 1997
  • Drivers with a preserved C+E entitlement who were limited to vehicle and trailer combinations having a MAM not exceeding 8250kg

  
• Information codes on a driver's licence

  Provide further information or restrictions, examples include 01 - eyesight correction, 101 - not for hire or reward, 103 - subject to certificate of competence, 119 - weight limit for vehicle does not apply

  
• Licence application procedure

  1. Provisional entitlement - first application made on form D2, medical report required

  2. Full entitlement - pass certificates sent to DVLA, now possible to go directly from Category B to C+E
• Applicants for vocational entitlement to drive goods vehicles must declare on their application form any convictions for breaking drivers' hours or records regulations, or convictions concerning the roadworthiness or loading of vehicles

  
• Applicants who are disqualified from holding an ordinary (category B) licence will not be granted a provisional vocational entitlement
• Vocational training and testing

  1. Theory test - computer-based, 100 multiple choice questions, pass mark 85%

  2. Hazard perception test - view 19 video clips and indicate potential hazards, pass mark 67%

  3. Driver CPC case studies

  4. Off road exercises

  5. Licence acquisition practical test

  6. Driver CPC practical test

  
• Once passed, the theory test qualification is "live" for a maximum of two years, within which period the candidate must go on to pass the practical test
• Candidates must answer at least 85 of the questions correctly to pass the theory test
• If the practical test is not passed within the two year limit a further theory test will be required
• Hazard perception test


  Requires the candidate to view 19 video clips of traffic scenes and to indicate when they see potential hazards appearing
• Candidates must score a minimum of 67 to pass the hazard perception test
• The time allowed to complete the whole of Module 1 (both the theory test and the hazard perception test) is 2.5 hours
• Driver CPC case studies

  Candidates will be shown seven short scenarios related to real life situations likely to be encountered by goods vehicle drivers - for example, driving in icy conditions or being asked to carry out non-driving work when due for a daily or weekly rest

  
• Candidates are allowed 1.5 hours to complete the Driver CPC case studies module and must score 40 or more to pass
• Practical test (Driver CPC Part 3a & 3b)

  1. 3a off road exercises: manoeuvring exercise, "S" shaped reverse into a bay, uncoupling and recoupling procedure

  2. 3b on road driving: start and stop the vehicle, overtake, use gears and signals correctly, turn safely and maintain a safe position in relation to other vehicles

  
• Vehicles used for the practical test

  • Must meet minimum weight and dimension requirements (e.g. category C rigid vehicle must be loaded with IBCs filled with water giving a minimum overall real weight of 10 tonnes and an overall length of at least 8 metres, artic for C+E test must have a real weight of at least 15 tonnes and an overall length of at least 14 metres)
  • Must be fitted with anti-lock brakes, seat belts, a tachograph, a box body, and the capability of achieving a speed of 80 kph
• LGV testing is now no longer "staged", meaning a category B test has to be passed before training for C+E can begin
• Candidates failing the practical test will normally be required to wait at least 3 working days until the test can be taken again
• If the practical test has to be cancelled by the candidate for any reason then at least 10 working days notice must be given otherwise the test fee will be forfeited
• Driver CPC practical test

  Candidates are required to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to carry out activities such as daily walk-round safety checks, safe loading and assessing emergency situations

  
• Half an hour is allowed for the Driver CPC practical test

  
• Training for the practical test


  • The holder of a licence with provisional vocational entitlement must be accompanied by the holder of a full entitlement for that category of vehicle
  • There is currently no requirement for vocational instructors to hold any qualification in addition to the full licence appropriate to the vehicle, as long as they have held the licence for at least 3 years

  
• When a vehicle is being used to train a provisional vocational licence holder, the vehicle must be fitted with a normal car-style L plate (red letter on a white background) front and rear