I applied for my provisional hgv license years ago when you could still go straight to class one as it was..... unfortunately money was tight with two young children so I never got round to doing the week long course and test and then of course all the rules changed again and now it's two tests so twice as expensive and a years wait in between times........ why would we bother :roll:
No years wait, mate. The moment your full C is back, with the provisional C+E, you can take the test. 2 to 3 weeks max.
Although I wouldn't advice taking the 2 tests close together. Better to build experience with class 2, then get the class 1. Main difference is, newly qualified C+E, with C experience, good chance of employment. Newly qualified, without any experience, tad more difficult.
So, since you are going to have to drive class 2 for a while, and given than the experience should help you with the artic, I'd say it is worth waiting to get the C+E until you get some experience.
As for the toughness of the tests, would you rather have every Dick, Tom and Harry driving a 44 ton vehicle?? I definitely wouldn't. Just look at the situation with the 7.5 tons. Every person who got his car licence before 97 can jump behind the wheel of a 7.5 tonner. Anyone seen one driven sensibly recently???
There's no demand for C1 drivers because amount of drivers is ginormous, compared to the availability of positions. Unfortunately, the law was not made retroactive, but personally, I would much rather have anyone who is going to drive goods vehicles getting some formal training on them before being allowed on the road.
