Why should you become a lorry driver?

There’s no doubt that a career as a lorry driver is incredibly rewarding. And with the demand for lorry drivers increasing, the likelihood of you finding a job after you’ve qualified is high too. If you’re still undecided as to whether lorry driver training is the right course of action for your future, we’ve compiled a list of all the benefits you’ll experience once you’re qualified:

• Travelling to more destinations
• Being able to pick and choose jobs to fit in with your schedule
• Transfer your skills to any vehicles that require a trailer
• Good wage
• Open yourself up to more job possibilities
• Become one of the most confident drivers on the road

What do you need do to become a lorry driver?

There’s lots of niggly things that you’ll need to do before you start your practical LGV training.

The first thing you’ll need to do is pass a medical test to make sure that your health meets the legal criteria to drive a lorry.

You’ll then need to apply for a provisional Category C license. This step will involve sending off your current licence to the DVLA, and usually takes about 3 weeks to come through.

For the next steps, you’ll have to pass a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) theory test to make sure that you have the required road knowledge. Your theory test, much like for your car licence will consist of 2 sections – a multiple choice and hazard perception, both of which you will need to book separately but can be arranged to be completed consecutively. There’s also a third part of your CPC theory – a case studies test.

Once all have been taken and passed, you’ll be able to book your practical test, which also consists of multiple parts. You’ll be expected to complete a driving ability test, which will assess your capabilities out on the road. Below, we’ve given you some examples of what you can expect:

• Using the vehicle controls
• Moving away at an angle, uphill and downhill
• Carrying out a controlled stop
• Using the mirrors
• Giving appropriate signals
• Showing awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions

Once you’ve passed this section of your practical driving test, you’ll then be able to book your Practical Demonstration Test. It’s only once you’ve passed all the above sections that you’ll finally be a fully qualified lorry driver.

How can MSM Training help you to pass?

Once you’ve completed your theory, get on the phone to us as soon as possible to book our lorry driver training course. Once your place on the course has been confirmed, book your practical driving test for the day after your tuition ends so all the skills and information are fresh in your mind.

You’ll receive 5 days of expert 1 to 1 tuition, which will cover all elements that will come up on both sections of your practical driving test.  All of your lorry driver training will be provided by DVSA registered instructors, who have been trained to adapt their teaching methods in line with each client’s individual learning styles, weaknesses and strengths. We promise that you’ll feel ready and confident for both aspects of your practical driving test at the end of the 5 day course.

What training do we provide for qualified lorry drivers?

Some people may simply have chosen only to take the test for smaller vehicles, in which case, we also provide booster courses so you can gain the qualifications required to drive larger vehicles. Our courses include:

• CATEGORY C RIGID LGV
• CATEGORY C1E 7.5 TONNE LGV & TRAILER
• CATEGORY C1 7.5 TONNE LGV
• CATEGORY CE ARTICULATED LGV & RIGID & DRAWBACK TRAILER