{"id":2756,"date":"2023-03-20T09:37:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T09:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=2756"},"modified":"2023-09-13T06:40:30","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T06:40:30","slug":"become-lorry-driver","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/driving\/lorries-buses\/become-lorry-driver\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Lorry Driver | DVLA D2 Form Download"},"content":{"rendered":"

BECOMING QUALIFIED<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are certain qualifications required before you operate a heavy goods vehicle or a passenger carrying vehicle.<\/p>\n

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Lorry or Bus Driver: Qualifications<\/h5>\n

The 3 steps of getting qualified and becoming a Lorry driver (or bus) are:<\/p>\n

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  1. Holding a full car driving licence<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Being at least 18 years old (some exemptions apply to this age rule).<\/li>\n
  3. Obtaining a professional driving qualification known as the full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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    Full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence<\/h5>\n

    As a rule, you will need to pass four separate tests to get the CPC. Exceptions exist for certain cases of ‘acquired rights’ (see driver CPC training for qualified drivers). This could be because of some existing experience in driving large goods vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Steps to Get Full Driver CPC (and retain)<\/h5>\n
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    1. Apply for the provisional lorry or bus licence.<\/li>\n
    2. Pass all 4 tests that make up the Driver CPC qualification.<\/li>\n
    3. Participate in 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years (to stay qualified).<\/li>\n
    4. You must renew bus or lorry licence at 45<\/a> every 5 years to meet driving medical standards. This becomes an annual requirement from the age of 65.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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      National Vocational Training Course<\/h5>\n

      Approved National Vocational Training (NVT) courses have different rules. It allows the driving of certain vehicles professionally for a period up to 12 months. Taking the NVT means Driver CPC part 2<\/a> and CPC module 4 tests<\/a> are not required.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

      Note<\/strong>: You can apply to defer taking the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence<\/a> (CPC) part 2 and 4 tests if taking a National Vocational Training (NVT) programme.<\/p>\n

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      Driver CPC Exemptions<\/h3>\n

      There are some situations when you do not need a CPC qualification to drive haulage vehicles. As a rule, the full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence is not necessary if:<\/p>\n