D1 MINIBUS TRAINING
All training is based on two people training together.
If you passed your car test after 1 January 1997, you are restricted to category B (car up to 3500kgs) only. If you want to drive vehicles in C1 (small lorries between 3.5 tonne and 7.5 tonne) or D1 (minibuses with between 9 and 16 passenger seats), you will have to take the additional test. You will also have to take the relevant theory (including hazard perception test) and have a medical.
Provisional PCV Category D1 Driving Licence:
The first step to D1 training is to pass a medical test the form will be included in the pack received from DSA.
Booking your Theory Test: When you have received your PCV provisional driving licence back from the DVLA you are then able to book your theory test.
As a guide, on average most car drivers require four to five days PCV category D1 training in order to reach test standard. If you passed your car test before January 1997 and have experience in driving vehicles up to 7.5 tonne the course duration may be reduced to just three or four days.
New drivers acquiring a vocational licence entitlement after the relevant implementation dates (Sept 08 or Sept 09) and intending to work as a driver must obtain a Driver CPC before they can drive professionally.
To minimise cost and inconvenience, the DSA will offer new drivers the opportunity to acquire the Driver CPC at the same time as they obtain their vocational driving licence.
Driver CPC will be acquired by completing 4 hours of theory testing and 2 hours of practical tests. The tests can be taken in modules that will support drivers who may be exempt from Driver CPC, or who were exempt and now need their CPC. The modules will be:
- 2½ hours theory test
- 1½ hours theory test (case studies)
- 1½ hours practical test
- ½ hour practical demonstration of vehicle safety
The following table illustrates the modular approach to acquiring a vocational licence and/or Driver CPC:
Module 1 Theory Test
Module 2 Case studies
Module 3 Practical Test
Module 4 Practical Demonstration of vehicle Safety
Modules 1 and 2 be taken in any order, as can modules 3 and 4.
Candidates must complete Module 1 before they can take Module 3 and must complete Module 2 before they can take Module 4.
All professional vocational drivers must undertake periodic training in order to maintain their Driver CPC.
Drivers will have to complete a minimum of 35 hours of approved training every 5 years. Each training course must be of a minimum length of 7 hours, with the 7 hours being defined as contact time with the trainer. Each training course must be delivered within a 24 hours period.
All training must be taken with an approved training centre and on an approved training course. Records of training taken by drivers will be kept centrally.
All approved training centres and training courses will be subject to audit and approval may be withdrawn if it is found that centres or courses are not complying with the approval criteria.
Drivers who are deemed to hold Driver CPC by acquired rights must complete their periodic training within 5 years of the introduction of Driver CPC:
- for PCV licence holders, by 10 Sept 2013
- for LGV licence holders, by 10 Sept 2014
Drivers who gain their Driver CPC by completing the initial qualification must complete their first cycle of periodic training within 5 years of the date they acquired their Driver CPC.
Drivers who do not maintain their Driver CPC, i.e. because they leave the industries, but who want to start working as a professional driver again, must complete 35 hours of periodic training in order to regain their Driver CPC. They must complete the training before they can resume working professionally.
Drivers holding both lorry and bus and coach licence entitlement will only be required to complete 35 hours of approved training every 5 years.
Exemptions
Drivers of the following vehicles will not be required to hold a Driver CPC:
- a vehicle with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 km/h
- a vehicle used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, a police force, a fire and rescue authority
- a vehicle undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt Vehicles which have not yet been put into service
- a vehicle used in a state of emergency or assigned to a rescue mission
- a vehicle used in the course of driving lessons for the purpose of enabling that person to obtain a driving licence or a CPC
- a vehicle used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods for personal use
- a vehicle carrying material or equipment to be used by that person in the course of his or her work, provided that driving that vehicle is not that person's principal activity.
An example of a driver under exemption vii (also known as "incidental driver") would be a brick layer who drives a load of bricks from the builder's yard to the building site and then spends their working day laying bricks. In this case, driving a lorry is incidental to their main occupation.
However, drivers can move in and out of an exemption, depending on the circumstances in which they are driving. For example, a bus mechanic would be exempt while driving a bus to check that it had been repaired, but would need to hold a Driver CPC if they also drove a bus on a passenger carrying service.
Module 1 Theory Test
This module will be taken by candidates who want to acquire either a vocational licence only or a vocational licence and Driver CPC.
It is based on the current licence acquisition theory test. From April 2008, it will consist of 100 multiple choice questions and 20 hazard perception clips. Candidates will be allowed 2½ hours to complete this module.
Transition arrangements will be put in place to phase in the increase of questions from 35 to 100 questions. From April 2007, the number of multiple choice questions will be 60, and the passmark will be 51. From April 2008, the number of MCQ's will increase to 100 and the passmark will be 85. The number of hazard perception clips will remain at 14 in April 2007 but will increase in April 2008, details of which will be provided in the near future.
Module 2 Theory Test
This module is to be taken only by candidates who want to acquire Driver CPC.
It will consist of about 3 case studies, which are currently being developed. More details will be provided, including examples of case studies, as the development work progresses.
Candidates will be allowed 1½ hours to complete this module.
Module 2 will be introduced in 2008 for PCV candidates and 2009 for LGV candidates.
Further information, in terms of how case studies will look, be scored and the pass mark will be provided once they have been developed.
Module 3 Practical Test
This module is to be taken by candidates who want to acquire either a vocational licence only or a vocational licence and Driver CPC.
It will consist of the current licence acquisition test, with an additional 10 minutes on-road time for categories D1, D, C1 &C. It is proposed that the additional on-road time will be introduced from April 2007, subject to consultation.
The vehicle used for this module must comply with Minimum Test Vehicle requirements.
Module 4 Practical Test
This module is to be taken only by candidates who want to acquire Driver CPC.
It will be introduced on 10 Sept 08 for PCV and on 10 Sept 09 for LGV candidates. The module will consist of a series of questions that will require the candidate to demonstrate their knowledge of vehicle safety issues. This will follow the current proven "show me, tell me" methodology.
The vehicle used for this module must comply with Minimum Test Vehicle requirements.
A summary of the test plan, showing in which modules the various parts of the syllabus will be tested for the initial qualification.
Please contact Kim on 07969 598596 for information or to arrange training.
