Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver

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1. Getting qualified

To become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach driver you need to:

  • have a full car licence
  • be over 18 - but there are some exceptions
  • get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

You must have the full Driver CPC if you drive an HGV, bus or coach as the main part of your job.

There are 5 tests that make up the full Driver CPC. You might not need to take all 5 tests, for example if you previously qualified as an HGV driver and you want to retrain.

If you’re qualifying for the first time

  1. Apply for a provisional HGV or bus licence.

  2. Pass the 5 tests that make up the Driver CPC to qualify.

  3. Take 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to stay qualified.

You need to renew your bus or HGV licence every 5 years, and every year when you reach 65.

If you’re taking a National Vocational Training (NVT) course

If you’re taking an approved NVT course you can drive professionally for up to 12 months without taking the Driver CPC part 2 and part 4 tests.

If you have qualified as an HGV or bus driver before

If you have previous experience as a qualified HGV or bus driver, you can return without taking all 4 tests for the Driver CPC.

  1. Renew your bus or HGV licence.

  2. Do 35 hours of training or take parts 2 and 4 of the Driver CPC tests.

  3. Take 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to stay qualified.

Read more about what you need to do to return to HGV or bus driving.

If driving is not the main part of your job or the vehicle is exempt

You might not need the full Driver CPC to drive an HGV or bus, for example if you:

  • want to carry passengers or goods for personal use and not commercially
  • only drive for certain tasks, like taking the vehicle to test centres
  • drive as part of your job, but it is not the main part of your job

You also do not need the full Driver CPC if the vehicle you’re driving is either:

  • limited to 28mph
  • being used by services like the armed forces or the police

Check if you’re exempt from needing the full Driver CPC.

2. Returning to be an HGV or bus driver

If you previously qualified, you do not have to do the full qualification process again to bring your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) up to date.

Check and renew your licence

If you’re not sure whether your licence is still valid, you can check what vehicles you’re allowed to drive.

You need to renew your licence if it’s expired.

Bring your Driver CPC up to date

What you need to do depends on when you originally got your heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus licence.

Some employers offer help with the cost of training.

If you got an HGV licence before 10 September 2009 or a bus licence before 10 September 2008

You can either:

If you’ve already taken parts 2 and 4 of the Driver CPC tests, you cannot take them again. You must take 35 hours of training instead.

If you got an HGV licence on or after 10 September 2009 or a bus licence on or after 10 September 2008

You need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training by finding and taking training courses.

Any training you’ve done in the last 5 years counts towards the total. The training counts for 5 years from the date you took the course.

After you’ve completed your training or tests

Your new Driver CPC card will be sent to the address on your driving licence when you’ve completed your training or tests.

Check what you need to do once you’ve requalified.

3. If driving is not the main part of your job or the vehicle is exempt

You do not need the full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification if you’re using the vehicle for:

  • non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods
  • carrying material or equipment you use for your job, as long as driving is less than 30% of your rolling monthly working time
  • driving lessons for anyone who wants to get a driving licence or a Driver CPC
  • driving to or from pre-booked appointments at official vehicle testing centres
  • driving within 62 miles (100 kilometres) of your base - but the vehicle cannot be carrying passengers or goods, and driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus or coach cannot be your main job
  • maintaining public order - and the vehicle is being used or controlled by a local authority
  • rescue missions or in states of emergency
  • driving for an agriculture, horticulture, forestry, farming or fisheries business, as long as driving is less than 30% of your rolling monthly working time

You also do not need the full Driver CPC if the vehicle is:

  • limited to a top speed of 28mph
  • being used or controlled by the armed forces, police, fire and rescue service, emergency ambulance service, prison service or people running a prison or young offender institution

You can read detailed examples of Driver CPC exemptions.

If you are not sure if you need the Driver CPC, you should seek legal advice.

What you need to do

If you want to become an HGV, bus or coach driver in these situations you need to:

  1. Apply for a provisional HGV or bus licence.

  2. Pass the part 1 (theory), part 3a (off-road exercises) and part 3b (on-road driving) tests.

You need to renew your bus or HGV licence every 5 years when you reach 45 and every year when you reach 65.

4. If you want to transport animals

You must get an ‘animal transportation certificate of competence’ if you want to drive pigs, horses, cattle, goats, sheep or poultry:

  • for commercial reasons
  • on journeys of 65km and over

You usually need a full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to get a certificate of competence for transporting animals in a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). You do not need the full Driver CPC if driving is not the main part of your job.

What you’ll get

You’ll train for a Level 2 Award in Animal Transport by Road for either:

  • short journeys (over 65km and less than 8 hours)
  • long journeys (more than 8 hours)

Once you’ve qualified you’ll get a certificate, which will be valid for life.

Where the certificate is valid

These qualifications are only valid in the UK.

If you have a certificate issued by the Republic of Ireland, you can get a UK certificate without doing training in the UK by sending your certificate to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Email: WIT@apha.gov.uk

If you want to drive in another country, you must check the driving requirements for that country.

Qualifications issued by an EU country are valid in all other EU countries.

Cost of training

How much you’ll pay depends on your training provider. Check with them to find out the training and assessment fees.

Find a training course

If you want to transport farm animals (for example sheep, cattle and pigs) or horses, you can train with NPTC or Lantra Awards.

1st4sport only offers training in transporting horses.

NPTC (part of City & Guilds Group)

Telephone: 02476 857 300
Email: information@cityandguilds.com
Website: www.nptc.org.uk

Lantra Awards

Telephone: 02476 696 996
Email: awards@lantra-awards.co.uk
Website: www.lantra.co.uk

1st4sport

Telephone: 01132 907 610
Email: enquiries@1st4sportqualifications.com
Website: www.1st4sportqualifications.com

How you’re assessed

For short journeys (less than 8 hours), you can take an online course remotely or in a training centre. You should confirm the assessment process with your training provider.

For long journeys (more than 8 hours), you’ll have a practical assessment at a training centre.

After your assessment

​​You’ll be sent a card and a certificate if you pass the assessment. You must carry your certificate with you when you’re driving.

If you drive without your certificate, you could be taken to court.

If you fail your assessment, you should speak with your training provider about retaking it.

Replacing lost, stolen or damaged cards and certificates

Contact your training provider for a new card or certificate.

5. Applying for a provisional HGV or bus licence

When you apply, you’ll need to choose what category of provisional licence you’re applying for.

The category of provisional licence you need depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive and the weight of the trailer you can tow with it.

Before you apply, check the licence categories for large vehicles - which include heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) - and buses.

How to apply

To apply, order forms D2 and D4 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Filling in form D4

The D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. This could be either:

  • your GP - but an optician might need to fill in the section about your eyesight
  • a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical exams

Your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you.

Filling in form D2

Depending on which provisional licence category you choose in form D2, you may get additional provisional entitlements to the one you apply for.

Category you choose Provisional entitlements you get
C1 C1
C or C1+E C1, C1+E, C and C+E
D or D1 D1, D1+E, D and D+E

Order the forms online

Order now

Send the forms

Send both forms and your photocard driving licence to DVLA. There’s no application fee.

If you have a paper driving licence you must include a passport-style colour photo and original identity documents.

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR

How long it takes

You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. It can take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked.

You automatically lose your HGV or bus licence if you lose your car licence.

6. Driver CPC part 1 test: theory

You can book the part 1 theory test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence.

The test is made up of 2 parts - multiple choice and hazard perception. You have to book both parts separately, but you can take them on the same day.

It does not matter which one you take first but you need to pass both within 2 years of each other to get your theory test certificate.

What to take to your test

You must bring one of the following:

  • a Great Britain photocard driving licence
  • a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
  • an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring the right documents.

Revision and practice

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.

Multiple-choice questions

The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:

Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.

You can also study using:

Take a free practice test

Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt. The questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics as the test.

Hazard perception test

To prepare for this test you can use the official guide to hazard perception.

You can buy the guide in these formats:

How the test works

Multiple-choice questions part

You have 1 hour and 55 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test starts you’ll get:

  • instructions on how the test works
  • the chance to do a practice question to get used to the screens

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

The pass mark for this part is 85 out of 100 questions.

Leaving a question

You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Hazard perception part

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.

You’ll then watch 19 video clips. The clips:

  • feature everyday road scenes
  • contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

Example

A car is parked at the side of the road and is not doing anything. It would not cause you to take action, so it’s not a developing hazard.

When you get closer, the car’s right-hand indicator starts to flash and it starts to move away. You’d need to slow down, so it’s now a developing hazard.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

The pass mark for this part is 67 out of 100.

Your test result

You’ll be given a letter at the test centre with the results for the part of the theory test you’ve just taken.

When you’ve passed both parts, you’ll be given your theory test certificate at the test centre. You’ll need your certificate when you book your Driver CPC part 3a and part 3b driving tests.

Your theory test certificate is valid for 2 years from when you passed the first part of the test.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3a and part 3b driving tests within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 1 theory test again.

If you fail the theory tests

You’ll get a results letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed.

You can book another theory test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the DVSA cancels your test at short notice.

7. Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies

You can book the part 2 case studies test of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) as soon as you’ve got your provisional licence. You do not need to have passed the Driver CPC part 1 theory test.

If you’re requalifying as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver by taking parts 2 and 4 of the test, you cannot book your test online. You have to book by phone instead.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency customer services
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (choose option 01)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges

What to take to your test

You must bring one of the following:

  • a Great Britain photocard driving licence
  • a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
  • an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring the right documents.

Revision and practice

You can use books or software to revise for the test and take practice tests.

You can buy:

How the test works

The test is made up of 7 case studies you work through on a computer. The case studies are short stories based on situations that you’re likely to come across in your working life.

You’ll be asked between 6 and 8 multiple-choice questions on each case study.

The test lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the pass mark is 40 out of 50.

Your test result

You’ll get a letter with the results at the test centre.

You need the test pass reference number when you book your Driver CPC part 4 practical demonstration test.

The pass letter is valid for 2 years.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 4 practical demonstration test within 2 years, otherwise you’ll have to pass the part 2 case studies test again.

If you fail the test

You’ll get a result letter with feedback telling you why you’ve failed.

You can book another case studies test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA cancels your test at short notice.

8. Driver CPC part 3a test: off-road exercises

You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3a test.

Book your test

You can book your test with either:

  • an approved private test provider
  • the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

Find approved test providers near you. You can book directly with them.

If the organisation that runs your training is also your test provider, your assessor must not have been involved in your training.

Alternatively you can book a test with DVSA.

What to take to your test

You must bring:

The vehicle you bring must be in the driving licence category that you want to get a licence for. For example, if you want to get a licence for an articulated lorry (category CE), you must use an articulated lorry for the test.

You must also bring one of the following:

  • a Great Britain photocard driving licence
  • a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
  • an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring these.

How the test works

Your test will last up to 30 minutes, and includes:

  • an ‘S’ shaped reverse into a bay
  • showing the uncoupling and recoupling procedure if you’re taking a test with a trailer

During the test

You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.

Your driving examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to others.

Test result

If you pass the test, you’ll get a test certificate. You’ll need to take the certificate to your Driver CPC part 3b (on-road driving) test.

You need to pass the Driver CPC part 3b test within 6 months of getting your certificate. If you do not, you’ll need to pass part 3a again.

If you fail you can book another test straight away, but you must leave at least 24 hours before you take the test again.

If you lose your test certificate

If you took your test through an approved test provider, ask them for a replacement. They can charge you up to £15.

If you took your test with DVSA, email the DVSA vocational test team to get a replacement. You’ll need a debit or credit card to pay the £15 fee.

Include the following in your email:

  • your full name
  • your driving licence number
  • the date you passed the test
  • a telephone number so DVSA can contact you to take your payment

DVSA vocational test team
module3a@dvsa.gov.uk

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA cancels your test at short notice.

If your approved test provider cancels your test at short notice, check their cancellation policy.

9. Driver CPC part 3b test: on-road driving

You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 1 theory test before you can book the Driver CPC part 3b test.

You can book your test online.

You must have passed the Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercises) test before you can take the part 3b test.

What to take to your test

You must bring:

The vehicle you bring must be in the same driving licence category as you used for your part 3a test. For example, if you passed the part 3a test in an articulated lorry (category CE), you must use an articulated lorry for the part 3b test.

You must also bring one of the following:

  • a Great Britain photocard driving licence
  • a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
  • an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring these.

How the test works

Your test will include:

  • vehicle safety questions
  • 1 hour of practical road driving

Vehicle safety questions

During your test you’ll be asked vehicle safety questions. Check the:

Practical road driving

During your practical road driving, the examiner will see how you:

  • use the vehicle controls
  • move away at an angle, uphill and downhill
  • do a controlled stop
  • use the mirrors
  • give appropriate signals
  • show awareness and anticipation of other road users’ intentions
  • manage your progress and control your vehicle speed
  • deal with hazards
  • select a safe place to stop

There will also be 10 minutes of independent driving, designed to test your ability to drive safely while making independent decisions.

During the test

You can carry on if you make a mistake during your driving test.

Your driving examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to others.

Test result

You’ll pass your test if you make:

  • 12 or fewer driving faults
  • no serious or dangerous faults

If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away. You cannot take the test for another 3 working days, not including the day you took the first test.

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cancels your test at short notice.

10. Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration

You must have passed the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) part 2 test before you can book the Driver CPC part 4 test.

Book your test

You can either:

If you’re requalifying as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver by taking parts 2 and 4 of the test, you cannot book your test online. You have to book by phone instead.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency customer services
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (choose option 02)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges

What to take to your test

You must bring an HGV or a bus or coach that meets the rules.

You must also bring one of the following:

  • a Great Britain photocard driving licence
  • a Northern Ireland photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
  • an EU photocard driving licence (and paper counterpart, if you have one)

If you do not have a photocard driving licence, bring your paper licence and a valid passport.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll lose your fee if you do not bring these.

How the test works

You’re tested on being able to:

  • load the vehicle following safety rules and to keep it secure
  • stop trafficking in illegal immigrants
  • assess emergency situations
  • reduce physical risks to yourself or others
  • do a walkaround vehicle safety check

The test is made up of 5 topics from the Driver CPC syllabus. You can score up to 20 points for each topic.

To pass you have to score at least 15 out of 20 in each topic area and have an overall score of at least 80 out of 100.

Test result

At the end of your test the examiner will tell you if you’ve passed.

If you fail, you can book another driving test straight away, but you cannot take it for another 3 clear working days.

Cancelled tests

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cancels your test at short notice.

11. After you’ve qualified

Once you’ve qualified, there are things you need to do when working as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver.

Apply for a digital tachograph card

Apply for a digital driver tachograph card to store information about your daily work.

Prepare for international journeys

If you’re going to drive an HGV or bus in Europe, you’ll need to:

Check what else you’ll need to:

Getting your Driver CPC card

Once you’ve qualified, you’ll be sent a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card. This is sometimes called a ‘driver qualification card’ or ‘DQC’.

The card will be sent to the address on your driving licence. You need to change this address first if it’s wrong.

The photograph and signature on your photocard licence will be used on your Driver CPC card.

Driving without your card

You must carry your Driver CPC card while driving an HGV, bus or coach professionally.

You can drive without it if you’ve passed the tests and you’re waiting for it to arrive.

If you requalified by taking the 35 hours training, make sure your training provider has recorded your training within 5 working days of you completing it. If they do not, you cannot drive while you’re waiting for your card to arrive.

Once your Driver CPC card has arrived, you can get a £50 fixed penalty for driving professionally without your card.

If your card does not arrive

You should get your Driver CPC card within 20 days of passing the final test. Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you do not receive it.

Driver CPC card replacements
cpcre@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 7721
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

You have to pay £25 if:

  • you take longer than 3 months to tell DVSA it has not arrived
  • it’s sent to an old address because you have not updated your licence

Replace your card

You must replace your Driver CPC card if it’s lost or stolen.

The Driver CPC card does not have your address on it, so you do not have to get a new one if your address changes.

Stay qualified

To stay qualified, every 5 years you must:

If you’re 65 or over you must renew your HGV or bus driving licence every year.

Qualify to tow heavier trailers

Once you’ve qualified, you’ll need to take additional steps if you want to tow heavier trailers.

This includes if you want to drive an articulated lorry rather than a rigid lorry, for example.

12. Upgrade your licence to tow heavier trailers

The full Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) lets you drive vehicles in the category you took your test in. There are limits on what size trailer you can tow with each category of vehicle.

If you want to tow a larger trailer, you’ll need to upgrade your licence.

Vehicle categories have changed over time. You might know a category C vehicle licence as an ‘HGV 2’ licence, and towing heavier trailers as ‘HGV 1’. You can check how older vehicle categories relate to the current versions.

How to upgrade your licence

  1. Find and complete training for the type of vehicle and trailer combination you want to use. For example, you need to take articulated lorry training if you want to drive an articulated lorry rather than a rigid lorry with a trailer.

  2. Book and pass the Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercises) and part 3b (on-road driving) tests.

When you take the part 3a and part 3b tests, you’ll need to use a vehicle that meets either the:

You do not need to apply for a new provisional licence or take the Driver CPC part 1 test again before you take the part 3a and part 3b tests.

You can only upgrade your licence this way if it’s in the same category - for example, going from a C to a C+E. If you want to add a different category to your licence, you need to go through the usual qualification process for that category.

13. Fees

Provisional licence

Cost
Application for a provisional heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus licence No charge

Test costs

These are the prices to book your tests with DVSA using the official service.

Your part 3a test may cost up to £40 if you choose to take it with an approved test provider instead of with DVSA.

Weekday Evening, weekend
and bank holiday
Driver CPC part 1 -
theory - (multiple-choice)		 £26 £26
Driver CPC part 1 -
theory - (hazard perception)		 £11 £11
Driver CPC part 2 -
case studies		 £23 £23
Driver CPC part 3a -
off-road exercises		 £40 £40
Driver CPC part 3b -
on-road driving		 £115 £141
Driver CPC part 4 -
practical demonstration		 £55 £63

You may be charged more if you book using an unofficial website.

Driver CPC card costs

Cost
Driver CPC card (non-UK driving licences only) £25
Replacement for lost, stolen or damaged card £25

NVT concession fees

Cost
National Vocational Training (NVT) concession card £25